Latest news with #PIDB
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Guam Governor Advocates For Economic Diversification As US Military Buildup Continues
The governor of Guam is advocating for economic diversification in the US territory's efforts to position the island as a logistics and defence hub in the Indo-Pacific., RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent The government of Guam is in talks with the US territory's airport authority to allocate land for a dedicated industrial park in its efforts to position the island as a logistics and defence hub in the Indo-Pacific. This was revealed by Guam governor Lou Leon Guerrero during her weclomes remarks at the Pacific Islands Development Bank (PIDB) board of governors meeting in Saipan on Wednesday. Leon Guerrero outlined her administration's efforts to diversify US territory's economy during, speaking extensively on Guam's plans to attract Taiwan-based computer chip manufacturers and support 3D printing technology for rapid naval vessel repairs. 'One of the things I discussed with the president of Taiwan was how we could bring chip manufacturing to Guam,' Leon Guerrero told attendees. She said: 'If you provide the infrastructure, they will come.'' She said such initiatives would enhance Guam's capacity to support the US military presence in the Pacific, especially with regard to shortening supply chains for ship and submarine repairs. 'We are looking at diversifying our economy,' Leon Guerrero said. 'And that added manufacturing will improve the supply chain, especially very beneficial for the military build-up because ships and submarines, in terms of needing parts to be repaired, can be repaired quickly.' While welcoming Pacific leaders to Saipan, Leon Guerrero acknowledged persistent challenges in Guam's tourism sector due to global economic uncertainties, currency fluctuations, and air service limitations. 'We are still slowly recovering from the [Covid-19] pandemic. It is slow to come back because of global issues – the yen, the dollar – and air connectivity is a concern,' she said, noting federal regulations have also constrained certain tourism activities. The governor said Guam is working with low-cost carriers and international markets, like Taiwan, to restore travel demand. She pointed to recent increased flight arrivals from Taipei as a sign of progress. 'People from Taiwan love to travel. But they are not going to China because of the issues between China and Taiwan,' she said. 'Let's take that opportunity to entice them to come to our part of the Pacific.' She also reiterated Guam's strategic importance to national defense, noting billions of dollars in military spending are flowing into the island. However, she emphasized the need for shared responsibility between the federal government and Guam in building critical infrastructure. 'The military buildup is ongoing. We're working closely with them to finance infrastructure-electricity, utilities. We also want them to give their share for the burden of peace,' she said. Leon Guerrero flagged workforce development as a key economic priority, especially with ongoing construction and business activity. 'We have been very innovative in our training,' she said, noting that boot camps and upskilling programs have been deployed. 'But that still isn't enough,' she added, saying Guam is also pushing for more H-2B visas to fill gaps in the construction workforce. She acknowledged competition with the federal government for public sector employees and noted recent local pay raises have helped retain police officers, nurses, and teachers. 'Workforce is one of the biggest challenges for us. We are also dealing with issues of housing shortages, drug addiction, and telecommunications,' she said, noting that new investments, including a modern hospital, are also part of Guam's strategic buildout. 'United voice' Leon Guerrero urged regional unity among Pacific Islands, especially amid global power shifts and growing emphasis on the Indo-Pacific. 'When we stand together in a united voice, we will win this part of the Indo-Pacific for national security,' she said. 'Let's leverage that as much as we can so both parties can benefit from it.' She also mentioned the importance of framing climate change discussions with care in a shifting US political environment. 'We need to be careful of what we say in languages and words so that we can continue the relationship with the United States,' she said. Leon Guerrero closed by thanking Pacific leaders from Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, reaffirming her commitment to collaborative development and security partnerships across the region. The PIDB board of governors meeting was attended by executive and legislative leaders from around Micronesia. The agenda included review of the bank's independent audit report, updates on strategic priorities, and each jurisdiction's economic conditions. Multiple speakers cited tourism stagnation, housing gaps, and inflation as common challenges.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Guam Governor Advocates For Economic Diversification As US Military Buildup Continues
, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent The government of Guam is in talks with the US territory's airport authority to allocate land for a dedicated industrial park in its efforts to position the island as a logistics and defence hub in the Indo-Pacific. This was revealed by Guam governor Lou Leon Guerrero during her weclomes remarks at the Pacific Islands Development Bank (PIDB) board of governors meeting in Saipan on Wednesday. Leon Guerrero outlined her administration's efforts to diversify US territory's economy during, speaking extensively on Guam's plans to attract Taiwan-based computer chip manufacturers and support 3D printing technology for rapid naval vessel repairs. "One of the things I discussed with the president of Taiwan was how we could bring chip manufacturing to Guam," Leon Guerrero told attendees. She said: 'If you provide the infrastructure, they will come.'" She said such initiatives would enhance Guam's capacity to support the US military presence in the Pacific, especially with regard to shortening supply chains for ship and submarine repairs. "We are looking at diversifying our