The Samoan Government’s partnership with the Government of Aotearoa New Zealand to rebuild the Savalalo Market is a significant development in Samoa’s infrastructure investment. Samoa’s national development plan, the “Pathway for the Development of Samoa,” emphasizes empowering communities, building resilience, and inspiring growth, with the goal of fostering inclusive growth that benefits all of Samoa. The reconstruction of the Savalalo market, with a budget of NZ$12 million, aims to support local trades, small businesses, and the tourism industry.
The project is focused on climate-resilient infrastructure, which is necessary given the impacts of climate change on Pacific Island nations like Samoa. Samoa is prone to natural disasters, such as cyclones, tsunamis, and earthquakes. The market’s reconstruction will provide cost-effective and accessible infrastructure for the people, aligning with Samoa’s key strategic outcomes, which include revitalizing the tourism industry and supporting families and community initiatives, developing innovative ways for business growth, and ensuring resilient and sustainable economic growth.
The Samoan Government recognizes the critical role of infrastructure development in strengthening communities’ development, distributing prosperity, and fostering resilience. Despite the extraordinary times and remarkable circumstances we live in, including the pandemic, natural disasters, and the impact of climate change threatening the lives of the Samoan people, the Government remains committed to building and sustaining its economy to create better recovery opportunities.
The joint partnership with Aotearoa New Zealand and other development partners is instrumental in providing general budget support financing for Samoa through the Joint Policy Action Matrix (JPAM) arrangement. This financing modality, which utilizes national systems and processes, is one of the successful modalities used by Samoa to date to deliver the aid program. It ensures that resources are allocated according to national priorities, not only government-led policies, and enables Samoa to recognize the country’s priorities, national systems, and processes.
The signing ceremony between Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand marks yet another milestone in the lifelong friendship between the two countries. The Honorable Mahuta, on behalf of the Government of Aotearoa New Zealand, presented the contribution letter of NZ$7 million budget support for Samoa, as declared in its main estimates for the financial year 2022/23. Samoa is grateful for the ongoing engagement and friendship with Aotearoa New Zealand and looks forward to achieving mutual interests in development, consultations, and addressing critical matters.
Samoa’s priorities remain building fiscal buffers and strengthening national economic resilience, addressing the impacts of climate change, developing the private sector for economic initiatives, addressing social issues such as health and education, and enhancing the standard of living for communities and vulnerable people. The Savalalo Market Rebuild Project aligns with these priorities, reflecting the Samoan Government’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and community development.
In conclusion, the partnership between the Samoan Government and the Government of Aotearoa New Zealand to rebuild the Savalalo Market is a significant investment in Samoa’s infrastructure, which aligns with the country’s priorities and strategic outcomes. The project emphasizes the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility for the people. It also highlights the lifelong friendship between Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand and the latter’s continuous support in improving the social and economic benefits for Samoa. Through this project, the Samoan Government aims to strengthen its economy, build resilience, and enhance the standard of living for communities and vulnerable people.
