Australia will provide an estimated total of AUD37.8 million (WST $72.7 million) to support economic growth and development in Samoa over the 2016-17 financial year through bilateral, regional and global development programmes.
About WST$45.4 million of this funding relates to bilateral programmes while a further WST27.3 million will be provided through regional programmes including the Australia Pacific Technical College and other Australian Government Agencies such as the Australian Federal Police under the Samoa Australia Police Partnership.
The new budget was announced earlier in May, by the Australian Government and Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Sue Langford said her country was proud to continue supporting Samoa’s development needs.
“Australia’s development assistance for 2016-17 will focus on enabling economic growth, progressing health and education outcomes and strengthening governance and private sector led growth.”
The assistance falls In line with Australia’s aid policy and the strategy for the development of Samoa.
Australia’s development priorities in Samoa are to enable economic growth, to advance Samoa’s health and education outcomes and to strengthen governance.
"Samoa and Australia have an enduring cooperative relationship that extends across political, security, economic and people-to-people links," she added.
"Australia is the largest destination for Samoan merchandise exports and is Samoa’s fifth largest source of merchandise imports," said Ms Langford.
"Australia’s aid programme will promote innovative approaches and support Samoa’s efforts to build climate resilience. Support for gender equality and promoting opportunities for people with disability remain high priorities for Australia’s aid to Samoa," she said.
"Australia is also committed to working in partnership with the Government and people of Samoa to improve the quality of life for all Samoans," Ms Langford said.
The assistance is part of the ongoing partnership between Samoa and Australia. One of the most visible parts of this aid is through the Australian Federal Police and Samoa Police partnership that has been strengthening in recent months.
The hope is, with big assistance like this from Australia, areas of development in Samoa, especially in Education and Health would boost the country's economy further.
Pic courtesy Jet Newspaper. APTC training for tourism sector stakeholders of Samoa