Manu’a Rep. Vesi Talalelei Fautanu Jr. continues to press for information on the true number of businesses in American Samoa, information that he’s been seeking for some time.
Yesterday the Manu’a faipule requested through the Chairman of the Commerce and Economic Development Committee to obtain information on the number of businesses set up in the territory and find out how many are no longer in operation.
Last year there were about 4,000 business licenses issued by the Department of Commerce. But as of last month less than half that number had obtained 2016 licenses.
Since January businesses found without valid business licenses have been charged a penalty of $2 per day for each day they are in business without a valid business license.
The 2015 licenses expired on December 31, last year and businesses have to reapply for 2016 licenses.
Business license fees were raised last year and the cheapest license which used to be $25 is now $150.
The government is also strictly enforcing a fee for each business activity regardless of whether the different business operations are based in a single location.
Some small business owners say they have dropped one of their businesses due to this policy.
A businesswoman said the government could have been earning income taxes from three employees of a business she had to close, to avoid the extra $150 business license fee.
On another issue, Rep Vesi, chairman of the Hospital/Health Committee has scheduled a hearing for next Thursday to discuss the closure of stores and restaurants by the Department of Health due to unsanitary conditions and health risks on the premises.
Director of Health, Motusa Tuileama Nua and DOH’s Chief Compliance Officer Papali’i Marion Fitisemanu are witnesses for the 11 am hearing next Thursday.
