Four Asian and Pacific nations on Saturday expressed support for the CNMI government’s efforts to become a tourism and business friendly island.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente and Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio said they had “very useful” discussions with the diplomats of Japan, Palau, the Philippines and South Korea during the fist-ever CNMI Consul General Conference.
“The CNMI benefited greatly,” the governor said. “Their willingness to work cooperatively with the CNMI government in promoting tourism and addressing the economy is a very welcome support,” Babauta told Variety after the one-day conference on Capitol Hill.
Tenorio called the conference “unprecedented and historic.”
Visiting Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Albert del Rosario, in his remarks, reaffirmed Philippine-American ties.
Del Rosario was joined by Philippine Consul General Julia C. Heidemann; South Korean Consul General Woo Chung Rhee, Japan Consul Takeo Saito and Palau Consul Eileen N. Kintol.
Citing the success of the conference, the CNMI and the diplomats agreed to hold the same gathering annually.
Babauta also accepted the invitation of del Rosario to visit the Philippines in July.
Del Rosario said the Philippine government is also interested in expanding the medical referral agreement between Manila hospitals and the Northern Marianas.
There is also a need to increase the trade between the Philippines and the CNMI, he added.
Saito, for his part, vowed to further assist the commonwealth in its pursuit of promoting the islands as a tourist destination in Japan.
This can only be achieved further if the safety and security of the Japanese tourists are assured, he said. Seventy-five percent of the total number of tourists in the CNMI is Japanese.
Tenorio, in his remarks, said the CNMI “cannot survive” without the help of “guest workers.”
He said the implementation of the federal wage system would be disastrous to the business community.
But despite its impact, there has been no study conducted on the effects of the federal wage bill, Tenorio said.
He urged the consuls general to assist the commonwealth in lobbying the U.S. Congress about issues affecting the CNMI.
