Part I: Industrial policy.

1) industry name

In Samoa, company names and registered trademarks can apply to the Company Registration Department of the Ministry of Justice for protection.

2) Industry registration

All companies must be registered in accordance with New Zealand Companies Act 1955 and Samoa Companies Act 1935. In addition, it also includes merged or cooperative societies, charitable foundations and credit cooperatives.

3) Industry license

The issuance of industrial business licenses shall be carried out in accordance with the Industrial License Law 1998. Take an application form from the IRS, fill it out and submit it to the director of the IRS. Sole proprietorship and partnership individuals pay an industry management fee of 220 taras per year, and the company pays 500 taras per year.

4) Tax registration

All industries must register with the IRS. This is an asset self-assessment system, and many other countries have similar systems.

5) Industry restrictions

The Industrial Licensing ActNo. 1998 clearly stipulates all commercial activities prohibited in Samoa. In addition, the Foreign Investment Law of 2000 clearly stipulates that all business activities are only open to China people.

6) Environmental protection

Land and Environment Law 1989 Part III includes environmental protection. Although there is no specific provision in the law on mandatory environmental impact assessment of projects, it gives the Minister of Land and Environment the following rights:

(a) Ensure that all problems affecting the natural and human environment are thoroughly solved, and give policy or extensive financial support to each project.

(b) Assess the environmental impacts involved or to be involved in the construction project, including the consumption of land and marine resources or the change in the use of existing resources.

(c) Monitoring and tracking projects.

The Ministry of Land and Environment has formulated a series of policies to protect and make rational use of the environment. One of them is the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance, which controls and restricts the import of products containing substances that destroy the ozone layer.

Protecting and managing public assets in coastal areas is a national policy. Require all government development projects to conduct environmental impact assessment, and encourage individuals to sign management plan agreements with the government to conduct environmental impact assessment on development projects. Protected environmental resources include beaches and coral reefs.

7)

industrial park

There is an industrial park 5 kilometers west of Apia. Leased land should be applied to Samoa Bureau of Land Management. Samoa's "Transfer Law of Freehold Land" stipulates that foreign investors can only buy freehold land and must first obtain the approval of the king. Foreign investors can lease land from the government or private individuals for up to 20 years. If it is more than 20 years, it must be approved by the king.

Part II: Investment incentive policy.

1) The Ministry of Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Labor) has established the Trade and Investment Promotion Association to promote investment in Samoa. Domestic and foreign investors interested in investing in Samoa should regard it as the first stop to obtain trade and investment information. In addition, the Trade and Investment Promotion Association also provides various help information for private investors.

2) Foreign investment certificate

The Foreign Investment Law of 2000 stipulates that any investment with foreign equity must hold a foreign investment certificate. Submit a certificate application to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor) and obtain the approval of the Minister. The certificate is valid within the business term.

This certificate does not guarantee that the Ministry of Taxation will issue an industry license and/or the Ministry of Labor (now the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Labor) will issue an employment license. Therefore, foreign investors must abide by the relevant regulations and procedures of various departments.

3) Infrastructure

Factory land

Investors are responsible for preparing land that can be used by factories, but the Ministry of Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Labor) provides reasonable suggestions and simplifies procedures for investors to determine and obtain land or factory land.

Basic services

Emphasis on providing uninterrupted service for business users.

The government usually sends electricity to the project site.

There is no special charge for industrial activities.

Part III: Employment policy.

One of Samoa's main resources is the labor force. Maximizing the use of this resource is the government's top priority. 1972 labor and employment law stipulates that the Ministry of labor (now the Ministry of industry and commerce) is responsible for promoting and maintaining the full employment of the national labor force.

1) Encourage labor-intensive industries.

All economic activities are encouraged, but labor-intensive activities that can create employment opportunities for local workers are particularly popular. For activities that rely on foreign expertise, localization can ultimately provide employment for local labor.

2) Wage rate

Private owners can set their wages above the minimum wage set by the government. As of June 2002, the minimum wage rate for workers over 65438+ 10/day, 1 8 years old was 1.6 tara (USD 0.48) per hour.

3) Social insurance

The Accident Compensation Law 1989/ 1990 stipulates that the employer must pay 1% of the payroll tax as work-related injury insurance, which shall be implemented by the accident compensation department. Workers who are injured or incapacitated by industrial accidents can be compensated. In addition, if a worker is injured in a traffic accident, he can get compensation through vehicle insurance, even if the accident has nothing to do with work.

The Social Insurance Law implemented by the National Reserve Fund stipulates that employers must pay a 5% payroll tax, which matches the 5% payroll tax paid by workers.

