The Atoa o Samoa talks is confirmed to be held in American Samoa in April, in line with the US territory’s flag day marking 123 years since they signed the deed of the session with the United States of America.
This was confirmed by Deputy Secretary of the office of the Samoa Affairs Tauese Vaa Sunia II during the American Samoa Government cabinet meeting yesterday.
The last Atoa o Samoa talks was last held in Apia in October last year where the two government deliberated on a variety of issued ranging from climate change, trade, departure tax targeting only passengers traveling to American Samoa, border protection, immigration matters, and inter-island games, among other things.
“The Meeting agreed on the importance of promoting trade between Samoa and American Samoa focusing on strengthening exports and manufacturing between the two countries, and to support the diversification of local economies.”
There is also a need to hold trade shows to further promote trade between the two countries, and opportunities available for business investments and expansion in American Samoa.
The two Governments acknowledged the importance of tourism in the development of both Samoas in particular as part of COVID-19 recovery efforts.
The Meeting recognized the significance of human capital development specifically for both countries through capacity building and professional development initiatives.
Tauese said during the Cabinet meeting that talks is tentatively scheduled for the 13 and 14 of April, in time for the flag day festivities where Ministers and government officials can enjoy in the evenings after a long day of meetings.
