(SCC). – Joe C. Guerrero, President of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, on Tuesday applauded Governor David M. Apatang’s signing of Executive Order 2025-004, which establishes the Business Permitting Center (BPC) to significantly streamline business permitting processes across the Commonwealth.
“This Executive Order marks a pivotal moment for businesses in the CNMI,” said President Guerrero. “For too long, our local entrepreneurs and investors have navigated a complex and often fragmented system for obtaining the necessary permits, licenses, and clearances. This has resulted in unnecessary administrative burdens, delays, and increased costs, which ultimately hinder economic growth.”
Executive Order 2025-004 addresses these critical issues by establishing the Business Permitting Center within the Department of Commerce. The BPC will serve as a centralized hub, coordinating and facilitating all business-related permitting requirements from various government agencies. Its core objectives include:
Streamlining and simplifying the entire permitting process.
Reducing paperwork, duplicative requirements, and processing times.
Improving interagency coordination and transparency for all applicants.
Providing centralized information, forms, and assistance to businesses.
Promoting investment and compliance through efficient service delivery.
“As President of the Chamber, I have consistently heard from our business community about the challenges posed by the current permitting system,” Guerrero continued. “The creation of the Business Permitting Center is a direct response to these concerns and demonstrates the administration’s commitment to fostering a more enabling environment for investment and entrepreneurship. We are especially pleased to see the emphasis on interagency cooperation and the planned establishment of both a physical and an online presence for the Center.”
And as Co-Chair of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, Guerrero emphasized the broader economic impact. “An efficient and transparent business permitting process is not just a convenience; it is fundamental for private-sector growth, job creation, and overall economic development. This move will undoubtedly attract new businesses, encourage expansion of existing ones, and ultimately lead to increased confidence in our government’s services.”
“The Saipan Chamber of Commerce stands ready to work closely with the Department of Commerce and all participating agencies to ensure the successful and timely implementation of the Business Permitting Center,” Guerrero concluded. “We encourage all businesses to familiarize themselves with this new initiative and look forward to a new era of simplified and efficient business permitting in the Commonwealth.”
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve its members as a resource, enhancing the quality of business and life on Saipan. Its vision is to create an island where businesses, families, and communities succeed as one. To learn more about the Saipan Chamber of Commerce visit www.saipanchamber.com or contact us at 670-234-7150 or contactus@saipanchamber.org
