Cablegate: Bahraini Questions On Bmena Entrepreneurship

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

021331Z Mar 05

UNCLAS MANAMA 000300

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI DBERNS AND NEA/PI SFRANCESKI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID KMPI OTRA BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI QUESTIONS ON BMENA ENTREPRENEURSHIP
CENTERS

REF: A. STATE 32268

B. MANAMA 179
C. 04 MANAMA 1747

1. The visit of MEPI Economic Pillar Manager Sonia
Franceski, Beyster Institute President Dr. Ray Smilor,
Beyster Director of Business Development Kenny Pegram, and
future Bahrain Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (BCEE)
American Executive Advisor David Mosby February 26-27
provided an opportunity to address GOB concerns regarding the
creation of the BCEE. Per Ref A request, post discussed the
two key concerns with appropriate GOB officials.

2. Concern A: The GOB questioned Beyster's commitment to
the project as they had perceived that Beyster had postponed
visiting Bahrain on more then one occasion.

This is no longer an issue. Beyster and MEPI demonstrated
that they are committed to the project and David Mosby
pledged to spend 4-6 weeks over the next three months in
Bahrain fine-tuning the BCEE business plan. He will take up
permanent residence in Bahrain in June. Mosby will be able
to have regular interaction with the GOB. Based on feedback
received from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the draft USG MOU on U.S. support for the
BCEE will be reworked by NEA/PI to reflect greater
specificity as to the USG commitments for the BCEE and
presented to the GOB for signature.

3. Concern B: The GOB expressed concern that the
Entrepreneurship Center would become a MEPI vice G8
initiative.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
reaffirmed Bahrain's desire to promote the BCEE as a G8 and
regional initiative. The GOB would like to use a
well-defined BCEE business plan to solicit support from other
G8 countries as well as appropriate regional parties. This
concern has begun to be alleviated as the UK Embassy in
Manama, as G8 Chairman, has approached the Ministry of
Finance about possible in-kind support. (Comment: The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs seemed more concerned about
receiving public support, recognition, and in-kind support
from the G8 as opposed to monetary assistance. Politically,
it wants to deliver on the promise made at the Morocco Forum
for the Future meeting to establish a G8/regional training
center for entrepreneurial excellence. The Ministry of
Finance, however, continues to be interested in G8 financial
support.)

MONROE

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