Jakarta. Prominent businessmen Rachmat Gobel and Rosan P. Roeslani officially announced their nomination for the position of the chairman at the country's most influential business lobby, the Indonesia Chambers of Commerce and Industry, known as Kadin, for the 2015 to 2020 term.

Rachmat, who lost his post as trade minister in the August cabinet reshuffle, is the patriarch of family-controlled Gobel International. The empire is involved in numerous businesses including electronics manufacturing and distribution, to general trading, agriculture and property.

He ranked 126th in GlobeAsia's richest Indonesians list in July with an estimated net worth of $230 million.

"I grew up from Kadin, I have learned and achieved many things. It's now the time to lead," he said during Berita Satu TV’s CEO Talks program today.

Rachmat has a long history with Kadin. In 2002, during politican and businessman Aburizal Bakrie's time at the helm, Rachmat was entrusted with leading a Kadin division handling metal, machinery, chemical and electronics industries. Under the leadership of MS Hidayat in 2004, Rachmat was appointed deputy chairman to coordinate Kadin's affairs in the industrial, technology and fisheries sectors.

During Hidayat's second term in 2008, Rachmat was trusted to continue his position as a of the deputy chairman.

Rachmat unveiled his vision for Kadin on CEO Talks, aiming to unite all entrepreneurs in Indonesia.

"If last time there were two versions of Kadin, I wish to unite it back," he said, referring to a split in Kadin.

Kadin under the leadership of Suryo Bambang Sulisto was acknowledged as legitimate by the previous administration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, while Rizal Ramli created another organization of the same name in 2013.

Rachmat pledged to assist Kadin and its members to deal with the current economic challenges, saying a unified business front is the best bet to battle economic volatility.

"The global challenges must be dealt with calm mindset. If entrepreneurs are united, it will be a lot easier," he said.

The promotion of local content and improving competitiveness for local products is a central tenet to Rachmat's campaign.

Rachmat's competitor Rosan P. Roeslani, who controls Recapital Group, involved in private equity with a portfolio spanning various assets from finance, mining, media to resort property, also announced his nomination today.

Rosan ranked 90th on the GlobeAsia Rich List with an estimated net worth of $440 million.

Rosan pointed to massive support for his candidacy while listing his name at Kadin's headquarters in Jakarta. He was joined by a team of high profile supporters including Erwin Aksa, Sandiaga Uno and a number of regional Kadin chapter heads from various provinces including Yogyakarta, Jambi, North Sumatra, Banten and Papua.

Rachmat and Rosan will face-off at Kadin's National Meeting in Bandung, West Java, Nov. 23 and 24. Other potential candidates are expected to declare their nomination ahead of the meeting.

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