Yesterday,in Samoa, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President Scott Morris, along with Samoa’s Finance Minister and ADB Governor Lautimuia Afoa Uelese Vaai, opened the new office for ADB called the Samoa Pacific Country Office (PCO) in the Central Bank of Samoa.
Mr. Morris mentioned that ADB has been helping Samoa with its development goals for nearly 60 years. The new office is expected to make ADB more responsive to the country’s needs and strengthen their working relationship with the government.
Minister Vaai added that the Samoa PCO strengthens their partnership with ADB, making them better able to respond to the development needs of the Samoan people. He looks forward to continued support from ADB in areas like renewable energy, land and maritime transport, health, and disaster resilience.
ADB’s work in Samoa focuses on building infrastructure, making policy reforms, and supporting climate resilience and private enterprises. The Samoa PCO plays a crucial role in these efforts.
Samoa has been a founding member of ADB since 1966, and ADB has committed $484.3 million to Samoa through 147 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance. The cumulative disbursements amount to $320.61 million, financed by various funds.
Maria Melei serves as the Senior Country Officer of ADB’s Samoa PCO.
ADB is dedicated to making Asia and the Pacific prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable while working to eliminate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members, with 49 from the region.
(original text and image by Samoa Goverment]