Australia and Indonesia to talk free trade

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo hopes to make progress on free trade talks with his Indonesian counterpart, Thomas Lembong, who is visiting Australia this week.

Indonesia and Australia hope free trade talks this week can help turn around "underdone" business and investment ties.

Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong arrives in Sydney on Tuesday and will meet with his Australian counterpart, Steve Ciobo, in Canberra on Wednesday.

Mr Ciobo said in a statement on Tuesday that with a growing middle class of around 50 million people, the Indonesian economy presented big opportunities for Australian businesses.