20 Apr 2011

Samoa PM wants status of foreign owned businesses checked

3:10 pm on 20 April 2011

Samoa's prime minister has directed relevant government departments to check that there aren't any foreigners operating businesses illegally.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says a few complaints have been made about some immigrants who may be running businesses without the correct licences, amid a growth of new Chinese businesses.

But he says they're not singling out Asian businesspeople.

"So we carry out these normal checks to confirm whether the story is true or not. Any other visitor of course but much of the complaints have been directed at a couple of Asian businessmen."

The Prime Minister says contrary to some reports, those caught won't be deported, but simply told not to continue.