Buy Samoa-made Trade Exhibition attracting a lot of interest

 

By Nanai Laveitiga Tuiletufuga

A number of challenges and obstacles have surfaced hampering exports to New Zealand.

The concerns voiced by Samoan residents and business people in Auckland during the two day  ‘Buy Samoa Made’ Trade Show in Mangere at the beginning of the month ranged from supply not meeting demand, no details or contacts for Samoan manufacturers and costs.

There is no question about demand as many of the Samoan residents who turned up voiced their support to buy the goods made in Samoa.

However their most popular inquiry was outlets where the products are sold in Auckland.

“As a Samoan, we will always buy Samoan goods but the question is where?,�? said Edla Fruean.

She also complained about inconsistencies with supply to meet demand.

“There is always a shortage of Samoan made goods.�?

Solosolo born, Sefulu Sulitumu said that many of the basic goods such as Milk of Magnesia for babies, vai tane, tauaga and even Samoan made brooms should be exported. “There is a huge market for these Samoan items here in Auckland,�? she added.

As for the business community, some say that they would love to do business with Samoan manufacturers but the problem is lack of details.

Said Rasha Swanke;

“There is no directory for suppliers and distributors to contact Samoan manufacturers if we have inquiries.

“Cost is also a factor. Many of the goods are made here and are readily available, so they will be cheaper.�?

When told that there is an electronic directory available via the Ministry of Commerce Labour and Trade website, Swanke responded that not all of the Samoan manufacturers are listed.

Quality and range of Samoan made goods, said Swanke is not a problem because many of the 28 businesses from Samoan which participated in the Trade Show have received International Standard Organisation certification.

In response to these concerns, an aggressive attempt to increase export to New Zealand was launched in Mangere with the establishment of a new entity called the New Zealand Samoa Business Council.

The Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters (SAME) will serve as the Secretariat here with Samoa’s Trade Commissioner in Auckland Fonoti Dr. Fuatai as their New Zealand counterpart.

The Trade Commissioner’s Office in Auckland will liase with the New Zealand business community as a contact directory and referring questions to SAME.

The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi is the nominated Patron with Deputy Prime Minister Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo as the Vice Patron.

The Coordinating Committee of the ‘Buy Samoa Made’ Trade Show has been retained as the Executive members with a member each from the Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Labour.

Said SAME’s Executive Tagaloa Eddie Wilson;

“We had a similar arrangement some years back but it did not work because some of the founding members had their own hidden agendas that killed the proposal.

“This time around,�? added Tagaloa, the joint council is “for reals now that the government is also part of the joint effort to pursue one common goal- increase exports revenues from our New Zealand destination.�?

Echoed delegation leader Deputy Prime Minister Fonotoe;

“Government is relentless with its mission to encourage our business sector to take advantage of these opportunities.

“SAME is also taking the lead by pushing all of its members to attain International Standards Organisation certification that will open export opportunities.

“If two or three – or even ten of our 30 products on display are rewarded with new export links from the trade fair, then it has been worthwhile. Because at the end of the day, it’s the village communities, the private sector, government through taxation and everybody that stands to benefit.�?

To accomplish its mission, British Tobacco has pledged more than$50,000 as seed money for the new entity,

Part of the funds will be set aside for the next Trade Fair in New Zealand in 2014.

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