This conference deals with financial institutions that do domestic business; in March this year we held a conference for financial institutions in our international financial centre, and that is also intended to be an annual event. Since last year we have taken important steps to further strengthen financial oversight, and to increase the efficiency of the delivery of financial services.
At the same time, indications of an upturn in economic activity starting in the second half of the year have strengthened. In fact, survey data and financial market developments reflect an improvement in confidence. The expectation of a gradual economic recovery starting this year and strengthening in 2004 is in line with all the forecasts and projections which have recently become available.