economic growth since 1997. Continued
privatization of medium and large state-owned enterprises will
further increase productivity. Tajikistan's economic situation,
however, remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural
reforms, weak governance, widespread unemployment, and the external
debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reached with Russia
in December 2002, including an interest rate of 4%, a 3-year grace
period, and a US $49.8 million credit to the Central Bank of
Tajikistan.

Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The
economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for about
half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work
force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated
crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured
the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods.
The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral
donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date
economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Growth in
1991-2002 featured a pickup in industrial production and a
substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Oil and gas
exploration and development played an important role in this growth.
Recent banking reforms have helped increase private sector growth
and investment. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic
policies supported real GDP growth of more than 5.2% in 2004.

Thailand
Thailand has a free-enterprise economy and welcomes foreign
investment. Exports feature textiles and footwear, fishery products,
rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical
appliances. Thailand has recovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial
Crisis and was one of East Asia's best performers in 2002. Increased
consumption and investment spending and strong export growth pushed
GDP growth up to 6.3% in 2003 despite a sluggish global economy. The
highly popular government has pushed an expansionist policy,
including major support of village economic development.

Togo
This small sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both
commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment
for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be
imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export
earnings, with cotton being the most