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Tonga & Am.Samoa work to increase ag trade

Yesterday morning a conference was hosted between the neighboring islands of Tonga and American Samoa — to discuss terms of an agreement on the exportation and importation of agricultural goods. The hope is that this is just the beginning of more trade between the two island groups. The conference was held at the Department of Agriculture in Tafuna and hosted by the DOA Director Lealao Melila Purcell.

 

The conference included Honorable Sione Sangster Saulala who is the Minister of Agriculture & Food, Forestry & Fisheries for the Government of Tonga. Along side Saulala were his 12 delegates and members of the Kingdom of Tonga. Also attending the conference were some local sales people in the agricultural business, who have been importing goods from Tonga already, and are looking to expand the crop market in American Samoa.

 

During the conference, there were agreements for a solid trade business between the two island groups, as well as a discussion of the complications for importing watermelons from Tonga. Samoa News spoke to Saulala, who told Samoa News that this is a blessing for both islands.

 

“We’ve always traded with New Zealand, America, Asia, and Australia, but never American Samoa, and yet we are two of the closest countries and have a lot in common. But the problem that we have always faced in the past was the shipment. If we send cargo here, it has to go all the way to New Zealand and Fiji, and it takes a few days before it gets here.”

 

He said, “Now the Governor of Tonga has prepped a cargo vessel, so the shipments of goods will come direct. We are bringing our watermelons to American Samoa which we believe are the best in the Pacific, as well as other crops that we grow best, such as taro, sweet potato, yams, and many more. In return, we would like to buy some of the goods here in Pago.”

 

Saulala told Samoa News that the Kingdom of Tonga is very interested in products from the U.S., but the expensive cost of overseas shipments and product prices have made it difficult for them to make a solid trading route. “American products found here in Pago are favorites in Tonga.”

 

He added, “In this new trade agreement, we believe that we are going to have more to import from Pago, especially American products. At the same time we are reaching out to the fishery companies and canneries here in American Samoa, because there’s fishing going on in Tonga, but they take it to Asia. However, Pago is the closest cannery that produces canned food.”

 

Saulala told Samoa News that this trade process is not just for the benefit of Tonga, but for both countries as well as the benefit of poor people. “If this process goes well, we will try and bring our fish here and in return we buy your canned fish and we take it back home with us as well as other products, but this is a great start, and we’re starting off with  fresh products.”

 

He concluded, “We are very thankful to the government, Lt. Governor Mauga and the Chief of Staff, they’ve been very hospitable in welcoming us, especially the Director of Agriculture, Purcell, who I can’t wait to see in Tonga, as he mentioned in our meeting that he will be visiting Tonga next month. We are looking forward to him coming over to check out our fresh produce and what we have in Tonga that might be wanted here in American Samoa.”

 

During the conference, Purcell mentioned that this (produce from Tonga) is not anything new. “We are already getting taro from Tonga, which means that the paperwork to allow taro coming into American Samoa has already been established. Yams have also made their way here to American Samoa from Tonga, so the paperwork to clear the yams is already set and done… everything is already done.”

 

Purcell noted, “All we have to do now is to take that trip to Tonga, take a look at what’s already in the ground, and select some of the goods we want and need here in American Samoa.

 

“The businesses are going to do what they do best, and that’s to bring products from Tonga, to make money.

 

“As for the government, we want products that will improve the healthy living of our people, so if it means bringing umala, or yam, or whatever the product may be to improve a healthy lifestyle, then that’s what we’re going to do as a government,” he stated.