Book and Go
Latest features
Samoa: Doing business & staying in touch
Doing business in Samoa
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.
Fishing and subsistence agriculture are important sources of income and employment for most Samoans.
The government has concentrated on tourism and export-oriented manufacturing in its efforts to develop the economy. Tourism now contributes 17% of GDP, with 90,000 visitors arriving annually.
The government has also, with some success, sought to promote an offshore financial services industry. Further income comes from the remittances of Samoans working overseas - mostly in New Zealand and, to a lesser extent, in Australia; both these two countries also provide Samoa with a sizeable aid package.
The economy is now growing at 5.5% annually, with inflation at 3.3% in 2005.
Keeping in Touch in Samoa
Samoa has its own analogue mobile phone system operated by Telecom Samoa. Visitors with analogue phones can be assigned a new number for the duration of their stay and calls will be charged to their credit card.
Internet and e-mail services are available in Apia and other locations around the islands. Broadband Internet cafes are available in Apia and Savai'i.
Despite a generally free press, officials in Samoa have sued the main privately owned newspaper, the Samoa Observer, for reporting on alleged corruption and abuse of public office. The government and private operators run TV stations and channels from American Samoa are readily available.
• The Samoa Observer is a privately owned daily.
• Le Samoa and Talamua magazine are published in both Samoan and English.
• State-run TV is operated by the Samoa Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).
• Private channels include O Lau TV, TV3 and Vaiala Beach Television.
You know where