Chamber News

The Vanuatu National e-Commerce Symposium is happening next week. on Monday and Tuesday –  25th to 26th of September, 2023. The event theme is, “Architect your business operations to be interactive; to embrace digital transformation.” The main aims for this year’s celebrations is to: Showcase the important contributors to building e-commerce ecosystem in Vanuatu; Provide opportunities for contributors to network and build working relationships; Provide a platform to public and citizens to learn more about e-commerce activities; and Showcase to international contributors, partners, developers, funders and more other important stakeholders what Vanuatu is going through regarding e-commerce development Keep the ball rolling in terms of ecommerce awareness, education and growth of online businesses. Please join us in this symposium. The event will take place at…

Dear business member, As we gear up for the upcoming cyclone season, your business is not just a commercial entity; it can be a stronghold of resilience in our community. VCCI and the Vanuatu Business Resilience Council are updating our database of local suppliers, so in times of response, donor partners, government departments, and humanitarian responders can utilize your offerings before considering overseas options during a cyclone response. Update your details or register with us by clicking on the link below: https://actemp.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cRMvWKb8gE79dZA We are wanting to promote a more sustainable and self-reliant Vanuatu, where local resources are mobilised to the fullest extent in times of crisis. Please share this link to other businesses in your industry sector. With thanks, VCCI and the Vanuatu Business Resilience…

Yu save hau blo krietem wan fesbuk peij? Yu wantem promotem bisnis mo advertisem lo Fesbuk? Kam Joinem Tahnia Cook, fesbuk maket coj blo VCCI, bai hemi tekem yu tru lo ol simpol step blo hau nau yu save krietem wan fesbuk peij blo bisnis blo yu. Bai yu lanem tu hau blo mekem ol pos blo save attraktem ol kastoma. Yu mas kat wan fone, tablet or laptop blo usum lo taem ia blo yu save kreitem wan peij blo bisnis blo yu. 2 dei trening ia bah yu save lanem tu ol app olsem CANVA mo Snapseed blo usum taem u stap post lo fes buk peij blo bisnis. Wetem CANVA yu save kreitem kwaliti pikja weh yu save usum blo mekem ol…

The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has called on the Government of Vanuatu to use world-wide best practice for setting and reviewing the minimum wage and base increases on the consumer price index* (CPI). The President of the Chamber, Mr. Antoine Boudier re-affirmed that the private sector does not oppose an increase to the minimum wage, and offered the solution that the increase should be based on actual CPI increases, which can then be reviewed annually and matched accordingly, instead of large arbitrary increases. “We have seen a year-on-year increase of 17.5% to CPI since 2019,  which was the last time the minimum wage was reviewed. We believe using the CPI as a tool to set the wage annually is the correct course…

Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI) was excited to have its second Pacific Green Entrepreneurship network incubator cohort in Vanuatu that was successful launched on Monday 19th to 21st of June 2023. It was great to witness the enthusiasm and commitment of our participants in driving sustainable entrepreneurship and green growth in Vanuatu. This year’s program was focused on entrepreneurs especially in Santo as the second business economic hub for Vanuatu. We have 10 selected business entrepreneurs who have applied to be part of the four months Program this year. Each participant will receive support for individual coaching and mentoring as part of this program from different experience entrepreneur as their mentors which is a big benefit to this selected business participants. All the…

Business Link Pacific (BLP), a private sector development programme funded by the New Zealand Government, has announced the availability of new Business Support Grants for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Vanuatu. New Zealand High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Nicola Simmonds, shared, “We’re looking forward to seeing how these grants to businesses, together with BLP’s ongoing partnership with VCCI, help grow an innovative, inclusive, and climate-resilient private sector in Vanuatu. It’s also exciting to see the expansion of the BLP Programme to Santo under this new phase, to help improve reach in rural areas.” The Business Support Grants are designed to stimulate SME growth, innovation, access to finance, and investment in social inclusion and climate action. SMEs in Vanuatu can present proposals that meet the criteria…

The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is greatly disappointed to learn that despite all concerted efforts to delay the proposed 36% increase to Vanuatu’s minimum wage, the Government is intent on enacting the increase from 1 June 2023. “The VCCI has attempted to work cooperatively in good faith with the Vanuatu Government, including the Department of Labour, to ensure a balanced approach to any increase to Vanuatu’s minimum wage so that will not adversely affect Vanuatu’s economy and compound cost-of-living pressures,” said Antoine Boudier, the VCCI President. “We are deeply concerned about how this decision has come about without any private sector consultation and leaving inadequate time to prepare for its implementation and call on the Government to not proceed with gazetting of…