MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australian funding to help achieve reforms in Samoa's primary industries and
quarantine sectors has reached $8.5 million (WST 15.2 m), the Parliamentary
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus, MP, announced today.
The funding includes $3.8 million (WST 6.8m) to help develop the country's
quarantine service and an additional funding package of $3 million (WST 5.4m) to
help implement reforms in Samoa's Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Fisheries
and Meteorology.
A new Quarantine Operations Centre, which is being established, will help
protect the country's plants, animals and agricultural produce against the
introduction of exotic pests and diseases.
'The Samoan economy, and particularly the agricultural sector, has suffered
serious setbacks over the past decade as a consequence of the introduction of
exotic pests and diseases. Taro blight effectively wiped out Samoa's taro export
industry in 1993,' Mrs Gallus said.
'The new $3 million funding will continue Australia's assistance in helping
the Samoan Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Fisheries and Meteorology
revitalise the agriculture sector. It builds on a successful Fisheries Project,
completed in 2001, which increased productivity in both commercial and
subsistence fisheries.'
'The additional funding will enable the Ministry to develop staff skills,
monitor the performance of the primary industries sector, identify key issues
and develop policy advice. The funding will also be used to finance studies into
individual sectors of the agricultural sector to determine areas in need of
further attention,' she said.
'These measures demonstrate the importance the Australian and Samoan
Governments place on reforms being undertaken in the Ministry so that Samoa can
reap the full benefits from its primary industries sector and expand export
opportunities. This in turn will help create jobs and strengthen the country's
economy,' Mrs Gallus said.
Contacts
Craig Bildstien (Office of Mrs Gallus) 02 6277 4840
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960