AGP Executive Report

Export Leadership: Samoa Export Authority CEO Pouli Dr Keneti Faulalo will resign on 31 December, citing an ongoing medical condition. He says he has completed the authority’s launch and five-year roadmap, leaving the board to plan the next phase of export development. Economic Update: Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has asked Treasury and the Central Bank to provide Parliament with current economic indicators after a disputed GDP report was withdrawn for quality checks. Climate Risks: Samoa’s meteorology service warns strengthening El Niño could bring prolonged dry conditions, putting pressure on water supplies, agriculture and energy; businesses and households are urged to prepare. Regional Investment: The ADB’s 2026–2030 Pacific strategy includes Samoa and prioritises resilience, infrastructure, essential services and private-sector development across 12 island economies. Trade and Payments: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit as imports far exceeded exports. A new digital payment system is also being positioned to widen financial access and support economic activity.

Export Leadership: Samoa Export Authority chief executive Keneti Faulalo will resign on 31 December to focus on his health, saying he has established the agency and its five-year plan. Climate Risks: Authorities warn strengthening El Niño could bring drought and extreme heat, putting pressure on Samoa’s water supplies, agriculture and energy production. Economic Oversight: The Prime Minister has asked Treasury and the Central Bank to provide Parliament with updated economic indicators after a GDP report showing a sharp contraction was withdrawn for quality checks. Trade and Finance: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit as imports far exceeded exports; a new digital payment system is also intended to widen financial inclusion and support economic activity. Regional Investment: The Asian Development Bank’s 2026–2030 Pacific strategy includes Samoa, with priorities spanning resilience, infrastructure, jobs and essential services.

Economic Update: Samoa’s Prime Minister has asked Treasury and the Central Bank to provide Parliament with the latest economic indicators, after a GDP report was withdrawn over discrepancies. Regional Investment: ADB’s new five-year Pacific strategy includes Samoa, with priorities spanning resilience, infrastructure, jobs and essential services. Trade: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit as imports far exceeded exports, highlighting pressure to grow local production and exports. Digital Finance: Samoa’s new digital payment system is expected to widen financial inclusion and support economic activity. Tourism: Qantas has put discounted Pacific fares on sale, including Samoa, as travel to the islands continues to grow.

Economic Oversight: Samoa’s prime minister has directed Treasury and the Central Bank to provide Parliament with updated economic indicators, after a withdrawn GDP report showed a 200 million tala contraction and raised questions about the figures. ADB Strategy: A new five-year Asian Development Bank plan puts resilience, infrastructure, essential services and private-sector growth at the centre of support for Samoa and 11 other Pacific economies. Digital Finance: Samoa’s new automated transfer system promises faster domestic payments and wider access to financial services, though trust and data protection will matter as adoption grows. Trade Gap: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit as imports continued to far exceed exports.

Economic Update: Samoa’s prime minister has asked the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank to provide Parliament with current economic figures after a GDP report showing a 200 million tala contraction was withdrawn over quality concerns. ADB Strategy: A new five-year Pacific plan includes Samoa, with investment aimed at jobs, essential services and infrastructure tailored to island economies. Digital Payments: Samoa’s new real-time transfer system is expected to speed up domestic payments and widen access to financial services, though trust and data protection remain key challenges. Trade Balance: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit as imports continued to far exceed exports.

Tourism: Qantas has launched a week-long Pacific sale with more than 18,000 discounted seats to eight destinations, including Samoa, as island travel from Australia continues to grow. Digital Finance: Samoa’s new Automated Transfer System will enable real-time interbank payments, making transfers quicker and supporting wider access to financial services in a country where about half the population is unbanked. Trade: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit, with imports far exceeding exports. Local Investment: Vaimauga 4 is set to receive $2 million for district development projects.

Parliament and Investment: Samoa’s Parliament is now complete at 52 members after three MPs were sworn in. Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o will represent Samoa at CHOGM, where the agenda includes partnerships and investment. Tourism: Qantas has launched a week-long Pacific sale with more than 18,000 discounted seats to eight destinations, including Samoa, supporting opportunities to attract more visitors. Digital Finance: Samoa’s new real-time payment system aims to speed up domestic transfers and widen access to financial services; about half the population currently lacks a bank account or formal financial services. Trade: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit as imports far outstripped exports.

