5 Jun 2013

Samoa village considers direct deal to export nonu juice

1:37 pm on 5 June 2013

A high ranking chief and the member of parliament for Gagaifomauga number three constituency in Samoa says a project to plant nonu seedlings in one of his constituency's villages is on hold.

The MP, who is also the parliamentary speaker, Laauli Leuatea Polataivao, says the village has severed all links with the New Zealand based Reef group, which is in receivership.

He says 200 hectares had been developed for nonu because of the high demand when Reef's Pure Pacifica plant was opened a year ago.

Pure Pacifica has now closed.

But Laauli says it may still do a deal with a Chinese businessman, Jack Chen, who is facing corruption allegations in Hong Kong.

He says it is awaiting the outcome of legal action before further discussions on continuing to export nonu juice.