Vanuatu

Vanuatu Shows How to Reduce Emissions Through Trade Facilitation
Vanuatu has emerged as a trailblazer in the Asia‑Pacific region in leveraging the benefits of trade facilitation through the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) program. For over 40 years, ASYCUDA, which is UNCTAD’s largest technical assistance program, has helped customs offices around the world clear goods faster and increase the pace of trade. Vanuatu is one of only seven ASYCUDA countries worldwide, and the only one in the Pacific region, running a single-window system using ASYCUDA.

Ambassador Sumbue Antas: On Vanuatu's graduation and resilience
The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Vanuatu to the WTO talks graduation journey, Covid-19 and climate resilience, and how leaving the LDC category means the work as only just started.

Unlocking e-commerce in LDCs: Governments hold the key
The EIF recognises that our contribution to creating a thriving e-commerce ecosystem in LDCs is part and parcel of a bigger effort bringing together the expertise and skills of many others. While some are working together with the private sector, including small businesses, others are working with governments. While some invest in building digital infrastructure, others impart knowledge to build digital skills and yet others provide support to prepare and implement e-commerce policies.

Amid cyclones and COVID-19, Vanuatu makes bold decision to graduate from ‘least developed country’ category
Originally published by OECD Development Matters blog on 30th April 2021

Delving deep into trade priorities for least developed countries
Tourism, apparel and sustainable development strategies are covered in new series of policy briefs from the Enhanced Integrated Framework

Vanuatu leading Pacific in digitising customs and biosecurity clearance
Country’s online trading system off to a timely start, as COVID’s physical distancing requirements disrupt manual systems

Online discussion: LDC graduation & COVID-19
Only 5 countries have graduated from LDC status since the category was established in 1971. 12 are set to potentially graduate in the coming years, largely based on economic gains. But with COVID-19 slowing economies and trade, is LDC graduation in peril?

COVID-19 and trade: Challenges ahead for least developed countries and Small Island Developing States
Originally published by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) on 1 April 2020

How trade can assist least developed countries hit by natural disasters
Many least developed countries are vulnerable to recurrent natural disasters, which exacerbate existing challenges, disrupt long-term investments and divert resources away from development to reconstruction.

Talking trade, and making 'Made in Vanuatu'
See how Vanuatu is recovering from the effects of Cyclone Pam, and how one handicrafts seller is striving for "Vanuatu made" to become the norm.

Change in mindset sees Vanuatu become rising star of economic development
Vanuatu became a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) back in 2012, and has made immense economic progress.

Ethical trade in natural products based on traditional knowledge
There are examples of sustainable, fair and ethical trade in products based on natural, biological resources and traditional knowledge.

New WTO research puts spotlight on natural disasters and trade
How can countries use trade to promote resilience?

Making ecommerce connections in the Pacific
Geographical barriers, including isolation from main markets, have resulted in issues for Vanuatu to access international networks and grow its businesses

EIF address at the launch event of the Vanuatu National Single Window Project and the eTrade Readiness Assessment
Launching of these specific initiatives demonstrates the progressive vision of Vanuatu to stimulate the economy and leverage opportunities through international trade for delivering growth and development

Taking trade online
What do a mountainous landlocked country, a post-war African nation, and three small island developing states have in common?

Daniel Gay: The long and winding road to LDC graduation
The EIF’s Daria Shatskova talks development in the world’s poorest countries with UNDESA’s Daniel Gay

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu gear up for e-commerce
Consumers and businesses in two remote Pacific island nations can look forward to a better connected and more prosperous future, according to assessments made by UNCTAD of their readiness to benefit from electronic commerce

Infographic: Vanuatu eTrade Readiness Assessment
The Government has shown a strong interest in adopting economic and social policies that can facilitate the development of the Internet economy, of which e-commerce is one segment. Unlocking its potential will also reduce distance to markets, reduce “sealockedness” and enable Vanuatu to leapfrog certain barriers associated with physical trade

Strategic partnership for trade development: The EIF and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Often, the Pacific seems very far. With these new partnerships, we are cutting the distance to ensure that trade-led development brings tangible benefits to the people in the Pacific, including women and youth.

In Vanuatu, ‘market mamas’ are taking care of business
Women entrepreneurs are helping to restore island nation’s economy after the ravages of Cyclone Pam

Rosalie's story from Vanuatu
Rosalie is not just any market mama. She is the founder of Bulvanua Arts & Handicrafts – a cooperative of 30 traders who are promoting Made in Vanuatu products in place of imports.

Coordinating on trade in Vanuatu
On 29 May 2012 Willie Luen was preparing to emcee one of the most important meetings of his life. He remembers that the room — a hotel conference room in Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu — was so packed with people that the windows were starting to fog up.

Market mamas work together to promote Vanuatu-made products
Rosalie’s day starts at 4 a.m., kneading coconut cream rolls with her eldest daughter to sell at the local community shop down the road from her house.

Rebuilding Vanuatu
Vanuatu, a series of small islands surrounded by clear, blue water in the South Pacific, is a natural tourist attraction – and its economy depends heavily on the sector, which employs 55 percent of Vanuatu’s labor force and represents 65 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP).

Tourism as a way to lift the Pacific out of poverty
Originally published by Thomson Reuters Foundation News

Trade and services, rehabilitation and promoting cultural heritages
Contributing to the reconstruction of communities after a natural disaster
