PALAU APPOINTS NEW HONORARY CONSUL IN CNMI
Lifoifoi to identify potential investors

By Moneth Deposa
SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Jan. 25, 2010) - Republic of Palau President Johnson Toribiong has appointed Jose R. Lifoifoi as his country's honorary consul in the Northern Mariana Islands. As such, Lifoifoi is expected to promote economic and trade relations between the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Palau.

In his letter to Lifoifoi, which the president personally handed to Lifoifoi early this month, Toribiong said that it is a great pleasure to name Lifoifoi to the position in recognition of his invaluable contributions to Palau.

Besides the normal honorary consul functions, Lifoifoi is expected to establish contacts and identify potential investors for Palau among major businesses in the CNMI.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Republic of Palau please accept this offer of honorary counsel as a means of continuing and expanding our invaluable contributions to the growth and well-being of my country. You are truly a friend to the Republic of Palau," Toribiong stated in his letter.

Lifoifoi, in an interview Saturday at his residence, described the appointment and trust expressed by the Palauan president as an honor and privilege.

Lifoifoi has been traveling to Palau since the 1970s. He considers it among the most beautiful islands he has ever visited. He enjoys the serene beauty of the ocean and the vast marine resources of Palau that, he said, have captivated his heart.

"It's my favorite destination. Whenever I want to explore the ocean and waters, I travel to Palau," he said.

Lifoifoi, a native of the Northern Mariana Islands, was instrumental in bringing to Palau various religious replicas to spread and strengthen their Christian faith since the early 1970s.

He is known to many Palauans as someone with a big heart, who made the dream of many school children in Palau to have computers come true.

Lifoifoi was described as a consistent supporter of almost all community-oriented programs and projects in Palau, helping organize numerous fundraising activities for worthy causes.

Because of his close association with Palauan leaders, Lifoifoi also opened them to various ideas and concepts that would help sustain the economic needs of people.

Lifoifoi is the first in the CNMI to be bestowed an honorary Palauan citizenship and he is only the second individual to have been given that honor in the history of Palau. Donald R. Shuster was granted an honorary citizenship in 1979.

Former Palau President Tommy Remengesau also named Lifoifoi as the honorary consul of Palau.

Lifoifoi told Saipan Tribune he is humbled by the recognition and vowed to continue helping Palauans.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has permitted the establishment of a Palau consulate in the CNMI to better assist Palauans on the island. This consulate will be directly working and advising Lifoifoi on information and events about Palauans in the CNMI.

"I will do my best to attract investors to Palau. The island has a great economic potential and we will explore avenues to make it work. It is my desire to bring more employment opportunities to Palau," he told Saipan Tribune, adding that electronics business is among his targets for Palau.

This year, the 10-day Micronesian Games will be held in Palau in August and Lifoifoi is optimistic that this would have a significant impact on both the economy and tourism of the island nation.

Lifoifoi, who is married to Cecil Lifoifoi, is currently the chairman of the board of United Micronesian Development Association and the chairman of the board of the Commonwealth Ports Authority. In the past, he served as speaker of the House and numerous government positions.