W.T.O. to review Samoa’s trade policy

By Ivamere Nataro 15 September 2018, 12:00AM

The World Trade Organisation (W.T.O.) will be reviewing Samoa’s trade policy this year since becoming a member in 2012.

Faustin MukelaLuanga, Counsellor and Head of the Asia and Pacific Desk of the W.T.O. Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation, said the organisation will look at how successful Samoa has been since joining the organisation. 

“Since they (Samoa) have graduated from Least Developed Country (L.D.C.) status, it means that trade has been positive to them because before they joined, it was not a developing country,” Mr. Luanga said. 

“We have seen how successful W.T.O. has been, example when China joined in 2009, it was number nine, now China is almost number two. So openness to trade and joining the big organisation provides security, stability to the market and credibility to the policies, which is very good for the small countries where they can make their voice heard.”

Mr. Luanga said Samoa’s review includes looking at the consistency of trade policy, how and if the objectives stated by Samoa are realistic. 

“In the review we will also consider if the policies Samoa is using allows them to achieve their objective. 

“We will look at the trade regime from the production side, export side and import side as well. We will see if the different laws dealing on Samoa made in such a way that will push production, such laws include the competition law, the property law, investment law, several types of law.

“We will also go on sector by sector to see if the sector and the objectives stated and the policy instrument the Government are using will help Samoa achieve the stated objective they are working towards.”

Mr. Luanga said Samoa will be presenting its report next year in Geneva.

By Ivamere Nataro 15 September 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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