Samoa Chamber of Commerce held its Annual General Meeting for 2021 on Monday 29th
March, 2020 at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel Conference Room. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the
Chamber’s yearly gathering between its membership, Secretariat and Executive Council where the
Chamber presents its annual report and financial records for the preceding year, and formalizes its
Executive Council for the new financial year. This year’s AGM covered the Chamber’s operations for the
last two years, as due to State of Emergency restrictions on public gatherings in 2020, the Chamber was
not able to hold its AGM last year.
The Annual General Meeting 2021 was led by outgoing President Jennifer Ula-Fruean who as per the
constitution has now completed the maximum term of three consecutive years and her role as President
would conclude that evening. In her Presentation of the Annual Report 2019/20, Jennifer Ula-Fruean
provided a brief update of the work conducted by the Chamber in the last two years highlighting
especially the advocacy work to assist and support all businesses especially those who were directly
affected by COVID. A word of gratitude was extended to the government and the Chamber’s
international partners for the opportunities extended to the private sector to dialogue and advocate for
private sector needs. She also acknowledged and thanked the members for their active participation in
the Chamber’s advocacy work through the number of surveys released which she affirms was crucial to
help better understand the needs of the private sector and provide recommendations to government
through the Chamber’s policy submissions.
The main event of the night was the announcement and election of the Chamber Executive Council for
2020-2021. The election process of the Chamber Executive Council is conducted in partnership with the
Office of Electoral Commission (OEC). The Chamber Executive Council consists of 4 officer roles
(President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer), 3 Executive Council Members, Private Sector
Organization representatives from Samoa Hotel Association, Women in Business Development Inc., and
Business of Salafai Association, and 3 past Chamber Presidents.
Memberservices Manager, Lote Lima informed the members that following the closure of the
nominations received on the 24th of March, under the supervision of the Office of the Electoral
Commission, the Secretariat received 4 valid uncontested nominations for each Elected Officer position.
However, for the role of Council Member, the Secretariat had received 4 valid nominations for the 3
positions. The membership was then called to a vote which was facilitated by the OEC.
With the validation from the Office of Electoral Commission, the Chamber Executive Council for 2021
was officially declared as follows:
 President -Seulupe Michelle Macdonald of British American Tobacco Ltd.

 Vice President -Tom Hogarth of Transam Company Ltd
 Secretary – Faasootauloa Sam Saili of Skyeye Pacific
 Treasurer- Nadia Meredith-Hunt of KVA Consult
 Executive Council Member- Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai of Samoa Stationary and Books
 Executive Council Member- Fuimaono Hugo Betham of Betham Brothers Enterprise
 Executive Council Member- Enele Westerlund of Taula Beverages
 Samoa Hotels Association (SHA) representative – Tupai Saleimoa Vaai
 Business of Salafai Association (BoSA) representative – Leta’a Taunese Purvis
 Women in Business Development Inc. (WIBDI) representative – Funefeai Vaai
 Past President- Jennifer Ula-Fruean
 Past President – Tuala Pat Leota
 Past President- Vaatuitui Apete Meredith

Following the announcement and declaration of all SCCI Executive Board Members for the 2020-2021
financial year, Seulupe Michelle Macdonald addressed the members as their newly elected President. In
her speech, Seulupe expressed her gratitude to outgoing President, returning and newly elected council
members and Private Sector Organizations for their commitment to collectively come together and
serve the Chamber in their respective roles. Her address concluded with a word of encouragement for
this year’s Executive Board, “as we work together for better future to continue to advocate and navigate
the challenges that lie ahead for private sector. The task will not be easy but with God’s continued
guidance, all things are possible.”
The event sponsors for the AGM 2021 were Tanoa Tusitala Hotel and Samoa Breweries. Following the
meeting formalities was the Chamber’s annual Mad Monday networking event.