(BASED ON PRESS RELEASE) — The Department of the Interior’s Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands ended on its third day, Wednesday, April 8 on a positive note: it was a full day of business-to-business meetings facilitated by DOI staff, allowing attendees to meet individually to develop joint ventures and secure partnerships following the previous days of networking.

Over 300 meetings were officially scheduled, with even more occurring as participants made multiple new connections at the conference, according to the DOI press release.

Nick Pula, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, offered closing remarks for the conference, thanking the leaders of the delegations, the dignitaries from the diplomatic community, and the members of Congress who traveled to the conference.

Continuing, Mr. Pula also extended his appreciation to all of the businesses and organizations from the islands and around the world who attended.

“Your presence here is all the more impressive in these tough economic times,” he stated, “and it gives us all great encouragement as we face these challenges and opportunities together.”

Reporting on the second day, the DOI press release noted the morning sessions began with a panel of government speakers discussing the range of government programs and structures to promote economic development.

The following plenary session, entitled the “Business Round Table”, featured business people not originally from the islands who moved to the islands and established successful businesses.

They shared with potential investors and partners the stories of their success, illustrating some of the challenges and, more importantly, the benefits of doing business in the islands.

Speakers also offered invaluable lessons from their experience to interested partners with limited exposure to the different island business climates, repeatedly emphasizing the need to understand and respect the island cultures in order to be successful.

Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Honorable Madeleine Z. Bordallo (Guam) and the Honorable Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (American Samoa), were the keynote speakers during the conference luncheon.

Congresswoman Bordallo spoke convincingly about the need for developing new sources of energy in the islands, stating, “Renewable energy represents the biggest challenge for the insular areas and our nation.” Later, she added, “This conference is an exceptional opportunity for businesses to provide private sector solutions for renewable energy sources.”

Congressman Faleomavaega echoed his colleague’s comments by also emphasizing the need for alternative energy solutions and noting some remarkable developments in wind energy that may have practical applications in the islands — particularly in outer islands that do not need to generate massive amounts of electricity.

The congressman praised the intention of the Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands, commenting, “Economic growth in the territories comes about by investing in the private sector. The federal government alone does not sustain economic growth in the territories and [freely] associated states.

Afternoon sessions consisted of presentations developed by the island delegations. These dedicated sessions, with each island jurisdiction having its own hour long block, allowed island leaders to provide conference attendees with a deeper look at the variety of business opportunities and incentives for doing business available in their islands.

The panel for America Samoa’s session consisted of Governor Togiola Tulafono, Director of Commerce Faleseu Eliu Paopao, and consultants Cate Thero and Mark Kiner.  

Governor Togiola began the presentation by describing the unique business culture in American Samoa and informing the audience that, “Our territory has much to offer during this time of economic challenges.”  

Director Paopao continued the presentation, echoing the governor’s comments by adding, “If you are looking for business opportunities in the Pacific, you will find American Samoa on the top of your business location analysis.”

Ms. Thero and Mr. Kiner followed these remarks by describing the specific opportunities American Samoa offers in developing tourism, the redevelopment of the Rainmaker hotel property, marina and harbor development, and low impact ecotourism in the Manu’a islands.