Samoa

[graduated 01/01/2019; this is an archived page that is no longer updated] With an income of $3.660 (2022), the World Bank classifies Samoa as a lower-middle income economy.

What is the GSP?

The “Everything but Arms” (EBA) scheme is a permanent arrangement covering Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as classified by the United Nations. This arrangement enables duty-free and quota-free access for all products (7,200 products in total) originating in LDCs except for arms and ammunition. Unlike beneficiaries of the Standard GSP and GSP+, LDCs are not excluded from the scheme if they benefit from other preferential arrangements or agreements with the EU.

Samoa flag

At a glance: GSP beneficiaries' preferential imports to the EU

group

22.1 M

Population

account_balance
Presidential Republic

Government

trending_up

1.30%

GDP Growth

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4.4% (2010)

Inflation

money

$ 8.97 B

GDP

Facts about Samoa's economy

Island Economy

Samoa is a small island economy which is frequently hit by severe storms and is highly vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis. Resulting from the remote location, Samoa is not very much integrated in global supply- and value--chains, making the country dependent on remittances, foreign aid, the agricultural sector, government services and tourism.

Export Products

Samoa's main export articles are predominantly from the agricultural sector and include products like different juices, coconut oil, taro and products made from fish and crustaceans. Samoa also exports reception apparatus for televisions and mobile telephones.

Trade Partners

The most important trading partners are New Zealand and Singapore, which together account for 33% of Samoa's trade. China ranks third with a share of 12.3%.

Economic Structure

The Samoan economy is largely dependent on agriculture and tourism. The most important crops include coconuts, taro, pineapples, mangoes, and other fruits. The industrial sector mainly produces for the domestic market and is relatively diversified. Domestically produced products include beverages, cigarettes, coconut products (mainly creams and oils), corned beef, soap, paint, and handicrafts. Remittances contribute about 17% to the GDP.

Usage of GSP Preferences

Samoa having graduated from LDC status in 2014 (becoming instead a developing country), was removed from the list of EBA beneficiaries on 1 January 2019.

Trade with the EU

Total trade with the EU amounted to €8 million in 2022. With a share of 0.4%, the EU only plays a minor role in Samoa's total trade.

SAMOA AND THE EU GSP

Economic Impact

55%

More than half of Samoa's exports to the EU are eligible for GSP preferences.

0%

Samoa currently does not make use of GSP preferences.

Preference utilisation and export diversification

Samoa's imports to the EU

Preference utilisation vs. total eligible imports

The largest product sections under the GSP

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Samoa's preferential access to the EU market, as a beneficiary of the Standard GSP, is not bound to the ratification of international conventions. Nonetheless, Samoa has ratified 12 out of 15 international conventions on human rights and labour standards. Additionally, the country has ratified 8 international environmental protection conventions and 3 conventions on good governance.

Core international conventions on human rights and labour standards

Ratified

  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976)
  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1981)
  • Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1987)
  • Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990)
  • Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour, No 29 (1930)
  • Convention concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, No 87 (1948)
  • Convention concerning the Application of the Principles of the Right to Organise and to Bargain Collectively, No 98 (1949)
  • Convention concerning Equal Remuneration of Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value, No 100 (1951)
  • Convention concerning the Abolition of Forced Labour, No 105 (1957)
  • Convention concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation, No 111 (1958)
  • Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, No 138 (1973)
  • Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, No 182 (1999)

Not Ratified

  • International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1969)
  • International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (1976)
  • Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)

Additional Conventions

  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1973)
  • Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)
  • Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1989)
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
  • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
  • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000)
  • Stockholm Convention on persistent Organic Pollutants (2001)
  • Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1998)
  • United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971)
  • United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988)
  • United Nations Convention against Corruption (2004)

EU-Samoa Bilateral Development Assistance

DG INTPA

Access all info about EU-Pacific Islands Countries relations on the International Partnerships website: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/pacific-islands-countries_en

Contact points