It is confirmed that the two Samoa talks or Atoa o Samoa discussions between Samoa and American Samoa territory will take place over two days from 13–14 October. 

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa during her press conference this week said the dates were finalised by Cabinet in its meeting on Wednesday. Fiame did not provide any further detail about the talks. 

The talks is expected to follow up on issues raised during the first talks by the new Government in August in the territory which was hosted by the American Samoa Governor, Lemanu Peleti Mauga. 

Fiame headed a large delegation with several Cabinet Ministers and head of Government offices with discussions touching on economic opportunities, post COVID-19, communication, agriculture, finance, tourism, digital economic trade and travel amongst other. 

Tuilaepa is continuing to push for infrastructure developments between the closest points of the two islands at Leone in Tutuila and Aleipata at Upolu for shorter travel.

A start has been made already with a wharf and an airport at Aleipata and all it needs is a short two-hour boat trip between the islands is for a wharf built at Leone on the Tutuila side. 

“We have to improve on the infrastructure to build the economies on both sides as the population continues to grow on both sides. ”

No specific mention was made during the talks last week of the infrastructural developments that the former prime minister was promoting .

Work on the new airport at Tiavea, Aleipata, has stopped since the Fiame Government took over with its future uncertain until after a forensic audit called for the project costs to be reviewed.

While Tuilaepa shows full support for the talks he did not appreciate the Government paying for party MPs and supporters travels to join the delegation.

Some reportedly arrived on the inter-island vessel Lady Naomi for what was reported as fundraising by the Government party under the pretext of attending the Samoa Talks.

One of the long outstanding issues raised by Samoa during the talks in previous years is exporting meat to the territory together with other products but has been prevented due to federal laws. 

American Samoa Director of Agriculture, Solialealofiotagaloa Iosua Mutini was recently in Samoa to discuss assistance from the territory in helping with setting up an animal feed mill for Samoa.

He met with the Minister of Agriculture, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt. 

“As they have fish meal from the tuna factory they have in American Samoa, this can assist and provide us with shipments of fish meal for this proposal,” said La’auli following that meeting. 

The importation of fish meals will also assist the Government with the establishment of a “feed mill factory” for Samoa, he added.

Another delegation from American Samoa that was also in the country in the past month was from StarKist cannery which is seeking to recruit workers starting from 500 and increasing over the period. 

But the proposal for workers to leave for the territory is being closely looked at with the Government having concern with accommodation for workers that are not provided for by the company. 

Compared to the seasonal workers in New Zealand and Australia there is a requirement for locals to be provided with accommodation but those that will leave for American Samoa are required to provide their own accommodation or live as guests with families.