Fitial told reporters that his administration is now working on a “different protocol” to find a way for tourists and investors from China and Russia to continue entering the CNMI.
He said the regulations will be out either this month or early June. It’s not going to be later in June, he added.
He said he would like the regulations to allow the CNMI to continue hiring the foreign workers that the commonwealth needs for its economy. These are those who are already here, he added.
The governor said he would like the umbrella permit holders to be able to continue working in the CNMI “because we will never stop needing them.”
He said new investments that may come in sooner or later would require additional work force.
“I think we should also be allowed to hire additional (workers),” he added.
If that can be granted by the regulations, Fitial said his administration would be satisfied.
At the same time, he said the commonwealth needs to beef up its training program for its local manpower.
“We have new manpower development program because training is very important now,” he said.
Fitial at the same time said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner David V. Aguilar has yet to respond to his letter.
He asked Aguilar in a May 3 letter to look into the “demeaning attitudes” of CBP officials at the Saipan international airport.
