Trade Policy
Samoa maintains an active trade policy agenda which takes into account multilateral, regional and bilateral strategies to address barriers to trade create, export competitiveness and gain new market opportunities, while at the same time having the flexibility to respond to unpredictable events such as the current food and fuel crises. The design and application of the country's trade policy instruments is meant to ensure among other things, that domestic production is enhanced, exports are promoted, and safeguards are in place to shield domestic sectors and industries against external anti-competitive practices.
For the period 2008-2012, trade policy focus will include; pursuit of further trade liberalization, promotion of free trade in pursuit of further market access through engaging in, and concluding trade agreements such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU, the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) under a PACER plus Agreement, the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) and accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Furthermore, the country is also keen on developing and implementing a National Export Strategy as a means of stimulating export growth, hence creating employment and resulting in increased contribution to the Gross Domestic Product. Samoa will also fully utilize the enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance especially in ensuring co-ordinated delivery of trade-related assistance". Click here for detailed Trade Policy Statement.