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Samoa Briefs

His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi congratulates Mario Bot, the new High Commissioner of Canada who arrived in Samoa last month.  (Photo JL)
joyetter@samoanews.com

CANADA’S NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER MEETS WITH HEAD OF STATE

Apia, SAMOA — The relationship between Samoa and Canda will mark its 46th year, coming June 2017 and it’s something to be proud of, said His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi during a brief ‘Letter of Credence’ ceremony at Tuaefu, residence of the Head of State on Thursday. At the ceremony, Mario Bot, the new High Commissioner of Canada was welcomed with an ava ceremony.

His Highness Tui Atua, stated that the relationship between Samoa and Canada has transcended physical distances and they continue to cover an array of issues that are of equal significance to both countries. “Canada and Samoa continue to engage at various international forums such as the United Nations in the promotion of these important issues. Samoa all expresses its gratitude to the Government of Canada for providing financial support through the Canadian Fund which supports small scale community projects and other priority areas for development.”

The Head of State pointed out to the new High Commissioner that he’s confident during his tenure in Samoa cordial relations will continue to exist between Samoa and Canada and will be strengthened and enhanced.

Canada’s new High Commissioner in Samoa is based in Wellington New Zealand, however he would be visiting regularly during the course of his mandate and would get to know Samoa “your beautiful country.” Bot pointed out that Samoa and Canada maintain a fruitful dialogue at the United Nations.

“In this context, I am particularly thankful for the expression of support to Canada’s candidacy to the UN Council that Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi extended to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs when they met in September last year at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).”

“As Samoa prepares to host this year’s PIF Canada looks forward to participating actively in the Post-Forum Dialogue and to expanding further our relationship with the Forum and its members states,” the new High Commissioner said, reaffirming their commitment to playing a meaningful role on the fight against climate change “to work along with partners to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, and to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law around the world — all afford opportunities to establish a fruitful dialogue in Samoa,” he said.

U.S. FASTEST GROWING SEGMENT IN 2ND QUARTER VISITOR NUMBERS

Apia, SAMOA — The visitor numbers for Samoa’s second quarter of the current fiscal year are steady and have increased by 1.8% when compared to the same period in the previous financial year, according to Samoa Tourism Authority (STA).

“As was the case last year, the increase was driven by minor growths for October and December with November again being the slow month achieving no growth in numbers. Holiday and visitors contributed the most to the overall increase in terms of overall numbers as is the norm for the holiday season although the Business category achieved the most overall growth of 23% driven largely by the GCF meeting that we hosted in early December,” a STA report says, stating that the New Zealand Market continues to perform well for the Quarter and achieved the biggest increase in overall numbers for the quarter with 1237 visitors, how ever, the ever improving US Market recorded the biggest net growth of 14%.

Tourism Earnings grew by 2.3%, which is a slightly higher overall growth relative to the growth in the numbers for the period under review. This is mainly due to the increase in business visitors as well as visitors from our Asian and European markets that traditionally have higher spending per visit.