Aussie aid

Australia will provide an extra $BOO,OOO to Western Samoa for policy and management reform, the Minister for

Development Cooperation, Gorden Bilney

said.

“The funds are from a specific $4.6million allocation in this year’s aid budget to support reform efforts in the South

Pacific region.”

Bilney said Australia is keen to encour age good resource management in the South Pacific, in both the public and pri vate sectors.

“Western Samoa has developed a solid framework for public-sector reform and institutional strengthening as well as tak ing steps to ensure that private-sector development is appropriate and sustain able.

“This is despite the major economic problems caused be two cyclones and an outbreak of taro leaf-blight.”

Bilney said the additional funds will help the Western Samoan government con tinue its process of institutional reform.