Continued growth in imports reflects real increases, rather than previously unrecorded imports, due to the anti-smuggling campaign. Private investment levels at lowest since 1990, partly due to private sector lacking access to credit. Foreign investment has fallen, but not drastically - WTO entry may raise investor optimism.
Deflationary pressure persists, but appears to be easing.
A widening urban-rural income gap. Weak Foreign Investment Likely to Improve in 2000 .