The Government of Japan has reaffirmed its commitment and partnership with the
Government of Samoa in maritime security through the provision of a Patrol Boat under its
Economic and Social Development Programme.
An Exchange of Notes between the two Governments was signed today between Hon. Faualo
Harry Jeffrey Schuster, Minister for Police and Prisons of Samoa, and H.E. Mr. SENTA Keisuke,
the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa.
The Exchange of Notes formalizes a grant assistance to the amount of JPY 150,000,000
(approximately WST 3,000,000) which will enable the procurement of a Patrol Boat (17m
long) to support the Samoa Police maritime surveillance and law enforcement programme.
The new vessel will further enhance Samoa’s maritime capability to ensure: ongoing
protection of her territorial waters and marine resources; enhanced border protection from
external security threats ranging from transnational crime, illegal immigration to illegal,
unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and provision of effective emergency response
services for disasters, such as coastline surveillance, search and rescue operations.
The signing of the Exchange of Notes illustrates the continued friendship and warm relations
between Japan and Samoa.