20 Dec 2006

American Samoa Chamber of Commerce working on economic strategy

10:33 am on 20 December 2006

The American Samoa Chamber of Commerce is mapping out its own strategy to boost the territory's economy.

The chamber's focus will be on agriculture, fisheries, light manufacturing and tourism.

The president of the chamber, David Robinson, says they want to come up with a plan that is more workable than the report of the American Samoa Economic Advisory Commission.

Mr Robinson says the chamber has set up five subcommittees to tackle government relations, chamber membership, tax reform , the beverage industry and tourism.

Overhauling the corporate tax laws for foreign corporations and immigration are high on the tax reform committee's agenda.

Mr Robinson says anecdotal evidence points to a slowing down of the economy and members in the retail, beverage and tourism industries have said spending is down with the rising cost of living.