Papua New Guinean companies continue to invest in hotels in the neighbouring Pacific island nations. The recent investment is the multi-million dollar Taumeasina Island Resort in Samoa. The Taumeasina Island Resort is owned by three PNG companies; the Lamana Group (50%) Petroleum Resources Gobe (19%) and Mineral Resources Development Company (31%).

PNG is being seen as a big boy in the investment business within the Pacific region. During the official opening of the resort, the Prime Minister of Samoa; Tuilaepa Sailele Malielelagoi stated that many had shown interest to invest in the Taumeasina Island but have failed.

“This is not the first time we have shifted soil and anticipated big dreams and big developments here at Taumeasina Island”, said Mr. Malielelagoi.

The Samoan Prime minister continued by saying that there were other foreign investors who promised to develop grand hotels but never did.

“Forty years ago, American George Hadley and his company started reclaiming this exact island with the hopes of building a grand hotel, they left without a brick being laid. More recently, there was another Kiwi investor who hung around this place and made a big splash but fizzled out and disappeared back to New Zealand“, said Mr. Malielegoi

However the Samoan Prime Minister had all the confidence in the Lamana Group who had the backing of the MRDC and PRG.

“These are people with real money”, said the Samoan Prime Minister.

The resort was developed and constructed by the Lamana Development Limited which is a branch of the Lamana Group of Companies.

The Taumeasina Island Resort officially started its operation as of the 1st of July 2016 after a soft opening. It is a 45 minutes’ drive from the Faleolo International Airport, and 5 minutes from the capital city of Samoa, Apia.

The resort has 80 rooms and 25 villas, shops, world class restaurants, a bar, water sports pavilion, day spa, gym, beach and wedding chapel.