WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/IF/31
2 April 1998
(98-1335)
Committee on Trade and Development
Integrated Framework for Trade-RelatedTechnical AssistanceOriginal:  English
TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS-ASSESSMENT
PRESENTED BY SAMOA
INTEGRATED RESPONSES BY IMF, ITC, UNCTAD,
UNDP, WORLD BANK AND WTO1
SAMOA
                                                     
1Published pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 5 (e) of the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related
Technical Assistance (WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1).WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 2
A. Trade policy
(a) What are the sectors that you believe have unexploited or underexploited export
potential?
The Government's Statement of Economic Strategy for 1996-1997 emphasised the
development of traditional and non-tradditional agricultural products, which have export potential.
However to date there has been very little export of products other than in a small group of traditionalitems.
Sectors of importance include agricultural processing, certain high value added marine
products, handicrafts, tourism and the service and financial sectors.
(b) Could you please define your country's pers pective of the reasons for any changes in the
structure and direction of exports and imports?
Exports have mainly been directed to traditional markets such as New Zealand and Australia
particularly to the Pacific Island population in markets.  The same also applies for imports.  This hasbeen the case because these markets demand the products available from Samoa and also because of
the proximity of Samoa to these markets.  Few exports go to the USA Mainland market mainly on the
west coast with very little to European and Asian markets.  Furthermore, preferential arrangements
such as SPARTECA allow exports to be concentrated in the above traditional markets.
However, the needs for diversification of markets and the emergence of Asian markets is
recognised.  The decreasing significance of preferential arrangements such as SPARTECA and
Lome IV and the emergence of tree trade policies, has caused Samoa to examine other potential
markets.  However, with a limited resource base, the possibilities of diversification seem limited.
(c) What have been the objectives of trade po licy in the most recen t period, compared to,
say, two decades ago?
The development of down-stream processing of finished products for exports to obtain higher
value and also the development of the manufacturing sector concentrating on light manufacturing
(assembling) and labour intensive operations with export potential has been one of the main
objectives of Samoa's trade policies.  More recently, the development of the service sector for export
is also becoming very important particularly with the opportunities for export.  Prior to that, policies
concentrated on the export of fresh produce which have proved to be susceptible to cyclones and
fluctuations in world prices.
(d) What are the Ministries in charge of trade policy matters, including formulation,
implementation, enforcement and monitoring? How is coordination made?  What are the
respective roles of the relevant Ministries (give particular attention to tariff policies and otherpolicies directly affecting exports and imports of goods and services)?
The Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry is responsible for the development of
international trade policy and others relating to trade.  The Treasury Department is responsible for
policies and strategies of government on a wider spectrum for the whole country's economic
development.  The Central Bank monitors and issue export licensing for all exports.  Customs
Department is responsible for the collection of import duties and excise taxes, and also manages duty
drawbacks.  The revenue Board within the Finance Ministry is responsible for reviewing importtariffs.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 3
(e) How are the private sector and academic in stitutions associated with the formulation
and conduct of trade policy?
The Trade, Commerce and Industry Development Board which includes representation from
government and private sector provides a Forum for discussion of Trade and Investment Policy issues.
Academic institutions are consulted where appropriate.
(f) What are the institutions in your country th at can play a role in implementation of a
trade-related project at the local level?  State their respective roles.
In many cases, private sector Associations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
the Manufacturers Association and Women in Business Foundation assist in the implementation of
such projects.
(g) What are the main laws and regulations de aling with trade policy - on exports and
imports?  Please provide a short description of each.
Trade, Commerce and Industry Act 1990
Enterprise Incentives and Export Promotion Act 1992/1993
Customs Tariff Act 1975 and Amendments in 1997
Commerce Act 1978
(h) What are the main instruments of trade policy - on exports and imports?  Please
elaborate (e.g. on import restrictions, the questions might be:  on what products are there anyimport bans; on what products are there quantitative import restrictions; licensing
requirements, etc.; what is the highest tariff ra te currently in use; are there any excise taxes,
other "domestic" taxes that are applied differenti ally to imported goods, or to goods of a type
that are principally imported?).
(i) Imports:  there are no direct restrictions on import other than that government
controls the distribution of certain products such as the Liquor Control Board which
controls the prices of certain commodities.
