So warns Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who has expressed deep concerns about business negotiations, which end up favoring some investors.
The prime minister is worried that such negotiations result in “our people only receiving a few benefits, while most of their (foreign investors) investment benefits will go back overseas.”
Tuilaepa’s concerns are noted in a letter addressed to all cabinet ministers obtained by the Weekend Observer
Written in Samoan and dated April 14, Tuilaepa’s letter warned of corrupt investors who take short cuts to set up business in Samoa.
He told cabinet officials to refrain from accepting offers of free dinners, trips and gifts while a decision is pending.
Tuilaepa also reminded them about the general principles of negotiations which include points such as:
• Don’t rush to show any signs or expression that we are so eager to accept any business that wants to enter Samoa.
• Don’t accept any invitation for you to wine and dine with them at expensive/fancy restaurants, and then you take your spouses and children.
• If there are any invitations for overseas travel to have a look at their operations (while a decision is pending), reject it.
• Quickly ask for the number of feasibility studies they have done.
• Ask for their bank references.
• Observe their manners.
Tuilaepa’s letter comes at a time when the government is strongly pushing to attract foreign investors to Samoa to boost the economy.
Over the years, some investors have been known to come to Samoa and talk big when they don’t have money.
In his letter, the prime minister told ministers to “check if they really do have any money.”
“There have been many promoters who have only come to obtain an MOU from our government for a business and then they use the MOU to look for money/funds — from shareholders — and then they disappear,” he wrote.
