Indonesia has extensive natural wealth, yet, with a large and rapidly increasing population, it remains a poor country. The staple crop is rice. Once the world's largest rice importer, Indonesia is now nearly self-sufficient. However, the economy's growth is highly dependent on the continuing expansion of nonoil exports.
Japan is Indonesia's most important customer and supplier of aid.
In 1991, rapid growth in the money supply prompted Jakarta to implement a tight monetary policy, forcing the private sector to go to foreign banks for investment financing.