Flashback June 18, 1999-2002

[B]June 18, 1999

Gov’t. prodded to impose new taxes and c[/B]ut rebates

The government must impose new taxes and slash rebates to raise badly-needed revenues for its infrastructure development in the next few years as part of a comprehensive economic strategy for the Northern Marianas, according to a report to be released next month. While the study has recommended ways to meet the demand, it has also criticized the government for not spending a substantial share of its budget for the infrastructure needs as well as maintenance of existing facilities of the island.

[B]Chamber backs employer-employee sharing of health cost[/B]

With many businesses already reeling from the effects of Asia’s economic crisis, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce yesterday threw out its support on a proposed measure that will provide equal sharing of health insurance between employers and employees. According to Kerry M. Deets, president of the Chamber, the proposal is a welcome move as employers have been incurring huge expenses in shouldering 100 percent the medical insurance of nonresident workers.

[B]CUC moves to avoid Tinian water crisis[/B]

Tinian will soon begin the process of contracting a private company to build a new well on the island as part of the efforts to avert potential serious water shortage in the next few years, according to utility officials. “It’s not a crisis yet, but it will be if we don’t do it now,” said Gregorio Castro, deputy director of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation for Tinian. The new well—an alternative to Maui well which has been the island’s main source of water for decades—will be bidded out starting July 2 to potential contractors.

[B]June 18, 2001

Stay limit suspension nears[/B]

Suspension of the three-year stay limit law draws closer, after the Senate approved a compromise agreement borne out of months of discussion with the House of Representatives and members of the business community. The compromise bill now heads to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio for approval. Once signed by the governor, the existing three-year stay limit law will not be implemented until 2004.

[B]Visitor arrivals in record-low[/B]

Visitor arrivals to the Northern Marianas for the month of May hit as record-low since 2000, dipping by 8.93 percent from last year of the same period’s 42,159 to 38,394 this year. This alarming development came even as the Commonwealth’s Marianas Visitors Authority and the business community lined up a series of activities in connection with the celebration of May as CNMI Tourism Month.

[B]Customs seize $400K of fake goods[/B]

The Customs Division’s seaport branch has intercepted several boxes containing fake signature items from South Korea, which were reportedly intended for commercial sale in the local market. Customs officials said the value of confiscated items may reach up to $400,000 if sold at the price level of genuine products.

[B]June 18, 2002

Landmark tourism accord inked[/B]

Two students from a Japan tourism school have signed up for a year-long internship program studying the CNMI’s island-style hospitality under a partnership formed between the Northern Marianas College, Hyatt Regency-Saipan and the Trajal Hospitality and Tourism College. Trajal students Mie Tani and Yuka Kawahara will learn about the CNMI’s tourism industry first hand as on-the-job trainees at the Hyatt under an internship agreement made official yesterday by NMC Interim President Dr. Barbara Moir, Hyatt General Manager Michael von Siebenthal and Trajal College Vice President for Administration Susumu Seino.

[B]FAA commits to NMI airport security[/B]

The U.S. Department of Transportation signed an agreement with the Commonwealth Ports Authority, sealing its commitment to shoulder the costs of federalizing CNMI airports by year-end. The same agreement has been signed with airport operators across the United States and its insular areas.