Ban on drinks

and smoke

WESTERN Samoa introduced a temporary ban on imports of beer, soft drinks and cigarettes on July 22 to protect three local companies which produce the same items. The companies do not have major export sales.

The import restrictions would last up to six months, said Finance Minister Tuilaepa Sailele. They would be lifted

after the government amended import tariffs to protect the local manufacturers.

Beer imports, mainly canned beer from New Zealand and American Samoa, have risen from one per cent of market share last year to nearly 10 per cent this year. Imports of soft drinks hold up to 20 per cent of the Samoan market while overseas cigarettes hold a smaller share.

The government has joint venture inter ests in the only cigarette company, a branch of Rothmans International, as well as interests in Western Samoa Breweries which makes soft drinks and

the popular Vailima beer.

Vailima long enjoyed a monopoly but it is concerned at the rising popularity of imported beer, even with Vailima hold ing a 90 per cent market share.

Vailima began facing its first local competition in June when the rival Apia Bottling Company, whichh makes ice cream, soft drinks and processed foods, added a mini-brewery to its operations.

Apia Bottling sells an unpasteurised beer called Manuia, literally meaning cheers or good fortune. The brewery has a staff of about a dozen. □