Cabinet stops overseas travel for senior government officials

Apia, Samoa – 06 October 2025 – Cabinet has issued a directive stopping overseas travel for Chief Executive Officers and their Assistants until after the government budget 2025/2026 is passed.

The Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo, today tabled the budget for up to June 2026 that the government plans to be passed by 30 October to avoid extending the current budgetary requirements under the state of the emergency.

The budget is now being reviewed by Parliaments Finance Committee for 14 days where Chief Executive Officers are required to appear before the Committee. The Committee is required to report back to parliament for the budget debate starting on 22 October.

The Cabinet directive requires all Chief Executive Officers and their Assistants for all Government Ministries and State-Owned Enterprises to be in the country as the budget is being debated until it is passed.

Any unavoidable travel, especially for overseas medical treatment will need Cabinet’s approval.