Recent economic developments in Samoa

Abstract

The combination of reforms to open up the financial sector, lowering of tariffs and taxes, privatisation and responsible fiscal and monetary management have provided a good environment for change in the early phases of Samoa?s reform program. The return of the Human Rights Protection Party to government has provided a background of political consistency for the reforms. However, a continuation of the recent fiscal results and the associated monetary response could undermine these gains, both in terms of economic prospects and the sustainability of the reform program. This economic update is built on the findings and recommendations of the Asian Development Bank report Samoa 2000 and provides an update of the most recent economic and social indicators of the performance of the Samoa economy. Show more