18 May 2010

American Samoa eyes manufacturing to offset cannery demise

12:52 pm on 18 May 2010

The American Samoa Governor, Togiola Tulafono, says the job cuts announced by the cannery, StarKist Samoa, makes it more urgent for the territory to attract other manufacturing.

He says when there's a single company it means that one business can dictate terms to the territory, which is what's happening now with StarKist.

Togiola says this is why he has been pushing for the Fono to approve funds to buy the Samoa Packing plant.

He says talks are continuing with a fish manufacturing company over taking over the idle plant.

Togiola says the company has provided a business and financial plan and has named companies that could run the facility once it's been set up.

He says he expects the plan to be firmed up next month.