Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 2Samoa Talks concluded on Thursday after its meetings held behind closed doors at the ASCC multi complex facility.

The next 2Samoa Talks will be held in September hosted by the Samoa Government.

This first meeting to be held since 2017 had the theme ‘Atoa o Samoa’ or Oneness of Samoa.

After the meeting one of the issues the Samoa Government offered its assistance on wss the lack of commercial banks in the territory and offered their assistance, given the departure of ANZ.

In an interview, Minister of Finance Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o said trade is important but without banks small businesses cannot operate.

 “We had the opportunity to request directly to Governor Lemanu and the Department of Treasury, it’s evident ANZ, an international bank will close its business in American Samoa, leaving behind the Territorial Bank of American Samoa.

 And across in Samoa, there are four commercial banks and it was hinted to ASG that this is the opportunity to set up banking services by Samoa to assist with the challenges faced by the US territory, said Mulipola.

Adding that it has been productive in the two days of meetings held with ASG leaders.

Furthermore there is also an agreement by government leaders to host another 2Samoa Talks in Apia by September.

During the opening the leaders of the 2Samoas indicated they should continue to foster and develop economic and social policies that are mutually beneficial and promote common priorities.

Adding that the two governments must explore and work collaboratively in areas where there are common grounds that allow for the development of both economies to meet the challenges of the present and future.

“Developing and improving our immigration system and policies, collaborating to mitigate the negative climate change effects and improve resiliency, sustainable food security, advancing our telecommunication infrastructure and addressing difficult social issues are just a few areas where we can come together for the common good.”

On Wednesday night, ASG hosted a dinner, which turned into a fundraising with more than $20,000 donated to the Samoa Government during the Siva by Legislature, Cabinet and Prime Minister Fiame and her delegates.

After the official closing, delegates from both Governments moved to the Su’igaula ole Atuvasa guest house for cultural traditional presentations, where ASG and the Senate gifted close to $70,000 USD, not including the fa’aoso of 100 turkey tail cases, 100 hams to the Samoa Government.

Chief of Staff, Tuimavave Tauapa’i Mulipola says the official communiqué will be issued later on the agreements endorsed by the two Governments.

The delegation from Apia will depart today (Friday) while Cabinet Members along with Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and the FAST party will remain in the territory for their radiothon fundraising in Utulei today.