Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Australian businesses should focus more on the economic opportunities in Indonesia instead of considering it an exotic tourist spot.
Mr Abbott is in Jakarta to meet business leaders and politicians. All Australian business leaders he met on Saturday were "very enthusiastic" about the economic prospects there, Mr Abbott said.
He said on Sunday in Jakarta that Australian business leaders he met on Saturday were very keen to let him know Australia has neglected the vast potential of Indonesia.
"One of the things that should disappoint Australia is we actually have larger two-way trade with New Zealand, with four million people, than we do with Indonesia with 250 million people."
AAP reports that Indonesia was Australia's 11th largest export market in the year to 30 June, 2012.
Mr Abbott said there was much work to do to build the economic relationship with Indonesia.
"For too long we have thought of Indonesia as an exotic tourist destination rather than as a potential and growing economic partner," he said.
"As Indonesia continues to develop very strongly, as it has over the last decade, there are a lot more opportunities for Australia."
Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop said an coalition government would broaden, deepen and diversify the relationship with Jakarta.
Mr Abbott, Ms Bishop and other colleagues are to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and government MPs on Monday.
