*  *  *  Introduction I am honoured to address this distinguished audience on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic constituency consisting of Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. We are gathered here in Washington at a time when the IMF has just passed the 60 year mark.
Today, let me highlight two key existing factors that you can capitalize on to adapt to change: one is your current reach and immersion in the countryside, and the other one is the current enabling regulatory environment.