BAHRAINI QUESTIONS ON BMENA ENTREPRENEURSHIP

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