American Samoa's Governor Togiola Tulafono has informed the business community of the status of efforts to extend federal tax incentives which are keeping tuna canners Star Kist Samoa and Samoa Packing in the territory, and steps taken to fill the void if the canneries were to leave.
The tax incentives are due to expire in January of next year and Congressman Faleomavaega has introduced a bill that would extend them for 10 years.
The governor said the two tuna companies have not been forthcoming on their plans post Section 936 but there has been some discussion on the possibility of having a single cannery.
"There is such a suggestion that the old way of doing business, of canning chunk-like meat, may be the thing of the past. It may be the strategy for this, a local cannery, is to concentrate on pouches and canning white tuna."
