Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products and exports. Other exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and hydroelectricity. The Government has carried out progressive market reforms. There was moderate growth in most sectors, and economic reform is now accepted by the general public. The level of hardship for pensioners, unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrearages continues to be very high.
Foreign assistance plays a significant role in the country's budget.
The Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, but there were problems with freedom of speech and the press, due process for the accused, religious freedom, ethnic discrimination, and electoral procedures. Prison conditions remained poor. Two campaign workers and one journalist were arrested, tried, and convicted under criminal rather than civil statutes for libeling the President. Although receiving suspended sentences, they were held for months without bail before their trials. One was subsequently rearrested and convicted of additional criminal charges despite weak evidence.