“The political strength of the country is based on its economic strength,” Speaker Alvin Jacklick said in an interview Friday. “Without private sector strength, the government will generate very minimal revenue.”
In comments about his intension to engage with the private sector, Jacklick said business people have the knowledge about developing the economy, not the government.
Jacklick is a five-term senator who brokered a deal bringing together a coalition to elect President Jurelang Zedkaia earlier this month following the first successful vote of no confidence in the previous President Litokwa Tomeing.
A chamber of commerce official said it was encouraging that Jacklick had rung the group within a few days of taking office this month to seek a meeting with business leaders to address legislation and other needs of the business community. “We need someone to take ownership of business legislation so it does not get stuck,” said chamber secretary James McLean.
“People in tourism, retail and wholesale know the answers,” Jacklick said.
He said he wants a business-based economic advisory group for the speaker, vice speaker and the Nitijela (parliament) to assist in “formulating an economic development plan in line with the cabinet.”
Sometimes political leaders underestimate the ability of the private sector.
“They are the ones who pay taxes,” he said. “Because of businesses we have a general fund (local revenue account). They need to be strengthened.”
There has never been a business advisory group appointed by the parliament.
The cabinet is responsible for setting economic policies, “but at the end of the day Nitijela must pass legislation (to support it),” Jacklick said.
“We want to establish concrete policies to positively move the country forward,” he said, adding there will be no barriers between the Nitijela and the executive branch to discuss these issues on a regular basis.
