The Samoa Prime Minister wants to protect local businesses from the increasing numbers of Chinese-owned businesses springing up around the country.
Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
In a radio interview last week, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi alluded to changing the regulations to keep smaller retail operations for Samoan business people only.
Tuilaepa said that there are good, and bad, sides to Asian businesses operating in the country, but in the long run these businesses are needed to create jobs and help boost the country's economy.
While he acknowledged there was growing resentment among local business owners over overseas operators, he encouraged them to learn from the Chinese about operating profitable businesses.
Samoan MP Olo Fiti Va'ai is campaigning for laws to ensure local businesses are protected from foreigners, and last week Moata'a village joined a growing list of Samoan villages that have banned Asian-owned businesses from opening.
