State of Samoa
Capital: Apia HDI: 0.702 (105th)
Language: English, Samoan
GDP (PPP): $1.046 billion
Currency: Tala
Population: 194,899
The Independent State of Samoa, commonly known as Samoa and, until 1997, known as Western Samoa, is a unitary parliamentary democracy with eleven administrative divisions. The two main islands are Savai’i and Upolu with four smaller islands surrounding the landmasses. The capital city is Apia. The Lapita people discovered and settled the Samoan islands around 3,500 years ago. They developed a unique language and cultural identity.
Western Samoa was admitted to the United Nations on 15 December 1976.The entire island group, which includes American Samoa, was called “Navigator Islands” by European explorers before the 20th century because of the Samoans’ seafaring skills. Official languages are English and Samoan (Gagana Fa’asāmoa), which is also spoken in American Samoa.
RESEARCH
Economic Overview
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Samoa: Economy | Asian Development Bank
https://www.adb.org/countries/samoa/economy
Projected growth in FY2017 has been revised up on expectations of continuing strong performance in fisheries, tourism, and construction, though the recent decline in manufactured goods other than food is expected to continue.
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Samoa Economy 2016, CIA World Factbook
http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/samoa/samoa_economy.html
The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, and fishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs roughly two-thirds of the labor force and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra.
Industry Trends & Business Climate
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SAMOA – Encyclopedia of the Nations
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Samoa.html
Dated commentary on the basic components of the Samoa economy
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Doing Business in Samoa – World Bank Group
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/samoa
This World Bank site ranks Samoa with other world economies for ease of doing business
Establishing a Presence
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Starting a Business in Samoa
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/samoa/starting-a-business
This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Samoa.
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Samoa Company Formation with Starting Business
https://www.startingbusiness.com/product/view/samoa/samoa-ibc
This site describes the steps and costs related to forming an International Business Company (IBC) in Samoa
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How to Register a Company | Samoa Company Registry
https://www.companies.gov.ws/how-to-register-a-company/
The steps required to register a company in Samoa from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour
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Starting a Business in Samoa
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/samoa/starting-a-business
This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Samoa.
Taxes
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samoa tax information
http://www.knowyourcountry.com/samoa3.html
Sales Tax Rate / VAT – 12.5% / 15%
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Samoa Corporate Tax Rate | 2006-2016
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/samoa/corporate-tax-rate
The Corporate Tax Rate in Samoa stands at 27 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Samoa averaged 27.18 percent from 2006 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 29.00 percent in 2006 and a record low of 27.00 percent in 2007.
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Tax Rates – Ministry for Revenue
http://www.revenue.gov.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65:tax-rat&catid=2:mfr&Itemid=198
A resident company is charged at the rate of 27% in its global taxable income while non-resident is charged at the rate of 27% on its taxable income derived from the Samoa source.
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Samoa Personal Income Tax Rate | 2004-2016
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/samoa/personal-income-tax-rate
The Personal Income Tax Rate in Samoa stands at 27 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Samoa averaged 27.00 percent from 2004 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 27.00 percent in 2005 and a record low of 27.00 percent in 2005.
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Samoa Personal Income Tax Rate Forecast 2016-2020
Samoa Personal Income Tax Rate Forecast 2016-2020
In the long-term, the Samoa Personal Income Tax Rate is projected to trend around 27.00 percent in 2020, according to our econometric models.
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Paying Taxes in Samoa
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/samoa/paying-taxes
This site provides a detailed summary of the taxes and mandatory contributions that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a given year, as well as administrative burden in paying taxes and complying with postfiling procedures.
Visas
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Samoa Visa and Passport Requirements
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/samoa/passport-visa
Samoa visa and passport requirements & Embassy and Colsulate addresses. Full detail on passports, visas and entry requirements for Samoa, including types, costs
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Samoa Visa: Application, Requirements
https://samoa.visahq.com/
Comprehensive Information on Samoa Visa Requirements
Infrastructure
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Transportation In Samoa – MakeMyTrip
https://www.makemytrip.com/holidays-international/transportation-in-samoa.html
Transportation in Samoa is fairly easy to avail. Roads and local rails are the best way to move from one point in Samoa to another.
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Samoa — Transportation – Experiential Travel Guides
http://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/australia-and-south-pacific/samoa/transportation
Samoa Taxis and Car Rental. Taxis are very cheap in Samoa. They are generally found in the main cities and towns on Upolu and Savaii.
