Northern Mariana Islands Free Trade Zone Act of 2000 was renamed to:
Economic Incentive District Act of 2000
Public Law 12-20
Originally the law was called the Northern Mariana Islands Free Trade Zone Act of 2000
Amendment the Name
To avoid the confusion generated by the use of “free trade zone” the term “Economic Incentive Districts” was implemented (SB 24-17, SD1).
Commonwealth Code
The laws are implemented as statute and the statutes governing CEIA can be found in 4 CMC Division 5 Chapter 14 Articles I, II & III
An amendment to the sunset clause:
Public Land plays an important role in the Economic Incentive District
Since 2000
The Covenant gave CNMI the power to establish free trade zones, now called Economic Incentive District. The CNMI established the Free Trade Zone Act of 2000 as an effort to emphasize the opportunity and attract more industry to the islands. Below you will find a map of the first free trade zone (striped lines from S1:M5) which is 20 hectares.
20 Hectares on Saipan
Saipan has 20 hectares of Economic Incentive District (previously known as a free trade zone) conveniently established immediately north of Saipan International Airport. More Economic Incentive District can and will be established as new industries bring diverse needs and opportunities.
Sufficient infrastructure for light manufacture and assembly plants.
Access to international airports and seaports capable of supporting the largest ships, exempt from Jones Act requirements.
New Google-built undersea cable, operational Q1 2026, can support the most demanding bandwidth and latency requirements for digital enterprise.
NEW Saipan EID
In late 2025, the local delegation (SNILD) established a new economic incentive district in the Garapan Commercial District and surrounding area. The goal is to help revitalize this area with a thriving ecosystem of businesses who have relocated to the CNMI.