This was during the 4.x patchline. A quick search of the patch notes leads me to think 4.5. You have the meeting between the sultana and lolorito earlier in the patchline, where investing in the saltery is suggested as a way to both make money and give back a little to the ala mhigans. Then in 4.5 theres a sidequest where you work directly with one of the salt merchants(maybe the same one from your screenshot - the quest itself started in mor dhona) as he tries to get some of the 'mhigans to help work on the project.
