Indonesia's Industrial Transformation

Book excerpt: Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation, has experienced a remarkable economic transformation over the past 30 years. In the mid 1960s it was one of the poorest countries in the developing world, but by the 1990s it had joined the group of Asian 'tiger' economies. This set of essays examines the record of industrialization, which has been central to Indonesia's rapid development. Successive sections provide an overview of the industrialization process, case studies of selected industries, the contribution of foreign investment and technological development, the role of small-medium industry, and a range of industrial policy issues. Drawing on the country's much improved statistical base, this empirically oriented volume highlights both the achievements of the 'New Order' regime and the many challenges which lie ahead.