Tariffs:
- Harmonised System (HS) is effective as from 1 July 1997.  Import duty is
assessed on cost-insurance-freight (cif) basis;
- in view of tariffs being the principal revenue earner for Government the
present system attempts to impose high rates of duty particularly on tobacco,
liquor, vehicles and luxury products;
- excise tax is applied extensively to a range of products, with high rates on
tobacco and alcohol products, domestic appliance, motor vehicles and a rangeof luxury goods.
Exemptions:
Enterprises with an Approval Order issued under the Enterprises Incentives
and Export Promotions Act are entitled to full or partial exemption of duty on factory
building materials, plants, machinery, vehicles, equipment and raw materials and
packaging materials for the establishment and/or expansion of enterprises.  Refer to
section 1 for details.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 4
Procedure:
- Importers are required to submit import entries to the Customs Department
for appropriate assessment;
- importers are required to pay full duty based on Custom's assessment.
(ii) Exports:  there are no government fees of levies charged on exports.  An export form
is required to be lodged with the Central Bank for statistical purposes only.
Export receipts from goods shipped to countries other than American Samoa by all
businesses must be surrendered to an authorized bank within three months of the date
of shipment.  Export proceeds from g oods shipped to American Samoa must be
surrendered to an authorized bank with in four weeks from date of shipment.
Duty Drawback System:
Subject to proof being provided.  Customs allows draw back of duty paid on
imported components utilised in items that are subsequently reexported from Samoa.
Export Incentives:
Refer to Section 1 for details of the Enterprises Incentives and Export
Promotions Act which is administrated by the Department of Trade, Commerce and
Industry.
Export Finance Facility:
This scheme assists exporters to obtain credit at concessional interest rates
and is available to all exporters.
It is administered by Central Bank who provide finance to exporters at
9 per cent, i.e. 3 per cent below current commercial rates, through the Commercial
Banks.
Trade Agreements:
Samoa is a party to a number of regional and international trade agreements,
including:
- SPARTECA which provides access to New Zealand and Australian markets
at reduced duty;
- Lome IV which provides access to European markets at reduced duty under
the Lome Convention;
- GSP which provides access to US and other developed countries at reduced
duty.
These schemes all have conditions attached to them by the donor contries.  Reference
should be made to the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry for current
details.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 5
(i) In case you are a WTO Member or are in the process of acceding, how is your country
preparing itself to comply  with the WTO Agreements?
Samoa is anticipating accession to the WTO.  The public sector reforms currently being
undertaken by government will bring most policies in line with the procedures under the WTO
umbrella.  For instance, the strategy of governme nt to reduce tariffs is in line with the WTO
objectives.  Prior to committing to become a member  the implications to Samoa of such a move have
to be analyzed and assessed.  The findings of such a study would form the basis of any
recommendation to be made on any reforms which need to be implemented in order to be consistent
with the Agreements under the WTO.
(j) What is the state of familiarity with the WTO framework:
- among government and government-related agencies?
- in the private sector?
The Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry is very much aware of the WTO
framework as this Department has been given the mandate by governments to prepare Samoa to
become a member to the WTO.  Other Departments involved in the process include Customs, Central
Bank, Agriculture, Justice and Attorney General.  Information has been submitted to these
Departments for their preparations on areas relevant to them.
The private sector has also been briefed but to a limited extent.  The Department conducted a
small workshop for government officials and private sector representatives on the general framework
of the WTO and also the general implications it will have once the country becomes a member.
Information on WTO and newsletters are also being sent to key private sector association for
their attention.
(k) What are your technical assistance require ments with regard to your compliance with
the WTO Agreements?
- Review of existing legislation to determine where changes will be required to comply
with WTO Agreements;
- assistance to the private sector to increase their understanding of the implications of
Samoa joining the WTO;
- assistance to private sector companies to overcome short-term difficulties with
changes brought about by compliance with WTO Agreement.
- technical assistance to prepare Samoa and to guide in negotiating process to become a
member;
- technical assistance in Samoa's ongoing involvement with the WTO.
(l) In which specific areas of the WTO Agreements do you have technical assistance needs
(e.g. market access, agriculture, rules (anti-dumpin g, subsidies, import licensing, rules of origin,
safeguards etc.), TBT and SPS, Services, TRIPs)?
Technical assistance is requires in all areas with special emphasis on specialised areas such as
TRIPS, SPS, TRIMS, etc.
(i) Trade in Goods:
- Agriculture;
- Trade Related Investment Measures;WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 6
- Rules of Origin;
- Custom valuation;
- Technical Barriers to Trade;
- Anti-Dumping Practices;
- Import licensing;
- Safeguards.
