Economy overview: Samoa’s economy has traditionally been dependent on foreign aid, private family remittances from abroad, and agricultural exports. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture provides two-thirds of jobs and 90% of exports, predominantly coconut milk, coconut oil and copra. The industrial sector is mainly engaged in the processing of agricultural products. Tourism is an expanding sector, contributing 15% to GDP; about 85,000 tourists visited the islands in 2000. The Samoan government announced measures to liberalize the financial sector, encourage investment and strengthen tax discipline. Observers note the importance of increasing the elasticity of the labor market as a basis for achieving economic success in the future. Foreign exchange reserves are sufficient, external debt is stable, and inflation is low. See topb2bwebsites.com to know more about Samoa in 2004. GDP: at purchasing power parity – $571 million (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: 6.8% (1998 est.). GDP per capita: at purchasing power parity – $3,200 (2000 est.). The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 15%; industry: 24%; services: 61% (2000 est.). Proportion of the population below the poverty line: no data available. Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: for the poorest 10% of households: n/a; by top 10% of households: no data. Inflation rate at consumer prices: 0.8% (2000 est.). Labor force: 90,000 people (2000 est.). Employment structure: agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (1995 est.). Unemployment rate: no data; among the employed, there is a significant proportion of part-time workers. Budget: revenues: $74.8 million; expenses: $81.4 million, including capital expenditures – n/a (1999 est.). Spheres of economy: food industry, production of building materials, production of components for cars. Growth in industrial production: 10% (2000 est.). Electricity generation: 100 million kWh (1999). Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 60%; hydropower: 40%; nuclear fuel: 0%; others: 0% (1999). Electricity consumption: 93 million kWh (1999). Electricity export: 0 kWh (1999). Electricity import: 0 kWh (1999). Agricultural products: cakes, bananas, taro, yams. Export: $17 million (free on board, 2000) Exports: coconut oil and milk, copra, fish, beer. Export partners: American Samoa 59%, USA 18%, Germany 9%, New Zealand 8% (2000 est.). Import: $90 million (free on board, 2000). Imports: machinery and equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs. Import partners: New Zealand 37%, Australia 24%, Fiji 14%, USA 14% (2000 est.). External debt: $180 million (1998 est.) Economic aid recipient: $42.9 (1995). Economic aid donor: Currency: tala. Currency code: WST. Exchange rate: WST/USD – 3.3400 2001), 3.2712 (2000), 3.0120 (1999), 2.9429 2.5562 (1997), 2.4618 (1996). Fiscal year: calendar year.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: Mobile cell phones: 1 545 1998). Telephone system: satisfactory; internal: no data; international: satellite earth station 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean). Broadcast stations: AM – 1, FM – 3, shortwave – 0 (1998). Radio receivers: 178,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 6 (1997). TVs: 11,000 (1997). Internet country code: ws Internet service providers: 2 (2000). Number of users: 500 (2000).
Transport
Transport Railways: 0 km. Roads: total: 835 km; coated: 267 km; unpaved: 568 km (1983) Ports and harbours: Apia, Asau, Milifanua, Saleloga. Airports: 3 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 1; from 2438 to 3047 m: 1 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 2; less than 914 m: 2 (2000 est.).
Armed forces
Arms of the Armed Forces: no regular armed forces; police. Conscription age: Total military manpower: Eligible for military service: Number of persons reaching draft age each year: Military spending in dollar terms: not available. Military spending as part of GDP: no data available. Military – note: Samoa does not have a formal defense structure or regular military; unofficial military ties exist with New Zealand, which, under the Treaty of Friendship of 1962, undertakes to respond to any appeal from Samoa for help.
