By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

A large delegation from the Palauan Noni Japan Company is here in Palau for a visit.
On Wednesday President Remengesau received the delegation in his office in Melekeok, where he was assured that the Palau noni sale in Japan is picking up.
The next day, The Senate received a visit from the delegation with over 50 representatives.
. Senate President Joshua Koshiba and Floor Leader Alan R. Seid were present to welcome the group, led by company President Michinori Shimizu.
According to a statement from the Senate, Palauan Noni Japan was formed between 2004 and 2005 to cater to the growing market for noni juice in Japan, a market estimated at retail value to be worth $165 million. For many years, this market has been virtually controlled by French Polynesia, but the quality noni fruits found in Palau are gradually making headway in the Japan market. PNJ is in cooperation with the Palau Organic Farm in Ngeremlengui and has slowly grown in market value, with Palauan noni juice now garnering over $5 million annually in retail sales.
Last year, Remengesau, Senate Floor Leader Alan R. Seid, and Gov. John B. Skebong of Ngeremlengui State visited Japan to promote Palauan noni to PNJ sales agents. The visit boosted consumer interest and encouraged sales teams to further market Palauan noni as a high quality product.
The president said the noni being produced by Palau is of high quality because of the environment.
He said that Palau is getting ahead when it comes to quality noni from its competition from other countries such as Indonesia, Tahiti and Vanuatu.
Seid for his part expressed his pride and enthusiasm for being associated with the noni project because it provides for the economy and livelihood of many families, while the fruits of the labor of Palauans provides good health and longevity to the people of Japan.