Fireworks valued at more than SAT$300,000 will be used by the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) to welcome the New Years with fireworks on both Upolu and Savai'i, this was confirmed on Wednesday morning.

S.T.A with representatives from its' key partners, the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services (S.F.E.S.A.) and the Samoa Hotel and Hospitality Association (S.H.H.A.) laid out the Christmas and the New Years' Program in a press conference.

S.T.A sales and marketing manager, Losa Maiai Wallwork confirmed the cost of the fireworks.

"We're looking at nearly NZ$200,000 including everything, hosting it here in Upolu as well as Savaii and that's why it is expensive because we're hosting it for both islands," she said.

The fireworks will be displayed from a boat in Apia for Upolu and in Siufaga for Savaii residents on New Year's.

Asked who's funding the fireworks, the Chairman of the Fireworks Committee, Niumata Kitiona Pogi said since the beginning of the firework display four years ago, it was always S.T.A that had provided funding.

He also confirmed that professionals from the Van Thiel company will once again handle the fireworks this year.

Prior to that, a Christmas programme has also been scheduled and put together by the S.T.A and S.H.H.A in collaboration with the Ministry of Police and S.F.E.S.A for safety and security.

Niumata confirmed that there will be a Christmas parade next week followed by Lights on the Waterfront and night markets on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Meanwhile, S.T.A is working alongside the Ministry of Police, Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (S.F.E.S.A.), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.) Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T..I.), Samoa Shipping Corporation (S.S.C.), Betham Brothers Enterprises (B.B.E.), Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.), and Samoa Port Authority (S.P.A.) on both the CHristmas and New Year's program.