The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Pulotu Lydon Chu Ling, has cautioned non Samoan citizens who are engaging in businesses reserved for Samoans.

These includes the retailing of food and drink items, printing of traditional elei garments,  designing etc.

The warning was outlined in a public noticed issued by the Ministry citing that this is against the Foreign Investment Act 2000.

“All foreign investment enterprises or businesses with foreign shareholding are advised of that under section 14 (la) it is an offense for a non-citizen or a company having a shareholder who is a non-citizen to be engaged in or be employed at any business or economic activity which is specified in the prohibited list,” says the notice.

According to the notice, the prohibited list or the reserve list includes the bus transport services for general public; taxi transports, rental vehicles, retailing food and drink items, saw milling and traditional elei garments designing and printing.

“If a non-citizen is found to be engaged in any of the reserved activities the Ministry will take appropriate action to address this issue.

“It is also encouraged that members of the public report any cases of non-citizens involved in any of the reserved activities to the Ministry,” says the notice.

It is unclear as to what prompted the notice as emails to the C.E.O. have not been answered as of press time.

Meanwhile the public is urged to contact the M.C.I.L. at 20441 with the Industry Development and Investment Promotion Division to report any illegal activities.