Have you ever wanted to build a superpower out of a 3rd world country? or any nation in the game. If you do follow these 4 easy steps:

I.) Focus on lifting your economy off the ground (debt issue). We will do this by maxing out these tabs:

"Infrastructure" Tab (Increases resources production, pleases the population),

"Government" tab (to fight off corruption and to stabilize the country's government).

If you want you can max out the "Tourism" tab (this is like an investment for your country, it builds more revenue for your country over time the more money you put into it.).

Expenses to put NO money into in the beginning:

Propaganda
Telecom
Research

Expenses to put minimum to little money into at first:

Foreign Aid
Education
Health Care
Environment

To further cut unnecessary expenses, I would cut ALL military units, ALL convert ops, and some diplomatic treaties with the world.

II.) Taxing your resources to 25 to 30% and the GTM to 25 to 45%. you can adjust this as you see fit if you need more money.

III.) Establish economic and common market treaties with major superpowers of the world (Russia, USA, United Kingdom, Germany, France, United Kingdom, China etc..) if relations are so-so with these countries, increase Foreign Aid spending.

IV.) Start conquering and Annexing land. This means build up your military forces and train them to at least level 1. As you will see Once you start conquering land into your empire, your population and GDP will grow rapidly. now you set taxes and interests rates as you see fit. I wouldn't over tax my population, but to a comfortable setting so the economy can grow. Once enough money is in the bank, you can do anything you want.

I hope this helps if NOT, pm and I will help you. :)