Asian Development Bank

Reform Renewed Asian Development Bank

In the decade to 2006, Samoa was a leading policy reformer in the Pacific region. From 2007, however, the pace of reform slowed sharply. Compounded by the global financial crisis, two significant natural disasters, and increases in fuel and food prices, economic growth rates decreased until 2011. Despite progressive reforms in a number of key areas, several barriers to productivity and growth remain. This private sector assessment describes how Samoa can further improve its competitiveness through reforms supporting private sector growth, and focuses on primary constraints to investment and entrepreneurship.