The Governor of Samoa's Reserve Bank, Leasi Papali'i Scanlan, says the focus of a new loan assistance programme from the Asian Development Bank will be on improving infrastructure for the tourism industry.
The ADB loan package of up to 27 million US dollars is aimed at helping the nation revive its economy following the global financial crisis and last year's tsunami.
Up to 16 million US dollars will be extended for the first phase of the Economic Recovery Support Programme, with an additional 11 million dollars earmarked for the second phase.
Mr Scanlan says the ADB package is welcome support for rehabilitating the all-important tourism sector.
"The focus is making sure that the roads leading up to where the resorts are are up to standard and also the power supply to these resorts are also readily available as well as the water supply. So the focus and the priority at the moment with the ADB funds is infrastructure development for the hotels."
Leasi Papali'i Scanlan
