Toribiong witnessed the signing ceremony at the Palasia Hotel in Koror.
Palau Coconut Inc., or PCI, chairman Ambassador Stuart Beck, and its president, Glenn Seid, were joined by Joe S. Azuma, Palau Public Land Authority vice chairman.
The Aimeliik facilities will become the center of PCI’s commitment to create an export-oriented coconut products business, to be distributed under the brand “Palau Fresh.”
Beck said: “This is the most ambitious agricultural project since the Japanese time, when Palau exported high quality products to the world. We will soon announce the exciting elements of a joint venture whereby PCI will join forces with the national government to assure that this project will be owned in part by the people of Palau, so that the benefits of the tree of life will flow to every Palauan citizen. PCI will cooperate with the government to seek support from the international community for this effort.”
According to Toribiong, “We hope to work together to let the world know what Palauans have known for countless generations — that the pure air, and rainwater of our islands produces coconuts of the highest quality in the world, and that we will share this blessing, with its health-giving qualities, to others. And in so doing, we will put scores of Palauans to work and help create a green economy to complement our political independence.”
