It will be a busy month for the Samoa Business Network who are planning a private sector business trip to Samoa from 14-15 November.
The Samoa Business Network will host its first official business trip to Samoa with a delegation of 10 potential investors from New Zealand, Australia, USA, Fiji/NZ and American Samoa.
It will also mark the first official business delegation back to Samoa led by the new Samoa (NZ) Trade Commissioner le afioga Magele Mauiliu Magele. Magele took up the appointment earlier this year after his predecessor Fonoti Dr Lafitai Fuatai finished his term.
This business visit aims to foster connections for the small to medium enterprises and open opportunities in Samoa. As with many similar business visits and trade missions, the key attraction lies in gaining access to other private sector contacts, business to business meetings and connection to government officials and stakeholders.
A majority of the delegation are Samoans living overseas from New Zealand, Australia and the USA. The return-to-roots aspect of the mission underlines the diaspora of Samoans living outside of Samoa who have successfully established businesses and are encouraged through the SBN to give back to their home country.
The 10 delegates include people such as ex-Warriors Rugby League player turned Professional Speaker and Coach now living in Australia, Sione Faumuina. John Patu of Moana Media USA and Christa Satele of Pacific Independent Distributors from American Samoa. There are also two Australian companies, one from New Zealand and one Fiji/NZ company.
NZ Samoa Trade and Investment Commission (NZSTIC) will hold its Annual General Meeting on 21 November.
Photo file. Caption Samoa Business Network at the inaugural business awards