ADB’s Strategy With Samoa Targets Private Sector Involvement

Samoa’s new Country Partnership Strategy 2008 – 2012 with the Asian Development Bank will focus on improved delivery of power, water, sanitation, and education services through private sector participation. “The CPS is expected to improve growth prospects and living standards, especially for disadvantaged members of the community,” said S. Hafeez Rahman, Director General of ADB’s Pacific Department. Samoa has made significant progress in human development since the early 1980s. However, not all Samoans have fully shared the benefits of growth, with the poorest 10% of households still earning just 1.8% of the national income. Samoa’s gross domestic product growth has been revised to 3.3% in 2008, up from 3.0% projected earlier in the year. Overseas remittances have risen and tourism revenues have increased. Amid these gains,... [read full story]