Mission Indonesia Requests Additional Invitations for

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000018 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, EEB/CBA DEPT FOR S/P GBEHRMAN DEPT PASS TO USTR KELHERS; BWEISEL E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID PGOV SOCI ID SUBJECT: Mission Indonesia Requests Additional Invitations for Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship REF: 09 STATE 130991 09 JAKARTA 001956 ¶1. This cable contains an action request - see paragraph 4. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: We recommend that Indonesia be more strongly represented at the President's Entrepreneurship Summit in Washington in April. Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country, the third largest democracy, and the third fastest growing economy in the G-20. Entrepreneurs and business leaders wield significant influence in shaping Indonesia's political and economic future. Indonesia is enthusiastic to cooperate on entrepreneurship; government officials and business leaders have already expressed interest in hosting a follow-on Entrepreneurship Summit in Indonesia. A more proportional representation of Indonesian participants would also deepen the impact of President Obama's highly-anticipated visit to Indonesia later this year. End Summary. ¶3. (SBU) Indonesia has made an unprecedented transformation over the past ten years from authoritarian dictatorship to the world's largest Muslim-majority democracy. It has turned back threats of terrorism and separatism to become a model for religious freedom, woman's rights and diversity. Indonesia's proposed inclusion in the G-20 recognizes its economic achievements. Enhancing our engagement through entrepreneurship will highlight our links to fast-growing Asian markets that are critical for U.S. growth. Inclusion of additional entrepreneurs from Indonesia will also strengthen our partnership with an increasingly influential Muslim-majority country that shares our democratic values. ¶4. ACTION REQUEST: Post requests that the seven nominees below be invited to attend the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship in Washington. -- Sandiago Uno, PT Adaro; founding partner of Saratoga Capital, a private equity firm; past Chairman of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association; Enterprise Asia's 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year; leads Indonesian Chamber of Commerce committee on small and medium enterprise development -- Manoj Punjabi, President Director, MD Entertainment; filmmaker/television producer responsible for one of the highest grossing Indonesian films of all time; employs over 1000 people; has grown television business from 4 hours of programming per month to over 150 hours; his programs earned "best of the year" awards in 2008 and 2009; 2009 nominee, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year -- Dr. Bambang Ismawan, Yayasan Bina Swadaya; Ashoka Fellow; founded social foundation that trains community leaders to organize self-help groups; foundation has trained over 10,000 community leaders, inspired creation of more than 12,000 grassroots self-help groups serving 3.5 million people, and launched 650,000 microfinance institutions with 13.5 million members. The foundation runs 16 company, including a franchising operation for agricultural shops that funds almost 95 percent of the organization's operations. -- Ir. Antonious Tanan; President of Ciptura Entrepreneurship Center; develops "train the trainer" programs for the Foundation of Entrepreneurship Education; designed and ran intensive three-month entrepreneurship program for Indonesian university graduates; team leader and speaker at numerous entrepreneurship conferences -- Hendy Setiono, Kebab Turki Baba Rafi; owns three restaurant franchise brands with 800 employees and 475 outlets spread across 60 cities in Indonesia; winner of Indonesian Franchise award 2009; winner of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship award 2008; selected as one of Asia's Best Entrepreneurs under 25 by Business Week -- Diono Nurjadin, Mandala Air; President and CEO of Cardig International, the largest aviation and logistics specialist in Indonesia; President of Mandala Air, a fast growing local airline; Education Chairman of Indonesian Chapter of Young Presidents Organization; holds influential leadership role in Indonesian Chamber of Commerce -- Puji Lestari a.k.a Ririn, Citra Persada; founded rapidly growing (and environmentally friendly) waste management and recycling company; employs disabled persons, former addicts and rehabilitated prisoners as means of offering a "second chance"; runs an orphanage for disabled children ¶5. Please note that all of the candidates nominated above possess sufficient personal means to travel to Washington, DC, if selected to attend the Summit. JAKARTA 00000018 002 OF 002 HUME