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[email protected] JANUARY 2005 MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE In line with the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act 2001, it is a great pleasure for me to present the Strategy for the Development of Samoa (SDS) for the period 2005–2007. This document clearly articulates the priority strategic areas that will guide Samoa’s development for the 2005-07 period. This document reflects a continuation of the reform program implemented over the past SDS periods. Of greater importance, it presents clearly the key issues and concerns faced by the wider Samoan community - the issues that matter to the community and critical for achieving a better quality of life for everyone. In support of the principles of good governance, the preparation of this document was widely consultative. It involved a number of sector consultation meetings with a wide range of stakeholders which included Church Leaders, Pulenuu, women’s committees, farmers and fishermen, non-government organisations, youth groups, tourism industry, education and health stakeholders, the business community as well as government ministries and corporations. Consultations were carried out in Savaii to facilitate participation and contribution of Savaii residents, with the final National Stakeholder Summit held in October in Upolu. The views expressed at these consultation meetings formed the platform for the priority strategic areas highlighted in the document.