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Telecommunications in Samoa – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_in_Samoa
This dated (2009) site is about communications systems in Samoa
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Office of the Regulator
http://regulator.gov.ws/
The Office of the regulator is responsible for the telecom industry and services in Samoa
Employer Obligations
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New labour laws for Samoa
http://www.clarkelawyers.net/new-labour-laws-for-samoa/
This site describes the changes enacted by the Labour & Employment Relations Act 2013
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Guide to Law Online: Samoa
http://loc.gov/law/help/guide/nations/samoa.php
Information on the laws of Samoa from the US Library of Congress
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New labour laws for Samoa
http://www.clarkelawyers.net/new-labour-laws-for-samoa/
This site describes the changes enacted by the Labour & Employment Relations Act 2013
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Guide to Law Online: Samoa
http://loc.gov/law/help/guide/nations/samoa.php
Information on the laws of Samoa from the US Library of Congress
Culture/Living
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Cost of Living in Samoa. 2016 prices
https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/samoa
Cost of living comparisons in more than 1,600 cities all over the world.
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Cost of Living in Samoa | Peter Vandever
http://petervandever.com/cost-of-living-in-samoa-is-craziness/
Do you want to move to Samoa but want to know the cost of living there? Get ready because it is not cheap. There is one for the locals, the Samoans, and there is another for everyone else
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Samoa – Culture, Customs & Etiquette
http://guide.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=234
Guide to travel, doing business, and studying in Samoa – culture, greetings, gestures,etiquette, taboos, negotiations, gift-giving, and more
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Samoan Etiquette: Mind your body parts
http://1samoana.com/samoan-etiquette-mind-your-body-parts/
Some etiquette dos and don’ts in Samoa are discussed on this site
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Samoa Public Holidays 2017
http://www.qppstudio.net/publicholidays2017/samoa.htm
Samoa 2017 bank holidays and Samoa 2017 nationalholidays
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Central Intelligence Agency: The World Factbook: Samoa
Central Intelligence Agency: The World Factbook: Samoa
See “People and Society” on this CIA site
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Demographics of Samoa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Samoa
This site describes the demographic features of the population of Samoa, includingpopulation density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace
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Weather and Climate: Samoa
https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine-in-Samoa
The weather in Samoa can be called tropical. You will find year round sunshine with temperatures rarely dropping below 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) by day and sea temperatures averaging around 24 degrees Celsius (75° Fahrenheit). This site includes links to weather in various Samoa cities.
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Weather in Samoa, Samoa’s climate
http://www.statravel.com.au/samoa-climate.htm
Samoa’s climate is tropical all year round with two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from May to October while the wet season is from November to April.
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Samoa – State
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/samoa.html
See “Safety and Security” on this US Department of State site
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Samoa travel advice – GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/samoa/safety-and-security
Latest travel advice for Samoa including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health
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Samoa Education System
http://www.classbase.com/Countries/Samoa/Education-System
The literacy rate is estimated to be 97% in Samoa, where education is provided by the state in tandem with 5 religious missions
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Samoa | Education Policy Data Center
http://www.epdc.org/country/samoa
Although school fees are not charged, families are expected to contribute to maintenance and other school costs. Students sit for a national placement exam for secondary school at the end of grade 8
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Samoa Public Holidays 2016 and 2017
http://publicholidays.asia/samoa/
Discover the complete list of Samoa’s public holidays for 2016 and 2017
Trade
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Samoa Customs Regulations
https://samoa.visahq.com/customs/
Samoa Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods at border.
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Samoa Customs, Currency & Airport Tax regulations
http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/WS-Samoa-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm
Customs information for individuals entering Samoa
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Customs: Regulations, Export-Import
https://cape-verde.visahq.com/customs/
A summary of import and export regulations
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Trade Agreements – Samoa Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
http://www.mfat.gov.ws/trade/trade-agreements/
A listing of trade agreements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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WTO | Samoa – Member information
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/samoa_e.htm
This site provides key information on Samoa’s participation in the WTO. Samoa has been a member of WTO since 10 May 2012.
Housing and Rentals
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The 10 Best Hotels in Samoa
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g294137-Samoa-Hotels.html
Find 8,655 traveler reviews, candid photos, and prices for 54hotels in Samoa.
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Budget Accommodation in Samoa
http://www.samoa.travel/accommodation/budget-accommodation-in-samoa
Find and book budget accommodation in Samoa. Have a South Pacific getaway without blowing your budget.
Travel
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Samoa Travel Guide and Travel Information
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/samoa
Expert Samoa travel guide including detailed information about everything you need to know about Samoa.
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Samoa 2016: Best of Samoa Tourism
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294137-Samoa-Vacations.html
TripAdvisor has 20,114 reviews of Samoa Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Samoa resource.
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