NEWSPAGE 14 December
2011

(Photo: Parliament.nz)

(Photo: Savali News)

SAMOA: Pure Pacifika’s nonu factory opens in Vaitele
Source: Savali News

Fledgling nonu juice processors, Pure Pacifika, officially opened its Vaitele factory in a ceremony on Monday.

Delivering the keynote address, Communications minister Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau urged farmers to plant nonu trees.

“Nonu is a secure market with a growing demand for a range of nonu-based products in China,” he said.

“There is also huge potential in Samoan cocoa, ava and honey for the Chinese market.”

The company has been collecting nonu in both Upolu and Savaii and bringing it to their Vaitele factory where it processed into a juice form.

Pure Pacifika has been exporting an average six containers of nonu juice to China a month since October. There are plans to export up to 2 million litres of juice next year. Upped by another three million the following year.

According to the company, Samoa produces the highest quality of nonu.

Says spokesman Faumuina Lance Polu, “The quality - or nutritional value of nonu - is measured in bricks. While countries like Niue and French Polynesia averages four or five bricks, the Samoan nonu is in the high nines, as much as 11 bricks.”

Pure Pacifica is currently dominating the nonu market. Offering farmers $9 a bucket -twice as much as its competitors.

Photo 1 -  Workers at the new factory processing plant, Vaitele.

Photo 2 - The official opening ceremony held on Monday.

AMERICAN SAMOA: Freezer storage facility options part of continuous collaborative efforts

One of the discussions between StarKist Samoa and the local government during the "historical moment" - this is the first time that Dongwon and StarKist have held a board meeting in the territory - is a freezer storage facility, needed by both StarKist and new comer Tri Marine International, to be used by both canneries as well as local alia.

Dongwon chairman Jae-chul Kim and StarKist Samoa cannery president and chief executive officer In-Soo Cho were among the eighteen Dongwon and StarKist officials on island to attend the StarKist board meeting held here. They also met with Gov. Togiola Tulafono during their visit.

Dongwon Industries is the owner of StarKist Co.

In a press conference called last week Thursday at the StarKist Samoa office with Dongwon chairman Jae-chul Kim and StarKist CEO Cho, Samoa News asked about the outcome of meetings with the governor and if any particular issues were discussed.

Kim, speaking through an interpreter, said the meeting was "an opportunity to reaffirm promises by both parties for future collaboration, and future discussion will continue."

Responding to whether StarKist made any specific request to ASG, Kim said the need to work on inviting more vessels to American Samoa was discussed with the governor so that there will be more unloading, and more processing of fish, creating more employment opportunities.

Also discussed was the cold storage facility, however Kim said discussions and meetings with the governor on a number of issues continue, and therefore could not provide any specific details of any firm agreement between the two parties.

However, Samoa News has learned that one of the main options being considered is for the cold storage facility to be built inside the customs building on the main dock in Fagatogo, rather than in the old customs building area where government vessels are currently docked.

StarKist lost its major cold storage facility about a year ago, when the local power authority terminated its land lease with the cannery, the citing need to re-locate their Satala power plant according to FEMA requirements. The cold storage facility was then dismantled and the governor has since sought federal funds to build a facility that could be used by both canneries and local alias - noting the need to help develop the territory's main industry - fisheries.

Samoa News received several phone calls over the weekend concerning the issue, with callers asking not to be identified. The callers said that Starkist officials including Dong Won owner JC Kim, several board members and ASG officials and representatives have been to the main dock several times and are seriously looking into making this proposal official. Samoa News was unable to get official confirmation by press time.

Callers did comment that they were highly concerned about a cold storage facility being placed inside the main dock area, noting that this operation would be an environmental disaster: When they wash the unloading docks and the cold storage, where is that dirty water going to go? The main dock is not too far from the Utulei Beach area where families and visitors enjoy swimming and water activities. Will that water end up on Utulei beach? Or maybe it will just stay in the Fagatogo area where the kids also play in the waters.

How would the fish be transported from the main dock to the plants in Atuu? Through trucks where fish blood, water will be dropping on the streets from Fagatogo all the way to Atuu? How about the surrounding Fagatogo village? We know that fish automatically attract flies... and the smell? Do the Fono members know about this? And, what about the cruise ships? Is this where tourists are going to disembark?

Speaking on his weekend radio program, Togiola said discussions and meetings with StarKist continued over the weekend and today in order to assist the company as well as the future economic condition for the territory. He didn't give any details of issues discussed.

OTHER AREAS

During the press conference, when asked how he would characterize the relationship between ASG and StarKist, Kim said, "it's been a very healthy and constructive relationship. But in order to reaffirm our staying in American Samoa, I have to have further dialogue [with ASG] in shared understanding of our operation in American Samoa.

Both men emphasized the importance of continuous collaborative efforts between the two companies and the territorial government as well as the local community in order for American Samoa to be more competitive in the global tuna processing industry.

During the press conference media also asked about the possibility of further hiring in 2012.

Cho said "we cannot discuss the numbers here" but total number of the work force will continue to increase, he said. "I can promise that."

"The way to help us to continue the journey is to really make entire [American] Samoa competitive. You need to understand also that creation of employment doesn't happen only in our facility here...," he said. "As chairman Kim said, as more boats come in, more unloading happens,and repairing boats - there will be more people working and more employment [opportunities] will be created."

"So we are looking into this development not only as a Starkist project, but as an entire American Samoa project," he added.

Regarding training of its workforce, Cho said the company has been training its workers for management positions "and we hope that some young Samoan workers here, will make it all the way to headquarters. That's the kind of internal program we are developing."

