Chamber News

  Nicola, or Nicky as she is known to her friends, has been living in Vanuatu for the past 17 years and is a proud Vanuatu citizen. Originally hailing from New Zealand, Nicky has lived and worked in the Cayman Islands, the Caribbean, in Africa and in Europe, and has a background in telecommunications.   Since moving to Vanuatu, Nicky has been instrumental in getting TVL (now Vodafone) ready for competition, then worked for the World Bank involved in the setting up of TRBR, before starting her own businesses including Pandanus the gift shop, Pandanus Consulting focusing on marketing and comms, and project and events management. Other businesses she owns include The Point Marina, and the newly launched eco-business venture called Blue Pacific World, which…

Olivier’s business focuses mainly on two key activities. Firstly, on providing world class chocolate to the international market, and secondly, providing this same chocolate to the local market, by value adding to locally produced cacao, sourced via Olivier’s vast network of over 200 farmers in Malekula. Gaston Chocolat café, another business venture of Olivier’s, is a beautiful modern café located in the heart of Port Vila town – it’s a place that welcomes you with a rich aroma of roasted cacao and where one can enjoy an amazing cup of local coffee or hot chocolate while having the opportunity learn more about how chocolate is made. Olivier strongly believes that businesses are agents of change and have the power to directly contribute to socio-economic growth…

On a recent Monitoring & Evaluation trip to Malekula, the VCCI team had the opportunity to travel from the North of Malekula to the South of the Island. Malekula that is packed with resources and opportunities that are waiting to be used and explored. The team was able to have meaningful conversations with selected business clients to identify the various challenges that are affecting business across rural Vanautu, while collecting essential data to help support decision makers with real time, reliable information that can help key decision makers make informed decisions that are helpful to the businesses at all levels. VCCI is currently assisting the Department of Industry with Monitoring and Evaluation of its IDF Project roll out across the four provinces of TAFEA, MALAMPA,…

VCCI is delighted to announce the running of our Givhan long Bisnis Prokram for bright new businesses in Port Vila and Luganville. This program offers small to medium businesses 6 months of business development support, beginning with a series of workshops over 6 weeks covering a range of topics including goal setting, money management skills, and branding and marketing. Businesses are then matched with a local business mentor, who provides one on one coaching and advice for the following months. The process is designed to allow business men and women access to skills development, as well as a sounding board to assist in better decision making, growth and expansion, and to maximise potential in their business. VCCI understands that small businesses are the backbone of…

 WE ARE HIRING! VCCI is looking for an experienced Program Manager and a Communications and Events Officer to join the team, based in Port Vila. Please find link to job descriptions below, and how to apply. We encourage those who are passionate about helping MSMEs to thrive to apply now! Program Manager Reporting directly to the General Manager and working with the Member Services Committee of the VCCI Council, the Member Services Program Manager is responsible and accountable for the overall management and implementation of projects and programs, program budgeting, program financial reporting, human resources management, and program related administrative and logistics support within the organisation. Program management and implementation responsibilities include developing project activity plans, budgets and implementation plans, managing the accomplishment of targeted…

Greg Pechan is the Co-founder and Owner of The Havannah Vanuatu, an award-winning boutique resort for adults. In 2024, The Havannah Vanuatu was honored in Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards for the South Pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand. Greg and his wife, Liz, embarked on this journey in 2009, starting with just six rooms and a restaurant. Reflecting on the early years, Greg acknowledges the initial challenges in defining their unique offering. Over time, the resort has flourished, expanding to 17 Villas, despite facing significant challenges such as severe tropical cyclones, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current Air Vanuatu situation. Throughout these trials, Greg remains immensely proud of the positive impact The Havannah Vanuatu has made in the community….

PTI New Zealand are pleased to once again offer the Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand Freight Support Package (FSP), with applications open from Monday 3 June 2024. The FSP is for Pacific Islands exporters challenged by increasing freight costs for their merchandise exports to New Zealand. To qualify for the programme, businesses must be registered and have an export license from one of the 16 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member countries. Additionally, applicants must be exporting to New Zealand currently or have forward export orders for 2024, provide evidence of freight costs and payments, agree to submit an impact statement and demonstrate community impact and gender-balanced employment. Applications are open, apply here: https://form.jotform.com/240728096266867 For more information please contact Tupe Lemisio, Business Development Support tupe.crawley@pacifictradeinvest.com

Dear members, Each week we will be showcasing one of our Council members, to allow you to find out more about them, and what they would like to see happen for the sector they represent. This week we talk to Ms Velenie Jacob. Council Member: Ms Velenie Jacob Business: Lokol Akaonting Solusen / Narara Consulting / Bella Trading Industry Sector: Representing Women in Business Velenie Jacob has extensive experience working in and for the private sector, having begun her career at Credit Corp and moving onto the Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotions Authority. It was working with small businesses that she noticed there were gaps in her client’s financial management skills, and a real need for financial literacy training. It was here the idea to start…