The Samoa government is hosting a three-day visit by the president of the Asian Development Bank, Takehiko Nakao, who visited a solar energy project soon after arriving at Faleolo airport yesterday.
ADB President, Takehako Nako, arrives in Samoa Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
The President will also attend the official opening of a hydropower plant at Tafitoala and Fausaga villages, which was funded by the ADB, New Zealand, the EU and Samoa.
Mr Takehako will round out his visit by calling on the Samoa Agribusiness support project and the Fiaga power station and battery storage.
Economic growth in Samoa slowed to 0.9 percent in the fiscal year ending 30 June 2018 following the closure of Yazaki Samoa, an automotive parts maker that was the country's largest private employer.
But growth is expected to rebound in the current fiscal year as visitor arrivals increase and infrastructure investment expands in the lead-up to Samoa's hosting of the Pacific Games in 2019.
"Samoa is well-placed to further expand its tourism industry, which is already a key driver of economic growth and foreign currency earning," Mr Nakao said.
"It will be important to pursue sustainable tourism, which protects the environment, and ensure local communities to benefit."