(ii) Trade in Services:
- Trade in Financial Services;
- Professional Services;
- Movement of Natural Persons;
- Basic Telecommunications
(iii) Trade Polices (reforms required for governments to take once they become a member
of the WTO).
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property.
(m) What is your assessment of your existing trade analysis and negotiating capacities, both
multilateral and bilateral, in areas already co vered by the WTO Agreements and other trade-
related areas, e.g. competition policy and trade and environment?
Our existing trade analysis and negotiating capacities both multilateral and bilateral is
minimal.
B. Obstacles to trade expansion
Obstacles to trade encompassing problems in export markets, infrastructure, human
capacities, institutional bottlenecks, trade financing problems and gaps in trade information can
inhibit a least-developed country from taking full advantage of trading opportunities.
Supply constraints, including institutional bottlenecks
(a) What are the main bottlenecks inhibiting the development of sustained export capacity
of goods and services (e.g. customs facilitation, freight charges, quality management,
elimination of cumbersome legal and administrative procedures, paucity of human skills, access
at international prices to imported inputs, or inadequate telecommunication, port and transport
facilities etc.)?
- Land-locked countries may face addition al problems, such as having to ship
using costly or unreliable transport and ports systems.  In case this applies toyour country, please indicate such problems.  What kind of technical assistance
would help you work out these problems?
- Lack of awareness of international quality management systems;
- limited access to update information on overseas markets and prices;
- freight costs too high and inconvenient scheduling;
- susceptibility/vulnerability to natural disasters;
- non tariff barriers such as unclear quarantine regulations from export markets;
- lack of technological skills;
- lack of awareness of tariff requirements of other countries;- limited market access due to marginalisation of benefits under Preferential Trade
Agreements;
- cumbersome procedures for export;
- limited airfreight capacity.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 7
(b) Are there any institutional bottlenecks, wh ich may impede the efficient conduct of your
country's trade policies?  Provide details. For example, what are the problems perceived by the
different actors, e.g. exporters, producers, service providers (banks, insurance companies,
quality control, transporters etc), professional associations and Ministries?  Are problems
mainly perceived in the area of:
(i) human resources(ii) management of the institution
(iii) financial and material resources
(iv) communication
- Industry policy not transparent;  weak information base for policy formulation and
lack of transparency in regulatory and administrative system;
- lack of entrepreneurship and professional skills;
- lack of private sector investment for on-the-job training for new and existing
industries;
- limited availability and application of export finance and required working capital;
- non existent of National Quality and Standards Institution;
- limited coordination amongst agencies involved in training;
- insufficient support from agencies such as freight forwarding agencies and paperless
transactions.
(c) What are the main bottlenecks to export diversification?
- Narrow resource base;
- lack of diversified range of products and services for exports;
- inadequate financing facilities not responding to the needs of exporters;- limitations on packaging expertise;
- limited infrastructural support;
- limited knowledge of export market requirements
- lack of commitment from suppliers to diversify into other products opportunities;
- high cost of obtaining knowledge about export opportunities e.g. attendance on
International Trade Fairs.
(d) If investment in the production of goods a nd services is inadequate, what are the main
reasons?  Please elaborate them (e.g. structural constraints, difficulties in attracting foreign
investment, limited enterprise development, financing, lack of appropriate technology, etc)
- Limited access to industrial finance for both investment and working capital;
- limited investment opportunities available due to narrow resource base;
- difficult to attract foreign investment on areas/opportunities available for export;
- limited primary industry infrastructural support and production capability;
- insufficient skills by local project developers in preparing investment proposals;
- small number of local entrepreneurs who are prepared to take risks;
- costs associated with international investment promotion;
- unavailability of equity capital.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 8
(e) Is there a national policy to encourage export-related investment opportunities?  Please
elaborate.  What arrangements are in place fo r reviewing, drafting and negotiating contractual
arrangements with foreign investors?
The Enterprise Incentives and Export Promotion Act 1992/1993 offers incentives to investors
who export 95 per cent or more of their products and also those who manufacture for the domestic
market.
Foreign investors are encouraged to work with government agencies such as Department of
Trade, Commerce and Industry, in preparing their investment proposals.
(f) What are the main obstacles to the transfer, development and acquisition of technology?
Is there any national policy/strategy in this area?  Please elaborate.
