The Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) have a new President following the end of Jennifer Ula-Fruean’s three year term leading the national private sector organisation.
Having served as Vice President for the past three years, Seulupe Michelle Macdonald takes over the reigns and is no stranger to organisational leadership.
Chamber’s new President has served on the board of SQA and is currently a board member of the Samoa National Provident Fund.
Seulupe has over 15 years experience in senior positions in the manufacturing sector and is currently heading British American Tobacco Samoa.
SCCI has always nurtured the leadership development of young business entrepreneurs and Tom Hogarth, General Manager of Transam Samoa slides into the role of Vice President.
Skyeye’s Fa’aso’otauloa Sam Saili is the new secretary and Nadia Meredith of KVA Consult returns to the Chamber council as Treasurer.
An election was held in a packed Tanoa Tusitala conference room for the three Elected Council members, with four nominations received. Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai, CEO and founder of Samoa Stationery and Books continues on Chamber’s council, while SCCI welcomes Fuimaono Hugo Betham of Betham Brothers Enterprise and Enele Westerlund of Taula Beverages to the council.
Chamber’s executive council has positions for industry-specific Private Sector Organisations (PSOs) such as Women in Business Development Inc (WIBDI) who will be represented by Funefeai Oliva Vaai this year. The Samoa Hotel Association continues to be represented by their President Tupa’i Saleimoa Vaai and the Business of Salafai Association (BOSA) also maintains their representative, Afioga Leta’a Taunese Purvis.
Chambers constitution allows for three past presidents to remain to ensure institutional memory and offer advice. Jennifer Ula-Fruean slides across as a past president representative for 2021, joined by Tuala Pat Leota and Va’atu’itu’i Apete Meredith.
Chamber’s new President says she looks forward to continuing the work of the national private sector organisation through working closely with the government of the day as well as development partners and Chamber’s wide range of stakeholders to achieve its vision of leading sustainable economic growth through the development of Samoa’s private sector.
“The purpose of Chamber is to act as Samoa’s National Private Sector Organisation and in this capacity, we work together with our partners to promote the interests, well-being and growth of Samoa’s private sector, not only at the national, but the regional and international levels;
“We work to develop women and youth entrepreneurs, across businesses of all sizes and in all industries, to improve the economic and social well-being of the people of Samoa”.
SCCI holds monthly members meetings for its 440+ members and affiliates.
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