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DOC to host economic development seminar on Thursday

Nikolao Pula, Director of the Office of Insular Affairs. [SN file photo]
compiled by Samoa News staff

The Dept. of Commerce is inviting the public to attend an economic development seminar 9 a.m. tomorrow at the Lee Auditorium.  The seminar is being held in partnership with the University of Hawaii's Pacific Business Center Program and the keynote speaker will be Nikolao Pula, Director of the Office of Insular Affairs, who will be addressing "Sustainable Economic Development Utilizing Local Resources Towards Greater Self Reliance in the US Territories."

 (Currently, according to DOC, "OIA has administrative responsibility for coordinating federal policy in the territories of American Samoa, Guam , the US Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and oversight of federal programs and funds in the freely associated Federal States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.")

Other presentations will revolve around the USDOI-funded Pacific Regional Breadfruit Initiative (PRBI) research and development findings to be transferred locally for recommended phased implementation; technology and products; ongoing initiatives at the Department of Agriculture; and current updates on Agribusiness development in American Samoa (i.e. Fitiuta greens, chEAT day, and Avegalio Farms)

DOC officials note that tomorrow's seminar is a wonderful networking opportunity, and a great chance for all participants to engage in some productive discussions regarding economic development efforts in American Samoa.