Presenter(s): Ana Garibay Mares
Faculty Mentor(s): Yvonne Braun & Yizhao Yang
Oral Session 4 M
The Independent State of Samoa faces intersecting environmental, economic, and social vulnerabilities as a small island nation. Regionally, the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an infrastructure and tourism-oriented project proposed to increase Samoa’s development. My research examines these development plans with a focus on local sustainability. I employ the three pillars of sustainability in my analytical framework, including innovative social enterprise projects for generating money, maximizing mutual benefits, reducing Samoa’s need for loans, while also staying aligned with the traditional way of life – the fa’asamoa. As such, I spent three months in Samoa investigating whether the BRI can maximize sustainable development through the hybridization of the Chinese State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) system and the “social enterprise” business model. I conducted field research using purposive sampling methods whereby I identified key informants, such as traditional, private sector, and governmental community leaders. I conducted semi-structured interviews for participants to share their suggestions and stake regarding BRI engagement, as it pertains to their respective sector. I focus particularly on the intricate social enterprise model executed by the Poutasi Development Trust (PDT). Data collected suggest the PDT offers indigenous communities the platform to directly benefit from the BRI by using funds gathered from the seasonal workers program to establish family businesses, exporting goods to niche communities along the BRI, and enhancing the range of goods and services offered by the tourism sector. Its operations also work to promote environmentalism and preventative health outcomes, while reducing Samoa’s dependence on remittances, including international assistance loans.