The Swedish Competition Authority has approved Posten's acquisition of Strålfors

Posten AB (publ) ("Posten") has today obtained the Swedish Competition Authority's approval to acquire Strålfors AB ("Strålfors"). The Competition Authority has decided not to oppose the acquisition as Posten has undertaken to offer customers the possibility to purchase print and enveloping services separately from the physical distribution. 

As previously announced the acceptance period in the public offer to the shareholders of Strålfors AB (the "Offer") is valid until May 15, 2006, inclusive. The conditions to fulfil the Offer also applies during the extended acceptance period. 

Provided that Posten consummates the Offer no later than May 18, 2006, settlement to those shareholders who have accepted the Offer is expected to begin on or around May 22, 2006.    

Stockholm, May 12, 2006
Posten AB (publ)  

Not for release in or distribution into the United States, Australia, Japan or Canada. The Offer is not being made to persons whose participation in the Offer requires an offer document, registrations or measures other than those required by Swedish law.

Posten connects people and organizations around the world by delivering mail promptly, reliably and cost-effectively. We drive value creation by combining conventional postal services and convenient electronic solutions, and integrating these services into customer businesses. With over 4,000 retail service outlets, we provide daily service to 4.5 million homes and 900,000 businesses in Sweden. Every day we handle close to 20 million pieces of mail. With sales of over SEK 25 billion and roughly 30,000 employees, the group is one of the largest in Sweden. The group's parent, Posten AB (publ), is wholly owned by the Swedish Government. For more information, please visit our website at www.posten.se.