By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

THE leaders of the CNMI, Palau and Guam underscored the need to forge stronger partnership with the private sector to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
At the opening of the 7th Western Micronesian Chief Executives Summit yesterday, CNMI Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Guam Gov. Felix Camacho and Palau President Tommy Remengesau said a united front among the islands is needed at this time.
Yap Gov. Sebastian Anefal was unable to attend the summit due to an emergency in his state.
Fitial spoke about his administration’s resolve to retain control over labor and immigration control despite congressional moves to end it.
“I am sure all of us have heard of that old saying about self-sufficiency,” he said. “It goes something like this: ‘Give a man a fish and you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him and his family for a lifetime.’ When I met with staff members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources last month, I spoke of the vital economic tools provided to us by our Covenant agreement with the United States.”
These tools, he said, include local control over immigration and minimum wage.
Camacho, for his part, said unity among the Micronesian islands is more important now. “It’s only by sticking together that we can succeed….The government can’t do it alone. We must do it with the help of the private sector.”
Camacho said the islands can help each other in tourism, economy, trade and environmental issues.
Remengesau said his government sought the help of private shipping firm Matson to help dispose the island-nation’s recyclable solid waste matters.
“Matson allowed us to fill their empty containers with solid waste materials that can be recycled in Guam,” he said. Palau, which has no recycling facility, paid for the wharfage and other shipping costs.
He said the islands’ remote geographical location continues to be a disadvantage, but they can improve their economies through the help of the private sector.
Fitial said the cash-strapped CNMI government could not have hosted the summit without the help of the private sector.
The delegates’ meals were provided by major companies that sponsored the event.
The regional summit will continue through Thursday.