The Baltic States

• Private equity poses a challenge

  The Baltic economies offer many opportunities. It is up to investors to make the most of them, say Natalja Sidorenko of Luiga Mody Hääl Borenius, Eugenijus Filonovas of Foigt & Partners Regija Borenius, and Lauris Liepa of Liepa, Skopina Borenius

• Prudent management

  Managers are to increase shareholder value but social responsibility can also be a vehicle, say Andrius Ivanauskas and Sander Kärson of Bernotas & Dominas Glimstedt

• The states keep control

  The Baltics are privatising essential industries, but still retain a degree of control. Zilvinas Zinkevicius, Ermo Kosk and Martins Gailis of Lawin ask how far governments will open the doors to investors

• Tired tiger economies

  After the recent boom, the Baltic states are experiencing a slowdown. But Sven Papp, Girts Lejins and Irmantas Norkus of Raidla Lejins & Norcous are hopeful about the future

• Facing foreclosure

  If credit holders have agreements allowing banks to sell a mortgage or pledge for an unlimited price and now face foreclosure, they should seek a good lawyer's advice. But it is better not to sign such agreements in the first place, argues Armands Rasa of BDO Zelmenis & Liberte

• Almost too hot to handle

  The Latvian-Dutch tax treaty makes tax planning easier in the volatile Latvian market. It is an ideal solution, says Sindija Lasmane of BDO Zelmenis & Liberte