NEWSPAGE 21 April
2010

(Photo: Selwyn Manning)

SAMOA: Samoa Tourism Authority Updates
Source: Samoa Tourism Authority Press Release

Tourism sector to benefit from Samoa-ADB loan

The Governor of Samoa’s Reserve Bank, Leasi Papali’i Scanlan, says the focus of a new loan assistance programme from the Asian Development Bank will be on improving infrastructure for the tourism industry.

The ADB loan package of up to 27 million US dollars is aimed at helping the nation revive its economy following the global financial crisis and last year’s tsunami.

Up to 16 million US dollars will be extended for the first phase of the Economic Recovery Support Programme, with an additional 11million dollars earmarked for the second phase.

Mr Scanlan says the ADB package is welcome support for rehabilitating the all-important tourism sector.

"The focus is making sure that the roads leading up to where the resorts are are up to standard and also the power supply to these resorts are also readily available as well as the water supply. So the focus and the priority at the moment with the ADB funds is infrastructure development for the hotels."


Snorkelling in Samoa an important factor to visiting school

Nelson College students in New Zealand have been preparing for a school trip to Samoa at the end of the year.

The group of 21 boys was out last week to come to terms with the basics of snorkelling.

The school is running the trip in September after the success of a similar visit two years ago.

Assistant headmaster Ron Kelly said the idea was to totally immerse students in the Samoan culture by staying in a village and playing sport with the locals.

Two per cent of the school's 1100 roll is from the Pacific Islands and Mr Kelly said it was a great way to expose the students to a culture they might not know much about.

The group, which consists of students from years9-13, will also visit a school on Lalomanu, which was heavily affected by last year's tsunami.

Mr Kelly said the Nelson College students would fundraise for simple equipment such as pads and pencils to take. "Everything is going to count."


Samoa's isolated tsunami villages receive early recovery assistance

Manono-Tai, Mutiatele and Malaela, some of Samoa’s isolated Tsunami affected villages are receiving assistance which promises to fill the gaps in ongoing recover efforts.

The Samoa Government/United Nations Development Programme are working together with the villagers of the named villages to identify their immediate recover and long term development goals as well as what skills and resources they can bring to the table.

The focus is expanding livelihood opportunities in the fisheries and tourism sectors. It will also boost existing projects through building tools, training, and cash for work opportunities.

Last week saw the distribution of boat engines and fishing kits, as was done for Manono a few weeks earlier.
 

(Photo: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Flag Day address issues challenge to territory reminiscent of JFK
Source: Samoa News

Gov. Togiola Tulafono has issued a challenge to the people of American Samoa— similar in sentiment to that delivered by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in his historic 1961 inaugural address— “asking the question that challenged Americans to renew their commitment to their country.”

He made the call during his Flag Day address at this year’s celebration, which kicked off Saturday morning amid rain at the Veterans Memorial Stadium.

As groups and organizations gathered at the stadium to prepare for the celebration, rain had already starting falling on the Western side of Tutuila. As the Governor delivered his address, the downpour increased, while in the town area, a peek of sunshine was evident, and the seas were calm— encouraging the hope by many that the fautasi race would begin early.

As part of the Flag Day ceremony, Senate Secretary Leo’o Va’a Ma’o read a Senate approved resolution paying tribute to the 34 tsunami victims, whose names were read, followed by a moment of silence called by the Governor.

Flag Day address

In his Flag Day address, the Governor said Flag Day is a day of reflection for the government and people of American Samoa. He noted that 2009 was a difficult year for the territory, adding that last September alone, “we experienced one of the most devastating events resulting from an earthquake that caused a killer tsunami that took the lives of many of our people.”

Also in September, the territory saw the closure of a “major driver of our economy, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs, which devastated further many people, many families, villages, our country and our government,” Togiola said— referring to the closure of COS Samoa Packing with more than 2,000 workers losing their jobs.

