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Sharp decline in number of business licenses issued in American Samoa

American Samoa Dept. of Commerce logo

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — There's been a sharp decline in the number of businesses in American Samoa.

According to Department of Commerce statistics, there were 2,453 business licences registerd at Treasure in the second quarter.

458 businesses did not renew their licenses, representing a nearly 16 percent drop over last year.

The commerce department says there's been a notable drop of 28 percent over the past five years in the number of registered businesses.

Its report doesn't give causes for the drop in businesses but the decline has occurred since business license fees were increased substantially.