Samoa has a sound and sensible regulatory system and has, and is taking steps to ensure that this is kept up to to date. It has avoided implication in recent money-laundering and tax evasion scandals which have plagued other jurisdictions. Samoa's efforts to comply with international standards and regulations, promotes Samoa as an innovative and credible jurisdiction of choice.
The Samoa International Finance Authority (SIFA) is the regulator of international financial services. Pursuant to Section 4 of the Samoa International Finance Authority Act 2005, it is also mandated and empowered to perform core functions. SIFA carries out various activities to complete its required functions, some of which are: to regulate and supervise international financial services. SIFA is proactive in implementing the international standards so as to keep their clients and stakeholders as well as international organisations informed of the developments and review of legislations and the changes which occur as a result of global trends and demand for financial services.
Samoa is a member of the Group of International Finance Centre Supervisors (GIFCS), Group of International Insurance Centre Supervisors (GIICS), Corporate Registers Forum (CRF), the OECD's Peer Review Group (PRG) and the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. Samoa's membership of these International bodies is evidence Samoa's regulatory credentials and efforts towards compliance with International Standards.