Garment industry leaders get updates on DC efforts

Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente met yesterday with Saipan garment sector leaders and the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association’s board of directors to update them on continuing efforts in Washington, D.C. to assist the Saipan factories in remaining competitive for orders with U.S. buyers and retailers.

Benavente, who is the administration’s Garment Task Force chair, discussed a morning teleconference— concluded just before the luncheon—with the administration’s trade and consulting firm, outlining progress and marking actions required leading up to an introduction of legislation in the U.S. Congress to amend General HeadNote 3(a)(iv) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for all insular possessions.

Attending the Friday luncheon meeting were Resident Representative Pete A. Tenorio, SGMA chair James C. Lin, four SGMA directors and the Governor’s special assistant for trade relations, Richard A. Pierce.

Discussion on lobbying efforts continued with Tenorio, who said he will meet with U.S. insular area delegates and U.S. Senate and House Members upon his return to the nation’s capital this week.

Both Benavente and Tenorio called upon the industry’s leaders to assist in the CNMI’s efforts to amend the tariff value-added requirement in the closing months of this U.S. congressional session.

“In our recent trip to Washington, D.C., it became even more apparent there are many stakeholders at risk with the Saipan garment industry’s competitive mounting vulnerability. And, we do consider our government, and federal taxpayers, stakeholders,” said Benavente. “More than just those operating stores and leasing apartments and warehouses [on] Saipan would be financially harmed if the industry continues its downward spiral. Shipping lines, airlines, major retailers and anyone with a potentially greater tax burden as a result of decreasing revenues in the garment industry have offered assistance, both here locally and in Washington, D.C.”

Benevente asked Saipan factory leaders to seek help from the CEO’s of their major buyers and retailers in the mainland in lobbying Washington, and plans are underway to call upon those other stakeholders to lend their voices to the lobbying efforts, as well.

Pierce thanked the industry leaders for their speedy return of information in response to federal requests for production categories and submission of testimony comments in U.S. trade talks and monitoring mechanisms on behalf of the CNMI. He also outlined the next three month’s action plan for the amendment project. (PR)