Atalig named Commerce Secretary

In the presence of his Cabinet members, Gov. Juan N. Babauta officially nominated Fermin M. Atalig as Secretary of the Department of Commerce yesterday, with the express instruction to make the department an effective tool for the promotion of economic development in the CNMI.

Babauta said he is particularly pleased with Atalig’s appointment because it completes the appointments of all major Cabinet positions and he is looking forward to working with Atalig in promoting and selling the Commonwealth as a place to do business in.

“The Lt. Governor and I chose Mr. Atalig by virtue of his vast experience both in and outside the government and in the private sector, his banking experience speaks for itself, he was on the Board of the Guam Economic Authority, is a lifetime educator and a very experienced administrator,” said Babauta.

In response, Atalig said he fully realize the important responsibility that lies ahead for him. “In these difficult economic times, one is looking to the government, particularly to the Department of Commerce, for answers. I pledge to explore every possible avenue for the promotion of trade and commerce in the general interest of the Commonwealth,” he said.

He vowed to work closely with the business community and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, as well as other government agencies like the Marianas Visitors Authority to promote tourism in the CNMI; with the Commonwealth Development Authority, banks, and other lending institutions to attract foreign investments; and with the Business Development Center at the Northern Marianas College to promote local investments in light industries and agriculture.

In the area of providing data, Atalig cited the need for the CNMI to develop its own Gross Island Product measurement index and to update the multiplier effect, of which the last study was done in 1999.

“I would also appoint a task force to study the feasibility of bringing together all the different development plans and economic studies under one umbrella,” he said.

Atalig’s appointment still needs Senate confirmation, though, and his nomination is now with the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations.

Among other things, Atalig has been a chairman of the Civil Service Commission, a member of the Marianas Public Lands Corp., and is currently the chairman of the Board of Regents.