The 2009 Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Conference on Business Opportunities in the Pacific Islands kicked off yesterday morning at the Sheraton Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii as Nikolao I. Pula, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary — Insular Affairs, delivered welcoming remarks to conference attendees.

According to Pula, “economic development conferences for the Pacific Region are needed to promote collaboration and increase information sharing between island neighbors but also to partner with potential businesses from around the world.”

Pula’s opening remarks continued to reinforce the theme of “economic development” as being the heartbeat of the conference as representatives from participating Pacific Islands highlighted the advantages of their respective islands in hopes of attracting or luring potential businesses.

“In any small island community that is located far from main commerce traffic, economic development is limited and therefore the need to diversify those economic opportunities becomes vital and critical for the survival of the Pacific Islands,” said Pula.

Following the Honorable Felix Camacho, Governor of the Territory of Guam, Pula introduced the next guest speaker: Governor of the Territory of American Samoa, Togiola T.A. Tulafono.

Prior to showcasing why American Samoa is prime real-estate for potential businesses, Togiola briefly discussed the role of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA), the Federal Stimulus Bill and the impact of these two entities on the territory’s economic development.

Unique to the territory are concerns of Federal corporate tax incentives and negotiation of trade agreements, to name a few.

IGIA’s slow progress in addressing the territory’s issues continues to hamper American Samoa’s ability to compete and attract potential businesses but more importantly to see growth in the territory’s economy, said Togiola.

According to the governor, although the IGIA is a positive voice in helping to identify and resolve issues in the insular areas, the IGIA may need to reevaluate their goals and objectives in order to resolve the territory’s issues in a timely manner.

Togiola briefly touched on the Federal Stimulus Bill or more formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

President Obama signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009, this critical piece of legislation that was intended to stimulate the national and territorial economies. According to Togiola, it is imperative that American Samoa maintain a vigilant and proactive stance to securing the territory’s fair share of any Federal Stimulus funds in order to invest in projects that will improve and enhance the overall quality of life in American Samoa.

Last month’s fiber optic cable installation is a prime example of the diverse business opportunities that will provide unlimited economic opportunities in American Samoa, said the governor, noting Federal Stimulus dollars and the eventual completion of the fiber optic cable installation will create attractive and appealing business opportunities promoting economic growth for the territory and raising the quality of life for the Samoan people.

Togiola elaborated on a number of benefits potential businesses will enjoy if they decide to operate in American Samoa, noting “the territory offers economic stability; businesses will enjoy conditional duty-free access; the territory has an experienced and educated workforce; businesses will enjoy American Samoa tax exemptions; businesses will have access to the world-renowned Pago Pago Harbor operating 24-7; access to abundant ocean resources; soon to be completed fiber optic cable installation” and much more.

As he closed, Togiola extended an invitation to interested businesses to visit and experience “Samoan Hospitality” — there’s none other in the world like it.