Tinian’s digital transformation

By Bryan Manabat

Saipan— Beyond its growing military importance, the island of Tinian is strategically positioning itself to evolve from a traditional tourist destination into a dynamic digital hub. This transformation is a direct result of pairing high-speed connectivity with financial innovation and a supportive regulatory environment.

The Northern Mariana Islands has secured over $80 million in federal funding to provide universal high-speed internet to residents across Tinian, Rota and Saipan. A cornerstone of this initiative is the Pacific Connect Initiative, a billion-dollar, multi-phase project led by Google.

The project will give Tinian its first-ever direct international subsea cable connection via the Proa Cable. This new cable will link the CNMI to Japan and Guam, providing a vital link for faster and more reliable internet service.

According to Glen Hunter, special assistant for the CNMI Governor’s Broadband Policy and Development Office, this is a "game-changer."

"For the first time, Tinian will have direct, high-capacity international internet connectivity, positioning us as a key player in the Pacific’s digital landscape,” Hunter said.

The enhanced connectivity is touted to make Tinian a more attractive location for tech startups, remote workers and businesses that rely on seamless global communication.

In addition to its new internet infrastructure, Tinian is actively developing its digital financial technology sector. The CNMI Legislature recently enacted a public law creating the Marianas U.S. Dollar, a stablecoin intended for use in regulated online gaming and to promote economic diversification.

However, CNMI Attorney General Edward Manibusan has challenged the law's constitutionality, questioning whether the local government's stablecoin initiative is a legal overreach.

Despite the legal challenge, Tinian Sen. Karl King-Nabors believes a favorable court ruling would position Tinian as a pioneer in digital finance within the U.S. and the broader Asia-Pacific region. "As the first U.S. territory to mint its own stablecoin, Tinian could attract a new wave of investment," he said.

King-Nabors added that while the stablecoin's initial purpose was to facilitate efficient transactions, its benefits could act as a catalyst for a multitude of other investments, including businesses in financial tech and data management.

King-Nabors stressed that "connectivity alone isn't enough." To achieve real transformation, Tinian is leveraging its digital infrastructure with a proactive, investor-friendly approach. The island's unique tax structure, through the CNMI’s free trade zone, offers a potential 100 percent tax abatement for up to 25 years on various taxes, including corporate income and business gross revenue taxes.

This initiative provides incentives for investors to operate with a reduced tax burden. “The goal is to make the CNMI an attractive destination for investors who can build upon this new digital infrastructure and contribute to the local economy through profits and job creation,” King-Nabors explained.

By combining robust digital infrastructure with a forward-thinking regulatory framework and tax incentives, Tinian aims to create the conditions that make it the obvious choice for those looking to capitalize on the next wave of economic growth.

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