Tautai – Samoa Governance for Economic Growth (SGEG) consolidates and builds on the Government of Australia’s (GoA) previous investments supporting the Government of Samoa (GoS) to improve fiscal management and promote equitable economic growth. The strategic intent of the investment is to mitigate the current fiscal challenge brought about by COVID-19 and to establish a path to economic recovery and resilience. The investment’s objective is to promote economic recovery and growth in Samoa with improved fiscal efficiency, reducing the country’s vulnerability to debt and external shocks.

The investment is designed to support Australia’s engagement with the GoS and other development partners in policy-driven budget support arrangements and to complement and support Australia’s other major bilateral investment through the Human Development and Social Inclusion (HDSI) program, working in health, education and social protection.

The program responds to the challenges facing Samoa resulting from the first change in government in 40 years and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a major impact on Samoa. Since commencement, the program has:

• Completed enumeration and provided technical assistance to the Samoa Bureau of Statistics to complete a Household Income and Expenditure Survey in 2023. The survey findings will be used to inform policy making including the re-basing of the consumer price index, and poverty and hardship reporting.
• Provided technical assistance to support the development and review of the national minimum wage policy and manual. The Government of Samoa approved an increase in minimum wage from 1 July 2024, with another increment due on 1 July 2025. This adjustment supports the ability of low-income workers to fund basic living needs and reduces income inequality.
• Received early positive feedback that Tautai is adding value to its partners. Partners are requesting Tautai’s technical support and have expressed appreciation for Tautai’s ability to flexibly respond to partner needs.

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