Department of the Interior’s 1st Business Opportunities Mission set this month

Assistant Secretary of the Interior P. Lynn Scarlett today announced the names of 15 U.S. firms selected to join the Department of the Interior’s first-ever Business Opportunities Mission to the Pacific, which will bring potential business investors to Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of Palau in May.

The participants include some well-known names, such as Hilton, Fluor and the University of Southern California, as well as a host of other companies in such as areas as high-end tourism, high technology, specialty agriculture, education, environmental technology and construction.

“I am proud to be leading this historic effort to join American companies looking for new business opportunities with island governments eager to attract business to their shores,” said Scarlett, who has been nominated by President Bush to serve as Interior’s Deputy Secretary—the Department’s second-highest position. “Secretary Norton and I are confident that the economic future of these islands is best served by a strong and healthy local private economy which will provide new jobs and link them to the global economy.”

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior David Cohen said that the mission is a logical next step after Secretary Norton’s Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands, which drew over 1,000 participants to Los Angeles in September 2004.

“The conference got a lot of businesses interested in the islands, but they won’t commit resources until they actually visit,” said Cohen. “The Mission will hopefully bring some companies through the next stage of their decision-making process, and closer to the point where they’ll be ready to do business in the islands. These won’t be the only companies visiting the islands as a result of the Conference, but we’re pleased to be able to bring several companies over at one time.”

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation, which provides financial assistance to U.S. companies working on overseas projects, is also participating in the Mission. Carl Reinhardt, OPIC’s Director of Investment Development for Asia, will represent OPIC. “OPIC will hold workshops for businesses based in Guam or the CNMI that are interested in doing business outside of the U.S.,” said Reinhardt. “These workshops will be open to any business, not just Mission participants. OPIC can provide assistance for projects in Palau, other Pacific nations, Asia or elsewhere in the world.”

Angela Williams, who is responsible for economic development projects at the Office of Insular Affairs, said that an important objective of the Mission is to support existing businesses in the islands. “We want to create opportunities for businesses that are already operating in the islands,” said Williams. “By teaming up with off-island businesses, local businesses might be able to pursue opportunities that might otherwise be out of their reach. And we’re stressing to Mission participants that they need good local partners in order to be successful in the islands.”

Mission participants are paying for their own travel and expenses. They will receive briefings from island leaders and from Office of Insular Affairs officials on emerging opportunities in the islands. They will also be introduced to potential business partners from the islands through a series of pre-arranged one-on-one meetings.

The following companies and institutions are participating in the Mission: Air 2 Water, Argosy University, Bridgecreek Development International, Common Heritage Corporation, Digital Mediums LLC/Hirez Network, DOER Marine, Express Electronics, Fluor Corporation (Guam only), Global General Technologies, Hilton Hotels Corporation, L & L Financial Holdings Corporation, Nekton Diving Cruises, LLC, Pleasant Care Corporation (CNMI only), Unified Western Grocers, Inc., and USC Marshall School of Business.(PR)