Chinese businessman Tu’itu’ioaiga Teeking Weng has urged Samoans and Chinese to work together for the benefit of the country.

The owner of the Dad Mom Children (D.M.C) restaurant chain and Coin Save supermarket told the Samoa Observer in an interview that he has plans to build a school and more restaurant outlets but it is important both Samoans and Chinese work together.

“I was in Samoa for very long and I live here now so every benefit goes to our country, Samoa not China,” he said.

“Samoa and China have a history together so it’s important for them to work together for a better future.”

Tu’itu’ioaiga has opened five D.M.C restaurant outlets across Upolu with two under construction at Faleula and Puipa’a and one planned for Savai’i. There are plans to open between 10 to 12 D.M.C. outlets in Samoa. 

Moving to Samoa from China in 2009, Tu’itu’iga said he went on to establish the restaurant chain and supermarket and employed hundreds of locals in his businesses.

However, he claimed rivalry between Samoans and Chinese continues to become a barrier to building a brighter future.

“I understand over 500 Chinese people arrive in Samoa and make businesses but that doesn’t mean we’re here to take from Samoa,” he said.

“This is my dream, I try to one by one when I have money, I build this building and this building.

“When I was in New Zealand, a friend of mine told me about Samoa and said in Samoa there is nothing like a two-dollar shop.

“So I come to do business for the first time, I check the market, everything is so expensive.

“There were also a very few items in Samoa as well so as a businessman I can do better so I came back to Samoa as planned.”

Tu’itu’ioaiga added that his dream is to bring more foreign businessmen to develop factories in Samoa, which he emphasised will benefit Samoa’s economy and wellbeing.

“If you can make money and have the power to help people then help them,” he said.