13 Oct 2014

Philippines company poised for American Samoa

2:41 pm on 13 October 2014

The owner of a company that's looking to set up a food processing plant in American Samoa says the fishing industry is likely to welcome the venture.

The Philippines company, AVM Bernardo Engineering, says the local operation would be a 100-million US dollar investment, and will create about 700 jobs.

It wants to take advantage of benefits that allow American Samoa-made products duty free entry into the United States.

Its principal owner, Anthony Bernardo, says its first products will be fish-based, including canned fish, and frozen fish products like fish nuggets and patties.

"We would be able to accept the main variety of fish, which would be the tuna, but as well as other varieties. So I believe the fisher folks will be very happy with the introduction of this plant."

Anthony Bernardo says the administration has been supportive and wants to ensure the territory and local labour force will get the full benefits from the venture.

The food processing plant looks set to break ground at the Industrial Park in Tafuna before the end of the year.