Samoa's Budget for the upcoming year, which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, is expected to have an overall deficit of over $US32 million.
Samoa's parliament Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
This is despite an expected drop in government expenditures by 3.3 percent.
Minister of Finance Sili Epa Tuioti told Parliament the budget will be implemented around the theme of "a shared vision for prosperity".
Sili projected that domestic revenue will increase by nearly $US7 million primarily driven by projected increases in tax collections alongside the anticipated economic activity generated by the hosting of the Pacific Games and other regional meetings.
Parliament has been asked to approve over $US311 million in revenues and $US344 million in expenditures with a deficit of more than $US32 million.
The deficit is expected to be brought down to nearly $US23 million after government to government borrowing.
Parliament has now gone into recess for two weeks before general debate on the budget.
