Gulf oil states on a Pacific charm offensive
Gulf oil states are using their vast wealth to build influence across the far-flung South Pacific, experts have told AFP, tearing a page straight out of China’s Belt and Road playbook. Saudi Arabia and the United
Overseas medical cost a concern: Samoa PM Fiame
Samoa’s Government remains concerned about the affordability of overseas treatment for non-communicable diseases, says Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa. The Prime Minister made the comments when she
Samoa Government takes over $30 million Aggie Greys hotel shares
The Samoa Government now holds 30 percent preference shares in the Aggie Greys Hotel Limited which owns the Sheraton Samoa and Aggies Greys Hotel & Bungalows in Apia. This was confirmed by the Minister for the
‘Proposed Samoa National Provident Fund changes to do more harm’: economist
Former Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) auditor and senior manager, Peniamina Muliaina has urged the SNPF Chair and Board to reconsider proposed changes to the fund’s small loans and short-term loans policy.
Christian Lealiifano eyes shock Samoa World Cup selection
Cancer survivor Christian Lealiifano is close to penning another special chapter in his rollercoaster career with a 2023 Rugby World Cup appearance for Samoa. The former Wallabies playmaker has revealed he is
Samoa climb World Rugby Women’s rankings
Samoa are now the highest ranked of the Pacific Island nations after their thrilling 19-18 victory over Fiji in the final round of the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship 2023 at Bond University on Australia’s Gold
Samoa government eyes debt reduction
The Samoa Government has forecast public debt will reduce the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) ratio to 32.1 percent by the end of the financial year 2023-24. It plans to achieve this by continuing the
Cassie Siataga inspires Samoa to first Oceania crown
Cassie Siataga held her nerve to kick Samoa to a dramatic 19-18 victory against Fiji that secured a first ever Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship title and their place in WXV 2. Following an epic decider on
Samoa’s Fagalii airport re-opens with extended runway
Samoa’s Fagalii airport has reopened with an extended runway, and the Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure has given his assurance that it is safe. The Minister says the airport has passed all aviation
Don Opeloge sets new Commonwealth record for Men’s 102kg Clean N Jerk
Whenever Samoa’s national weightlifting team compete at regional and global events, the nation can be sure to expect medals to be raining down and records to be broken. The recent Samoa Games held in Apia was no
Widen tax base, spend more efficiently
World Bank's Advice to 9 Pacific Economies The World Bank says six Pacific Island countries are at high risk of debt distress, and that gradual cuts to government spending are vital for balancing budgets and avoiding
Digitising without data
Pacific policy makers need support A recent United Nations report on the Digital Economy has recommended the formation of an ‘Institute for Pacific Digital Economies’ in one of the region’s universities to track
Opinion: Keeping small islands financially afloat
The international community has recognised the special circumstances facing small island developing states, but has done little more to help. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the global financial system, where SIDS
American Idol: First Pacific winner pays tribute to dad and heritage
Hawai’ian student Iam Tongi has dedicated his historic win at the American Idol to his late father and the Pacific whānau. Tongi, 18, became the first Pasifika to win the international show after performing his
Samoan rugby star Apelu Maliko receives two awards in London
Samoan rugby sevens star Vaa Apelu Maliko has received great recognition after winning two awards at the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 in London on Sunday. Scoring an incredible 50 tries across the 11 HSBC
Argentina win in London 7s
Argentina won their third gold medal of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023, beating Fiji 35-14 in the Cup final at Twickenham on Sunday. Fiji opened the scoring in the final but lost Josese Batirerega to a
Samoa sends first team of UN Peacekeepers since COVID lockdown
A 10 member team of Samoan police officers leaves today for training in Jakarta, Indonesia before deployment under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. It is the first team sent for peace keeping duties since the
Six Pacific countries at high risk of debt distress: World Bank
Six Pacific countries are at a high risk of debt distress in part due to government spending to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Bank said in a report on Thursday. The report, titled Raising Pasifika, said
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