NEWSROOM: 27 January - 02 February 2007

WTO bilateral accession negotiations successfully concluded
02 February 2007 - Source: New Zealand High Commission Press Release

New Zealand and Samoa have successfully concluded negotiations on the major outstanding issues in Samoa’s World Trade Organisation (WTO) bilateral accession negotiation, Trade Minister Phil Goff announced today.

To accede to the WTO a state is required to obtain endorsement from a WTO Working Party that its trade regime is consistent with WTO rules. It must also conclude individual bilateral negotiations on the terms of their entry to the WTO with other members.

“Samoa sees membership of the WTO as being important to achieving its economic goals, and we support their efforts to realise this ambition,” Mr Goff said.

“The conclusion of our substantive negotiations with Samoa on the key goods issues is a major milestone towards Samoa’s objective.

“A clear process has been agreed to complete remaining technical work necessary for the agreement to be concluded.

“The agreement will reflect Samoa’s level of development, the significant progress it has already made in restructuring its economy and substantially reducing its tariffs and the close friendship between our two countries,” Mr Goff said.

The agreement will be signed by Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister Misa Telefoni and New Zealand’s Trade Minister Phil Goff in early March.
 

Ten Samoan boxing pioneers named to receive honorary awards
01 February 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Mr. Teleiai Su’a Edwin Puni, Managing Director of Event Polynesia yesterday announced the names of the recipients of the Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing Honorary Awards to be presented at the Pre-fight Cocktail on Friday 1st February 2008.

According to Mr. Puni, “It is fitting that the pioneers of Samoa boxing are honoured at the inaugural Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing event for their service in boxing. This weekend Samoa will not only host representatives from the four main world boxing bodies, but will make boxing history with local referee and judges officiating the WBO Oriental Cruiserweight title.”

“Contrary to what most think, it is very hard to raise funds in Samoa to promote boxing and especially to stage international fights here. This is the first and very likely to be the last time Event Polynesia Boxing will bring such an international boxing gathering here to Samoa.”

“Event Polynesia Boxing is committed to promoting Samoan boxers. However, the international title fights will have to be in Auckland where we stage our New Zealand fights because of the huge expenses that we incur to bring such events to Samoa.”

Mr. Puni and boxing officials will today make a courtesy call to personally thank the Prime Minister, Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi and to thank the Samoa Government for the financial assistance towards the amateur expenses of this event.

Mr. Reginald Leca, President of Oceania Boxing Association and representative for PABA and WBA at a media conference yesterday, compared Samoa to Cuba as a force in world boxing. But unlike Cuba, Samoa needs to move its amateur boxers to professional boxing earlier rather than very late as is the case with Maselino Masoe.

“This requires amateur boxing to work together with professional boxing in Samoa in association with promoters such as Event Polynesia Boxing, who are helping Samoan professional boxers to get ranking for title fights.”

The 10 recipients of the Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing Honorary Awards are:
Hon Peter Paul – Promoter, Hon Sala Ulugia Suivai – Promoter / Coach,
Savaiinaea Malo Slade – Boxer / Trainer / Coach,
Oscar Meredith – Trainer / Coach,
Hon Fa’asootauloa Sam Saili – Promoter,
Galumalemana Afeleti Betham – Trainer / Coach / Promoter,
Hon Polataivao Fosi Schmidt – Boxer / Promoter / Coach,
Lesa Eric Fatupaito – Trainer / Coach,
Maposua Rudolf Keil – Promoter, and
Ulugia Elijah Stanley – Promoter.

Corporate packages and tickets are now available; children under 10 years old FREE admission on Fight Night. For more information, contact Event Polynesia office (+685) 28-802.

Photo #1: Mr. Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera (Event Polynesia Boxing) with Mr. Lincoln Hudson, Mr. Lawrence Tauasa and Mr. Ale Vena Ale (South Pacific Boxing Incorporated).

Photo #2: Mr. Reginald Leca and Mr. Charles Baou with Mr. Teleiai Su’a Edwin Puni (Event Polynesia Boxing).

Photo #3: Mr. Walter Pupu’a and Mr. Lawrence Tauasa with Mrs Suia Talosaga (Event Polynesia Boxing).
 

PILON’s 26th Annual General Meeting
31 January 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat

Cabinet has approved the Report on the Pacific Island Lawyer Officers Network’s 26th Annual General Meeting which took place in the Cook Islands, from the 6 – 10 December, 2007.

