Complex sentence: While internal and external trade was revitalised, this did not lead to a significant increase in the standard of living; on the contrary, the government tried to prevent an increase in Shia areas to persuade more countries to oppose the sanctions.
Split into simpler sentences: While internal and external trade was revitalised, this did not lead to a significant increase in the standard of living. Quite to the contrary, the government tried to prevent an increase in shia areas to persuade more countries to oppose the sanctions.