P.M. endorses Samoa’s whiskey

13 March 2018, 12:00AM

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has given the thumbs up to the latest invention by the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (S.R.O.S.).

The product is a whiskey made from talo, which S.R.O.S. plans to launch before the end of the year.

With one of the first bottles given to Cabinet as a sample, the local whiskey has received a great review from Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

“This is great whiskey and its reaffirms S.R.O.S ingenuity to use our agricultural produce such as taro to process whiskey which is a bonus for taro farmers and growers,” said Tuilaepa.

“I encourage S.R.O.S. to continue to deliver and come up with more added value products for exports and our local market and most importantly to use our local agricultural produces.”

Tuilaepa said his government has not been blinded by the strict overseas quarantine regulations.

But he is confident that S.R.O.S is the local solution.

“Can I have some more (Samoa) whiskey?  That’s a very catchy phrase you think?” he said. 

“And who knows, the possibilities for more liquor such as Samoan Rum using our own agricultural produce as main ingredients are endless.”

S.R.O.S. is targeting the international airport duty free as their initial export market.

“The technology to process whiskey utilizing local agricultural produce such as taro was developed a few years back but we’ve decided to commercialize the local whiskey as an export commodity,” S.R.O.S. Chief Executive Officer, Seuseu Dr. Joseph Tauati, said.

“Our first trial run will be to slowly but surely gain a foothold in the international market through the airport duty free markets initially.” 

Seuseu’s tentative plan is for S.R.O.S. to take the lead in developing the talo whiskey into a sustainable and viable export commodity for Samoa and down the line, the Organisation would be open up for partnerships with possible investors.

“S.R.O.S’s initiative is part and parcel of mandate as the principal and implementing agency to carry out scientific and technical research for the  Government and to develop new technologies and products to benefit Samoa’s local industries,  Government ministries, corporations, agencies and communities and in turn the national economy.”

In the meantime, Prime Minister Tuilaepa has challenged the business community to develop partnership with S.R.O.S. by investing in the new added value products.

“Government has done its part – through S.R.O.S. – by developing these products,” he said. 

“We now need private businesses to come in and commercialize the flour, the oil, the subsequent butter and margarine from local crop staples.”

13 March 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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