The Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour In Partnership with the United Nations 

Economic and Social Commission (UNESCAP) hosted a half day consultation to validate the findings of the report on the Business License process from the perspective of women entrepreneurs.

This is part of Activity 3: Promoting the registration of women entrepreneurs in the informal sector under the Catalyzing Women Entrepreneurship (CWE) Project.

The objectives of this consultation were to review the process of acquiring a Business License for women entrepreneurs and providing recommendations to simplify the process where necessary, raise awareness and address barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in Samoa.

The workshop took place on 20th April 2023 at Taumeasina Island Resort Conference Room and was officially opened by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling. The consultants Mrs. Shaunalee Katafono and Mr. Kenneth Katafono from Traseable Solutions led the discussion for over thirty (30) women entrepreneurs inclusive of representatives from different Private Sector Organizations (PSO) and Government Ministries. Participants were able to share their views on the findings and recommendations provided grouped under i) Awareness of the Business License process,

ii) MSME friendly environment and iii) Women focused business support, prior to finalization.

The objectives of this report and the activity overall are well aligned with the goals and the long term objectives of the Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Policy and Strategy particularly increasing the number of women owned MSMEs and increasing the number of MSMEs participating in the formal sector.

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