OIA economist to talk on regional economy

Dr. Wali Osman, an economist for the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior will show the participants of the Marianas Economic Roundtable Summit a picture of the opportunities that await foreign investors who may be interested in putting up their own businesses in the Northern Marianas.

As one of the five keynote speakers in the economic summit which will be held from May 19 until May 21 at the Dai Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach, Dr. Osman will also talk about the CNMI’s role in the regional economy.

“Our leaders make plans that affect these areas where we live in and do business and we have an obligation to help them and to help ourselves. When senior executives and experts like Dr. Osman collaborate, we can have a powerful and far reaching impact on public policy,” said Century Insurance president and event chair David M. Sablan.

Dr. Osman is the principal economic advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior, Insular Affairs. He is primarily responsible for the economic and financial research on the insular areas for policy and program analysis by the OIA’s leadership and works

Before joining the Department of the Interior, Dr. Osman held the Bank of Hawaii Senior Fellow for the Pacific Economies chair at the East-West Center in Honolulu. And before that, he worked as an economist, specializing in the Pacific island economies, for Bank of Hawaii for nearly 20 years.

Dr. Osman is a frequent speaker at economic and business forums in Hawaii, the Pacific and the region. He has taught economics and finance at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Osman received both his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in economics from the University of Hawaii.

The Marianas Roundtable Economic Summit is a collaborative effort of many local business organizations. They include the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Saipan Bankers Association, Marianas Visitors Authority, CNMI Department of Commerce, Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Northern Marianas Insurance Association. Funding sponsors include the Bank of Hawaii, Atalanta Sosnoff, Tan Holdings Corp., Workers Investment Agency, and the Commonwealth Development Authority.

Those who are interested to know more about the economic summit are advised to get in touch with the Saipan Chamber of Commerce at 233-7151 or e-mail at saipanchamber@saipan.com.

As part of the Marianas Roundtable Economic Summit, we have an opportunity for businesses to have a table at the Summit. Space is limited, however. If your business is interested in having a table with information in support of the Summit title and goals “How to Stimulate Investment in the CNMI,” please contact the Chamber office no later than Thursday, May 12. Business tables will be located in the breezeway across from the Dai-ichi Shimbashi Restaurant; table sizes will be 3 ft. x 4 ft., with two chairs. There will be limited electrical outlets available. Call 670-233-7150/FAX 670-233-7151; email: saipanchamber@saipan.com