Pacific Islands Leader Invitation Program: Samoan Minister of Information and Communication Technology

Currently, Samoa is receiving funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank Group among others and is in the midst of putting in place an undersea optical cable. This is a large-scale project connecting 15 other countries with five undersea cables, slated to be completed in 2022. Japanese Ambassador to Samoa, Mr. Aoki has aided Samoa in becoming the hub of this project; APIC undertook the Minister’s request to visit the manufacturers of these cables to observe the advanced technology used by Japanese companies.
While in Japan, Mr. Afamasaga held briefings with Mr. Iwao Hori, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as with Mr. Fumiaki Kobayashi, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Parliamentary Secretary. Mr. Kobayashi stated that “[Japan] is eager to co-operate with Samoa and other countries in the Asian and Pacific region to develop Information Communication Technology”, which Mr. Afamagasa responded to very positively. Mr. Tominaga, Deputy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who presided over the briefings, had previously met and talked with Mr. Afamagasa at the Economist’s Argentina Summit 2018 also expressed his eagerness to partner with Samoa and exchange opinions on further developments to be made.

(Visiting Gartner Japan)
By introduction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Minister visited OCC-Ocean Cable & Communications, who manufactures the undersea cables. He observed the different types of cables, aboveground and underground, showing high interest in the newly developed cables.

(Giving a speech at APIC’S dinner reception)

(The Minister (right) enjoying a Japanese bento on the shinkansen)
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