Tourism, infra devt, green energy highlight DOI conference

An estimated 500 participants in the two-day Fifth Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands that kicked off Monday in Honolulu, Hawaii, were briefed on possible businesses that may be explored in U.S. territories, with particular focus on tourism, infrastructure development, and renewable energy solutions.

The event, hosted by the U.S. Department of the Interior, provided a forum for island leaders to speak directly to potential investors. Speakers detailed the benefits and incentives for doing business in their jurisdiction. All invited business partners and investors to their islands expressed a common optimism for the growth potential of the islands and the success of the conference in creating networking opportunities.

The Northern Marianas’ delegation was represented by Commerce Secretary Michael Ada. Gov. Benigno R. Fitial was unable to attend due to the ongoing jury trial of Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez.

In his remarks, Ada spoke about the unique business opportunities featured on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian, emphasizing the need for sustainable development regardless of a given project’s industry or location.

Ada also addressed the current economic climate, concluding that the CNMI has an “unwillingness to let the economic challenges slow us down,” and that the territory is “motivated to tackle the economic challenges we face—that is what makes our community [the CNMI] unique.”

Nikolao Pula, acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, spoke to delegates Monday, followed by the leaders of each of the island delegations, including President Manny Mori of the Federated States of Micronesia and Governors Felix Camacho of Guam and Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa.

Following the opening session, attendees heard from Dr. Richard Kelley, chairman of Outrigger Enterprises, who spoke about the importance of tourism in generating jobs and revenue for island economies.

Lt. Gen. Chip Gregson, former Commander of the Marine Forces Pacific, discussed the strategic and security implications of developing energy independence and alternative energy independence on the islands, particularly in Guam with the upcoming military realignment of 8,000 Marines and their families from Okinawa.

Dr. Stephen Schneider, a climatologist from Stanford University and joint recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, underscored Gregson’s comments by presenting scientific evidence of the threat of global warming, its potential effects on island jurisdictions, and the pressing need for finding solutions now.

Hawaii Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona keynoted the conference’s luncheon and spoke about Hawaii’s successful alternative energy projects as models for other islands to follow. “As isolated islands, clean energy future is no longer simply a desire of environmentalists. It is a necessity for our long-term economic survival,” Aiona said.

After only the first of three days of the conference, business and government leaders were already making connections that will eventually lead to economic development in the territories and freely associated states.

Tuesday’s sessions allowed conference attendees to learn even more about doing business on the islands and the opportunities that exist in these jurisdictions before the conference culminated with a day of business-to-business meetings on Wednesday, April 8.

The conference is the Interior Department’s flagship event to promote economic development in the U.S. territories and freely associated states of American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.[B][I] (DOI)[/I][/B]