Togiola said that as American Samoa celebrates this Flag Day, “we have witnessed a remarkable recovery and restoration of families, their properties and their lives” following the September disasters.

He thanked President Barack Obama, the U.S. Congress and federal partners for the “swift and expeditious assistance that allow us to enjoy this day today.”

He also acknowledged all organizations, businesses and churches for their contribution to the recovery efforts. Togiola further acknowledged the presence in this year’s celebration of the FEMA deputy administrator, Rich Serino and other FEMA officials on island.

Also recognized were the representatives from the different military branches.

As the territory writes a new chapter in its history, the Governor challenged American Samoans to do their part in making the territory a better place by recalling the now famous quote from the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s Jan. 20, 1961 inaugural speech.

“To show once again the... individualism that made America great,” said Togiola. “He asked each American to personally review his contribution to his country and to ‘ask not what your country can do for you— ask what you can do for your country’.”

“A challenge to review self worth and fill the self-esteem that results from knowing you have done something good for your country,” he said. “…for us to commit to the idea that we should ask: what can I do for myself, what can I do for my family, that will contribute to my government so they can help others and perhaps me, better.”

“For in serving others in our work, in our business, we are in fact doing work for our government and for the good of all,” the Governor said and rephrased Kennedy’s challenge: “What can I do for myself that would also help my country? Or how can I help my country help me? That is my simple message for this Flag Day.”

“Think of the little things you do for yourself, it may be small and insignificant but when you do them right, purposefully and with dedication, they will create a good life for you and for your country,” Togiola said. “Think of how much savings, you can generate for your government when you yourself do... little things.”

“What ever your government saves, lessens your burden,” he said, adding that he was repeating Kennedy’s challenge, “because I feel, we need to fight the dependence on government for everything. I believe we can meet that challenge by doing many little things that we are capable of doing.”

“If you can do them for yourself, why not for your country,” he said.

One of the “many little things” which can be done, said the governor, is to save on energy; use less electricity at home and business in order to help control the use of electricity which is generated by imported fuel; and use smaller economic cars instead of large SUVs; drive only when necessary or carpool, he said. He pointed out, for example, that he uses a small economic car to get around.

For ASG workers, he said the directive remains in place to turn off lights and apply other cost saving measures. He noted there are still those who are not complying.

The Governor said these are not hard things to do, but they will work in the long run.

Oath of Enlistment

After the governor’s address, the “Oath of Enlistment” for 20-plus students entering military service was taken.

This is the third straight year it is has been made a part of the Flag Day program.

Brig. Gen. Michael X. Garrett, the Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, told the gathering that American Samoa has always supported and represented the United States.

“In the last ten years, nine of which this country {the U.S] has been at war, over 1,000 Samoans have served in the Army,” he said. “This year, sixty young men and women of American Samoa joined the ranks of our Armed Forces.”

“Today, we will... provide the oath for soldiers and marines that will continue to provide a strong sense of service for American Samoans,” Brig. Gen. Garrett said, and thanked the Governor for allowing this to be a part of the program.

On the field, the Brig. General presided over the taking of the oath, accompanied by the Governor— who told the recruits that their choice to join the military service “is an answer— to the question of “what can I do for my country”.

“You have indeed made that commitment today, to live a life of excellence and discipline, clean living and dedication to God and to our people. To defend the ideals of freedom and democracy in the world. To risk your lives to protect us, to protect others, to protect our country,” Togiola continued. “Congratulations for your choice; and may God be with you, always, as you go through your military careers.”

Parade

The official opening concluded with a scaled down parade. This year saw a limited number of groups participating, and only high school students, no elementary students this year.

The rain had picked up considerably as the parade got underway.

Photo Caption: American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono.

