A chain of 14 tropical islands, the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) is the newest member of the American political family and the closest American flag associated area to Asia. The Commonwealth government encourages a free competitive marketplace in which businesses operate with a minimum of restraints.

Living in the Marianas, one experiences a year-round summer climate with all of the sophisticated amenities of a tourist resort area, yet with a "small town" atmosphere, traditional family values, and friendly neighbors. To do business here means working in a multi-cultural community of local and international businesses.

With the beautiful, unspoiled environment as the key attraction, tourism has been the primary force that has developed the Northern Marianas. However, a wide range of other business opportunities exist in these islands. A few of the significant investment incentives and advantages for businesses includes:

• The protection of American judicial system and U.S. laws including those that relate to copyright, trademark, patent regulations and the protection of intellectual property;
• Trading in U.S. dollar currency, with no restrictions on repatriation of profits or capital;
• Significant tax advantages for executives and all employees on Northern Marianas sourced income;
• Ports that are free of United States Customs duties,
• Local control over immigration and minimum wage;
• Duty free status for certain eligible goods to be exported to the United States;
• Favorable tariff treatment for qualified exports to other countries;
• Reliable, scheduled ocean shipping and exemption from the Federal "Jones Act," which allows foreign flag vessels to enter CNMI ports;
• Exemption from U.S. vessel documentation laws for companies licensed in the Northern Marianas;
• State-of-the-art telecommunications linked by undersea fiber optic cable to worldwide facilities.