The CNMI government has hired the lobbying services of Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds amid growing support for a bill in the U.S. Congress which will deprive the islands of trade privileges granted under the Covenant, according to a statement release on Friday by the Office...

-- Imposing a requirement of 20 percent ratio of U.S. citizens, CNMI residents within the management and/or supervisory positions in the garment manufacturing industry.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has asked House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial to exempt the agency's federally-funded projects from a law which provides locals 15 percent advantage over off-island bidders in procurement matters.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority Board has approved the implementation of Seaport Incentive Program which lowers the passenger departure fee at Saipan Harbor from $5.85 to $2.25 for one year, in a move to help the tourism industry cope with the decline in the economy.