The Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) held a handover ceremony on 8 July for IT equipment generously provided by the Australian Government through the Tautai Facility. The equipment, including laptops and a smart whiteboard screen, will support the 2025 Samoa Agriculture Survey (SAS) and further strengthen SBS’s capacity to produce timely, high-quality data for national planning and development.
In his remarks, Mr. Greg Furness, First Secretary for Development and Economics at DFAT, noted that the handover is part of a broader three-year investment by Australia to help build a stronger national statistics ecosystem for all Samoans. He reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to ensuring that Samoa’s leaders are equipped with sound, reliable data to inform key national decisions.
Government Statistician, Afioga Leota Aliielua Salani, expressed heartfelt appreciation for Australia’s continued support. He highlighted the tangible impacts of the partnership so far, including the successful completion of the 2023 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), improved public engagement, and strengthened staff capacity.
“Together with our Australian partners, we are empowering our people and future generations by ensuring decisions are guided by reliable data,” said Leota.
We sincerely thank our colleagues from DFAT and the Tautai Facility for walking alongside us on this journey toward Samoa’s sustainable development and prosperity.
