Move to privatize MVA

At Issue: Sentiment by business community to privatize the role and function of the Marianas Visitors Authority.

Our View: It’s a good move turning it over to tourist-related businesses on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

Politicians and bureaucrats are not adept to the workings of economics that promotes efficiency in any business operations. In fact, their lack of understanding of basic economics makes the semi-independency of government agencies almost next to impossible to run in business-like fashion.

Right before our naked eyes is a former government-operated agency–remember the old telephone system–that is now Micronesian TeleCommunications? From a humble beginning of a handful of investors, it has ballooned into a multi-million dollar business venture.
The NMI now boasts a better telecom service than neighboring Guam.

Imagine if this business venture remained in government hands all these years. It is a perfect example of how efficiency and modern conduct of business is best attained via privatization of government-run agencies.

MVA and other semi-autonomous agencies and all government functions that still compete with the private sector must be turned over to private businesses. That tourism is a major economic sector makes it obligatory that local government funds research and development, including certain percentage of all promotional efforts by a privately-run MVA.
In doing so, it behooves local government to exercise equal agility in the promotion of all current investments, including a well organized trade mission to neighboring tiger countries in the region. In other words, the old approach hasn’t work, therefore, changes in paradigms are definitely in order!
Such a move isn’t intended to completely alienate local leadership in that a partnership is a must in any and all undertakings that would positively bolster economic activities. Such occasional promotional efforts where we invite politicians to tag-along should be shifted to tourist-related businessmen so they too can understand the task of luring more visitors to these isles. Until they too walk through that valley can they understand and appreciate the task at hand.

A well founded partnership is a must and should enable politicians and bureaucrats greater appreciation of learning to live in both good and bad times. Paradigms must change from our old entrenched ways. It’s the only way to move forward. Si Yuus Maase`!