- Small size of business means that the resources to acquire or develop technology can
not be provided from within companies;
- few external service providers are available locally;- very low levels of capitalization of local companies;
- low awareness of the benefits of technology;
- low awareness of the innovation process in government and in education facilities;
- few local companies have any linkages with international companies.
(g) What are your technical assistance or oth er assistance needs with respect to supply
constraints.
- Training is required in several areas such  as technology awareness, entrepreneurship
and innovation;
- technical assistance on identification of export opportunities and awareness on
international trade issues;
- technical assistance for the development of new product based on local resources;
- technical assistance in risk capital and development finance;
- technical assistance in the development of information technology for exporters.
Trade Promotion and Trade Support Services
Trade promotion comprises an integrated set of technical and financial services to enhance the
global competitiveness of enterprises and thus facilitate their entry and increasing participation in
international trade.
(h) Do your enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, experience difficulties in
expanding their exports?  What are these problems in the major export sectors?
Yes (mostly same as the problems stated earlier).
- Limited capital available;
- technology is also limited;
- insufficient supply of quality raw materials;
- inefficient supply of exports to meet market demand;
- quality of products exported not competitive;
- competition on similar exports from other Pacific Island countries.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 9
(i) What are the problems for your enterprises in obtaining reliable and up-to-date
information on export/import business opportunities?
- Only fewer companies have access to such information on the internet;
- small and medium companies rely on information given to them (not proactive in
seeking such information);
- high costs;- awareness by companies of sources of data.
(j) Can your enterprises offer products of in ternationally acceptable design, quality and
packaging to foreign buyers?  If not, what are the problems?
Local market does not demand international standards of design, quality and packaging
therefore local companies have mostly not developed the ability to comply to these standards.
(k) What problems, other than in terms of trade policy, do you anticipate in developing the
export of services (e.g. computer software, tourism)?
- Supply of skilled personnel;
- brain drain of skilled personnel;
- with a very small market in early stages of development, it is difficult to have all the
required infrastructure/service providers available to be competitive.
- airline schedules inconvenience travellers.
(l) What are the technical/professional problems encountered by trade support institutions
(e.g. trade promotion council, chamber of commerce, exporters association, etc) in your country
in providing their services to export/import enterprises?
 - Lack of coordination amongst trade institutions;
- high cost of providing services;- expectation of private sector that such services will be provided for free.
(m) What problems and deficiencies are experi enced by enterprises in  their international
purchasing and inventory management?
- Freight management and scheduling;
- purchasing power is weak therefore bulk buying is not possible;- limited access to information about sources of raw materials.
(n) What are the present availability and arrangements for trade finance facilities (e.g.
export credit guarantees, etc)?  Are there any perceived deficiencies in this area?
Export Finance Facility available however export finance is limited in availability and
application to export projects especially in the initial set up and development phase.
(o) What are the main problems in the way of  improving export/import management skills
of your business enterprises?  Do you have trai ning programmes in the country?  What are the
deficiencies?
Although training programmes are available, there has been a limited take up of these
opportunities by the private sector, in particular the latter is not willing to invest in it.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 10
(p) Does your trade representation service actively promote your trade?  What are the
weaknesses?
There is substantial improvement required in this area.  There needs to be more coordinated
effort between the private sector and trade representatives in promoting exports products and in
identifying trade opportunities.
(q) Briefly describe your technical assistance needs in the area of trade promotion and
support services.
- Technical assistance in the development of appropriate marketing techniques for
Samoan products e.g. preparation of promotional material, advertising in international
trade directories and internet promotions;
- recruitment and availability of marketing experts in the relevant fields of required
exports;
- market promotion funding based on a success basis.
Market access
(r) What are your main market access problems?
- Lack of resources to negotiate market access;
- limited information on markets and marketing promotions;
- supply constraints;- lack of understanding of quality and reliability factors.
(s) What specific problems or barriers, and in which countries, are most troublesome for
your exporters?
No specific country barriers, however from time to time, problems occur such as different
interpretation of quarantine regulations for the import of some items into different ports in Australia.
(t) Regional and sub-regional trading arrangements (RTAs): please list RTAs to which
your country belongs.  Are you satisfied with th e performance with these RTAs?  Please state
the problems of each.  Do you have suggestions on how to solve these?
SPARTECA and Regional Sugar Agreement however these preferential benefits are marginal.
