Posted on 08/13/2006 1:12:34 AM PDT by coconutt2000
Eleven U.S. firms - ranging from telecommunication to a major hotel operator - have signed up to participate in next month's business mission to American Samoa, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Interior.
ASG and DOI's Office of Insular Affairs are banking on this business conference to attract new industries that would help diversify the local economy instead of only one major industry, the canneries.
"ASG is prepared to work with anyone interested in setting up operations in American Samoa," a government official said early this week.
DOI's deputy assistant secretary for Insular Area, Papali'i David B. Cohen cautioned American Samoa not to expect instant results from the seminar, that runs from May 7-13th.
"We hope that some of these companies will find good opportunities in American Samoa that will benefit the territory and the people," said Cohen from Washington, responding to Samoa News inquiries.
"People should not expect instant results: It might take a while before some of these companies are able to determine if they are willing to do business in American Samoa," said Cohen yesterday. "They will have to do a good deal of research."
"However, if we keep reaching out to find good companies that are willing to visit the territory at their own expense to explore opportunities, we will eventually be successful," he continued. "With the economic future of American Samoa very much in doubt, efforts like these are extremely important."
According to information released to Samoa News yesterday by DOI a total of eleven companies have so far shown interest in the business mission and it includes Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc., the company's acquisition development director for the Pacific region, David Simpson will be their representative.
Starwood operates a number of name-brand hotel chains such as Sheraton, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Four Points by Sheraton, W, and Le Meridien.
This global company is "looking to explore the local economy, tourism market, existing supply and demand, airline seat availability, and meet with potential development partners," according to OIA.
Other companies:
· Gerald Keonig vice president of Hannon Armstrong will represent this company which offers a range of contract finance solutions for companies seeking to integrate financing into their proposals for both government and commercial projects. The company is seeking opportunities in energy, telecommunication, information technology and security.
· Harris Quality Consulting Inc. (represented by CEO Leroy Harris) offers a variety of services designed for health care providing, including among other things software design and development, systems integration, independent systems verification and validation, office automation, third party billing systems, research and development and project management.
They are interested in seeking procurement contracts for healthcare business consultation/software system development, billing systems and office management systems, according to OIA.
· Hawaiian Airlines (represented by Keoni Wagner, vice president of Corporate Communication) is "interested in working cooperatively with government and the private sector to explore expansion of the market through new economic opportunities in the region," OIA says.
· JC Airtouch Telecommunication, Inc. of California (represented by its founder Toloai Tuiolosega) is a family owned firm that provides technical support to major wireless companies including T-Mobile, Sprint PCS and Nextel. It offers wireless/broadband services, antenna line services and repair as well as providing technical support and installation for Maryland-based Hughes Network Systems.
· Hawaii-based Kehaulani Enterprises Ltd., is seeking "to establish a concession or partnership with members of the local community to expand or build a scuba/snorkeling business," said OIA. Company president and CEO D. Lee Kehaulani Harper will be here.
· Investment and investment bank firm of Merchant Capital, LLC is seeking to explore direct investment in infrastructure projects and/or public private partnership opportunities in telecom, wastewater, solid waste management, and schools. Executive vice president James Wilson will represent the company.
· Nekton Diving Cruises, which operates a small fleet of large live-aboard dive boats that they manufacture in their own shipyard is exploring new destinations for their clientele.
"They would be particularly interested in a local equity partner, but also will explore the various locations that their boats could visit," said OIA and noted that CEO, John Dixon will be the representative.
· The Orbis Group, LLC and vice president Bill Seeley, is looking to meet with businesses requiring technology support in the areas of e-commerce, e-education, e-finance and e-health.
The company works with all sizes of businesses and its particular specialty is financing growth in very small and medium sized enterprises.
· Guam-based Pacific Data Systems, which provides a variety of telecom services over their network including private lines, internet access, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), and Virtual Private Networks (VPN) will be represented by its president John Day.
· Triple J Enterprises, Inc. operates large distributions in food and automotive (Ford, Mazda, Volvo, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki), and concessions for several restaurant chains on Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau and are looking for local investment partners, customers, and partners for distribution. The company will be represented by vice president Mike Burgess.
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com.
But some interesting information about why private investments in American Samoa have been so lacking:
1) Land ownership is limited by race. Yes, we have an archaic statute limiting the ability to buy land to American Samoans. Freehold land which is not limited is not very easy to come by, and often isn't located well. 2) Public officials often obstruct private investment through extortion. The richer the outside investor, the more they're likely to be hit up for a bribe.
Made a mistake. The date for this article is 4/21/2006. The RSS feed I pulled the article from mixed up the order of the articles and put this with the new ones.
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