From January to March this year, the island’s total imported goods rose to 79.34 thousand tons from 74.15 thousand tons during the same period last year, a report from Commerce stated.
Ada said imports do not necessarily indicate dependence on other countries.
All economies, and not just the CNMI, import commodities, he added.
Petroleum is the islands’ primary import, the Commerce report stated.
The CNMI imported 39.09 thousand tons of petroleum products in the first three months of this year compared to 28.3 thousand tons during the same period last year.
Imported food items increased to 12.2 thousand tons from 11.81 thousand tons last year.
The island’s garment exports went down to $3.14 million in January to March compared to $9.73 million during the same period last year, the Commerce report stated.
Prior to the liberalization of international trade rules in 2005, Saipan hosted 36 garment factories, employed over 15,000 contract workers and generated some $994 million in annual exports, Commerce stated.
Ada noted that the cost of shipping has increased significantly as the demand for textile products continues to decline with the demise of the garment industry.
The CNMI also imports cement, construction materials, beverages and other products.
