STEC INVESTMENT : Truckload of coconuts for sale from the Samoa Trust Estates Coconut Plantation
By Staff Writer
A Samoa Export Authority is being set up to open soon as the newest State Owned Enterprise in the country.
Other than co-ordinate all national exports it will also be responsible for the management of all Government land assets.
Identity of the new authority was revealed during the tabling of a Select Committee report in Parliament this morning, Tuesday 20 March 2024.
All state owned land currently under the Samoa Trust Estates (STEC), Samoa Land Corporation (SLC) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) will be transferred over to the new Authority.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, told Parliament the new Authority is possible under a shuffling of new operating policies by Cabinet.
Enquiries by the Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, into the annual general report of the Samoa Trust Estates, STEC, led to the naming of the Export Authority.
Opposition member Ali’imalemanu Alofa Tu’uau, followed up with concerns about the future of STEC, as it continues to run at an estimated loss of ST$7.3m a year.
The Minister of Agriculture, La’auli Polataivao Schmidt claims the Export Authority will help revive local exports and turn the use of land more productive, such as with the STEC.
Opposition leader Tuilaepa, however, scoffed at the sweet export promises by the Minister as nothing new and has already been tried before.