However, substantial declines in remittance inflows created serious difficulties for the poor households that, over the years, had come to depend on remittances as a way of coping with poverty. Much of the rapid economic growth in these countries prior to the global economic crisis came through increased external integration, mainly through trade and investment, particularly in natural resources and remittances. During the crisis, despite rising protectionist pressures and temptation to reverse externally oriented growth policies, the Asia Pacific LDCs generally maintained their commitment to keeping trade, investment, finance, and labour markets open. Moreover, reforms to improve the business climate and encourage FDI inflows continued.