This fact is so obvious that it was understood quite early, and as a consequence the economic policy of the country has traditionally been export-oriented, and very eager to develop economic linkages with international markets, to the extent political realities have allowed.
Finland's early efforts to develop its economic links with Western European countries were exemplified by the creation of the Finnish monetary system and its integration with the countries of Northern and Western Europe in the 1860's. The aim of the reform was to replace the depreciating roubledenominated currency of the time with stable money, convertible to metal.