4) Employment of foreigners

The work of foreigners is not restricted, but there are strict regulations.

Foreigners who come to work in Samoa must apply for work permits and entry permits before arriving in Samoa. The first issued work permit is valid for a maximum of 2 years. Spouses and children need visiting cards. When a foreigner wants to leave Samoa after completing his/her work, he/she must apply for an exit permit.

The Labor and Employment (Employment of Foreigners) Amendment Act 1999 simplifies the procedures for recruiting foreign workers to apply for employment permits. In particular, work permits are issued to functional workers who are lacking locally. The Immigration Amendment Act of 2000 clearly stipulates the issuance of entry visas to foreigners who have come to work in Samoa, and occupational permits are issued by the Ministry of Labor. Foreign workers and their families must be issued exit and re-entry permits by the Immigration Bureau before leaving the country. Under 18, exit permit is not required. The maximum allowable period for multiple entry and exit is 12 months. All foreigners need a guarantee when they apply for exit permit. The guarantor signs the exit application form. The guarantor agrees to pay all government fees as required during the period of absence or when the parties fail to return within the time limit. In Samoa, foreign workers are not allowed to change jobs and guarantee relationships.

5) Training plan

Employers usually have to make training plans for local personnel to ensure the continuity and localization of foreign technical work.

6) Trade unionism

Samoa's national constitution provides for freedom of association.

Part IV: Tax policy.

1) tax

Samoa does not have any tax treaties or double taxation agreements with other countries.

Net income or profit tax

Annual tax is levied according to taxable income (worldwide), including the difference tax arising from the sale of operating assets and dividends between enterprises.

For non-resident companies with assets or business in Samoa, the tax is limited to the income earned in Samoa.

Producers of agricultural products do not pay taxes.

Insurance companies levy taxes according to different tax bases and tax rates.

The income tax is estimated according to the income of the previous year, and all business tax payers must pay the estimated provisional tax according to the taxable income of the previous year.

Losses can be carried forward to the next year indefinitely, but wage income cannot be reduced or exempted.

Dividends are not taxed.

Technology transfer is not taxed.

Tax reduction or exemption

All reasonable expenses and accumulated losses that generate income can be exempted from tax.

The enterprise incentive plan stipulates that the income of enterprises is tax-free on income tax day (holidays).

tax rate

corporate tax

The global taxable income tax rate of resident companies is 29%.

Non-resident companies only levy a tax rate of 29% on taxable income from Samoa.

Personal tax

Taxes increase or decrease proportionally, from 10% to 29%.

Annual income 10000 Tara is tax-free.

Annual income (Tara)

Tax rate%

Less than 10000 USD

$ 1000 1 - 15000

10

1500 1 - 20000

20

Over $20,000

29

bonus

Dividends are not taxed.

Capital gains tax

A capital gains tax of 30% is levied on the profits from the disposal of fixed assets.

Other taxes

Interest of Samoan residents and non-resident companies is subject to 15% withholding tax.

The tax rate for non-resident companies is 10%.

The information management fee of 10% varies according to different industries.

Goods and services tax (consumption tax)

Value-added tax: 12.5% comprehensive goods and services tax came into effect on June 2002 10. Value-added tax on goods and services is not targeted at basic items, such as most raw fish, fruits, vegetables, water, electricity, taxi fares, public transportation and many medical and educational services.

import tax

Non-differential tariff

Ad valorem tax rate

landed cost

Royalty tax is limited to the following products:

Petroleum products;

Cigarettes and alcohol

Non-alcoholic drinks (soft drinks)

Motor vehicles with a displacement greater than 2000 ml.

stamp tax

Stamp duty is levied on specific written documents at face value. For example, the following are the current stamp duty collection standards:

Agreement or memorandum of agreement

20 Tara

Letter of appointment of trustee

20 Tara

Draft 0.5 Tara

Export bill of lading 20 talas

Mortgage certificate 20 Tara

bond

20 Tara

Guaranteed 20 tara

Rent 0.40 Tara

Part V: Monetary policy.

1) foreign exchange control

There are no restrictions on foreign exchange current account transactions, and anyone can open a foreign exchange account in any commercial bank designated by the central bank. The central bank still manages capital account transactions according to foreign exchange regulations. All foreign exchange transactions are supervised by the central bank for statistics and policy adjustment.

Capital repatriation

Foreign capital and profits are allowed to be repatriated, but they must be approved by the central bank.

