CHAPTER FOUR: ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 4. Strengthen capabilities in respect of effective monitoring of existing measures and laws. 5. Improve the workings of the payment system and sensitise users of the banking system on modern methods of payment based on information and communication technology. 4.3 Assessment of APR objectives Objective 1: Promotion of macro-economic policies that support sustainable development i. Summary of the CSAR 421. Macro-economic context and quality of development. In the mid-1980s, Algeria found itself in a devastating economic situation with a poor macrofinancial equilibrium. Following a substantial increase in oil prices in 1993, the crisis created an untenable external situation that affected the country‟s ability to honour its debt servicing, which at the time represented 80 per cent of exports. It ended in a series of structural adjustment programmes that were not very effective. However, for the reasons explained above, there was some improvement from 1999 onwards, characterised by: sustained economic growth around 5 per cent and then increasing to 6 per cent after 2002; a controlled inflation rate, which was usually below 3 per cent; a spectacular improvement in external trade; a significantly lower and almost eradicated external debt (16.8 per cent of the GDP in 2005, compared with 46 per cent in 2000); a consolidated state budget, based on conservative estimates. 422. However, we have to note the following: The fragile nature of this artificial growth, with a dominant sector, public expenditure and lack of diversity (with the oil sector in the forefront) and the importance of public works and engineering; and The launch of multiple-year budgetary programmes: the Economic Revival Programme (2001–2004) and the Growth Consolidation Programme (2005–2009) of US$ 7.5 million and US$120 million respectively. Not to mention the new High Plateaux and Southern Regional programmes. These multi-annual programmes, introduced to alleviate poverty and ensure regional equilibrium, have had a positive impact on major works, 138