NEWSROOM: 14 October - 20 October 2007

New Zealand tourist numbers expected to soar
20 October 2007 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

Samoa’s Tourism Authority says visitor numbers from New Zealand are expected to rise dramatically this year.

Its tourism marketing representative in New Zealand Fasitau Ula says last year’s visitors numbered 18,000.

He says this year they are projecting visitor numbers to soar to about 20,000.

He says tourism has been helped by the South Pacific Games and with Polynesian Blue offering flights.

“Firstly, it’s very much affordable compared to previous years. There is a vast improvement in our accessibility support by competitive travel packages. And Samoa is politically stable and safe for visitors, who they now place an important role in their destination choice.”

Fasitau Ula says Samoa is now one of the top destinations in the Pacific.
 

Samoa establishes diplomatic ties with Cuba
19 October 2007 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

It has been confirmed that Samoa and Cuba have established diplomatic ties.

This follows reports from Havana which said Samoa had become the 186th nation to have diplomatic relations with Cuba.

The relationship was formally established last week in New York according to the acting chief executive officer for Samoan foreign ministry, Petina Sila.

Samoa was represented at the recent UN General Assembly by the Prime Minister, Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, and some senior government officials.

Introducing an easier way to pay your electricity bills
18 October 2007 - Source: Electric Power Corporation Press Release

EPC customers especially in the rural areas and Savaii need not worry about paying their bills at the EPC outlets.

EPC is now offering a new service to its customers, for the payment of electricity bills, thanks to Western Union’s Quick Pay Service.

EPC along with other utility companies in the country, SamoaTel and Samoa Water Authority, have signed an agreement with Western Union, which allows for the customers of the utility companies to use the Quick Pay Service. This makes them the first utility companies to offer Quick Pay in the Pacific region.

EPC General Manager, Muaausa Joseph Walter, says that this service provides a beneficial option to the customers to pay their bills quickly. It’s convenient, fast and reliable as well.

“The service is important because it can save time and cost for customers” he says.

Any EPC customer is now able to pay their electricity bills at any Western Union agent location around the country.

A service fee of $7.50 tala is payable for using Quick Pay which in some cases equates to less than just the transportation cost customers would have previously paid to visit an EPC outlet.

The Quick Pay Service is now fully operational.

For more information visit www.epc.ws
 

Samoa to hold trade fair in Pago Pago
17 October 2007 - Source: Fili Sagapolutele

More than 30 companies from Samoa will take part in a trade fair in Pago Pago on November 8th, to boost business between the two Samoas.

The Samoa Trade Mission vendors include beer, soft drink, bottled water, garment, food processing, agriculture and hotel operators, said Papali’I Grant Percival, president of the Samoa Association of Manufactures & Exports (SAME).

Papali’i, who was in Pago Pago on Friday for meetings with territorial officials, said 33 manufacturers and three hotel operators have committed to the trade fair. “I’m still talking to others in hope for their participation,” he said, before returning to Apia on Saturday.

Papali’i hopes the trade fair will “increase opportunity to trade” between the two Samoas and “perhaps even an investment opportunity.”

The last Samoa trade fair held here was in 2005, where a memorandum of understanding between SAME and the local Chamber of Commerce was signed to continue promoting trade between the two sides.

“It’s important that we work together, especially as isolate as we are. We are the same culture, same people, we speak the same language and yet we are doing agreements with other countries,” he said.

David Robinson, president of the local Chamber of Commerce, agrees that the two Samoas should work together. “We want to do whatever we can to encourage a lot more trade between the two countries,” he said.

Robinson said that one issue to look closely at is American Samoa’s dependence on imported goods. “We can pursue this with our colleagues in Samoa, who are quite advanced in the production, processing and development of agriculture products and other goods”, he said.

Papali’i said American Samoa also has other areas to offer Samoa, such as training opportunities not available in Apia.

Since the 2005 trade mission, Papali’i said some of the smaller businesses in Samoa have established themselves in the Pago Pago market and “are doing quite well and that’s what we are really looking for.”

