Am. Samoa participates in the SelectUSA Investment Summit.
By: Tosimaeʻa Tupua
Email: tupua@opi.as.gov
The highest profile select USA Investment Summit has kicked off in the mainland and American Samoa through the department of Commerce is doing an exceptional job in promoting foreign direct investment into Territory. Hon Governor Lemanu and DOC Director Petti Matila are part of our delegation from American Samoa.
Participants include potential investors actively seeking business opportunities in the United States, service providers, c-suite executives and U.S. government officials who will join to discuss the latest policy and business trends.
Building on the success of 2021, the 2022 Investment Summit will see the return of SelectUSA Tech, Select Global Women in Tech, networking, and more.
The US Department of Commerce event is held every year, but it has been three years since they have hosted an in-person convention due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although American Samoa initially participated in the SelectUSA virtual summit last year, this is the first time an American Samoa delegation has attended the annual convention. A press statement from the Department of Commerce, says more than 1,500 foreign companies, investors, state and territorial economic development organizations are attending this year. The summit is organized by the US Department of Commerce – International Trade Administration’s SelectUSA program and American Samoa’s department of commerce is representing the Territory at this year's summit. Leading our delegation from American Samoa is Hon Governor Lemanu who, according to Director Matila, will speak at the Governor’s Panel about infrastructure investments in rural and urban communities. He will be joined by Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, and Governor Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico to discuss steps they are taking to develop infrastructure in their states or territories including electric vehicle adoption, and improvements of our nation’s ports (air and sea), bridges, roads.
American Samoa Director of Commerce Petti Matila will also participate in a roundtable discussion with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, and Director of Investment Research Liz Schaefer about investing in underserved communities. The SelectUSA summit has proven to attract more businesses into the US market for job creation opportunities across the nation.
The event features 100+ virtual sessions, a virtual exhibition hall with EDOs and service providers, and a robust networking platform where participants can make the connections they need to push their investments forward.
The Select USA Investment Summit draws more than 3,000 attendees. Historically, the Investment Summit attracts more than 1,200 business investors from approximately 80 international markets who join economic developers from almost all U.S. states and territories. In 2019, nearly $100 million in new investment projects were announced at the event.