Light manufacturing growing; in 1992, it accounted for 75% of export earnings. Attracting foreign, especially Japanese, firms. Services growing rapidly since 1989 launch of offshore banking. Tropical agriculture; taro, coconut cream, cocoa, copra are main exports.
Weaknesses
Chronic balance of trade and payments deficits; dependence on aid and expatriate remittances. Declining agricultural exports. Clash between communal "fa'a Samoa" and donor pressure for market-style reforms.
