Chamber News

Yesterday was our Council member Carolyn Ernst’s last day as representative for Small Business at the Chamber. Carolyn has been a valued member of the Chamber since 2014, representing tourism, women in business and small business over the years. Running multiple businesses in tour operations and agriculture over her 40+ years in Vanuatu, she has worked with and trained dozens of local staff from her surrounding community in Rentapau. Today she gave her time to join Velenie Jacob (Council member for Women) and Adrian Toka (VCCI Business Information Officer) at FM107 for the lunchtime talk back show to share her experiences and to promote our upcoming AGM on 23 June. We thank you Carolyn for all you have contributed to VCCI and look forward to…

Dear members, We have an extensive newsletter to share with you today, including information about SBO training in Tanna next week, free soft skills training support on offer for our businesses in Tourism, an update on our work supporting the IDF grant program and a reminder of our AGM in 2 weeks’ time. More detail can be found below: Join the Council – ‘Be the Change’ VCCI is holding its Annual General Meeting in Port Vila on 23 June. This year we have 8 seats available on the Council representing the following industry sectors: Tourism, Construction, Small Business (2), Large Business, Finance and Land Transport. To promote the event we have created a short video, please click here to watch two of our Council members Christoph…

On Friday 29 April MFEM announced the launching of the new ESP3 – a Small Business Grant (SBG) and Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS), aimed at helping inject much needed cash into the local economy in 2022. What is it? To simplify, this is an extension of the existing ESP2, both the SGB and WSS schemes will be extended for another 6 months (March until August 2022). Please note, if you were successful in applying for SBG in 2021, you will automatically be paid the SBG for 2022. You do not need to re-apply. For the WSS, the same principal applies. If you were successful in applying for the WSS in 2021, you will automatically be paid the WSS for 2022. You will need to continue…

Dear members, The Government continues to clarify its Orders below plus important information from the Department of Labour and Customs below. VCCI is still waiting on final decisions from the Ministry of Health on whether restaurants can operate following SBO protocols. We have followed up again and again. We apologise for the delay in getting you this information. DOL directives to Businesses during the lockdown The VCCI just received this information from Department of Labour (DOL) wishing to let businesses know about the labour directives for businesses and workplace during containment, lockdown and curfews. Click HERE to download the DOL Directive. Payment of VAT during lockdown The Department of Customs & Inland Revenue wishes to advise that their Inland Revenue Taxpayer Services Section is closed…

Dear members, As posted to our Facebook and website yesterday, and explained in our VBRC Chairman’s Facebook video here we have been in touch directly with the DG Health who has confirmed that all essential and non-essential services businesses can operate from 6am to 6pm, complying with all the requirements of Order no. 43 of 2022 of Public Health Act CAP 234. We have been informed that Municipal Wardens of both Port Vila and Luganville City have been delegated responsibility from the Ministry of Health to ensure that businesses comply with the Order no. 43 of 2022, or else they will be closed and fined. They will be checking that businesses have: Set up hand washing stations, automatic sanitizing machines, or provide hand sanitizers One…

Dear members, We have been in touch directly with the DG Health who has confirmed that all essential and non-essential services businesses can operate from 6am to 6pm, complying with all the requirements of Order no. 43 of 2022 of Public Health Act CAP 234. Wardens / Municipal Police / Police will check on businesses in Port Vila town, next Order from the Ministry of Health will refer to this action of enforcement, to check that all businesses comply with the Order no. 43 of 2022. Businesses will need to make sure that their security officer is doing his/her work as per Order no.43 of 2022. If the DG sees that businesses do not comply with Order no. 43 of 2022 and or there is…

Dear members, Overnight 2 orders were released by the Government in regards to Approved Essential Services and specific requirements for businesses, land transport drivers and drivers of boats, and associated penalties for failure to comply with the orders. We are urgently seeking clarification on these as we believe they will cause some confusion amongst our business community. We will report back as soon as we are clear on our advice to you. Please find attached: 1. Approved Essential Services List by MOH of 18 March 2022 and the Official Gazette No. 23 of 2022 2. Orders Of Public Health Act [Cap 234] Declaration Of Public Health Emergency (Specific Requirements, Offences And Penalties For Individuals And Businesses) Order No. 43 Of 2022 Declaration Of Public Health…