Auntie Charo's Soapbox

"Auntie:
Even though my new responsibilities do not include the insular areas, I wanted you to have this and post the good news. This attention that the islands receive now will pay off, if the momentum can continue. With the military build up, the activity on Guam at least seems likely to last for a while-giving a push to growth and development.
I love Guam, and my family (a very large part of it) is still on Guam. I am in DC raising my family of Chamolis, but I always dream of making Guam our second home some how. I will continue to keep a focus on the security issues facing the islands, and this will help with encouraging investment.
I just wanted you to help underscore the importance of having Assistant Secretary Lynn Scarlett on Guam and in the islands. She has vast private sector experience, is very well respected and is a real asset to the Department and the islands. This is a very good development for Guam and the region.
Economy to get a boost from trade mission
By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff
THE island’s economy may soon get a boost from additional businesses planned for Guam by participants in a Department of Interior business opportunities mission.
Representatives from 15 U.S. companies are currently on island to explore business opportunities on Guam and other islands in the region.
The mission, composed of companies involved in various industries ranging from water technology, construction, tourism, and engineering, is led by Assistant Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs David B. Cohen.
According to the governor, the potential investors have already met with local government, education, and private sector officials to interact and become better acquainted with the island’s economy and the opportunities that the island has to offer.
During a press conference yesterday, Scarlett also pointed out that Guam’s location is strategic not only from the military perspective but also from the economic perspective.
“We are at a juncture at the outset of this 21st century wherein Guam really lies in the gateway to Asia, making your island an ideal investment venture for American companies,” Scarlett said.
“We anticipate additional construction not only from the military but also to build up Guam’s infrastructure. Among the companies planning to do business here is a water engineering company which plans to start operations for agricultural purposes,” she added.
Other companies want to open offices on island to use Guam as a base of operations for business activities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Scarlett said the current business mission is a direct result of the DOI business opportunities conference held in Los Angeles last year.
“Following that conference, we wanted to make sure that we moved away from the theoretical and abstract to the actual nitty gritty, so that’s why we’re here. Firms that are interested have already started one on one meetings with local companies here. They have been briefed about the advantages of doing business here and we are looking forward to a productive outcome,” Scarlett said.
During the press conference, the governor said he was pleased to host the DOI business mission on Guam.
“This is concrete, we are delivering on the promise of the DOI conference we attended in D.C. and Los Angeles. I have met with the mission delegates and many are looking for partners on Guam. Guam can be the lead island within the western Pacific and Micronesia area,” Camacho said.
The governor added that his administration is grateful to DOI for giving Guam the opportunity to be less reliant on Washington and more dependent on native abilities and resources.
“We are now in a special time in the history of our island. We have a window of opportunity to really make great things happen and we intend to fully take advantage of this,” the governor concluded.
Keith A. Parsky, Esquire
Office of Historical Trust Accounting
1801 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Suite 423
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 327-5300
(202) 254-5517 Direct
(202) 327-5375 fax
(301) 758-5537 cell"
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