In September 1995 the IMF approved a three-year ESAF credit, equivalent to USD 71 million for Chad. In January 1996 the World Bank extended an IDA credit of USD 30 million under the structural adjustment program. As a consequence, real GDP growth for 1998 is estimated at around six percent, accompanied by an inflation rate of just under 3.5 percent. There was a reduction in internal and external debt, and inflation was brought under control. In 1997 the structural side showed some progress.
Plans remain to restructure or partially privatize government parastatals.
The banking sector is perceived as stable, but seems to lack a vigorous commercial outlook and the capacity to apply other measures necessary to boost the savings rate. The GOC's 1997 economic and finance plan was generally satisfactory even if certain objectives in public financing were not attained. A real GDP growth rate of 6.5 percent was registered due to exceptional agricultural production results of over 11 percent, largely based on cotton and an improvement in the industrial sector of 13.7 percent. The commercial and transportation sector posted a 4.6 percent gain over the previous year. The construction and public works sector saw a modest increase of only 2 percent.