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Business Profile
Economy: Most Samoans are involved in subsistence agriculture; some cash crops are also grown for export, the most important of which are coconut, cocoa and bananas. Timber is currently exported in small quantities. There is some small-scale manufacturing industry, mostly concerned with food-processing, textiles, woodworking and light engineering, and some small factories produce consumer goods for the domestic market. The Government has concentrated on tourism and export-oriented manufacturing in its efforts to develop the economy, although climatic problems (principally the regular cyclones which visit the country) have made this difficult. Nonetheless, tourism has now expanded to the point where it contributes 15 per cent of GDP, based on the arrival of 85,000 visitors to the island group annually. Overseas aid and remittances from Samoans working overseas – mostly in New Zealand and, to a lesser extent, in Australia – are therefore vital to the economy. In the last few years, the benefits of a 1996 trade agreement with the Chinese government have started to become apparent. Meanwhile, a parallel programme of economic reforms won the approval and ensuing financial support of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and others. The economy is now growing at just under five per cent annually. Samoa is a member of both the South Pacific Forum and the South Pacific Commission. New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Fiji, Japan and the USA are the major trading partners.
Business: Shirt and smart trousers will suffice for business visits. Ties need only be worn for formal occasions. Best time to visit is from May to October. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1630.
Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Samoa Chamber of Commerce, Ground Floor, Lotemau Centre, Convent Street, PO Box 2014, Apia (tel: 21237; fax: 21578; e-mail: info@samoachamber.com; website: www.samoachamber.com); or Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry, PO Box 862, Apia (tel: 20471; fax: 21646; e-mail: tipu@tci.gov.ws); or Samoa Visitors Bureau (see Contact Addresses section).
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