R&R Partners is promoting Indonesia profile in the US, using the DC visit of its recently elected president to Washington as its "hook."

widodoThough a member of the so-called BRIC economic grouping, Indonesia's stature in the US lags behind its southeast Asia neighbors.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who was elected in October, wants to position Indonesia, which has a population of 250M, "as a large, moderate Muslim-majority democracy."

His government wants to emphasize economic diplomacy and attracting foreign investment, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Meanwhile, members of Congress' Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission sent a June 18 letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, urging him to communicate to Widodo the "need for continued progress on the human rights situation in Indonesia by raising specific violations and working with the new government to fulfill all of its obligations under international law."

R&R's job is highlighting Indonesia's importance to the US in the areas of security, commerce and the economy.

The Las Vegas advertising/PR firm will receive $80K in fees from June 8 though Sept. 15 for its services.