An interim board has been appointed by the Cabinet to start work for the Export Authority and have it up and running before the end of the current parliamentary term. 

The interim board is chaired by businessman Tagaloa Eddie Wilson sitting alongside Fa’amausili Dr. Matagialofi Luaiufi, lawyer Tuisa Tasi Patea and Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) for the Ministry of Finance, Saoleititi Maeva Betham-Vaai. 

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt confirmed the approval of the board by the Cabinet and gave its mandates before its official launch. 

La’auli said the Samoa Trust Estate Corporation (STEC) legislation will be used to commence the operation of the Export Authority governed by the interim board. 

The authority will start with exporting agricultural produce and in the long term will export other goods. 

 “The whole intention is to have it up and running to help our farmers export their products and to help commercial farmers with  a mechanism,” said La’auli in an interview with the Samoa Observer. 

“There will be entitlement to land, access to market and access to finance that will be prepared and put in place. Our District Council Office will also play a role in the supply of produce to our Export Authority.” 

La’auli stressed the importance of the country having food security and also produce to export. 

He noted one of the challenges Samoa faced was short supply and sustainability and using district councils as a channel to supply those produce will counter that issue. 

La’auli said the launching of the Export Authority will take place soon and it will also mean there will be more Trade Commissioner positions abroad to drive the initiative. 

He noted Samoa currently has a Trade Commissioner in New Zealand and there are plans for a Trade Commissioner in American Samoa, Australia and the United States that will link to the Export Authority and its work.