Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has commended ANZ Bank and the ANZ Group for providing great services to Samoa’s financial system and economic development.
She said this was through assisting both the local and international customers through a comprehensive range of services in both the retail and commercial banking businesses.
The acknowledgement was sounded at a reception to welcome ANZ’s Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shayne Elliot, held at the Australian High Commissioner’s Residence at Tiapapata on Thursday evening.
She said the presence of the ANZ Group CEO in Samoa added prominence to the close bilateral relations between Australia and Samoa through economic development.
“Over the years, Samoa has worked closely with Australia and our other development partners to ensure that we achieve our development aspirations as outlined in the Pathway for the Development of Samoa,” said the Prime Minister.
And added that, “Resilient economic growth is key to a sustainable future and we are thankful to our development partners for the many initiatives in support of this goal.”
She also spoke about the ANZ Bank’s history in Samoa.
“ANZ Bank has been a partner for Samoa since its establishment in Apia in 1991, trading at the time as the Bank of Western Samoa; later in 1997, changed its name to what we now know as ANZ Bank Samoa.”
Adding that, “ANZ is now celebrating 145 years of service in the Pacific region and I congratulate ANZ for this significant milestone that reflects its commitment to genuine and lasting partnerships.”
And that the ANZ Bank together with other banking institutions have created an enabling environment supporting the effects of the private sector as the engine of growth in Samoa’s economy.
“There have been reforms to cater for the changing needs of the market in order to address customers’ demands.”
And these changes include the upgrade of its IT system to provide technology-based online services to its customers and the community at large ensuring she said.
And ensures Samoa is not left behind in this evolving technology landscape.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the strong support of the Government of Australia in maintaining ANZ Bank in Samoa and the Pacific region for continued access to banking services.
“I would like to wish ANZ Group CEO, Shayne Elliot an enjoyable short stay in Samoa and we look forward to many high level visits from ANZ and its continued presence in Samoa and our Pacific region,” she says.
The Prime Minister also wished Merry Christmas to the Australian High Commissioner to Samoa Will Robinson, his family and staff, and said she looked forward to celebrating many successes and milestones in Samoa and Australia’s continued partnership in 2025.
