Samoa's balancing act between tradition and a changing world

A recent Asian Development Bank proposal has proposed a model of long tern leasing. There has been a flurry of reaction, sparked by the claimed failure to adequately inform and consult the population.

In a society with highly developed traditional modes of consensus-style decision-making, there may well be a need for more talk, using the customary consultative processes at the village level. Of course, that might mean it will take time. It might also mean citizen input would result in changes to the proposal.

Like everywhere, globalization brings challenges and opportunities. That is even the case in Samoa, where the world just keeps knocking on the door.

China is increasingly present, not only because of a long-standing Chinese community in the capital, Apia, but a recent spurt of Chinese Government aid, in the form of in-kind assistance, grants and soft loans. Most impressive is a new $100 million hospital in Apia provided by China. But that's not all. China has also built a new office complex for the Prime Minister and is building another government building nearby in Apia. Chinese agricultural experts have guided a new rice-growing project and other cash crops in Samoa.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Lauofo, said recently that Samoa is China's best friend in the Pacific. The Samoan newspaper, Samoa Observer, carries several pages of China coverage each day.

With a reform-friendly government, transparent and open processes to welcome and regulate foreign investment and stable governance, Samoa should be well placed to benefit from the growth of demand in the Asia Pacific for what it has to offer. Samoa joined the World Trade Organisation in 2012.

As an isolated nation, connectivity is a key to reaching international markets and realizing the potential of any of these new investment opportunities. In time, perhaps, it is possible to envisage more full containers on the outward sea freight and direct flights to Guangzhou or Shanghai packed with incoming tourists and outgoing yellow fin tuna, lobster and more.

In the meantime the World Bank, which has provided around $200 million in assistance in recent years, has warned Samoa to take care in its management of debt, which is equivalent to around half of the tiny nation's GDP.

In a traditional society with a political system built around culture and custom, Samoa has been an island (or, more accurately, seven islands) of stability in the Pacific, but it is in need of development to meet its people's expectations. Samoa has a careful balancing act to negotiate if it is to remain a paradise with growth.

Samoa's customary community deliberation and decision-making traditions seem likely to help it proceed with any economic reform and further development at a pace with which its people are comfortable.