The Fourth Atoa o Samoa Executive Meeting officially opened yesterday morning at the Taumeasina Island Resort. Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, and the Governor of American Samoa, Lemanu P.S. Mauga delivered the opening remarks.
Fiame zeroed in on the importance of the Atoa o Samoa, an opportunity for the two Samoa to discuss and focus on mutual development cooperation on health, tourism, economic development, education, information and communication technology, immigration, agriculture, etc., Lemanu said American Samoa is committed to deepening the collaboration between samoa and american samoa in achieving common goals.
Director of Commerce Petti Matila was the first to take the floor and, during her presentation, emphasized the need for the two Samoa to seek opportunities for production, processing, marketing, and access to locally made products.
The Director noted that Am. Samoa is considering partnering with Apia counterparts to source raw materials to assist with production in the Territory.
Regarding trade shows between the two Samoa, Director Matila said Am. Samoa will continue working closely with Samoa to develop and promote trade shows between the two countries. These annual trade shows will promote locally made goods and services and investment opportunities.
Also included in Matilaʻs presentation is the idea of a trade tax policy.
This policy will assist significantly in achieving plans already in the pipeline for export and import between the two Samoa. DOC also considers opportunities for private sector engagement and development between the parties, noting their contribution to both economies’ human capital, capacity building, and the labor force.
Matila further confirmed that an invitation for local businesses has been extended to their counterparts in Apia to attend the Biz Fest in November, and some companies in Apia have already shown interest.
In the tourism sector, Director Matila acknowledged the Govt of Samoa, mainly the Samoa Tourism Authority, for the opportunity given to the American Samoa Visitors Bureau to join Samoaʻs marketing roadshow earlier this year.
