Apia,SAMOA — American Samoa Chamber of Commerce (ASCOC) members say Samoa and its government did a tremendous job in hosting the third Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference, allowing dialogue and sharing of information that will help American Samoa.

Bret Butler, a Chamber member said through the 2-day business sector events and the 4-day SIDS conference, the dialogue and sharing of information was an eye opener for him.

He told Samoa News, “As a representative of the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce and as an American Samoan” Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, the government of Samoa and its people did a “fabulous job hosting these meetings between nations.”

 “Having only visited Samoa in brief instances in the last 20 years of my life, Samoa has definitely become a beautiful and thriving island nation.”

“The first couple of conferences I attended engaged the business sectors of the Pacific, and talks focused on partnerships, sustainability, connectivity, climate change, financing,  and renewable energies to name a few. Participating  ON a stage was made possible by the Department of Commerce (DOC) Director Keniseli Lafaele.”

He said the ASCOC expressed its faafetai tele lava to the DOC Director for his efforts.

“Through the 2-day business sector events and the 4-day SIDS conference, the dialogue and sharing of information was eye opening for me. There were very productive and time sensitive discussions to keep things moving and on schedule. I am not promoting any solution to a problem but take away… what I wanted to share…which was ‘productive dialogue’. 

“We need more of this in American Samoa,”  Butler said. “Not just at a government level, but a community level, business sector level and at all levels. I noticed throughout the conference how Samoa’s youth were participating and listening in to the discussions by the leaders of island nations; what a great opportunity the Government of Samoa has given to their youth.”

He told Samoa News some great leaders in Samoa will come out of this. “Note ‘productive’, with all due respect, we can’t have influence of position title or cultural title be a hinderance in the ‘dialogue’ to get true perspective on the issues. If we come with the mindset that ‘sharing is caring’ and think our objectives are for the betterment of the future of American Samoa and its youth from all levels, I am certain something meaningful will be produced.”

Butler said it takes more than a government to make this happen, “it takes business leaders and community leaders to create a fear-free environment for idea sharing between the ages… If not we can all go back to FACEBOOK!”

Archie Taotasi Soliai, also a member of the ASCOC, told Samoa News that he was very impressed with the SIDS preparations, and commended his Highness, Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the Prime Minister and the people of Samoa for an awesome job in hosting the SIDS conference.

“A special thank you should also be made to the SIDS Coordinator, Faalavaau Perina for a tremendous job in coordinating an event of this magnitude.” Taotasi said.

He said there were several areas which he thought were of critical importance and relevant to American Samoa — such as Fisheries management & sustenance programs; Climate Change; Alternative Energy; Economic Development and Health/NCD epidemic. “The issues and concerns discussed by other island states are very similar to those we face here in our territory.”

Taotasi told Samoa News the key message for the Private Sector Forum was 'Partnership' and all countries agreed that economic development cannot happen without Public-Private Partnerships. 

He noted, “we can learn a lot from the different models that were presented, and I’m glad that our local Department of Commerce has taken the initiative to start developing those partnerships with the private sector.”