economy," Leon Guerrero said. "And that added manufacturing will improve the supply chain, especially very beneficial for the military build-up because ships and submarines, in terms of needing parts to be repaired, can be repaired quickly." While welcoming Pacific leaders to Saipan, Leon Guerrero acknowledged persistent challenges in Guam's tourism sector due to global economic uncertainties, currency fluctuations, and air service limitations. "We are still slowly recovering from the [Covid-19] pandemic. It is slow to come back because of global issues - the yen, the dollar - and air connectivity is a concern," she said, noting federal regulations have also constrained certain tourism activities. The governor said Guam is working with low-cost carriers and international markets, like Taiwan, to restore travel demand. She pointed to recent increased flight arrivals from Taipei as a sign of progress. "People from Taiwan love to travel. But they are not going to China because of the issues between China and Taiwan," she said. "Let's take that opportunity to entice them to come to our part of the Pacific." She also reiterated Guam's strategic importance to national defense, noting billions of dollars in military spending are flowing into the island. However, she emphasized the need for shared responsibility between the federal government and Guam in building critical infrastructure. "The military buildup is ongoing. We're working closely with them to finance infrastructure-electricity, utilities. We also want them to give their share for the burden of peace," she said. Leon Guerrero flagged workforce development as a key economic priority, especially with ongoing construction and business activity. "We have been very innovative in our training," she said, noting that boot camps and upskilling programs have been deployed. "But that still isn't enough," she added, saying Guam is also pushing for more H-2B visas to fill gaps in the construction workforce. She acknowledged competition with the federal government for public sector employees and noted recent local pay raises have helped retain police officers, nurses, and teachers. "Workforce is one of the biggest challenges for us. We are also dealing with issues of housing shortages, drug addiction, and telecommunications," she said, noting that new investments, including a modern hospital, are also part of Guam's strategic buildout. 'United voice' Leon Guerrero urged regional unity among Pacific Islands, especially amid global power shifts and growing emphasis on the Indo-Pacific. "When we stand together in a united voice, we will win this part of the Indo-Pacific for national security," she said. "Let's leverage that as much as we can so both parties can benefit from it." She also mentioned the importance of framing climate change discussions with care in a shifting US political environment. "We need to be careful of what we say in languages and words so that we can continue the relationship with the United States," she said. Leon Guerrero closed by thanking Pacific leaders from Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, reaffirming her commitment to collaborative development and security partnerships across the region. The PIDB board of governors meeting was attended by executive and legislative leaders from around Micronesia. The agenda included review of the bank's independent audit report, updates on strategic priorities, and each jurisdiction's economic conditions. Multiple speakers cited tourism stagnation, housing gaps, and inflation as common challenges.
RNZ News
15-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Guam governor advocates for economic diversification as US military buildup continues
Guam is strategically important to the United States, housing both an Air Force and Navy base. Here, a US F-16 flies along the island's coastline. Photo: US Department of Defense The government of Guam is in talks with the US territory's airport authority to allocate land for a dedicated industrial park in its efforts to position the island as a logistics and defence hub in the Indo-Pacific. This was revealed by Guam governor Lou Leon Guerrero during her weclomes remarks at the Pacific Islands Development Bank (PIDB) board of governors meeting in Saipan on Wednesday. Leon Guerrero outlined her administration's efforts to diversify US territory's economy during, speaking extensively on Guam's plans to attract Taiwan-based computer chip manufacturers and support 3D printing technology for rapid naval vessel repairs. "One of the things I discussed with the president of Taiwan was how we could bring chip manufacturing to Guam," Leon Guerrero told attendees. She said: 'If you provide the infrastructure, they will come.'" She said such initiatives would enhance Guam's capacity to support the US military presence in the Pacific, especially with regard to shortening supply chains for ship and submarine repairs. "We are looking at diversifying our economy," Leon Guerrero said. "And that added manufacturing will improve the supply chain, especially very beneficial for the military build-up because ships and submarines, in terms of needing parts to be repaired, can be repaired quickly." The US considers Guam a key strategic military base to help it stop any potential attacks. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon While welcoming Pacific leaders to Saipan, Leon Guerrero acknowledged persistent challenges in Guam's tourism sector due to global economic uncertainties, currency fluctuations, and air service limitations. "We are still slowly recovering from the [Covid-19] pandemic. It is slow to come back because of global issues - the yen, the dollar - and air connectivity is a concern," she said, noting federal regulations have also constrained certain tourism activities. The governor said Guam is working with low-cost carriers and international markets, like Taiwan, to restore travel demand. She pointed to recent increased flight arrivals from Taipei as a sign of progress. "People from Taiwan love to travel. But they are not going to China because of the issues between China and Taiwan," she said. "Let's take that opportunity to entice them to come to our part of the Pacific." She also reiterated Guam's strategic importance to national defense, noting