Saipan hosts top regional CEOs

From May 19 to May 21, Saipan will play host to a gathering of CNMI economic experts as well as chief executive officers and presidents of different companies doing business within Micronesia and the Asia Pacific regions. About 80 participants are expected to attend the Marianas Roundtable Economic Summit where discussions will focus on the current and future outlook of the CNMI’s economy.

The event, to be held at the Dai Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach, is being held to identify specific actions that the CNMI can take to stimulate investment now and in the near future. Specifically, the conference aims to encourage businesses within the region to enhance investment in the Northern Marianas.

“Our leaders make plans that affect these areas where we live in and do business, and we have an obligation to help them and to help ourselves. When senior executives collaborate, we can have a powerful and far reaching impact on public policy. We also expect that the blending of these various expert perspectives will create new ideas and directions for the CNMI in 2005 and beyond. We consider this an exciting and potentially fruitful time for the CNMI,” said David M. Sablan, president of Century Insurance Co. Ltd. and chair of the event.

Headlining the list of keynote speakers for the summit are:

* CNMI economist Bill Stewart who will give a historical perspective of the local economy.

* Dr. Wali Osman of the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Dr. Osman will provide a look the CNMI’s role in the regional economy and the opportunities that await new investors to the Commonwealth

* Henry Tan, chief operating officer of Luen Thai Holdings Ltd,. who will talk about the future of the apparel industry

* Chris Flynn, a director of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, will offer a perspective on the tourism industry.

Adding to the list of speakers are Rear Admiral Arthur Johnson, COMNAVMAR; Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Vicky Benavente; Chuck Jordan, Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s coordinator for capital improvement projects; and Carlos Salas, executive director of the Commonwealth Ports Authority.

The chairman of the Guam Visitors Authority, David B. Tydingco will oversee the panel discussion on tourism while telecommunications consultant Bob Kelley will lead the discussions on information technology. Heading the discussion of the CNMI as Asia’s “Back Office” Center for America will be Joe Arnette, Managing Director for Deloitte Touche.

Many CNMI organizations have come together to organize the Marianas Roundtable Economic Summit. They include the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Saipan Bankers Association, Marianas Visitors Authority, CNMI Department of Commerce, Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Northern Marianas Insurance Association. Funding sponsors include the Bank of Hawaii, Atalanta Sosnoff, Tan Holdings Corp., Workers Investment Agency, and the Commonwealth Development Authority.

Those who are interested to know more about the economic summit are advised to get in touch with the Saipan Chamber of Commerce at 233-7151 or e-mail at saipanchamber@saipan.com.