Foreigners who have signed local work contracts for one year or more are recognized as local residents. If they remit more than 80% of their two-week net income back to China, they need the approval of the central bank. Funds not remitted during the contract period can be remitted when the contract expires.

2) Local loans

The policy of foreign holding companies to obtain local loans is very flexible, and the central bank will adjust it from time to time for the national interest.

3) Interest rate

With the liberalization of interest rates, commercial banks can independently determine deposit and loan interest rates according to market forces that affect the relationship between money supply and demand.

Part VI: Trade policy.

1) import

licence

Importers must hold an industry license to engage in import business.

Tariff;

Harmonized Classification System (HS) came into effect on July 1997. Import duty is calculated on the basis of CIF price.

Franchise tax is limited to alcohol, tobacco, soft drinks, oil and cars with a displacement of more than 2000cc.

Due to the government's tariff reform, the import tariffs on assets and raw materials have been greatly reduced. From June 2002 10 to June 2002 1, the import tariff on assets and raw materials was 8%, plus value-added tax.

procedure

Importers must go through the import declaration formalities with the customs.

Importers must pay all customs duties.

Customs now uses an automated import processing system.

2) export

The government does not charge or levy taxes on export products. The export order is first handed over to the central bank to monitor foreign exchange, and then the export formalities are handled with the customs. All bills of lading exported to countries other than American Samoa must be submitted to the designated foreign exchange bank within three months after the date of shipment. Exports to American Samoa must be submitted to the designated foreign exchange bank within four weeks after the date of shipment.

Bonded plan

This is a plan to encourage and support regular exporters to import raw materials for export production without paying taxes in advance. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Labor) is the implementing agency of the plan, and the Customs works closely with it.

drawback system

Taxed imported raw materials are allowed to be refunded when they are exported after processing and production. The application for export tax refund shall be accepted by the customs one by one.

Government export guarantee scheme

The Samoan government allocated $654.38 million to support this scheme, providing guarantees for qualified exporters to obtain export credit from local financial institutions. The purpose of this plan is to promote and cultivate new export products and open up more favorable overseas markets.

nonexportation

Logs, paper strips and live butterflies.

trade agreement

Samoa is a member of many regional and international trade agreements. Including:

Spateka

South Pacific regional economic and trade cooperation agreement, allowing low tariffs to enter the New Zealand and Australian markets.

Cotonou agreement

Agreement)

According to Lomé Convention, the market terms of this agreement are still transitional, and the transitional period will last until the end of 2007. The agreement allows products from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to be exported to the EU, enjoying duty-free and other preferential treatment.

General preferential system

The generalized system of preferences allows low tariffs to enter the United States and other developed countries.

Picta

Pacific island countries trade agreement, 14 Forum island countries establish free trade areas.

A trotting horse

The Pacific Economic Relations Agreement is a framework document for all forum countries to strengthen economic and trade cooperation and understand the different development conditions of member countries.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Samoa is currently an observer of the WTO, and its application for accession is in progress.

Attachment: Introduction to Foreign Investment Law

On June 6, 2000, the Samoan Parliament passed the Foreign Investment Act, which is administered and implemented by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The Act regulates the investment behavior of foreign investors in Samoa. This law shows investors which economic fields are reserved for their own citizens. Let investors know exactly what policies the reserved industries have, so as to be in a more favorable business decision-making position.

According to this law, commercial activities are divided into reserved industries and restricted industries. Reserved industries are open to domestic citizens, including transportation buses, taxis, car rental, retail and sawmill processing. Restricted industries refer to industries that are open to foreign investors and have conditional restrictions.

These conditions include fairness, employment and capital.

Equity-to some extent, limiting the share of foreign capital in any industry requires establishing joint ventures with domestic citizens.

Employment-must meet the employment standards.

Capital investment must come from overseas.

All investments must be registered with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and obtain a foreign investment certificate.

A foreign investment certificate is a prerequisite for obtaining a business license issued by the tax authorities.

Attachment: industrial land

Samoan land is divided into three categories: hereditary land; Free use right of land;

Public land.

Foreign investors (including companies) can purchase Samoa's freehold land as long as they fully meet or meet the relevant standards stipulated in the Freehold Land Transfer Law 1972. Most land transactions under this law must be approved by the king.

Hereditary land: this kind of land cannot be bought or sold,

But it can be rented to domestic and foreign investors. Foreign investors often choose this method, especially in tourism. The lease of such land must be registered by the Ministry of Land, Environment and Resources.

Full possession of land: this kind of land is mainly used for living.

Public land: Information about public land can be obtained through Samoa Land Corporation.