FIJI: Investing in women maximises the impact of financial inclusion: UN report
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release

Bringing banking to the doorsteps of rural villagers in Fiji and combining this with training on saving and investing money has led to improvements in their wellbeing. This was revealed by a United Nations report launched in Suva today. The report further highlights that women who benefit from such programmes, multiply the gains for their families, as women are shown to be more responsible in managing the household income and engage in a wider range of income generating activities.

The UN report, “Financial Capability, Financial Competence and Wellbeing in Rural Fijian Households” measures how the wellbeing of households have been affected in rural Naitasiri with financial literacy training and banking services provided through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/ ANZ Rural Financial Services Initiative in Fiji. It contains findings of a survey conducted in 2007-08 by the UNDP Pacific Centre in conjunction with Massey University (New Zealand) and the National Centre for Small and Microenterprise Development (NCSMED).

Speaking at the launch, the UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, Knut Ostby said that women’s financial literacy and access to banking services had a major role to play in lifting their families out of poverty.

“The findings of the report suggest that women save more than men, more women make the effort of planning how they spend their money and more often too set financial goals. They understand their family situation and financial needs better and are realistic about their ability to meet these needs. This knowledge and action translates to improved household wellbeing. Investing in women maximises the impact of financial inclusion,” said Mr. Ostby.

He added that such programmes accelerated the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“It is apparent from the report that the combination of financial literacy and access to reliable financial services has a direct impact on achievement of the MDGs, helping to lift communities out of poverty. It provides households with the ability to manage their resources to provide funds for education, food, electricity, water, improved sanitary conditions and medical services,” said Mr Ostby.

The report also highlights ANZ’s rural banking service as an example of financial inclusion in Fiji.
ANZ launched rural banking in October 2004 and now provides regular face-to-face banking services to more than 300 communities and 170 schools across the Fijian islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Kadavu using six mobile banking units.

ANZ CEO Fiji Norman Wilson said: “Building financial capability is one of our corporate responsibility priorities and providing banking services for more than 70,000 customers who live in remote villages and communities is one of the ways we can contribute to this.”

“We issued 400 micro-loans in the first three years of operating rural banking services. An example includes funding trucks that enabled villagers in Fiji’s interior to sell their garden produce in major centres, allowing them to save for a loan deposit for their own vehicles.”

“We feel closely connected to our rural banking customers and last week a group of ANZ staff visited rural banking customers in villages affected by the recent cyclone to distribute clothes and food that had been collected from our staff across Fiji,” Mr. Wilson said.

UNDP is continuing with its work in the area of financial literacy and the broader area of facilitating financial inclusion through the current Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP). UNDP and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) have teamed up with the European Union and AusAID and through PFIP are working with other development partners to promote financial inclusion in the Pacific.

The report can be accessed from: http://www.undppc.org.fj/pages.cfm/publications/pfip-reports/
 

(Photo: National Jeweler)

TAHITI: Loosened Tahitian pearl laws a coup for Galatea
Source: National Jeweler

Galatea has announced that recent changes to French Polynesia's pearl cultivation laws will allow the company to use precious or semiprecious gemstone beads to nucleate Tahitian pearls, cultivate its trademarked Galatea Pearls and export them worldwide.

Previously, under Tahiti's pearl cultivation and export regulations--which also address areas such as pearl quality--only beads made from bi-valve mollusks could be used as part of the nucleation process for Tahitian pearls. The legal amendment, made public in early March, directly impacts the cultivation of Galatea's trademarked Galatea Pearl, formerly known as the Mercy Pearl, and will allow the immediate export of approximately 6,000 Galatea Pearls, which were grown in Tahitian waters and have been restricted from being exported since 2006, Galatea announced in a press release issued early Tuesday.

Galatea Pearls are cultured pearls that were nucleated with a semiprecious gemstone bead. After, and assuming a pearl develops after the process takes place, the pearls are then hand-carved to expose the gemstone beneath the nacre. Chi Huynh, holder of the patent on the pearl cultivation process, and founder of Galatea: Jewelry by Artist of San Dimas, Calif., expressed gratitude for the ruling.

