Department of External Trade Vanuatu

11/06/2026

The Department of External Trade has also participated at the Small Island Mini Agriculture Show( SIMAS) held in Tongariki from 9-11 June 2026. The theme of the SIMAS is promote Local and Community Resilience.

19/05/2026

19/05/2026

Representatives from the Department of External Trade are currently attending the PACER Plus Budget Committee held over two days on 18 - 19 May followed by the Joint Committee which will convened over two days from 21 - 22 May 2026.

15/05/2026

The Department of External Trade Vanuatu has launched the soft opening of its relocated office space to the Vila Mall in Port Vila. This relocated office space is a rented space within the Vila Mall building. The department will be located there for 1 year while our office building damaged by the earthquake of 2024 is under renovation.

This afternoon we have invited DG Jimmy Rantes of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade to discover the premises and to officially open or launch the office of External Trade relocated in Vila Mall.

A short program has been carried out, with useful and thoughtful encouragement from the director External Trade and DG Rantes.

We look forward to work with you DG and the DOET Team throughout this year 2026 to achieve our plans and set goals.

11/05/2026

The Department of External Trade has successfully completed a week of public consultation in Sanma Province from 4 to 8th May 2026.

The consultation focused on the awareness of the proposed Vanuatu- China Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the department’s role and the Government policy priorities on market access. In this light, the primary focus for the activity was to gather stakeholders’ feedback on the potential impacts of the agreement.

The consultation also provided updates on Vanuatu’s existing Regional and Multilateral Trade Agreements while increasing public understanding on the Proposed Vanuatu- China BTA. The consultation allowed stakeholders to raise concerns and provide feedback to support the ongoing negotiation process.

Key discussion during the consultation focused on the proposed Vanuatu- China Bilateral Trade Agreement , Customs Rules and Procedures, Industry readiness and competitiveness and the Protection of local products through the Vanuatu Intellectual Property Rights.

General stakeholder consultation sessions were held in Luganville with businesses and the Government agencies. Dedicated consultations were also conducted with the Chinese business community to ensure inclusive engagement and participation.

The consultation programme further extended to schools and local communities including Santo East School, Aore Adventist Academy and Matevulu College. These outreach sessions aimed to raise awareness among students and teachers and community members on the role and mandate of the Department of External Trade.

The consultation recorded a strong participation and valuable feedbacks from stake holders which will help the ongoing Vanuatu- China BTA negotiation process.

The Department of External Trade thanked all stake holders for their participation and reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring that Trade negotiations remain transparent , inclusive and aligned with the national development priorities.

29/04/2026

To all SANMA businesses please do attend!

*** Calling All Santo Businesses - Consultation Session on Free Trade Agreements and the Van-China BTA ***

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The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI) invites businesses in Sanma Province to take part in an important Consultation Session on Free Trade Agreements and the proposed Vanuatu–China Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).

Venue: NISCOL Conference Room, Santo
Dates: 4–5 May 2026
Monday 4th (10am - 4pm)
Tuesday 5th (8.30am - 4.30pm)

Organised by the Department of External Trade under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, this consultation is part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring businesses are informed, heard, and actively involved in shaping Vanuatu’s trade future.

See program here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dgVmAKoLunqjZ4SiWLmhZ1Ltv44xnJu_/view?usp=sharing

The two-day programme will include presentations, Q&A sessions, and site visits, providing both practical insights and space for open dialogue.

Your voice matters in shaping trade agreements that impact your business and the wider economy.

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Vanuatu Chamber blong Commerce mo Indastri istap invitem olgeta bisnis long Sanma Province blong tekpat long wan impoten konsaltesen long Free Trade Agreement mo Vanuatu-China Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) we oli proposem istap.

Venue: NISCOL Conference Room, Santo
Dates: 4–5 May 2026
Monday 4th (10am - 4pm)
Tuesday 5th (8.30am - 4.30pm)

Dipatmen blong External Trade anda long Ministry blong Foreign Affairs mo International Cooperation nao emi ogranizem mo konsaltesen ia emi pat blong commitmen blong gavman blong mekem sua se olgeta bisnis oli kasem stret infomesen, ol putum aot vois blong olgeta, mo oli involvem olgeta fulwan blong shapem fiuja blong Trade long Vanuatu.

Emia emi opotuniti blong yu blong lanem abaot olgeta trade agreemen we istap mo andastandem Vanuatu-China BTA we oli proposem istap.

Prokram ya mbai istap tu deis mo mbae ikat olgeta presentation, ol Q&A session mo olgeta site visits blong givim samfala tingting mo wan space blong wan helti diskasen.

Lukim program long plesia: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dgVmAKoLunqjZ4SiWLmhZ1Ltv44xnJu_/view?usp=sharing

Kam plante! Vois blong yu i mata blong shapem olgeta decision blong tumoro!

23/04/2026

🎯 2nd Round Online Consultation - Vanuatu Tourism Office Act!📣

✅️If you are a tourism operator, be part of this important consultation as we continue to advocate on the proposed amendments to the VTO Act (CAP 142).

✅️ Your insights and feedback are valuable to ensure the areas to be amended will strengthen the institutions' role with the industry to enhance destination marketing efforts.

✅️To join virtually, please use the Zoom details provided:

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86739129757?pwd=Jj8qCfdOvLZRqMXGwakUkooSvhtnBv.1
Meeting ID: 867 3912 9757
Passcode: 925463

Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Vanuatu
Department of Tourism Vanuatu
Vanuatu Tourism Office

22/04/2026

🚀 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 – 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟑 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍!

Are you a high-potential business ready to grow and go digital? This is your chance to join a FREE 12-month support program designed to help transform and strengthen your business! 💼✨

Program benefits include:
✅ Free coaching & training in business management and digital transformation
✅ Support from Vanuatu’s top professionals
✅ Up to 10,000 AU$ to help grow your business
✅ Access to an exclusive innovation and business support network

📅 Apply before 01 May 2026

Don’t miss this opportunity to take your business to the next level.

📲 Scan the QR code on the poster or follow the application link to apply today!

🔗Click the link to Apply: https://forms.gle/3jT6ta3t6sdgszBv5

This program is implemented in partnership with Innovation and Digital Economy Association with the support of Vanuatu Aid for Trade Management Unit and Department of Communication & Digital Transformation

21/04/2026

20/04/2026