Important matters discussed include: establishing PILON as a regional organisation; International Criminal Court accession; PILON’s Strategic Plan as well as hosting the 27th PILON Meeting this year. The Meeting plays a vital role in the creation of partnership responsibilities between the law officers of the Pacific. It is also a better opportunity for Samoa to look at ways to further improve its law services.

Senior Lawyer of the Office of the Attorney General, Ms Lalotoa S. Mulitalo, represented Samoa at this important Meeting.
 

Report on the Commonwealth Youth Programme Meeting
30 January 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat

Cabinet has approved the Report on the Commonwealth Youth Programme Meeting, which took place in Sydney, Australia, from the 4-7 December, 2008.

The Meeting focused on issues such as: setting up the Programme for the Diploma in Youth Development as a responsibility of each Pacific country, as well as signing a Memorandum of Understanding to officially endorse the Diploma in Youth Development as a recognised qualification.

The Assistant CEO for the Youth Division of the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, Mr Sydney Faasau, represented Samoa at this Meeting.
 

Fisheries Policy and Planning training begins
29 January 2007 - Source: Fisheries Division Press Release

SPC Pacific Island Countries and Territories Training on Policy and Planning will officially opened on Monday, 28th January 2008.

Fisheries Policy and Planning is one among the many regional training programmes requested under the Strategic plan for fisheries management and sustainable coastal fisheries in Pacific Islands developed by member countries of the SPC.

Participants include Heads of national fisheries from Pacific Island countries and territories and the training starts on 28th January and continues until 8th February 2008.

TRAINING ON FISHERIES POLICY AND PLANNING
28 January – 08 February 2008
Apia, SAMOA

OFFICIAL OPENING:
FAO Conference Room, Monday 28th Jan, 2008

0900 - 0910 Greetings - Mulipola A Mulipola, Fisheries Division ACEO
0910 – 0915 Opening Prayer TBA
0915 - 0925 Brief background about the training - Ueta Faasili, Fisheries Advisor - SPC
0925 - 0935 Brief remarks from ComSec - Dr. Timothy Williams – Advisor, Special Advisory Division, ComSec
0935 - 0945 Brief remarks from Government of Iceland (UNU / FTP) - Dr. Tumi
Tomasson, Director of UNU / FTP
0945 - 0955 Brief remarks from FAO, Dr. Peter Manning, FAO
0955 - 1005 Brief remarks from USP - Dr. Vina Ram-Bidesi, Senior Lecturer, USP
1005 - 1015 Opening Address - Asuao K Pouono, CEO, Ministry of Agric. & Fisheries
1015 - 1100 Morning Tea
1860 - 2030 Welcome Cocktail at Eden’s Edge Hotel.
 

Lealaiauloto Aniseto Chan Ting reappointed SLAC General Manager
28 January 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat

Cabinet has approved the reappointment of Lealaiauloto Aniseto Chan Ting as the General Manager for Samoa Life Assurance Corporation.

The position was advertised. Five individuals applied, only two were short listed for interview. Following the Interview Panel's through investigations and review, the Panel unanimously selected Lealaiauloto Aniseto Chan Ting.

Lealaiauloto has worked as General Manager for Samoa Life Assurance Corporation for nearly 19 years now. He is also a Member of the Samoa Institute of Accountants. Lealaiauloto also made substantial progress towards completion of his Associateship by correspondence with the New Zealand Insurance Institute. Additionally, he began his working career at the Treasury Department and later on to the Development Bank of Samoa and the Samoa Shipping Corporation before working for Samoa Life in 1978 and later as general manager in 1988. Apparently, Lealaiauloto is also highly regarded for his integrity, capacity and strategic skills in the execution of his responsibilities as General Manager.

Lealaiauloto, 58 and hails from the villages of Lelepa and Lotopa.
 

Call on Samoan government to retain Radio 2AP
27 January 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat

Cabinet had approved the selection of the Executive Director to the Asian Development Bank Board, Mr Geppie Kurniadi Sumadilaga, as Samoa’s representative at the signing of the Grant Agreement between the Samoan government and the Asian Development Bank which took place on Tuesday 08th January, 2008.

The grant will finance the School Net and Community Access Project that is currently being implemented by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture.
 

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