"I'd like to thank the French Polynesian government, particularly President Gaston Tong Sang, for the understanding and vision to bring positive change to the pearl cultivation industry," Huynh said in a company press release. Galatea will resume pearl cultivation in south Polynesia immediately, he added.

Galatea also cultivates the Galatea Pearl in the waters off the coast of Vietnam. Production there is expected to increase over the next few years, says Huynh. The first crop of Vietnamese-grown Galatea Pearls were harvested in late summer, yielding 10,000 pearls, and the company hopes to quadruple its Vietnamese pearl harvest later this year.

Huynh, whom the company describes as a "painter, poet and humanitarian," founded Galatea in 1994 and learned the jewelry trade as an apprentice for his father, one of Vietnam's most respected jewelers.

Today, Galatea manufactures both in the United States and in Vietnam, and sells to approximately 1,500 retail jewelers throughout the United States. The company also has distribution in both Europe and Asia.

Photo Caption: Changes to French Polynesia's pearl cultivation laws will allow Galatea Pearls to be exported from Tahiti.
 

(Photo: Anare Matakiviti / International Union for Conservation of Nature)

TUVALU: Tuvalu PV project commissioned
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature Press Release

Friday 15 April will always be indelible in the memory of the Vaitupu community; an island atoll located 112 kilometres Northeast from Tuvalu’s capital - Funafuti.

The day was celebrated with pomp as the Chiefs, representatives of the Kaupule, central governments, local community and the Motufoua Secondary School community gathered in numbers into the school to witness the commissioning and handing over of the Tuvalu Photo Voltaic Electricity Network Integration Project (TPVENIP) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to the Tuvalu government. Traditional dancing and feasting marked the day as students and teachers entertained guests in a show of their jubilation.

Speaking at the commissioning event, the Minister for Energy Honourable Kuasea Natano reflected the government’s appreciation of the donation generously made by the governments of Italy and Austria for this project. He further added that this project has contributed to Tuvalu’s plan of combating the escalating trend in imported fuel price, particularly for the island of Vaitupu. Tuvalu is targeting 100% electricity generation from renewable energy sources by the year 2020. Thus, this project fits in well to this policy target.

Representing IUCN, Mr Anare Matakiviti, IUCN Energy Programme Coordinator said “IUCN is privileged to work in partnership with the governments of Italy and Austria in promoting low carbon and energy efficient technologies in six Pacific Island Countries including Tuvalu.” The project in Tuvalu, “is unique as it is the first of its kind in the Pacific region where a storage facility (battery bank) has been utilised.” The use of the battery bank would “allow the system to provide power even when there is no sunshine.”

The TPVENI Project managed by IUCN, through its Regional Office in Suva, Fiji is located at the Motufoua Secondary School, one of Tuvalu’s government owned high schools. The school with a roll of about 500 students now has access to continuous 24 hour power supply, something they had been wishing for since the school was established in the early 1900.

“We are particularly pleased with the donors for funding such a project; the contractors for their quick delivery and the fact that the school was chosen as the project site,” says Mr Mosese Halofaki the principal of Motofuoua Secondary School. Mr. Halofaki emphasised that schools are ideal locations for projects such as the above because these are where future leaders are trained and so opportunities should be provided to students to explore and learn about development projects. He further adds “the project completion is also timely as it will complement the school’s plan of extending its curriculum activities to include vocational training which will require more power supply.”

The total cost of the project is a little over $700,000 and is integrated into the Tuvalu Electricity Corporation grid network. It will allow the Tuvalu Electricity Corporation to save about 120 litres of diesel fuel per day. This translates into about 43,800 litres per annum with a monetary value of around $80,000. The implementation of this project began in 2009 and will continue to be monitored until 2011.

Photo Caption: Solar panels shown here of the 40kW grid-connected PV system installed at Motofuoua Secondary School, Vaitupu, Tuvalu.