Cablegate: Indonesia Ideal for Global Entrepreneurship Program

VZCZCXRO4965
RR RUEHJS
DE RUEHJA #0098 0221032
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221032Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4333
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHJS/AMCONSUL SURABAYA 2623

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000098

SIPDIS
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DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, EEB/CBA
AND S/P GBEHRMAN
DEPT PASS TO USTR FOR KELHERS; BWEISEL

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAID PGOV SOCI ID
SUBJECT: Indonesia Ideal for Global Entrepreneurship Program

1. (SBU) Post recommends that Indonesia be prioritized as the next
country selected to participate in the Department's Global
Entrepreneurship pilot program. We have a real opportunity to
partner with Indonesia on entrepreneurship. Indonesia is
enthusiastic to cooperate; government officials and business leaders
have already expressed interest in hosting a follow-on event to
President Obama's Entrepreneurship Summit in Washington.
Entrepreneurship builds on our common interests in promoting
economic freedom and civil society, and advances relations with the
world's largest Muslim majority country. Indonesia's selection
could also be highlighted as a possible theme during President
Obama's planned visit to Indonesia later this year.

2. (SBU) Post has been in contact with the Department's Office of
Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA) to encourage Indonesia's
inclusion in the Global Entrepreneurship program. We have also
encouraged the New York-based non-profit Endeavor, which specializes
in entrepreneurship promotion, to consider Indonesia for its first
program in Asia. Staff from Endeavor will arrive next week to begin
its program assessment of Indonesia. (Endeavor and CBA are already
partners in Egypt.) Cooperation in entrepreneurship provides a
positive framework to address economic and investment climate reform
issues and highlights our links to fast-growing Asian markets
critical for U.S. growth. Increased investment in entrepreneurship
in Indonesia holds potential for significant gains.

3. (SBU) Outreach to Muslim countries often focuses on a narrow
definition of "civil society" that excludes the business class. The
President's Cairo initiative rightly highlights entrepreneurship as
a priority area. Entrepreneurs and business leaders wield
significant influence in shaping Indonesia's political and economic
future. Enhancing our engagement with these stakeholders through
entrepreneurship promotion is an effective means to strengthen our
partnership with the world's third-largest democracy.

HUME

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