billions of dollars in military spending are flowing into the island. However, she emphasized the need for shared responsibility between the federal government and Guam in building critical infrastructure. "The military buildup is ongoing. We're working closely with them to finance infrastructure-electricity, utilities. We also want them to give their share for the burden of peace," she said. Leon Guerrero flagged workforce development as a key economic priority, especially with ongoing construction and business activity. "We have been very innovative in our training," she said, noting that boot camps and upskilling programs have been deployed. "But that still isn't enough," she added, saying Guam is also pushing for more H-2B visas to fill gaps in the construction workforce. Governor Lou Leon Guerrero Photo: RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon She acknowledged competition with the federal government for public sector employees and noted recent local pay raises have helped retain police officers, nurses, and teachers. "Workforce is one of the biggest challenges for us. We are also dealing with issues of housing shortages, drug addiction, and telecommunications," she said, noting that new investments, including a modern hospital, are also part of Guam's strategic buildout. Leon Guerrero urged regional unity among Pacific Islands, especially amid global power shifts and growing emphasis on the Indo-Pacific. "When we stand together in a united voice, we will win this part of the Indo-Pacific for national security," she said. "Let's leverage that as much as we can so both parties can benefit from it." She also mentioned the importance of framing climate change discussions with care in a shifting US political environment. "We need to be careful of what we say in languages and words so that we can continue the relationship with the United States," she said. Leon Guerrero closed by thanking Pacific leaders from Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, reaffirming her commitment to collaborative development and security partnerships across the region. The PIDB board of governors meeting was attended by executive and legislative leaders from around Micronesia. The agenda included review of the bank's independent audit report, updates on strategic priorities, and each jurisdiction's economic conditions. Multiple speakers cited tourism stagnation, housing gaps, and inflation as common challenges.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Time of India
No CCTVs at accident-prone spots despite Punjab CM's nod
Chandigarh: Even as Punjab continues to witness high road fatalities — averaging 13 deaths a day — the state failed to move swiftly on implementing electronic monitoring systems in its most accident-prone districts, despite having a dedicated budget. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As many as 4,829 people died in road accidents across Punjab in 2023 alone, with overspeeding accounting for a large portion of these fatalities. Five districts—Patiala (466), Rupnagar (211), Mohali (321), Nawanshahr (332), and Fatehgarh Sahib (149)—together recorded 1,479 deaths, making up over 30% of the state's total road accident deaths. Alarmingly, districts like Rupnagar and Mohali registered fatality rates 1.5 to 2 times higher than the state average of 147 deaths per million population. In an effort to curb high road fatalities, a high-level meeting chaired by chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Oct 13, 2023, approved the installation of CCTV systems in "Red Zone" districts for real-time traffic monitoring, violation deterrence, and improved enforcement. The transport department was assigned the responsibility to execute the project in coordination with relevant stakeholders. Subsequently, the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) drafted a Request for Proposal (RFP) for hiring a consultant, which was reviewed in detail during a meeting on January 4, 2024, chaired by the Administrative Secretary of the Transport Department along with the ADGP (Traffic) and Punjab Police's Traffic Advisor. The project was also reviewed in the 15th meeting of the Punjab State Road Safety Council (PSRSC), where it was reaffirmed that the transport department would lead the implementation with support from Smart City Chandigarh Ltd and PIDB. However, despite administrative discussions and groundwork, the project remains stuck. A file submitted by the Lead Agency on November 14, 2024, to the Additional Chief Secretary, Transport, was returned with comments but little progress. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This, despite the availability of Rs 15 crore under the "Machinery and Equipment" budget for the financial year 2024–25. During a meeting held on Feb 14, 2025, the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS) recommended that Punjab consider adopting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model—successfully implemented in states like Kerala and Maharashtra—for the CCTV-based electronic monitoring and enforcement system. The state has also been asked to ensure that the CCTV network is integrated with systems such as e-Challan, body-worn cameras, and speed radars, and that the compounding of traffic offences is streamlined through this integrated setup. The PSRSC will review the stalled project in its 16th meeting scheduled to be held on April 23. R Venkat Ratnam, Director General of the Punjab State Road Safety Council's Lead Agency, confirmed that while the Transport Department is responsible for the project, it was not implemented in the last financial year. However, he expressed optimism that the initiative will move forward in the coming months. 'Procure new ambulances' The Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety directed the Punjab govt to ensure that all condemned and over 15-year-old ambulances are scrapped in accordance with existing govt policy. The committee further advised that the state health department procure new ambulances, including Advanced Life Support (ALS) vehicles, to strengthen emergency care services. The health department has been asked to coordinate with the Director General of the Lead Agency (DGLA), Punjab State Road Safety Council, to take necessary action on the matter.
