GARAPAN Saipan — Some 80 participants mostly chief executives and presidents of companies doing business in the Micronesian and Asia-Pacific regions are expected to attend the Marianas Roundtable Economic Summit organized by local business groups. Invitations have also been sent to the American Chamber of Commerce.

The event to be held from May 19 to 21 at the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach aims to identify specific actions that the CNMI can take to stimulate investment and encourage businesses within the region to invest more profitably in the Northern Mariana Islands.

“We are doing this effort because as businessmen we continue to be concerned about the future of our islands’ economy ” David M. Sablan president of Century Insurance Co. Ltd. and event chairman said. “Only by gathering and listening to the partners and stakeholders that drive our local economy would we be able to know about their plans and their needs and how we in the Northern Marianas can effectively help them achieve their goals.”

Organizers have invited four main speakers to the conference:

• Economist William Stewart who will give an overview of the CNMI’s economy in the past;

• Wali Osman economist for the Office of Insular Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior who will discuss the current economic climate;

• Rear Adm. David L. Brewer III former commander of Naval Forces Marianas who will talk about the growing military presence on Guam.

• Henry Tan chief executive officer of Luen Thai who will give an update on the future of the apparel industry.
There will also be a panel presentation on tourism infrastructure and the actions being taken by the Commonwealth Development Authority to stimulate economic growth.

The event is co-sponsored by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce; Bank of Hawaii; Atalanta Sosnoff an investment firm; Tan Holdings Corp.; the CNMI Workers Investment Agency; and the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Planning for the event began in August.

There is no fee for those who have registered as participants. However there will be a charge for luncheons with a featured guest speaker. MBJ