“The thing about trade mission and these sorts of meetings is that we keep knocking”, he said. “You can’t stop knocking. Persistent pays.”

Papali’i said Samoa also wants to tap into the American Samoan market, especially now that Samoa is place second in the region as a tourist destination, overtaking Tahiti.

He said American Samoa is close enough that the two sides can work together in tourism development and promotion. “Where we can develop strengths, we can feed off each other,” he said.

Papali’i suggested that American Samoa look at the Beach Fale concept. “It has been the most successful. It is a low cost development. Its return is good and gives opportunity to the rural area. This is a smaller micro-enterprise and you can see them starting, growing and flourishing.”

Mr. Robinson said American Samoa needs to develop tourism infrastructure so there is something for tourists to do when they come here.

On Wednesday this week Samoa’s tourism officials were in Pago Pago to meet with their local counterparts in an effort to tap into the local market as well as joint promotional efforts.

“I would like to see an American Samoa and Samoa sports day. We shouldn’t be meeting with each other at the South Pacific Games every four years”, added Papali’i.

“We are close enough to meet and enjoy. We have facilities in Apia for sporting events. There also the area of arts in which we can meet together for enjoyment. We just don’t meet often enough.”

Mr. Robinson concurred, adding, “We tend to sometimes look too far into the distance for our markets, instead of looking regionally to build strength with our closer neighbours.”

Papali’i said Samoa will host a regional trade show in March next year and American Samoa will be invited to attend. He said this is another great opportunity for the two Samoas to join as one promoting themselves to the region.
 

Report on the 62nd Session of the UN General Assembly
16 October 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat

Cabinet has approved the Report by the Honourable Prime Minister, Susuga Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, on the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, that took place in New York, USA, from the 26 September – 01 October, 2007.

As stated in the Report, the Honourable Prime Minister, in his presentation to the General Assembly, strongly emphasised climate change concerns that must be solved, and which can only be unravelled through absolute commitment by the United Nations.

The Honourable Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of the efforts of the important pillars of the United Nations to accord priority and give full attention to finding solutions to issues of global concern.

According to the Report, the Prime Minister also thanked leaders of nations and organisations represented for the continuing support rendered for Samoa and that Samoa will continue to be highly supportive of international efforts coordinated by the United Nations.

The Honourable Prime Minister also attended the Commonwealth Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting, which also took place in New York to coincide with the General Assembly. The Meeting discussed reparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Leaders Meeting in Uganda next month.

The Honourable Prime Minister was accompanied by his good lady, Gillian Malielagaoi, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Afioga Vaeolenofoafia Tapasu Leung Wai, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade CEO, Afioga Aiono Mose Sua.
 

Matafele property going for SAT$3.6 million
15 October 2007 - Source: Tupuola Terry Tavita

The long-awaited sale of the Fabricius family's Pele Rose property at Matafele is expected to be brokered this week.

Buyers, the Methodist Church of Samoa, are set to purchase the quarter-acre property for SAT$3.6 million.

According to Church secretary Reverend Tupu Folasa II, a down payment of $360,000 has already been made to the family.

No comment could be obtained from the Fabricius family but the Pele Rose Store was closed yesterday as the owners appear to be moving house.

Neighboring Wesley Arcade and the former McKenzie's building are both owned by the Methodist Church.

"The Church has been eyeing the Pele Rose property for some time,” said Reverend Folasa.

"Our current property there is small and too constrained for any major new development."

Though the Church has not decided on how their soon-to-be-sealed procurement will be utilised, Reverend Folasa says that a multi-storey office building is likely to be built there.

"We are mindful of the property's central location in the capital and will plan any development there accordingly."
 

National Beautification Campaign Prizegiving
14 October 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat

The National Beautification Campaign Prizegiving took place at Hotel Kitano, Sogi, on Friday 12th October, 2007.

The Honourable Prime Minister, Susuga Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, delivered the keynote address.

The Prizegiving started at 10am and part of the Programme was the official presentation of the nine ladies who will be competing in the Tausala o Samoa, 2007.

The National Beautification Campaign has been instigated by the National Beautification Committee of the Samoa Tourism Authority.
 

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