Two appointees to FTZ body back out

Senators are expected to confirm by next week appointees to a government body that will administer implementation of free trade zones even as Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has withdrawn two names from the list.

The Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations will endorse seven of the nine nominees named by the governor when the upper house holds session by next Tuesday, according to its chair Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano.

Two nominees — Bank of Guam executive Marcie Tomokane and Pacific Island Aviation executive Jim Stowell– had begged off from sitting in the FTZ board, citing as main reason their other personal commitments, he said.

The Tinian legislator, however, added the local chief executive has assured him that he would appoint other people to replace the two.

His committee, which has just finished its public hearings on the nominations, will press the full Senate to immediately give its advice and consent for those still in the list.

“We want to confirm these people right away so that they can begin work as early as possible on the free trade zones. We have to move fast on this,” Mr. Adriano told in an interview.

Former congressman Karl T. Reyes, who helped craft the legislation that led to creation of these special economic sites, is among the seven nominees who are certain to get the Senate’s nod at its next session.

SGMA Executive Director Richard A. Pierce, Triple J Motors executive Jay B. Jones, George Fleming, Remedios Ogumoro, who all represent Saipan in the board as well as Philip M. Long of Tinian and Joaquin Atalig of Rota are also up for confirmation.

“We have reviewed their credentials and we are in full support of their appointment,” explained Mr. Adriano. “I believe they will be able to perform the functions assigned to them by the governor.”

Once confirmed, they will set off the establishment of FTZ’s on Saipan, Tinian and Rota by drawing up rules and regulations as provided in the law.

The ambitious plan to set up special economic zones was approved by the governor in September after nearly two years of legislative process.

Public Law 12-20, or the “NMI Free Trade Zone Act,” will help diversify the local economy, create jobs for the people and pump more revenues into the government coffers.

It is the centerpiece of the Economic Recovery and Revitalization Task Force which Mr. Tenorio formed after assuming office in 1998 in the wake of the economic difficulties confronting the islands.

The FTZ plan is designed to entice potential investors in other industries other than tourism and garment manufacturing, who will be encouraged to set up their business in especially-designated economic sites with such perks as tax incentives and lower land lease fees.

Based on projections by the government, these free trade zones will expand the economy through a multiplier effect that will contribute additional revenues to the local coffers.