Digital Finance: Samoa’s new Automated Transfer System will enable real-time interbank payments, reduce transfer delays and support new services. With about half the population outside formal banking, the platform is aimed at widening financial access and lowering payment costs. Tourism: Qantas is offering more than 180,000 discounted seats across eight Pacific destinations, including Samoa, as regional travel grows; the sale runs through October 26 for selected travel dates from November 2026 to September 2027. Trade: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit, with imports far exceeding exports, highlighting the scale of the country’s external trade gap.

Digital Finance: Samoa’s new Automated Transfer System is set to enable real-time interbank payments and make financial services more accessible; about half the population is unbanked or outside formal finance. Trade: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit as imports far exceeded exports, underscoring the challenge of building domestic production and export earnings. Local Investment: Vaimauga 4 is set to receive $2 million for district development projects. Regional Partnerships: Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o will lead Samoa’s delegation to next month’s CHOGM, themed around partnerships and investment, as Samoa hands over its chairmanship.

Trade Gap: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit as imports far outpaced exports, underscoring the challenge of growing local production and export earnings. Digital Services: Samoa has opened market engagement with suppliers for a national digital ID system, an early step toward procurement. Local Investment: Vaimauga 4 is set to receive $2 million for district development projects. Public Finance: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to support its national response plan. Currency Watch: Uncut sheets of commemorative $100 notes are being offered online for €750 while local distribution remains on hold.

Commemorative Currency: Uncut sheets of Samoa’s $100 commemorative notes are being offered online for €750, even as local distribution remains on hold. Trade Balance: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit, with imports far exceeding exports. Development Finance: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to back its response to climate, drought and health challenges; state-owned enterprise reforms remain a key area of engagement. District Investment: Vaimauga 4 is set to receive $2 million for development projects, with the first funding tranche expected by November. Digital Services: Samoa has opened market engagement with suppliers ahead of a national digital ID tender.

Currency and Collectibles: Uncut sheets of Samoa’s commemorative $100 notes are being offered online for €750, even as Cabinet’s hold on local distribution remains in place. Trade: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit as imports far exceeded exports, underscoring the scale of the country’s import bill. Development Funding: Vaimauga 4 is set to receive $2 million for district projects, with the first payment expected in November; funding is released in stages and tied to audited reports. Finance and Resilience: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate pressures, drought and health challenges, while state-owned enterprise reform remains a key area of engagement. Digital Economy: Samoa has opened market engagement for a national digital ID system, inviting suppliers to take part in the process.

Trade: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit as imports far exceeded exports, underscoring the scale of the country’s external imbalance. District Funding: Vaimauga 4 is first in line for $2 million in district development funding after completing its required reports; the first 70% is expected to be released by November, with the balance subject to audited accounts. Development Finance: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate risks, drought and health pressures. The bank’s ongoing engagement also includes state-owned enterprise reforms. Digital Services: Samoa has opened market engagement for its national digital ID system and invited suppliers to take part.

Trade: Samoa recorded a $305 million trade deficit, with imports far exceeding exports, highlighting the scale of the country’s reliance on overseas goods. Development Finance: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo has asked the Asian Development Bank to support Samoa’s response to climate risks, drought and health pressures, alongside priorities including renewable energy and digital transformation. District Investment: Vaimauga 4 has qualified for $2 million in development funding, with the first payment expected by November; later funding depends on audited reports. Digital Infrastructure: Samoa has opened market engagement ahead of a tender for a national digital ID system, inviting suppliers to take part.

District Investment: Vaimauga 4 is set to receive the first $2 million allocation for district development projects, with the initial 70% expected by November; the remaining funds depend on audited reports. Economic Resilience: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate risks, drought and health pressures, while reaffirming priorities including digital transformation, renewable energy and state-owned enterprise reform. Digital Economy: Samoa is inviting suppliers to engage ahead of a national digital ID tender, opening a potential procurement opportunity. Pacific Climate Finance: SPC reported US$129.9 million in new climate-funding approvals for 2025, including US$107 million to help tuna-dependent Pacific communities adapt; a strong El Niño is expected to disrupt regional tuna fisheries into 2027.

District Funding: Vaimauga 4 is set to receive $2 million for development projects, after completing required plans and audits. The first $1.4 million is expected by November, with the balance conditional on further audited reports. ADB Support: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to back its response to climate risks, drought linked to a strong El Niño and regional health pressures. The talks also covered digital transformation, renewable energy and state-owned enterprise reform. Digital ID: Samoa has invited suppliers to engage ahead of a tender for a national digital identity system. Pacific Business: Remington Group has become an official Xerox dealer across the region, targeting customers in Samoa and other Pacific markets. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community reports US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals for 2025, including support for tuna-dependent communities and climate-related health resilience.