THE Department of Commerce wants to revise the six-year old economic development plan and strategy of the commonwealth.
Acting Commerce Secretary Fermin M. Atalig said revising the existing development plan would allow the CNMI to qualify for the federal grants for public works and economic development.
Atalig told Variety that he has already submitted a memorandum to Gov. Juan N. Babauta setting forth his department’s plan.
“In order to enhance our chances of being granted Economic Development Authority funds for public works and economic development projects, I suggest that we reorganize the commission and rename the plan, ‘Overall Economic Development Plan,’” Atalig said in his letter to the governor.
The CNMI’s economic plan, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, will be revised and updated.
This plan was created during then Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio’s administration in 1996.
Atalig said there will be a commission or task force consisting of the representatives from various government agencies and the private sector will draft the new plan.
This task force will “enhance” the CNMI’s grant application for public works and economic development grants as required by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Atalig said.
