Recognise, encourage and stimulate exports

By Lautafi Fio Purcell 21 June 2018, 12:00AM

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour

Remarks at Samoa Exports Awards


I am honored and humbled to present the opening remarks at this very important event, the Samoa Exports Awards 2018. 

The large number of guests tonight is a true reflection of the value that the business community, Government, Development partners and our country attaches to this Event. It’s also testimony of the true spirit of Public, Private Partnership in Samoa.

We are gathered here tonight to recognize, encourage, stimulate, raise more awareness of Samoan products and services, and to celebrate the efforts of the private sector in increasing and improving Samoa’s export drive. 

May I at the outset congratulate the private sector through the Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters (S.A.M.E.) for initiating this Award programme under the ‘SAME Samoa Export Plan 2016-2020’ which is also consistent with the key outcomes 3 & 5 of the ‘Strategy for the Development of Samoa, pertaining to ‘Exports Products Increased & Participation of Private Sector in Development Enhanced’, respectively.

Let me also take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the organizers, sponsors and participants of this prestigious event. 

To all the businesses that are participating in this year’s Export Awards, today is an important day, which determines who the actual winners are for the different categories. It is indeed an important milestone, however it is not the ending but an opportunity to reflect on what we have done so well; where we need to improve some more; and how best to further enhance our business strategies with sound utilization of limited resources in order to fully maximize on our comparative advantage. 

To secure a fair share of the export markets requires ongoing drive for excellence in our export efforts. 

Samoa’s geographic isolation from major export markets, strict quarantine requirements and our vulnerability to natural disasters and external shocks continues to be some of the main challenges that our exporters are battling with in the field. In view of these challenges, therefore, ‘Samoan made products & services” should be competent at the international front. 

Export businesses should consistently comply with international standards. As well as the production of innovative and quality products that are marketable and sustainable. Effective market plans and strategies are to be developed and implemented to reflect our comparative advantages, with the ultimate objective of achieving favorable returns and profits. 

Relatively increased earnings from exports are critical in offsetting the cost of importing goods and capital items that we need but we cannot produce in our country.  Therefore, Samoa’s future prosperity, employment creation and economic growth depend on the success of products and services that are produced by the private sector.  Thus exports are critical to stimulating economic growth for our country. 

In saying that, therefore, highlights the critical importance of strengthening the export sector for the benefit our economy, thus all businesses in Samoa are encouraged to look and take advantage of opportunities beyond our national boarders’. 

For a small business, the road to international markets can be shaky, often requiring outside assistance. 

Therefore, to achieve all of these requires a dynamic private sector, with collaborative support from Government and development partners at all levels. 

Fortunately, we are all here tonight so please remember that your help is very much needed to boost the export efforts of our private sector. It’s only when we are able to achieve a strengthened export sector that we will be able to say that we have advanced towards true economic independence. 

Since 2010, Government has implemented several specific measures to enhance the trade and investment climate of Samoa. Furthermore Government in partnership with the private sector and our development partners has prioritized the Trade, Commerce and Manufacturing Sector Plan 2018-2021, and other support programs by significantly increasing the resources channeled into research and product development. 

This is fitting, as both developing innovative products and upholding the marketability of traditional products requires heavy investment in product development. 

Tonight we will honor several export businesses with Awards in different categories for Exports; as well as all businesses who are taking part in the 2018 awards which demonstrates a sustained commitment towards contributing to Samoa’s economy through Export. All export businesses are encouraged to participate in similar programs in the future for reasons as highlighted earlier. 

It is therefore, with great honor that I declare the 2018 Export Awards Open. Let’s celebrate. 

Award and Winners

 

Best Agriculture & Fisheries Export Award

• 1st Runner up – Wilex Samoa Ltd

• Winner – Pacific Oil/Serendi Coco Samoa Ltd

 

Best Value Added 

Export Award

• 1st Runner up – Mailelani Samoa

• Winner – Krissy Company Ltd

 

Best Export Support Services Award

• 1st Runner up – Samoa Tradition Farmers & Growers

• Winner – Pacific Oil/Serendi Coco Ltd

 

Best Emerging 

Exporter Award

• 1st Runner up – Wilex Samoa Ltd

• Winner – Samoa Tradition Farmers & Growers

 

Best Innovation Award

• Winner – Mailelani Samoa

 

Excellence in Export Marketing

• 1st Runner up – Samoa Shipping Services

• Winner – Krissy Company Ltd

 

Women in Exports Award

• Winner – Sylvie Salanoa of Mailelani Samoa

 

Overall Exporter of the Year Award

Winner – Krissy Company Ltd

By Lautafi Fio Purcell 21 June 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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