Alamanuia ma Tupe Teufa'afaigaluega · Industry & investment
Industry & investment
Invest in Samoa, industry development, the Trade Commerce & Manufacturing Sector Plan, and duty-free importation.
We facilitate investment into Samoa and support local industry development. We deliver the Trade, Commerce and Manufacturing (TCM) Sector Plan, process duty-free importation applications, and promote Samoa as an investment destination through partnerships with the Samoa Trade Portal.
Invest in Samoa
Samoa offers foreign and domestic investors a stable, democratic environment, a skilled and English-speaking workforce, and strategic location in the Pacific. Our Investment Promotion team provides one-stop facilitation for investors — from pre-investment advice through to permits, licences, and operational support.
Priority sectors currently include tourism and hospitality, fisheries and aquaculture, agribusiness, ICT and business process outsourcing, light manufacturing, renewable energy, and creative industries.
Forms & downloads
Industry Development
Our Industry Development program works alongside Samoa's private sector to support value-added production, upskilling, and market expansion. We partner with the Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters (SAME), Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), and other private sector bodies to ensure policy reflects industry realities.
Services include firm-level diagnostics, cluster support, market linkage programs, and access to the Industry Development Fund for qualifying activities.
Duty-free importation
Duty-free importation for qualifying industries has been part of Samoa's industry policy framework since the Industrial Development Act 1984. Today, the operational mechanism is the Duty Concession Scheme, administered under the Customs Amendment Acts 2007 and 2022 and associated regulations — see the schemes section below.
About these scheme summaries. The descriptions below summarise the Ministry's published policy on each scheme. For authoritative Act texts, current section numbers, full eligibility criteria, and the most recent amendments, consult the Samoa Gazette or contact MCIL directly via the sidebar.
Duty Concession Scheme
The Duty Concession Scheme assists eligible businesses in the Manufacturing, Tourism, Agriculture, and Fisheries sectors by allowing the importation of materials on a duty-free basis.
The scheme operates under the Customs Amendment Act 2007 (Section 163A), the Customs Amendment Act 2022 (Section 127A), the Customs (Tourism and Manufacturing Development) Regulations 2010, and the Customs (Tourism and Manufacturing Development) Amendment Regulations 2019.
Approved manufacturers must demonstrate significant local value addition and employment generation. To apply for duty concession status:
- Submit a business plan showing your manufacturing activity, imported inputs, local value added, and employment impact.
- Applications are reviewed jointly by MCIL and the Ministry of Customs and Revenue.
Contact MCIL via the sidebar for the Duty Concession Scheme Application Form and Guidelines.
Forms & downloads
- Duty Concession Scheme — Brochure (PDF)
- Duty Concession Scheme — Application Form & Guidelines (PDF)
Code 121
Code 121 supports the development of selected domestic industries by exempting customs duty (from 8% to 0%) on imported raw materials and inputs.
Eligible categories include Commercial Poultry Farmers, Commercial Manufacturers of Agricultural Products, Commercial Handicraft Manufacturers, and Commercial Elei Garment Manufacturers.
The scheme operates under the Customs Tariff Amendment Act 2008. Approval is required before duty-free importation can begin — contact MCIL for the Code 121 Guideline and Application Form.
Forms & downloads
Aviation Transport Development Scheme
The Aviation Transport Development Scheme encourages the development of Samoa's aviation transport sector by exempting customs duty on approved aircraft and parts imported by small aircraft carriers.
The scheme operates under the Customs Amendment Act 2007 (Section 163A) and the Customs (Aviation Transport Development) Regulation 2012.
To be eligible, an applicant's project must:
- Benefit the economy of Samoa and serve the public interest.
- Be new to Samoa, and either establish a new travel route or re-establish a route no longer serviced.
- Be operated by an applicant who does not run aviation transport services in any other country.
Contact MCIL for the Aviation Transport Development Guidelines and Application Form.
Forms & downloads
- Aviation Transport Development Scheme — Brochure (PDF)
- Duty Concession Scheme — Aviation Transport Development Guidelines (PDF)
MSME Development Policy and Strategy
The MSME Development Policy and Strategy recognises the importance of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to Samoa's economy.
Vision. Samoa will have a sustainable and globally competitive MSME sector that contributes to growth in GDP, employment, and exports.
The Policy supports MSME growth through partnerships with the private sector, capacity-building programmes, and improved access to finance and markets.
Forms & downloads
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Policy and Strategy (PDF)
- MSME Policy — Brochure (PDF)
National Industry Development Policy and Strategy (NIDPS) FY2024/25 – FY2033/34
The National Industry Development Policy and Strategy (NIDPS) sets Samoa's ten-year framework for diversified industrial growth, addressing post-COVID recovery and long-term productivity improvements.
Vision. Accelerated transformation of priority industries where Samoa has a potential competitive advantage that contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
NIDPS's ten-year horizon is the first phase of a multi-decade process to transform Samoa's economy towards more productive and profitable industries. The strategy is operationalised through the Trade, Commerce and Manufacturing (TCM) Sector Plan 2024/25 – 2028/29 — see below.
Forms & downloads
Trade, Commerce & Manufacturing Sector Plan
MCIL leads the Trade, Commerce and Manufacturing Sector — one of Samoa's 14 development sectors and the lead implementer of Key Priority Area 9 (Business Innovation and Growth) under the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2021/22–2025/26. The Sector Plan 2024/25 – 2028/29, the third strategic plan for the sector, sets out shared goals with industry partners to grow productive capacity, deepen market linkages, and build resilient supply chains using a sector-wide approach to planning.
Vision
Sustainable production, trade, commerce and manufacturing for growth and a resilient and vibrant economy.
The plan's long-term goal is to cultivate the full potential of trade, commerce and manufacturing for the benefit of all.
Six strategic outcomes
- Improve productivity, manufacturing and trade activities.
- Enhance exports and market access.
- Increase sustainable business development and employment generation.
- Advance the efficacy of the sector infrastructure.
- Foster resilience and recovery in response to shocks and stressors.
- Strengthen an enabling environment for sector development.
MCIL's near-term operational focus within these outcomes includes formalising informal manufacturers, boosting export readiness, strengthening standards and certification, integrating women and youth enterprise, and improving trade data.
Governance & coordination
Implementation is overseen by the TCM Sector Steering Committee (TCMSSC), co-chaired by MCIL and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reporting through the Cabinet Development Committee. MCIL's Policy, Planning and Project Management Division (PPPMD) serves as Secretariat and coordinates sector activities day-to-day. Six Sector Working Groups — one per strategic outcome — bring technical expertise from government, the private sector, and civil society into implementation.
Sector members include:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Ministry of Finance
- Ministry of Customs and Revenue
- Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
- Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure
- Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture
- Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
- Public Service Commission
- Office of the Attorney General
- Samoa Bureau of Statistics
- Central Bank of Samoa
- Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa
- Samoa Tourism Authority
- National University of Samoa
- Samoa Business Hub
- Samoa Export Authority
- Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters
- Women In Business Development Incorporated
- Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations
Sector coordination forum: MCIL's PPPMD coordinates the TCM Sector Steering Committee (TCMSSC) and its six Sector Working Groups, bringing together government, private sector, and civil society members to track plan progress and resolve bottlenecks.