MELEKEOK, Palau (June 26, 2025) — A delegation of Japanese and Taiwanese entrepreneurs is partnering with Palau to develop a pollution-free salt industry and promote sustainable wellness tourism, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding Wednesday in Melekeok.
Led by the Ryukyu Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and the Kyushu Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, the 12-member business delegation met with Palauan officials to explore eco-friendly investment opportunities. Among them was Seiryu Togo, founder of Japan’s premium salt brand Ishigaki no Shio, who signed the MOU with the Government of Palau during a formal ceremony at the Melekeok State Government Office.
President Surangel Whipps Jr. and Melekeok State Governor Henaro Polloi attended the signing and expressed support for developing a zero-pollution salt production model aligned with Palau’s environmental values.
Togo’s proposal includes establishing a vertically integrated salt industry that uses Palau’s pristine marine environment to produce high-grade salt, mineral supplements, cosmetics, spa products, and eco-cultural souvenirs under a sustainable wellness brand.
In a separate meeting later that day, the Foreign Investment Board and the Bureau of Finance hosted Togo at the Presidential One-Stop Conference Room to discuss legal procedures, investment permits, and tax incentives. While government agencies welcomed the vision and recognized its high value, they acknowledged regulatory challenges that will require coordinated support to move the project forward.
Officials described the initiative as part of Palau’s broader push to attract clean, responsible foreign investment that aligns with the nation’s image as a global model for environmental stewardship. (PR)