Trade Minister Andrew Robb says shoring up the live cattle industry to Indonesia could smooth the way for other Australian exporters and better diplomatic ties.
Mr Robb was in Jakarta on Monday for a one-day meet-and-greet with Indonesian ministers as well as business and banking leaders.
The visit comes ahead of the largest-ever Australian business and political delegation to Indonesia, which is scheduled for November.
Mr Robb said he would like to see an annual quota for live cattle to bring some stability and certainty to the market.
At the same time it would help maintain lower meat prices in Indonesia and improve Indonesia's beef productivity.
The minister, who was reappointed by Malcolm Turnbull to the trade role, said Indonesian investment in the Australian beef industry would help build greater understanding.
The relationship was damaged by the scandal over mistreatment of Australian cattle in Indonesian facilities, which led to the former Labor government suspending the trade.
"If you have senior Indonesian businesses with interests in Australian cattle stations and understanding the shipping issues and the rest of the market ... it helps domestic policy back here," Mr Robb said.
Getting the cattle industry on track was not only important for Australian farmers but a "great symbol" for other business.
"If we can stabilise and grow the cattle business that will give confidence about other unrelated areas - services in particular," Mr Robb said.
Australia has around 265 firms in Indonesia, but there is huge potential for more health, education, infrastructure and financial service companies.
Mr Robb, who was a strong supporter of former prime minister Tony Abbott, said the Abbott government had already been making a "fresh start" in Indonesia.
But Mr Turnbull would bring a "new dimension" to building relationships with other countries such as Indonesia because of his previous business career.
Australia and Indonesia could be a "very powerful force in the region for peace and stability and prosperity", Mr Robb said.
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