Legislation aims to improve job creation in American Samoa

Legislation aims to improve job creation in American Samoa

2017/10/12 8:24am

US Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen.

American Samoa's member of the US congress has introduced legislation to improve job creation opportunities in the territory.

Aumua Amata said the American Samoa Investment Act would potentially attract foreign investors by fixing a gap in the EB-5 Visa law.

That law provides an incentive for foreign investors to start a business in the US or its territories if that business creates jobs for ten people.

However, she said those employees were specified as US citizens or green card holders, when the available workforce in American Samoa is primarily made up of US nationals.

The Congresswoman has thanked colleagues from Puerto Rico and the CNMI for co-sponsoring the legislation which she describes as a fair and reasonable solution.