Rose Chan, one of the association’s board of directors, said most of their businesses depend on the tourism industry.
She said they support the CNMI’s government request that the federal government include Russia and China in the visa waiver program, saying that visitors from these countries are preventing the commonwealth’s economy from collapsing.
As proprietor of a restaurant, a beauty shop, apartments and marine service establishments, Chan said tourists contribute a lot to the success of her business.
Chan said she has been doing business for a long period of time on Saipan. It is here where she got married.
“I want to stay here because I love Saipan as my new home — it’s a beautiful island,” she told Variety.
Ta Bun Kuy, another officer of the Chinese Association in Saipan, said even if businesses managed to survive in the first year of the federalization of local immigration, they will continue to struggle.
He said it is really too bad for the economy if Russia and China are excluded from the visa waiver program.
Chan said the CNMI government can also help businesses by not charging high power and water rates.
“If power is good it will be good for business,” Chan said, hoping that the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. can maintain the island’s regular power supply.
Chan said the business sector continues to hope for the best despite the implementation of the federalization law on June 1.
