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Author: Raj Keresoma
Apia, Samoa – August 21, 2024 – Parliament passed the Samoa Export Authority Bill 2024 which was discussed under a certificate of urgency yesterday, approving the establishment of the Samoa Export Authority.
SEA is one of the projects highlighted in the Fa’atuaat I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi party’s 2021 election manifesto.
The objectives of the new government entity are incorporated into the Samoa Export Authority Bill 2024 introduced by Public Enterprises Minister Letinu Wayne Sualo, driven by a task force led by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
“The goal is to ensure farmers understand the policies and procedures for exporting goods overseas,” Leatinu’u said.
Southeast Asia will also be responsible for exploring and securing overseas markets for local products, working to make up for the trade deficit of $1 billion in imports and $30 million in exports each year.
Like other state-owned entities, SEA will operate under a board of directors that will work closely with other government ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL), the Scientific Research Organisation (SROS), the Samoa Association of Exporters (SAME), farmers associations, women in business and other relevant bodies.
The Government recently announced the appointment of Pouli Dr. Faulalo as Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Export Authority.
Sustainability and production concerns
During the parliamentary debate, opposition MPs supported the initiative but their main concern was the sustainability of export supplies.
While Samoa was new, the idea of exporting local produce overseas was not, so the previous government purchased a property in Otahuhu, Auckland, as a hub for Samoan produce to be sold in the New Zealand market. However, the property was underutilized.
Under the SEA plan, the entity will consider acquiring public land that can be developed commercially to address sustainability issues in supply to overseas markets.
Currently, the government is leasing the STEC land in Mulifanua to projects such as Frankies poultry farming and processing plant, a commercial operation under the initiative of the Samoa Export Authority.
The Samoa Export Authority legislation will be reviewed after five years.
Posts Parliament approves establishment of Samoa Export Authority First appeared in Online History.
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