A survey by the Samoa Chamber of Commerce on Business Confidence shows that most businesses are cautious about the overall economic outlook for Samoa in 2014 but more optimistic about the chance of their own business' growth.
Almost 40 per cent of respondents said they were planning to make more new investment this year than last year.
The survey results also indicated that the most significant constraints to business growth remain the high cost of essential services such as electricity, fuel and ICT, the shortage of skilled employees and Government taxes and charges.
In order to offset high electricity costs the Chamber has urged government to reduce the duty on solar panels and other energy efficient capital items.
