Salt production industry in NMI seen

The CNMI government is exploring the possibility of introducing salt production in the Northern Marianas to mitigate economic losses brought about by the slowdown in travel and apparel manufacturing sectors.

The initiative to establish salt production industry in the Commonwealth is being advanced by members of the House of Representatives through a resolution drafted by Rep. Martin Ada.

In recommending its passage by the lower chamber of the CNMI Legislature, Rep. Norman S. Palacios said House Resolution 12-06 is consistent with the government’s intention to tap potential business activities that may thrive in the islands.

Mr. Palacios said allowing the establishment of a new industry, especially one that is complemented by available resources in the Northern Marianas, has the ability to foster economic growth.

House Resolution 12-06 asks the Department of Commerce to commission a study that would determine the feasibility of developing salt production in the Commonwealth through solar evaporation method.

With its proximity to heavily-populated Asian countries like Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and the Philippines where demand for salt is huge, CNMI, being surrounded by a vast of ocean, is likely to become one of the largest salt producing areas in the Asia-Pacific region.

The CNMI government is looking at millions of dollars in potential revenues from the proposed establishment of a salt production facility in the islands, which it intends to market in Asia, Europe and North America.

According to Mr. Ada, Northern Marianas has the capability to produce salt by using the solar evaporation of sea water method, a cost efficient and environmentally friendly procedure.

Nearly 100 nations produce salt ranging from primitive operations which simply scrape sodium chloride from the surface of ancient lakes to multi-stage mechanical evaporation facilities.

Over the past 100 years, salt production has increased from 100 million metric tons to over 200 million metric tons each year.

The House of Representatives is asking the commerce department to determine whether the Northern Marianas has the necessary climatic condition and sea water resources to produce salt.

Commerce Secretary Frankie Villanueva will be asked to submit to the Legislature a final report containing information about salt production, costs and benefits, as well as marketing potential and value in Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe.