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MVA withholds decision on China offices
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Posted on Apr 07 2006
The Marianas Visitors Authority board has postponed any decisions regarding the soon-to-expire service contracts for three MVA offices in China.
The MVA said the contracts of all four China offices, including one in Hong Kong, are expiring on April 30.
The board earlier decided not to renew the contract of the Hong Kong office due to almost non-existent tourist arrivals from Hong Kong. Continental Airlines dropped Saipan from its Guam-Hong Kong route effective last November due to poor traffic.
MVA said it received seven proposals to service MVA offices in China, which are located in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
The MVA management recommended during a board meeting Wednesday to invite all seven companies to Saipan. But this was opposed by board member JM Guerrero.
“I strongly recommend against that unless we get the strategic plan from the Governor’s Office,” said Guerrero.
He said that the Fitial administration has a plan to boost the China market.
Member Ed U. Maratita likewise said during the meeting that the administration mentioned the possibility of getting “free of charge” offshore offices.
The MVA launched its office in Manila earlier this year in partnership with the Delgados of Pacific Telecom Inc. MVA said the Delgados will run the office at no expense to the government.
Meantime, the existing contract for the China offices belongs to Ruder Finn Asia. MVA said this company is one of the seven companies that submitted new proposals for China.
The pending request for proposal is for fiscal year 2007.
