The fate of the two new businesses now housing the facilities used by Yasaki Samoa in Vaitele is in the hands of the employees, says Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi as he officially cut the ribbon this morning for the mattress manufacturer, Sleepwell International to start operations from its new home.

It’s a joint venture between the Samoa Stationary and Books company, (SABB) and Sleepwell from Otara, Auckland; the company specializes in manufacturing mattresses for local and export markets targeting neighboring Pacific Island countries.

Similarly Fero Samoa is also targeting markets in Australia and New Zealand for its wiring products.

And the Prime Minister is applauding Sleepwell and Fero Samoa, noting that since Yasaki Samoa indicated her plans to close down its Vaitele operations, government have been searching for new investors to utilize the facilities.

“Since the announcement of the closure the government spared no effort to attract foreign companies and investors to come to Samoa to utilize this facility in order to reconstitute the lost jobs and the all-important export opportunities,” said the Prime Minister. “Cabinet identifies this task as an urgent priority in the national interest and appointed a special committee made up of the Chief Executive Officers of the Ministry of Finance the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labor and the Samoa Provident Fund to spearhead these efforts.”

“This morning’s ceremony is one more milestone to be added to the government’s efforts in this priority area,” added Tuilaepa.

“The return of business to this facility means more exports to boost our GDP, more jobs for our people, more levies for the Accident Compensation Corporation, and more contributions for the Samoa National Provident Fund and sustained economic growth for our country into the future.”

Combined both companies are offering 120 jobs initially and will increase their workforce to close to 1,000 five years from now.

Employees are mostly former Yasaki Samoa employees —  who are now back on the payroll for their new employers Sleepwell International and Fero Samoa.

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