KOROR (Palau Horizon) — The Association of Pacific Island Legislatures has adopted a resolution requesting Continental Airlines to lower its inter-island cargo rates for local goods.
The resolution was introduced by Northern Marianas Rep. Martin Ada, R-Saipan.
In a report, APIL’s trade and commerce committee stated that transportation costs have gravely hampered the export development in the region.
“These costs represent a high barrier preventing shipping our products to other islands, making goods simply too costly for most buyers. As a result, producers do not get to sell their goods and consumers are unable to buy the goods they want at reasonable prices,” the committee report said.
The committee said APIL should ask the management of Continental Micronesia to consider reducing inter-island cargo rates.
“Reduced inter-island cargo rates would go along toward strengthening trade relations among the members of APIL. This would occur by greatly broadening the spectrum of locally produced goods available to consumers and at the same time stimulating increased production. We believe that significant growth in each of our local economies would…benefit (everyone),” the committee report said.
