Local economy in dire straits •NMI must see bigger picture

With global markets becoming highly competitive on apparel products, the deepening slump in the tourism industry, including a persistent agenda for a federal takeover of the NMI, the future outlook of the local economy looks very dismal unless local leadership moves proactively to rescue what’s left, according to Willie Tan, in an informal meeting with members of the legislature yesterday afternoon.

The meeting was called to brief lawmakers what action needs to be taken immediately to salvage the trust and confidence of buyers from the US mainland on manufacturers here. It includes immediate consideration of an independent garment factories monitoring system in all factories here.

Mr. Tan related that buyers is “the most important group” insofar as the NMI’s garment industry is concerned.” He declared: “If they are gone, the garment industry here is basically history”. He asserted that the basic problem that has forced protraction of any appreciable economic growth in the islands are in protectionist policies that portray negative messages about the islands as a good investment venue against current and prospective investors. “These laws have forced the reduction of investments in the NMI, he said.

“We must put our act together. In tourism, the airline and hotel association must get together and offer a package that lures tourists to the NMI”, he related. “If both have jointly put their acts together, we would find more tourists here rather than in Hawaii, Manila, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia”. He said that the arrogance of the local government is another drawback that has scared even the airlines who were never invited to partake in discussions pertaining to the proposed landing fees at the Saipan International Aiport.

Mr. Tan warned that if the NMI isn’t proactive in guarding its interest in economic activities that now feeds the local coffers, “our kids who are now in college may have to return home because there’s no money to finance their tuition and other necessary expenses”. He pointed out that when local leadership isn’t focused on what needs to be done today, “frequency of shipping services will decrease, including a further reduction of airline services, the emergence of high unemployment, among other businesses that have contributed to the revenue needs of the NMI.”

The presiding officers and their colleagues who participated in the informal meeting were receptive to the issues raised by Mr. Tan ready and are willing to work jointly with the industry to ensure the continued patronage of apparel buyers from local manufacturers here.