(u) Are there any problems in utilizing the exis ting market access preferences, such as GSP,
GSTP?  Please state the nature of problems relating to each of these.
- Very few export products to fully utilise preference available;
- exports mainly concentrated to markets in the Pacific rim and very little exports to
markets such as Europe, Japan and North America so preference available are not
fully utilised;
- very little use of GSP by Samoa.
(v) What are your technical assistance needs with respect to market access?
- Market research and availability of market requirements information;
- clear guidelines on restrictions and regulations from overseas markets;
- technical assistance in negotiating market access;
- training and education of private sector on importance of quality and reliability
factors;
- establishment of quality and standards institute.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 11
C. Technical assistance
Technical assistance is normally provided to developing and least-developed countries to
build or enhance their human resources and institutional capacities, provide trade information and
trade-related legal support, as well as improve their supply capabilities in order to make them more
active players in the field of multilateral trade.
(a) To the extent this kind of information is easily available, could you please briefly
describe what trade-related assistance you have received over the past five years from bilateral
and multilateral sources and what projects/programmes are presently under consideration in
this area?
(i) Australian Bilateral Aid Program AusAID Project - Establishment of the Trade and
Investment Promotion Unit within the De partment of Trade, Commerce and Industry
focusing on the promotion of trade and investment in Samoa.
(ii) UNIDO Industrial Policy Constraint Study.(iii) Commonwealth Secretariat - industrial opportunities survey.
(iv) Forum Secretariat - various assistance both technical and financial in trade and
investment and for private sector development.
(v) New Zealand Bilateral Aid Program - NZODA for private sector development
(ongoing).
(b) Please summarize your technical assistance needs as well as other needs as reflected in
this check-list.  Please rank them in terms of priority.
(i) Technical Assistance on Samoa's accession and negotiations to the WTO.
(ii) In country on the job training in the following areas:
- training is required in several areas such as technology awareness,
entrepreneurship and innovation;
- training and education of private sector on importance of quality and
reliability factors;
(iii) Trade and Investment Promotion Developments;
(iv) Development of new products and/or services for export;(v) Development of risk capital and development finance.
(c) In the light of the information you have been able to provide so far in response to the
questions in this check-list, what types of information are, in your view, still missing or could be
improved upon?  In order to assist you in providing this missing information, would you need
technical assistance?
Statistical Base and Analysis of information is required.
(d) Does your country have the technological capacity and human resources to make use of
the new information/ communication technology t ools such as CD-Rom, the Internet etc.?  What
assistance would you need to enable your country to use these tools in the context of training
and, more generally, in the context of trade development?
Yes, however the service is unreliable and offers a very narrow band-width.  The telephone
system is unreliable and expensive.  To enable modern information technology to be fully used, thebasic infrastructure must be to have a totally reliable system at a cost users can afford.  Following this,
assistance would be required in training exporters in the use of this information technology.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 12
INTEGRATED RESPONSES BY IMF, ITC, UNCTAD,
UNDP, WORLD BANK AND WTO
SAMOA1
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A(k):
Technical assistance requirements as
regards compliance with WTO Agreements
1. Review of existing legislation to
determine where changes will be required
to comply with WTO AgreementsWTO Assistance may be provided whenever
appropriate.
2. Assistance to the private sector toincrease their understanding of theimplications of Samoa joining the WTOUNCTAD Training and sensitization seminars on the
implications for the private sector of joiningWTO can be organized.
*
UNDP Through the Pacific sub-regional
Programme on Trade and Investment
(RAS/97/300) UNDP is able to provide
technical guidance and advice to theGovernment in this area.
WTO A national seminar is to be organized in
1998.
3. Assistance to private sector companiesto overcome short term difficulties brought
about by compliance with WTO
AgreementsITC/
UNDPDiscussions are ongoing between ITC and
UNDP on the finalization of a programmeof assistance to the private sector.
                                                     
1It should be noted that the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has decided, in
collaboration with UNDP, to call a meeting of representatives of Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) with
prospective donors.  "To improve the likelihood that such a meeting would result in tangible outcomes, theSIDSs have been requested to prep are a portfolio of documents on priority projects... that cannot be
implemented without the support of external resources beyond those currently envisaged." (UNGA DocumentA/52/319, paras i. to 10.).  The General Assembly welcomed "the need for further collaboration among SIDSs
and agencies funds and programmes of the UN system to facilitate the preparation of project portfolios".
