Strategy for the Development of Samoa (SDS) 2008–2012.

The Strategy for the Development of Samoa is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the Strategy is 4 years covering the period from 2008 to 2012. The objective of this Strategy is to ensure sustainable economic and social progress, in accordance with the national commitment to improving the living standards of all Samoans, maintaining and improving their social welfare, and ensuring their long-term futures by protecting the environment.
This Strategy organizes goals and strategies in three priority areas, namely: economic policies, social policies, and public sector management and environmental sustainability. Section 1 of the Strategy sets out the summary of the implementation of key strategic outcomes of the Strategy for the Development of Samoa 2005–2007 and lessons learned.
Economic growth will be achieved through sustained macroeconomic stability; and private sector led economic growth and employment creation. Fiscal policies will be geared towards maintaining fiscal discipline, while permitting public investments that would support economic growth. Economic growth will be accelerated through private sector development which is vital to improving living standards. The government will promote private sector development by: (i) investing in economic infrastructure which will also support social development; (ii) improving the enabling business environment through legal and regulatory reform; (iii) facilitating the development of financial markets; (iv) facilitating beneficial international trade through outward-oriented trade policies; and (v) investigating development potential, such as through natural resource surveys, scientific and market research. Small business development will be encouraged through simplification of tax processes. Economic infrastructure services will be improved as a means of creating a more attractive business environment and increasing public access to basic social services. The key service areas are energy, water and sanitation, telecommunications and transport. Water sector governance will be strengthened to secure sustainable water resource management, increase access to safe and reliable water supplies, maximize the benefits of other water uses (non-water supply), and to improve sanitation, drainage, and wastewater treatment and disposal.
An agriculture sector plan that provides a coherent policy framework for promoting agricultural development will be formulated and implemented. Public support services will be provided for achieving agricultural development, namely research, extension, quarantine, regulation, marketing information and physical infrastructure. Private sector investment will be used for improving the hygiene and quality standards of animal slaughter for the domestic market and encouraging increased beef production as well as conducting training on meat processing. The Ministry of Health will develop food and non-food safety standards. The supply of the main and traditional crops, such as coconuts, cocoa and taro, will be promoted vigorously through the assistance of the Government operated nursery to ensure food security and meet future demands. Sustainable development and management of forest resources will be pursued with the aim of accelerating the reforestation process.
Fisheries development will be supported by implementation of tariff reductions on business inputs. The Fisheries Division will continue to deliver a range of public services within its financial and human resource constraints, including research and extension, monitoring and regulation of vessels, monitoring of fish catches and sales, and surveillance of the EEZ to control illegal fishing. The Tuna Management and Development Plan 2005-2009 will be implemented and updated to achieve the main objectives of commercial fisheries management: (i) maximization of catch-rates, profits and foreign exchange; (ii) extensive local participation; and (iii) increased safety at seas. Obligations under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention will be met to ensure that shared fish stocks are not damaged by uncontrolled fishing in the high seas outside national waters. The management of the fishing port areas will be improved.
Social well-being of all Samoans will be improved through community development, improved education standards, and improved health standards. Quality improvement will be achieved at all levels of education. Gender disparities in schools will be eliminated and necessary actions will be taken to achieve gender equity. The Strategy addresses non-communicable diseases, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, and community mortality and morbidity, and underlines the importance of providing quality, accountable and sustainable health services to all Samoans. Community development will be achieved by promoting good governance in local communities, strengthening community economic development and enhancing social development and service provision.
The principles of sustainable development will be integrated into policies, programs and projects. Environmental management, compliance and monitoring will be improved. Efforts to improve land conservation and management will focus on managing forest areas and undertaking carbon sink initiatives. Agro-forestry will be encouraged, and village leaders and communities will be involved in the formulation and implementation of conservation and regeneration activities to be carried out in customary land.
Waste management will be strengthened through the implementation of strategies to reduce and better manage solid waste, chemical pollution and wastewater. The management of landfills and persistent organic pollutants will be strengthened. A programme will be developed for allocation and use of water resources and groundwater and fresh water resources will be investigated, to improve water management and supply. Biodiversity conservation will be strengthened with a focus on protection of natural areas and ecosystems and areas outside conservation estates, and improved biosecurity. The Strategy refers to the promotion and use of alternative energy sources a priority, due to fact that renewable energy sources are environmentally less damaging. Measures will be taken to enable Samoa to make significant greenhouse gas reductions and natural and cultural disaster preparedness. Use of ozone-depleting substances will be phased out totally, and the imports of ozone depleting substance will be monitored and controlled.