The highlight of the opening day was the presentation of Mr. Masayuki Takashima, Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of Japan who was cordially invited by the Speaker of the House of Delegates to grace the first day session. In his statement, he began by thanking the House of Delegates for affording him the opportunity to speak before the Delegates. Charge d’ Affaires Takashima reiterated Japan’s unequivocal support to the Republic of Palau and reaffirms the friendly relationship between the two countries that has developed steadily over the years. He further announced that the Government of Japan has formally decided to send a full-fledge Ambassador to the Republic of Palau next year. He assured the Delegates that Japan is committed to provide bilateral assistance to Palau on the areas of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance, security and exchange of people and cultural programs. “ We believe that the time has really come for Palauans as well as the Government of Palau to make every effort for sustainable development through sound economic development in the private sector, such as tourism, agriculture and fishery.” said Charge d’ Affaires Takashima. He agrees that Palau should be an investment friendly country because sound investment will eventually lead to more job creation and more revenue for the government. In closing, he thanked the people of Palau for their kind and full consideration of repatriation of World War II Japanese human remains and thanked the House of Delegates for providing the opportunity to speak about the two countries’ relationship that will continue to gain strength for many years to come.
The House of Delegates commenced its first day session to act on its first reading House Bill No. 8-39-3, a bill seeking to amend Title 35 of Palau National Code to mandate state government that have established public lands authorities to control all revenue generated by lands administered by their public land authorities. HOD also passed on first reading HB No. 8-40-3, to allow social security payments for overseas beneficiaries. This bill essentially allows the Palau Social Security Administration to continue remitting social security benefits to workers who paid in to the system if they live in a nation with diplomatic relations. Senate Bill No. 8-46, SD6, on Open Ship Registry and Senate Bill 8-23,SD2 were also passed on its first reading and assigned to appropriate Committees for further studies. On Second Reading, Senate Bill No. 8-22, SD1, HD1, a bill to establish a new corporation law and Senate Bill No.8-41, SD1 to amend 40 PNC to add a new chapter 24. On Third and Final Reading, House of Delegates deferred action on the long awaited Foreign Investment Act of 2009 which passed the Senate with amendments and now before the House of Delegates for its consideration. Since it was a House Bill, the Delegates are now considering the Senate amendments.The House of Delegates adjourned the First Day of its Third Regular Session subject to the call of the chair.