(UNGA RES/52/202).
For SIDSs which are LDCs, it would be desirable to ensure consistency between the above process and the
Integrated Framework process.
*Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 13
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question A(k) (suite):
4. Technical assistance to prepare Samoa
for the accession process and to guideSamoa during accession negotiationsUNCTAD Advice can be provided in this area.
*
UNDP See A(k)2 above.
WTO Assistance may be provided whenever
appropriate after Samoa has formallyapplied for accession to the WTO.
5. Technical assistance in the pre-application process
                                                     
*Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 14
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A(l):
Technical assistance needs as regards
specific WTO AgreementsUNCTAD Training and advisory services on relevant
Agreements and their implications for thecountry can be provided.
*
Agriculture UNDP See A(k)2.
WTO A three-week trade policy course for
English speaking least-developed countrieswill be held in 1998 and 1999.
Specialized regional seminars and/or
workshops in Asia and Pacific region on
WTO provisions will be organized in 1998
or 1999.
Trade Related Investment Measures WTO See above.
Rules of Origin WTO See above.
Customs Valuation WTO See above.
Technical Barriers to Trade WTO See above.
Anti-Dumping Practices WTO See above.
Import Licensing WTO See above.
Safeguards WTO See above.
Financial Services WTO See above.
Professional Services WTO See above.
Basic Telecommunications WTO See above.
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects ofIntellectual Property RightsWTO See above.
Reforms required once Samoa becomes a
WTO MemberWTO Assistance may be provided whenever
appropriate after Samoa has formally
applied for accession to the WTO.
                                                     
*Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 15
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A(m):
Assessment of the existing trade analysis
and negotiating capacities
The existing trade analysis and negotiating
capacities, both multilateral and bilateral,are minimalUNCTAD Training and advisory services can be
organized with a view to strengthening thenational negotiating capacity.
*
UNDP See A(k)2.
WTO The three week Trade policy course (See
A(l)) will reinforce capacity building.
During such a Trade policy course
negotiating capacities will be addressed anda training for a better participation in
multilateral trade negotiations will be
undertaken.
                                                     
*Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 16
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B(g):
Technical assistance needs as regards
supply constraints
Training in areas such as technology
awareness, entrepreneurship andinnovationUNDP See A(k).
Identification of export opportunities and
awareness creation on international tradeissuesITC/
UNDPSee A(k)3.
Development of new products based on
local resources
Risk capital and development finance
Development of information technologyfor exportersWT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 17
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B(q):
Technical assistance needs in the area of
trade promotion and support services
Technical assistance in the development of
appropriate marketing techniques for
Samoan products e.g. preparation of
promotional material, advertising in
international trade directories and internet
promotionITC/
UNDPSee A(k)3.
Recruitment and availability of marketing
experts in relevant export fields
Market promotion funding based onsuccessWT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 18
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B(v):
Technical assistance as regards market
access
Market research and availability of market
informationUNCTAD TRAINS CD-Rom will continue to be
provided.
ITC/UNDPSee A(k)3.
Clear guidelines on restrictions and
regulations with respect to overseasmarkets
Technical assistance in negotiating market
accessUNCTAD Ad hoc advisory services could be provided
with regard to future negotiations for
market access.*
ITC/UNDPSee A(k)2 and A(k)3.
Training of the private sector on the
importance of factors such as quality andreliabilityITC/
UNDPSee A(k)2 and A(k)3.
Establishment of Quality and Standards
Institute
                                                     
*Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 19
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question C(b):
Summary of technical assistance needs
according to priority
1. Technical assistance with respect to
Samoa's accession to the WTOUNCTAD See A(k)4.
WTO See A(k)4.
2. In country on the job training in the
following areas:
- technology awareness, entrepreneurship
and innovation
- training of the private sector on the
importance of factors such as quality andreliability
3. Trade and investment promotion ITC/
UNDPSee A(k)3.
4. Development of new products and/or
services for exportITC/
UNDPSee A(k)3.
5. Development of risk capital and
development financeWT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 20
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question C(c):
Additional information
A statistical database and training on how
to make use of its information is requiredWT/COMTD/IF/31
Page 21
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question C(d):
Technical assistance needs in the area of
information technology including training
of human resources
To enable modern information technology
to be fully used, the basic infrastructure
must be modernized in order to have an
overall reliable system at a cost that users
can afford.  Assistance is required intraining exporters in the use of thisinformation technology.
__________