Samoa Central Bank

The Samoa Observer newspaper reported that a December Central Bank of Samoa report indicated tourism earnings remained at zero.

However remittances increased by 0.3 percent compared to December 2019, to over $US22.6 million.

There was also an increase of around $US4.2 million over November 2019 remittances.

American Samoa remittances increased the most, followed by New Zealand and then Australia.

Total private remittances in the first six months of 2020/21 increased by 13.3 percent.

The bank governor, Maiava Atarina Enari, says the new polymer note celebrates the sporting legacy Samoan youth, their daily lives and the realisation of their sporting dreams.

The new note will carry images of the 2019 Pacific Games logo.

Samoa's Central Bank is probing churches, businesses and individuals in connection with OneCoin, which it's labelled a ponzi scheme.

OneCoin is alleged to have used New Zealand to funnel millions of dollars into Samoa, where a strict ban on the digital currency is in place.

The Central Bank announced investigations after receiving a report from New Zealand police into OneCoin and has said it may sue the company.

But in an email, OneCoin said no one had the authority to operate on its behalf in New Zealand and Samoa.