ECONOMIC Development Director Jesus Taisague of the Department of Commerce on Tuesday briefed the officers and members of the Rotary Club of Saipan about ongoing economic development programs.
Taisague was the Rotarians’ guest speaker in their weekly luncheon meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Giovanni’s Restaurant. With him was Herman Sablan, who is in charge of the division’s program for fishing industry development.
Taisague said the other agencies or groups that play an important role in the efforts to revive the local economy are the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers and the Office of Planning and Development.
There are also other government offices and non-government organizations that are likewise pushing for economic recovery, he added.
As for the Commerce Department’s economic development team, Taisague said their goal is to stimulate economic growth by developing local entrepreneurship and building investor confidence in the CNMI.
He said the department’s newly created economic development division has a section that assists in grant research and funding opportunity.
In partnership with the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, the division also assists subsistence and commercial farmers and fishermen.
Moreover, the new division has an industry recertification program that looks into the diversification of the local economy, and an outreach program for local entrepreneurs who are in the early stage of developing local products, Taisague said.
In addition, the division provides technical assistance and an opportunity to participate in off-island trade missions, he said.
Just recently, he said, five local entrepreneurs were sent to Las Vegas where they displayed their local products.
The division also collaborates with the International Economic Development Council in identifying the types of businesses that are viable and feasible in the Commonwealth.
Department of Commerce-Economic Development Division Director Jesus Taisague, center, and fishing industry development officer Herman Sablan, third left, pose for a photo with Rotary Club of Saipan President Wendell Posadas, second left, and other Rotarians during their luncheon meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Giovanni’s Restaurant on Tuesday.
