The president of the Samoa Chamber of Commerce believes the private sector will be able to cope with the immediate post-accession period when the country gains official membership to the World Trade Organisation.
Samoa applied for WTO membership in 1998 and after a number of steps to liberalise its trade regime, will finally gain membership to the multilateral body on May 10th.
The government has implemented reforms and policies to meet the demands from WTO member countries including lifting a ban on importing high-fat turkey tails.
The Samoa Chamber of Commerce president Namulauulu Sami Leota says the private sector was involved in the early stages of the membership process and says it's in a good position.
"There's no turning back now so we see it as also a lot of advantages to it in terms of the growth of our businesses. Now we are able to trade with some of the countries that we would not be able to so I think it's a good prospect."
