AMERICAN SAMOA NATIONAL INCOME AND PRODUCT ACCOUNT
The American Samoa National Income and Product Accounts (NIPA) is a result of a process that was notable for its breadth and openness. The two year long, resourceintensive process took place under the auspices of the NIPA Task Force comprised of the Governor’s Office, Treasury Department, Office of Planning and Budget, Bank of Hawaii-American Samoa Branch, ANZ-Amerika Samoa Bank, Development Bank of American Samoa, Chamber of Commerce, Social Security Office, Department of Commerce, Tax Office, Customs Office, American Samoa Telecommunication Authority, LBJ Medical Center Authority, Star Kist Samoa Inc., and COS Samoa Packing. The substantial achievements of the process were made possible through the close cooperation among members of the NIPA Task Force and contributions both cash and in kind from international organizations, and many individual experts in national accounting and related fields. The NIPA Task Force is also in great appreciation of Dr. Marc Rubin whom was assigned by the International Program Center (IPC) of the Bureau of Census to work with the NIPA Task Force in developing the NIPA estimates. At the initial stage, Dr. Rubin prepared an action item check off list, which detailed what needed to be done. This action item check off list and other NIPA data requirements were reviewed during workshops (August 2002 & 2003) as well as other indirect consultations through emails and conference calls. The American Samoa NIPA accounts and tables followed the US BEA framework were put together by members of the Department of Commerce Economic Core Group under the leadership of the Deputy Director, Mr. Lelei Peau, and assisted by Mr. Vaitoelau Filiga, Mr. Alex Zodiacal, Ms. Gene Brighouse, Ms. Nancy Daschbach, Ms. Jane Klickman, and Ms. Ma’u ‘Alipate-Leha. Finally, mention should be made of the many staff members especially the NIPA Working Group namely Mr. Lelei Peau (Chairman), I’aulualo Fa’afetai Talia (Deputy Treasurer), Melvin Joseph (Tax Manager), Elvis Patea (Legal Counsel for ASTCA), Emau Amosa (LBJ Medical Authority), Vaitoelau Filiga (DOC), Suli Sopoaga (DBAS), Meki Solomona (Star Kist Samoa) who, greatly contributed to the completion of this semi annual report with their many professional, technical, and administrative skills that supported such a complex and long term work program.