Saipan Tribune

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

1st Northern Frontier Summit seeks to develop NI

CAPITOL HILL, Saipan-The Honorable Tobias Aldan, mayor of the Northern Islands, is pleased to announce the Northern Islands 1st Frontier Summit scheduled to be held Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Fiesta Resort and Spa, Azucena I & II.

The summit is made possible through the financial assistance of the Saipan Northern Islands Legislative Delegation (SNILD) and the coordination efforts of the Northern Islands Development Planning Committee (NIDPC)-created by Mayor Aldan. The NIDPC is charged with planning for the redevelopment and resettlement of the CNMI's northern frontier, particularly the island of Pagan.

“This historic 1st Northern Frontier Development Summit will zero in on opportunities, initiatives, and potentials for pioneering economic redevelopment ventures in the northern frontier, promoting self-help investment activities, and private business ventures. These include engaging venture capitalists and exploring opportunities for public-private sector partnerships,” states Mayor Aldan. The focus areas include Free Trade Zones - Business and Trade Island, NMD Beneficiary Land Use - Mineral and Natural Resources, Agri-Island Inc., Marine Culture, Hot Spring/Black Sand - Volcano Bungalow Island Tourism, All Natural Energy Island - Sun/Wind/Thermo, and Silver Expedition.

The keynote speaker is Doug Brenan, president, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, and general manager of Microl Corporation - Toyota.

For Jerome Kaipat Aldan, program coordinator, this summit is proving to be an experience in the making as he has been working on all logistics and planning since last year. With the final commitment and support from SNILD, he is now able to bring this summit to fruition. “With the experience learnt on how much harder it takes for an idea to materialize in government, we hope to welcome inputs from the community and key stakeholders during this summit, and continue to work hard in making our vision for the Northern Islands a sustainable reality. Our focus may be overly optimistic, but we need to take this opportunity to gather, discuss, learn, and act on any potential, viable, and sustainable economic development plan.”

The Northern Islands Development Planning Committee give thanks in advance to the SNILD, the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, the CNMI Department of Commerce, CDA, CPA, DLNR, MVA, NOAA, PEW, UOG, CREES, DPL, and everyone that is pitching in one way or another.

Registration for the 1st Northern Frontier Development Summit will start as early as 7:30am on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. If you need further assistance, please call Jerome Kaipat Aldan at 664-6466, or email jayzway11@hotmail.com. (PR)