| The economy
Capital: Apia
Area: 2944 sq km
Population: 178,331
GDP: A$452.7m
Real GDP growth: 5.0%
Trade with Australia: A$137m |
Rugby odds –
500/1
Reaching the quarter finals in 1991 and 1995, Manu Samoa enter the
Cup helmed by coach John Boe.
Key players
- Semo Sititi, Captain (Backrow, The Borders, Scotland)
- Lome Fa’atau (Winger, Wellington, New Zealand)
- Leo Lafaiali’i (Lock, Sanyo, Japan)
The odds – 500/1 (Centrebet
June ’03) |
Samoa
The Samoan
economy has the potential to become one of the fastest-growing in the Pacific
Islands. However, growth is dependent on just a few industries (notably
tourism and fisheries) and the flow of remittances from ex-pat Samoans.
Agriculture
Agriculture employs two-thirds of Samoa’s labour force and accounts
for 90% of exports, including coconut cream and coconut oil. Other crops
include taro, breadfruit, and bananas. The government’s planned
redevelopment of the agricultural sector entails a revival of its dormant
copra industry, the privatisation of agricultural co-operatives, and greater
support for the production of ginger, dalo, kava and pawpaw. It plans
to negotiate bilateral quarantine agreements for pawpaw with Australia
this year, and for ginger and squash with Japan in 2004.
Industry
The largest industrial venture produces wire harnesses for motor vehicles,
manufactured by Yazaki Samoa and exported to Australia. This employs more
than 2000 workers, the largest private-sector employer.
Tourism
A new marketing campaign launched by the Samoan Tourist Authority is hoped
to increase tourist revenue from current levels of about US$3.5m per month
by up to 10% each year. The Authority’s four-year plan includes
the construction of international-class hotels and improved flights.
Austrade’s Suva office in Fiji
covers Samoa.
Telephone: +679 3382 825
Fax: +679 3382 805
Email: info@austrade.gov.au
Website: www.austrade.gov.au
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