The Ministry of Customs was the generous recipient of donated technical equipment from the DFAT Australian partnership program: Tautai for Economic Growth, during a handover ceremony that was held on Friday 28th August 2026.
The equipment valued at more than $57,000 tala was donated to support the important work of the Ministry of Customs.
The first phase of the donation included seven laptops, a conference screen with accessories and a camera.
The second part of the donation will be handed over in October this year, which brings the total value of the Australian government support to close to $1 million tala.
The handover ceremony was attended by First Secretary of the Australian High Commission in Samoa, Mr. Jonathan Perotti who delivered the keynote address.
The Tautai Program Director Mr. Peter Tierney and Inspector Michelle Bond of the Australian Border Force were also present for this special event.
Mr. Perotti acknowledged the important role that customs officers play in Samoa’s economy on a daily basis.
“Through facilitating trade, supporting local businesses, protecting and safeguarding our borders and contributing to services that our families, villages and communities rely on.”
“This equipment will support Customs officers to work more efficiently, communicate more effectively, increase compliance, detect and combat transnational crime..”
The Chief Executive Officer, Afioga Mulipola Lemalu Maletino Teofilo gratefully received the gifts.
He acknowledged the generosity of the Government of Australia demonstrates through a partnership with positive impact achieved from working together towards a common goal.
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