The Samoa Government has launched its E-Commerce Strategy with a senior Pacific Islands Forum official giving the roadmap the thumbs up.

Pacific Islands Forum Director Operations, Apaitia Veiogo, told officials while speaking at the official launching of Samoa's E-Commerce Strategy last Friday that while the COVID-19 pandemic is phasing, the potential of e-commerce remains unaffected due to consumer preferences.

"While the pandemic phases out, the potential of e-commerce remains unaffected because consumer preferences have shifted on a permanent basis as a result of COVID-19," Mr. Veiogo said.

"Samoa’s E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap is a timely opportunity to accelerate economic recovery, promote resilience and inclusive trade development."

Mr. Veiogo said e-commerce is a priority for everyone in the region as it is aligned to the technology and connectivity thematic area of the Blue Pacific 2050 Strategy approved by Pacific leaders. It is also reflected as a priority under the Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy (PAfTS) 2020-2025. 

In August 2021 Pacific Trade Ministers approved the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap, which he indicated the Secretariat has since supported and coordinated its implementation, including by supporting the development of harmonised National E-commerce Strategies for Forum Island Countries including Samoa.

The Secretariat, with financing support from Australia, is very proud to have contributed to the development of the Samoa’s E-commerce Strategy, Mr. Veiogo emphasised. 

"PIFS has worked closely with the Government and its Partners to direct the work of our consultants so that the Samoa E-commerce Strategy is of a high-quality and aligns with model established by the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap. 

"This will not only provide consistency across the region but will also give Samoa access to a range of tools and support available from our Partners during the implementation stage. 

"I wish to congratulate the Government of Samoa and all stakeholders involved for the successful completion of this Strategy and Roadmap."

Mr. Veiogo added that at the regional level, the Secretariat complements its support to Samoa through a suite of regional products including the Pacific E-commerce Portal, the Pacific E-commerce Dataset, the online course on E-commerce Disciplines for Policy Makers, and its brand-new series of Business Toolkits for Pacific Businesses – including the three toolkits recently developed for Samoa. 

"We are looking forward to continuing expanding the suit of our services to respond to the demand of our members and the directions of the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap."

The Minister of Commerce Industry and Labour, Leatinu’u Wayne So’oialo and the Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Emily Luck were official guests at the launching of the Samoa Government's E-Commerce Strategy.