Commerce strengthens relationships during busy Q1

The Department of Commerce recently completed a series of program outreach initiatives throughout the Commonwealth.

Commerce Secretary Mark O. Rabauliman highlighted the need to strengthen commercial capacity within Tinian and Rota.

“Our team met with Tinian Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas and Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig to discuss our existing programs and ways we could collaborate and leverage all available resources. We discussed the role of the Small Business Development Center, consumer assistance, alcohol and tobacco enforcement, banking and statistics. We continue to renew our commitment to improving commerce throughout the entire Commonwealth and look forward to the months ahead,” Rabauliman.

Reiterating the significance of business development, Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres said that Commerce’s resources serve to improve business development and improve upon the economic development strategy.

“When we take into account physical, natural, and human resources, each jurisdiction in the Commonwealth has its own developmental purpose and limitations. By speaking with our municipal and federal partners, we will better gauge opportunities, as well as threats and weaknesses to new industry developments, our infrastructure and the changing market. With this, Commerce is better aware of challenges and programs and can be more reflective to the needs of our islands,” Torres said.

CNMI SBDC administrator Nicole Babauta noted that the outreach also served to close any informational gaps between the islands in terms of resources and programs.

“One of the primary focus of commerce is supporting the growth and development of our region. We discussed training opportunities for existing and prospective small businesses. Outreach remains critical in order to support growth and to build strong, effective, and functional partnerships within government and across the private sector. This is illustrated with us strengthening partnerships with the USDA,” Babauta said.

She said that Commerce had met with U.S. Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency county executive director Thomas Camacho, USDA-FSA state executive director Hawaii State and Pacific Basin Al Frenzel, and USDA loan analyst Doreen Rivera to discuss programs in the CNMI.

Rabauliman further added that during the first quarter, the CNMI State Trade and Expansion Program Team met with Small Business Administration branch manager Kenneth Lujan and veteran business outreach center director Dennis Kwak to discuss best practices.

“Governor Torres has been a main proponent to training and the adoption of best practices in the region as an ongoing objective. Our team is very pleased with the insight and the partnerships we continue to build for the benefit of commerce and our entire community,” Rabauliman said.

Free business training is available to the public and is supported by the CNMI Department of Commerce, CNMI SBDC, and USDA FSA. The next training on Tinian was held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 and on Saipan on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. (PR)