Renowned CNMI economist to keynote economic summit

New ideas and directions that will help the Northern Marianas chart the future of its economy is what the Marianas Roundtable Economic Summit aims to achieve.

From May 19 until May 21, 2005, leading economic minds will join top executives from Micronesia and the Asia Pacific region as they take the leadership to address important economic issues that are currently confronting the Northern Marianas.

Among those who will help stimulate the discussions during the economic summit is CNMI economist and long time Saipan resident, William Stewart. One of five keynote speakers during the summit, Stewart will give the participants a historical perspective of the local economy and the lessons the CNMI has learned as it moves towards the future.

Bill, as he is fondly known in the Micronesian community, earned his reputation in local circles after serving as an economist in the CNMI’s Office of Planning and Budget, Office of the Census and the Department of Commerce. More recently he has been engaged in forensic economics. He is a graduate of the University of Charleston and the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Service Institute where he served as a career foreign service officer at American Embassies in Africa and Asia.

In a career spanning more than 45 years, Stewart has been engaged as a private consulting economist to many firms and foreign governments in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Pacific Ocean areas. His association with the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands involved being an economist to the High Commissioner and Deputy Director of Resources & Development

Stewart is the author of: the “Business Reference and Investment Guide to Northern Marianas Islands”; “Introducing The Northern Marianas Islands—An American Commonwealth on the Doorstep of Asia”; “Tourism Investment Opportunities In The Northern Mariana Islands” and more that 180 published essays and “op-ed” pieces on the history, geography, economy, and social issues in the NMI for the Saipan Tribune; Marianas Variety; Umanidat- “A Journal of the Humanities”; the Journal of Pacific Societies, (Tokyo) as well as an occasional lecturer at the Northern Marianas College on contemporary economic issues.

“It is a rewarding experience to hear and listen to Bill Stewart who is an expert lecturer on the history and economics of our islands. I am sure the conference participants will not only find Bill to be an engaging speaker but, they will also learn a lot from him,” said Century Insurance president and event chairman David M. Sablan.

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 Corporation, 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.