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CNMI sees need for alternate livelihood
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Posted on Feb 05 2001
The CNMI government is now considering the development of the islands’ agriculture and fisheries potentials to mitigate possible economic impact of the garment sector’s departure in about five years.
This, even as business analysts have disclosed that any economic development in the Northern Marianas will continue to be spurred by the very volatile tourism industry, which has been the CNMI’s biggest revenue-generating sector after garment manufacturing.
Economists have raised concerns on the plight of business activities in the CNMI due to the absence of other possible industries that will immediately replace the garment sector once it pulls out of Saipan in 2005.
This early, the CNMI government has already restructured its revenue projections as it anticipates conservative earnings from garment exports’ user fee due to criticisms and fabricated allegations hurled against the sector.
The Saipan apparel manufacturing industry is expected to uproot from the island when the agreements that created the World Trade Organization takes into effect in 2005.
The agreements eliminate trade quotas to the United States, thereby, stripping the Northern Marianas of its unique duty-free access to the mainland US.
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has repeatedly called concerned government agencies to craft concrete plans that would facilitate the growth and development of the Commonwealth’s agriculture potential.
Mr. Tenorio said the government needs the support of the business community and the public sector to develop the Northern Marianas’ untapped resources and potentials, especially those relating to the production of goods here.
In order to minimize importation of farm products, the CNMI plans to heighten efforts in promoting local agricultural development programs through federal financial assistance.
Work is now underway to woo USDA to support Northern Marianas’ farmers in maintaining and improving recordation of crop production, and providing assistance for crop damage from typhoon and flood.
