“This change in the law has the potential to create a new industry here in the Northern Mariana Islands and bring much-needed jobs for our people,” said Sablan. “This is one of the ways that we may be able to benefit from the military build-up on Guam.”
Current federal law generally limits the repair of US military vessels to the 50 States and Guam. Sablan’s legislation adds the Northern Mariana Islands to the places where these repairs are allowed.
“This is simply a matter of opening up an existing market to a greater number of competitors,” Kilili said. “But this simple change could mean a great deal if the U.S. Navy chooses to use the Marianas as a venue for these repairs.”