Samoa News will continue to report this week on other issues discussed during the press conference, which include the support services StarKist officials say are needed, with power generation being one of the most important due to the ‘obviously high' cost.
 

(Photo: Red Sport)

FIJI: Fiji wins cup
Source: Fiji Times

THE Fiji Netball team created history by winning its first FairPrice Foundation Nations Cup in Singapore early yesterday morning, as young sharp shooter Unaisi Kubunameca Rauluni was named the Player of the tournament for Fiji.

The Unaisi Rokoura-coached side defeated Singapore 51-42 to end their quest for a third title at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall. Singapore was the champions in 2006 and 07.

Fiji headed into the final as favourite after finishing an unbeaten run during the round robin. However the home crowd supporters boosted Singapore who took Fiji to the wire in the early stages of the game.

Singapore had an early 14-11 lead after the first quarter. Fiji bounced back in style to take the lead 28-18 at the breather. New reps like Sera Dakuitoga, Rauluni and former under-21 skipper Asilika Sevutia lived up to the expectation of the coaches during the tournament.

Netball Fiji president Wainikiti Bogidrau said they were pleased with the results.

"Netball Fiji is extremely pleased with the results particularly given that we had new reps who debuted in the international arena.

Some big names (experienced players) were excluded from this tour and it gave the coach the opportunity to include younger players, exposing them to the world of international netball especially given that we are trying to mould and build our team for the WNC 2015," she said.

"Again, this was a perfect opportunity for Netball Fiji to expose younger girls to such competition."

Photo Caption: Members of the Fiji netball team after winning the final against Singapore in the Fair Price Foundation Nations Cup 51-42.
 

AROUND THE WORLD: Pacific leaders must do more to promote gender equity in the pacific
Source: Women’s Rights and Advocacy in the Pacific (WRAP) Press Release
 
The Pacific region continues to hold some of the highest figures of violence against women and some of the lowest figures for female political representation, said New Zealand group Women’s Rights and Advocacy in the Pacific (WRAP).

With the release of the report, Promoting Gender Equity in the Pacific, WRAP is calling on Pacific Island leaders to take urgent action to promote gender equity in the region.

The report details 14 recommendations on how to effectively address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and to increase women’s roles in public and political decision making.

“SGBV and inequality in decision-making highlight the entrenched discrimination against women in the Pacific; discrimination which has an extensive impact on Pacific communities,” said WRAP Chairperson and Director of Family Planning International, Sumi Subramaniam.

On average, two out of every three women in the region have experienced some form of violence. SGBV is an entrenched and widespread human rights problem, while numerous barriers continue to inhibit the participation of women in decision-making at all levels in Pacific Island states.

“Gender equity is fundamental for achieving true sustainable development in the region. Until Pacific leaders step up and make addressing the high levels of SGBV and ensuring equal participation of women in decision-making, the prosperous, stable and secure Pacific they seek will remain an intangible aspiration,” said Patrick Holmes, WRAP coordinating group member and Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand’s Chief Executive Officer.

The report’s recommendations come as a result of a review of regional data, and panel discussions with regional women’s rights experts of initiatives that have been used to successfully address these issues.

WRAP hosted the panel discussions in Auckland, alongside the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting to encourage Pacific Island leaders and regional donors to do more to promote gender equity in the region.

“WRAP will continue to urge Pacific Island leaders and donors in the region to take account of the seriousness of the issues and the recommendations in this report”, said Subramaniam.
 

TUVALU: Tuvalu commended for work on development assistance harmonisation
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release
 
A week after attending the 4th High Level Forum (HLF-4) on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, South Korea, the Government of Tuvalu met with its development partners in Suva, Fiji on 6th December to discuss its planned actions to encourage development partners to gradually move from projects to budget support for Tuvalu.

Development partners such as Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Development Programme and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat have commended Tuvalu’s leadership and willingness to have policy dialogue on its economic, public financial management and public sector reforms as well as its expectations of development partners.

Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade said: “I wish to congratulate theTuvalu government for actively moving forward with their development partners taking charge of their own development agenda and calling on development partners to align and harmonise.”

At the HLF-4 held on 29 November to 1 December, Tuvalu’s Finance Minister Hon. Metia presented Tuvalu and the Forum Island Countries’ perspective on aid fragmentation focusing on the impact of multiple missions and projects on Tuvalu’s capacity to lead and manage their own development and aid effectiveness agenda.

“My government believes in true partnerships with our development partners that is based on mutual respect and proactive mutual actions and accountability,” said Minister Metia.

He added: “Just as we know we have some issues around our capacity to manage the multiple and often fragmented support by our development partners, we also know that we are not helpless and we also have certain responsibilities and that we can take leadership and be proactive.”

The Tuvalu Government has developed a Tuvalu Budget Support Action Matrix 2012 that outlines the types of actions that it will undertake with the support of its development partners to strengthen its economic and public financial and governance systems to encourage its development partners to move towards programme and budget support.

The Matrix was presented to development partners for their consideration and feedback by January 2012.

This meeting and development of the Tuvalu Budget Support Action Matrix 2012 is part of Tuvalu’s ongoing efforts to strengthen development cooperation and its public financial management systems. Earlier this year, Tuvalu undertook a Peer Review of its National Planning, Budgeting and Aid Coordination Systems in April/May under the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination (Forum Compact). It also recently completed a Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability Assessment.

The Government has started implementing key recommendations of the Peer Review process starting with the development of a Draft Aid Policy as a tool for mutual accountability with its development partners and now holding more regular policy dialogues like the recent one with its development partners.