The possibility of Starkist Samoa and other canneries shifting operations to Samoa is once again being talked about after Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi declared that the Asau Port on Savaii will be developed into an international port.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
A press release from the government quoted Tuilaepa saying funding to widen and deepen the Asau channel had been secured.
In recent years the government had been talking with American Samoa's StarKist Samoa cannery about plans to develop the channel and the dock as a location for a possible fish processing plant and transhipment facility, but no deal was ever concluded.
Tuilaepa said that the potential for investors to lease land for business developments and tourist facilities cannot be discounted.
He said it would bring jobs and cash into the economy.