In a significant move towards economic empowerment and sustainable development, the Government of Samoa announced the launch of its new National Industry Development Policy & Strategies (NIDPS) FY2024/2025 – FY2033/2034.
The Policy was launched on Friday 29th November 2024 at Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, with stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as development partners in attendance.
It was developed under the assistance of the Government of New Zealand through the Private Sector Development Program (PSDP). Her Excellency Ms. Si’alei Van Toor, High Commissioner of New Zealand to Samoa, also spoke of the importance of this Policy and working in partnership with the Government of Samoa to support private sector development.
The vision of the NIDPS is: “Accelerated transformation of priority industries where Samoa has a potential competitive advantage that contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”
The need to develop a NIDPS was first identified in the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study Update (DTISU) 2016. This became a prioritised intervention in the Trade, Commerce and Manufacturing (TCM) Sector Plan 2017/18 – 2020/21.
The Policy adopts a broad definition of what comprises “industry” – namely any private sector/business activity other than subsistence agriculture/fishing and other non-commercial household-level activities.
The Chief Executive Officer, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, stated in his keynote remarks, “The NIDPS horizon of ten years is seen as the first phase of a multi-decade process to transform Samoa’s economy towards more productive and profitable industries. The immediate/short-term objective of the NIDPS is to support the post-COVID-19 recovery agenda in ways that enhance the long term productivity and competitiveness of the Samoan industry. Short-term emergency response measures and social protection initiatives are not included in the Policy.”
The Policy interlinks with all the five Key Strategic Outcomes of the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2021/22 – 2025-26. It contains five thematic goals to support industry development:
1. Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
2. Diversification and Productivity.
3. Infrastructure and Services.
4. Partnerships for Industry Development.
5. Develop Skilled Labour Force.
The CEO of MCIL thanked the Government of New Zealand for their continuous support and commitment in developing the Private Sector in Samoa, the consultants David Young and Benjamin Harding, and all stakeholders for their contribution towards developing Samoa’s first ever National Industry Development Policy and Strategy.
“The most challenging next step now is to ensure that the policy is implemented successfully. As this is a national policy, I therefore urge our stakeholders especially the key implementing agencies to lend your support and commitment to work together in partnership and as one Government to take forward the identified interventions.” – Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, CEO of MCIL.
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