11 Dec 2014

Proposed plant in American Samoa needs review - Lolo

1:08 pm on 11 December 2014

The Philippines company that's planning to set up a food processing plant in American Samoa says it hopes to break ground for the factory in January.

But American Samoa's Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga says he doesn't think that's realistic.

The company's owner, Anthony Bernardo, gave a presentation for the Governor, members of the cabinet and Fono leaders when he visited the territory in October.

Mr Bernardo says their local operation would be a US$100 million investment and a ten percent shareholding will be offered to ASG.

The company plans to employ between 700 and 1,000 people and intends to bring only technical experts from the Philippines initially.

Governor Lolo told KHJ News the government is still reviewing the company's proposal and it has not made any commitments.

He said he will await a report from the delegation that's visiting the Philippines now and review all aspects of the project before making a decision.