Samoa

Samoa

2009

Diagnostic Trade Integration Study

N.A.

DTIS Update

1996

WTO Accession
Image
Samoa going global with coconuts

Samoa going global with coconuts
Image
On Samoa's eTrade readiness

On Samoa's eTrade readiness

  • The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) has helped revitalize two of Samoa’s key export crops, namely cocoa and coconut. This has been achieved through interventions such as a replanting scheme, centralized production facilities, and improved plantation and crop logistics.
  • The EIF supported a project to centralize the Women in Business Development Incorporated (WIBDI)'s production of virgin coconut oil, which led to a significant increase in its sales and exports during the project period, including to The Body Shop.  
  • Improved regulatory frameworks, including for services trade and domestic employment conditions, resulted from the Government’s development of Samoa's National Employment Policy and Labour Force Survey, co-financed by the EIF and the International Labour Organization. Literacy and numeracy training, funded by the EIF, was conducted for seasonal workers mobilized under the Australia and New Zealand temporary labour mobility schemes.
  • The EIF supported Samoa’s transition for graduation from the least developed country (LDC) status.

EIF's aim is to enable Samoa to use trade as an instrument for sustainable development by strengthening trade institutions, enhancing capacities for mainstreaming trade and increasing Aid for Trade and its effectiveness.

Results:

  • Co-funded by the International Labour Organization, the Samoa Employment Policy was developed to increase the level of employment in key industries through education, training and up-skilling.
  • Trade policy and regulatory frameworks were strengthened through the enactment of needed legislation, e.g., the Legal Metrology Act, Competition and Consumer Bill and the Food Safety Bill. Assistance was given to private sector organizations enabling members to obtain ISO and HACCP certification as well as introducing barcoding on products.
  • Participation of Samoa's services industry was enhanced through the seafarers programme including implementing policies on seafarers, regional seasonal employment and seasonal workers, telecommunications, and engagement in the negotiations of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations on labour mobility.
  • Assistance was provided to develop pilot projects for community entrepreneurship to create and promote niche products, e.g., the Women in Business project to assist farmers to plant and harvest coconuts to produce Virgin Coconut Oil for the Body Shop in the UK market.

Efforts are focusing on scaling up collaboration between the largest state-owned agricultural producer in Samoa, trade associations and women’s cooperatives in order to add value to cocoa and coconut destined for export. Emphasis is placed on enhancing private sector participation and manufacturing linkages, which has resulted in the Buy Samoa Made initiative.

Results:

  • 500 acres of coconut and cocoa trees were planted at the Samoa Trust Estates Corporation (STEC) plantation.
  • The Buy Samoa Made initiative was launched in 2013 to connect Samoan goods and services with potential markets and to attract foreign direct investment. As a result, total exports increased by 11% after the New Zealand launch.
  • Empowering women through Women in Business Development Incorporated (WIBDI), dedicated to strengthening village economies in Samoa and addressing gender imbalances.
  • Centralized processing facilities established and appropriate technology procured for carrying out research and development of niche coconut and cocoa value-added products.
  • Supported the construction of the WIBDI processing warehouse, which provides the opportunity to centralize the processes of organic products within an HACCP-certified environment, adding value to the products for export to be marketed by the WIBDI. The warehouse will provide a proper storage space for products ready to be shipped.

Samoa Rapid eTrade Readiness Assessment (2017)
Securing Sustained Impact: Implementing IPoA:…
Securing Sustained Impact: Implementing IPoA:…
Securing Sustained Impact: Implementing IPoA:…
Securing Sustained Impact: Implementing IPoA:…
Samoa Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS…