OPINION : Protecting Samoa’s Good Name

2026-02-22 - 17:17

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” — Proverbs 22:1 Ms Sieni Voorwinden CEO Samoa International Finance Authority Samoa’s recent removal from the European Union list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions marks the culmination of an eight-year journey shaped by persistence, collaboration, and conviction. This milestone reflects Samoa’s commitment to strengthening its legal and regulatory framework while preserving the integrity of our jurisdiction. At its core, this work was about protecting the good name of Samoa. For small jurisdictions, reputation is everything. It underpins trust, investment, and opportunity. Safeguarding Samoa’s standing in the international community required difficult decisions, technical reforms, and sustained engagement over many years. This process challenged us to think differently, to engage constructively, and to balance international expectations with the realities of a small island economy. Compliance carries real costs for small states, and solutions must be grounded in our own context, what works elsewhere does not always work for Samoa. This achievement represents a true national effort. I acknowledge with sincere gratitude our external advisors, including Roneil Prasad; our partner agencies — MFAT, CBS, MCR, MCIL, the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Finance whose collaboration made progress possible; our Mission in Brussels, especially Ambassador Francella Strickland whose tireless engagement ensured Samoa’s voice was heard ; our political leaders whose support made this undertaking possible ; our team at SIFA whose dedication sustained the work through every stage; and our stakeholders and TCSPs who recognised that adherence to international standards ultimately strengthens Samoa’s attractiveness as a jurisdiction. I also acknowledge our counterparts within the European Union institutions for their professionalism and openness to dialogue, particularly Mr Alain Clara and Mr Benjamin Angel, whose constructive engagement helped ensure Samoa’s circumstances were understood. Many others, on both sides, contributed along the way and laid the foundations for this achievement. Above all, I give thanks to God for His grace and faithfulness throughout this journey. The encouragement and prayers of many sustained us, and even moments of doubt strengthened our resolve to persevere. This journey has not been easy, but it has been meaningful and deeply enriching. I have been enriched by the experience and humbled by the many people who contributed to this outcome. Removal from the EU blacklist is not the end of the journey, it is a reaffirmation of Samoa’s commitment to responsible regulation, transparency and good governance. Most importantly, it is a testament to what can be achieved when a nation comes together to protect something priceless: Its good name.