A state visit to Samoa by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon early next year is among issues of discussions during a courtesy call by Samoa’s Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt with his New Zealand counterpart this week.
Health and security with the focus on addressing drug-related challenges threatening Samoa and the Pacific region are among key issues raised by Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa during the meeting at the Samoa Consulate General’s Office in Mangere, Auckland New Zealand.
Other matters of mutual interest explored by the two Prime Ministers includes Samoa’s commitment to work closely with the New Zealand Government in combating the drug trade.
Prime Minister Luxon acknowledged that drug trafficking has become a regional issue of concern for New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and Australia.
He noted that the price of drugs in New Zealand is approximately fifteen times higher than in North America, which has led to an increase in smuggling operations, including the use of submarines.
For Samoa, Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa reaffirmed Government’s and his commitment to protect the nation’s youth from drugs through the active involvement of village councils.
The Samoa Prime Minister noted that urban areas are currently the most affected, but with the implementation of the new District Development Plan, the government aims to address these challenges both at the village and national levels.
Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa is optimistic that the new District Development Plan will also encourage Samoans to return to their villages to contribute to local development and strengthen community-based businesses.
In addition, the Samoan leader shared with his New Zealand counterpart the Samoa Government’s aim to expand tourism opportunities through the relaunch of the national airline.
As for trade and exports, Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa cited the establishment of the Samoa Export Authority to strengthen export capacity, with a particular focus on the New Zealand market with the objective to increase exports to New Zealand, targeting the Samoan and wider Pacific communities as its primary customers.
About 200,000 Samoans are residing in New Zealand, and the Samoan Government hopes they will reinvest back home.
It was also noted by the Samoan Leader that remittances continue to play a key role in Samoa’s development, which is why the RSE programme is important to Samoa.
The RSE programme has proven valuable however, Samoa also aims to encourage skilled workers to remain in the country to help sustain and grow local businesses.
Samoa’s Prime Minister also outlined his vision for a new national hospital, noting that the previous facility built by New Zealand in the 1970s had been well-suited to Samoa’s climate and needs.
And the Samoa Government’s plans to build a new national hospital in Tuanaimato and establish another hospital in Savai’i.
The Prime Minister of Samoa also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Luxon for the scholarship opportunities provided to Samoan students and shared his Administration’s vision on energy supply, towards more investment in renewable energy.
Samoa’s Government leader also raised the topic of carbon credits and expressed interest in exploring potential opportunities for Samoa in this area. Samoa also hopes to develop and invest more in sports and local talent.
Prime Minister Luxon complimented the significant contributions of the Samoan community in New Zealand and commended their continued success and positive contribution to New Zealand.
“Prime Minister Luxon and I have agreed to hold further in-depth discussions in the near future. And the New Zealand Prime Minister has assured his State visit to Samoa early next year,” Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa told the Government Press Secretary Saturday afternoon.
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