The Ministry of Commerce, Labour and Industry (M.C.I.L) granted a business license to a foreign businessman who was involved in criminal activities.
This is according to the Primary Production, Commerce, Industry and Labour (P.P.C.I.L.) committee’s report on the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour’s Annual Report for 2011.
The committee blames M.C.I.L. for this mistake.
The committee Chairman is Leaupepe Tole’afoa Apulu Fa’afisi.
“Applications for foreign investments are regulated by legislations,” the committee reports. “The cooperation between the Ministry and the Immigration Office is solid regarding permits and business licenses."
“There was however an incident where the Ministry was at fault in granting a business license to a foreign businessman who was involved in criminal activities in another country.”
The committee says the result of the investigation into this case by the Immigration office is essential to the committee.
“The investigation brought to light false statements and information given by a Chinese businessman to support his application for a business license within Samoa,” the report reads.
Although the legislations provide for such issues, the committee firmly believes that the Ministry should thoroughly investigate applications for business licenses.
“The government"s objective is creating an updated legal framework to improve the quality of life of life for all Samoans."
“The achievement of these objectives relies on the attentiveness of the staff carrying out this service.”
The committee also noted in its report that there are many foreign businessmen especially Chinese looking to establish businesses in Samoa.
<script async src="http://www.samoaobserver.ws///pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- 336x280 (bottom-article) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-2469982834957525"
data-ad-slot="1033882026"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
“Compared to our businesses, their products are cheaper this indicates that there is no competition resulting in our businesses revenue becoming unstable,” the committee says.
“The committee has noted that the Chinese entrepreneur’s low prices are a result of their agents that assist in seeking deals on products to be sold in Samoa."
“The committee believes that this is an issue and the collaborative effort of Foreign Consuls and our Commissioners is needed to assist our businesses.”
In its report the P.P.C.I.L committee also linked the importation of banned goods and familial violence.
“The committee noted during its investigations that there is an alarming increase in containers holding banned goods being imported in by foreign business owners,” the report reads.
“Consumable goods should be thoroughly checked by the Ministry of Health to ensure product safety and quality standard for consumption by the country."
“Other products, except pharmaceuticals, should be checked by the Ministry to guarantee the appropriateness to be sold retail."
“The committee believes that there is a link between these products and violence between parents and their children.”
The committee says the Ministry should also be vigilant in cracking down on the importation of harmful products.
“It is appropriate that the Ministry cooperate with the Customs office in checking products when they reach our shores to ensure that the listed products correspond with the actual goods in the containers,” they say.
“If this partnership is strengthened, these products will not enter our country.”
As such one of the recommendations that the committee has made to Government is to enforce cooperation between M.C.I.L. and the Customs office.
“In checking imported goods to ensure that they abide by W.T.O. (World Trade Organisation) requirements thus preventing the importation of harmful/ banned products.”
The committee says now that Samoa is a member of the W.T.O., the government should consider establishing a Commissioner of Trade office in China.
“This will be beneficial for Samoan businesses for ease of access to low priced products,” the committee reports.
“The committee believes that this is the only way to ensure competitive prices between Samoan and foreign business owners.
“This is also a solution to the countries concern at the influx of foreign business owners affecting local business development.”
In addition to Leaupepe the committee comprises of Maualaivao Pat Ah Him as the Deputy Chairman and members Tuiloa Anetele, Afualo Wood Uti Salele, Tialavea Fea T Seigafolava, Aeau Peniamina Leavaiseeta and Aveau Nikotemo Palamo.
The report will be published in full on Tuesday’s Samoa Observer.
<!-- samoa_observer.ws -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="5306335075"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}