Samoa at high risk debt distress: IMF
A new debt sustainability analysis (DSA) prepared by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Staff has shown that Samoa remains at high risk of external and overall debt distress, unchanged from the
Samoa visitor arrivals returning to pre-pandemic levels
Visitors to Samoa’s shores in the first quarter of 2023 totaled over 30,000 with data released by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) showing arrivals beginning to get to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
Samoa in press freedom’s top 20
Samoa has jumped into the top 20 in the latest press freedom index released by the global group Reporters Without Borders out of 180 countries and territories assessed. It is one of only two Pacific nations in the top
World Rugby Pacific Challenge ready to return in Apia
Samoa will host a men’s international tournament this week for the first time in 13 years. Returning for the first time since 2020, the Pacific Challenge will pit Manuma Samoa, Fiji Warriors, Tonga A and Junior Japan
Samoa Health Director confident no repeat of 2019 measles epidemic
The Director General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma is confident that Samoa will not see a repetition of the measles crisis of 2019. The Ministry has put in place stringent travel requirements as neighbouring American
Influenza B Flu outbreak closes schools in Samoa
Schools in Samoa have been closed for a further week as more than two thousand cases of the Influenza B flu have been recorded affecting mainly children. The public notice was issued Thursday by the Director of
More recruitment by StarKist anticipated
There could be employment for Samoans in the neighbouring country of American Samoa as the Starkist fish processing plant looks for workers. This was one of the outcomes from the third Atoa o Samoa Executive Meeting.
Restrictions on American Samoa in Samoa
American Samoans have to comply with the strict health guidelines set by the Government of Samoa when entering the country as the nation tries to prevent measles from coming in. The neighbouring country has confirmed
More China aid likely: Qian Bo
There is likely to be more China aid inbound to Samoa following a meeting on Monday between China’s Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs and Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa. In a press briefing
Tonga and Samoa netters start Aus tourney on the right foot
Defending champs Tonga Tala thrash Singapore 85-40 to open their account on the Gold Coast. Tonga and Samoa recorded victories in their first round of matches at the PacificAUS Sports Netball Series on the Gold Coast in
Welfare and wellbeing of Samoan seasonal workers in Australia important
Samoa’s Ministry of Labour the immediate safety, welfare, wellbeing of Samoan citizens engaged under temporary labour mobility schemes continues to be of paramount importance. According to the ministry, this has
10 nations to train at Samoa’s weightlifting facility
Weightlifters from five different Pacific nations are in Samoa and there could be five more by the end of the year. They are not here to compete but to make use of the training facilities and train with Samoan
Samoa’s economy on recovery path
Samoa is slowly recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, according to the latest Samoa Bureau of Statistics data. Samoa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Expenditure in constant 2013 prices for
Samoa ready for Moana Pasifika’s first home Super Rugby game
Samoa will turn on the fireworks when they welcome Moana Pasifika ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Reds in Apia on Friday. A welcome parade is taking place today and will follow the Police Marching
Over 11,000 travellers visited Samoa in February
A total of 11,411 travellers visited Samoa in February of this year, which according to the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) is a decrease of 34.4 percent over the previous month of January, 2023. However, the latest
Growing insurance in the Pacific
A vibrant ‘insurance movement’ is “disrupting the historical status quo of insurance coverage access being largely confined to medium to high income urbanites,” says the General Secretary of the United Nations
Measuring vulnerability for development
Once again, people in Vanuatu are rebuilding their homes after two cyclones hit the nation in the first week of March. It’s a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of small island developing states and the way that
Noni juice inching closer to exports
There is good news for noni exporters and producers across the region, with some progress towards having regional standards for fermented noni juice. Nonu (noni) is an important agricultural export in Samoa,
Moana Pasifika to clash against the Reds in Samoa
As Samoa gears up to host the Super Rugby match between Moana Pasifika and the Queensland Reds at Apia Park on 14 April this year, tickets are on-sale now starting at $10. Digicel Samoa advertised the tickets on
Samoa PM Fiame Mata’afa’s inaugural FDC Pacific Lecture
Talofa Lava and warm Pacific greetings. I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to deliver this Pacific Lecture, as has been the tradition for the Lowy Institute to host world leaders in order to foster positive
Nations fight to be called climate vulnerable in IPCC report
Government negotiators fought bitterly last week over which groups and regions are defined as particularly vulnerable to climate change in the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Virgin Australia makes its long-awaited return to Samoa
Samoa’s harbourside capital of Apia is once again on the departures board for Virgin Australia, as the airline’s twice-weekly flight from Sydney returns to the sky from today, with Brisbane primed to restart on
Samoa PM pushes for Pacific voices to be better heard
Samoa’s prime minister says small Pacific nations need to be listened to and consulted more over regional security issues as bigger players crowd the region. In her first official visit to Australia, Fiamē Naomi