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Doing business & staying in touch

Economy: 

Fruit, vegetables, beef and pork are produced in commercial quantities, with some being exported. Fisheries and copra (coconut meat) are other important industries in the agricultural sector. Manufacturing is dominated by textile production.

The economy is dominated overall, however, by the service sector, of which tourism is the principal component. The establishment of an air link with Japan gave a major boost to this sector. However, the lack of available workers led to the recruitment of large numbers of foreign workers (which accounts for the huge growth in the islands' population).

Bilateral aid from the USA is still an important source of income for the government, particularly monies earmarked to develop the islands' infrastructure. However, funding is declining as locally generated revenues have grown.

The Northern Marianas is a member of the Pacific Community.

GDP: 

US$633.4 million (2000).

Main exports: 

Garments.

Main imports: 

Food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products.

Main trading partners: 

USA and Japan.

Telephone: 

There are payphones in Saipan and most hotels; restaurants and other public facilities have telephones which visitors can use.

Mobile phone: 

A mobile phone network exists, although no roaming agreements have been declared by the service provider.

Internet: 

Availability and reliability is limited.

Post: 

There are post offices on the three main islands, as well as private postal companies in Saipan. US postal rates apply.

Post office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat 0900-1200.

Press: 

• The English-language newspapers include the Pacific Daily News, Saipan Tribune (twice weekly) and the Marianas Variety (weekdays).

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