Bridge Capital LLC chief executive officer John K. Baldwin said in a recent interview that the commonwealth carries lots of potential, but there should be a common goal to make things work.
“There are so many opportunities to boost tourism in the island, such as the La Fiesta Mall in San Roque which is a very nice piece of property and presents lots of potentials but before it can be revitalized, we need to bring in more tourists here,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin said that although they are not actively involved in any investment here for the time being, Bridge Capital LLC is looking at several opportunities in the CNMI.
He said Bridge Capital LLC is still interested in pursuing the revitalization of La Fiesta Mall for tourism-related projects such as lottery terminals, food industry business, schools and other projects that could make La Fiesta beautiful again, like before.
“It all depends on what direction the CNMI is going through in tourism. We need more tourists, and right now they are not here yet,” Baldwin said.
Bridge Capital has merged with a Japanese Farmers Cooperative and is currently investing in a corn and pepper plantation in Laos and Cambodia.
“The corn growing investment in Cambodia is doing pretty well, and I believe, with the shrinking production of food, the world is going to need more food,” Baldwin said.
He said that this is something the CNMI must look into — get involved in farming and tap the commonwealth’s agricultural potential to lift rise from the economic crisis.
He said local farmers can explore the possibility of pepper farming.
“We have invested in pepper farming in Cambodia and currently, we have about 200 acres of it and its doing well. We can try that here,” Baldwin said.
Bridge Capital is managing different businesses including land development, housing and condominium development projects, farming, hotels and hospitality.
