Samoa’s Consul General, to American Samoa Fata Brian Kaio has confirmed that a delegation of 21 members for the Atoa o Samoa talks is slated for this week in the US territory; 12 and 13 April 2023.
The delegation will be led by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa who will depart the Country this week for American Samoa.
Fata told Radio Polynesia there are nine Chief Executive Officers included in the delegation.
Other Minister participants are Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Olo Fiti Vaai, Minister of Public Enterprises Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo; Minister of Finance, Mulipola Annarosa Ale Molioo and Health Minister Valasi Tafito Selesele.
The last Atoa o Samoa meeting was held in Samoa last October, where the two governments endorsed a memorandum of agreement, which covered a variety of issues ranging from climate change, trade, departure tax targeting only passengers travelling 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 supporting the diversification of local economies.
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.
