By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang on Tuesday, Saipan time, spoke directly to a senior federal official about the CNMI’s struggle to revive its tourism industry during The Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit in Hawaii.
Held at Jefferson Hall of the East-West Center in Honolulu, the two-day summit, which began Monday, was a senior-level, invitation-only forum designed to advance viable investment across the Pacific.
The summit was co-hosted by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo, and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, who is also the Pacific Islands Forum chairman
The summit brought together Pacific Island leaders, private sector representatives, and senior federal officials.
The event began Monday morning with a discussion on “Advancing Private Sector-Led Growth in the Pacific,” exploring investment opportunities across key sectors including infrastructure, critical minerals, supply chains, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, energy security, tourism, agriculture, health systems, and banking. Landau and Paparo were among the keynote speakers on this topic.
During the dialogue, Governor Apatang addressed Deputy Secretary Landau:
“Mr. Secretary, I also want to say that we need to review federal policies. Many of the policies currently in place were implemented years ago, and we need to reassess them. I’ve been to Washington, D.C., and just returned after lobbying for changes to help boost tourism in the Commonwealth. Tourism is our lifeline, so please take a look at these policies and help us.”
Landau gave a thumbs-up, placed his right hand on his chest, and clapped along with the co-hosts and attendees.
Apatang also invited attendees to invest in the CNMI:
“We are open to investors. For those who don’t know where the CNMI is, we are right next to Guam. Come visit us. If you are ready to invest, we have islands north of Saipan available for lease. Come to the Commonwealth, and we’ll take care of you.”
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
