Vanuatu profile
(Last updated: 28 May 2012)
Current business situation
The Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Vanuatu. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.
Country facts
| Capital city: |
Vila |
| Surface area: |
12,200 sq km |
| Population: |
0.2 million |
| Official language(s): |
Bislama, English, French |
| Head of State: |
President HE Mr Iolu Johnson Abbil Kaniapnin |
| Head of Government: |
Prime Minister The Hon Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu |
| Australian exports to Vanuatu: |
A$65,753,000 |
| Australian imports from Vanuatu: |
A$984,000 |
| Vanuatu's principal export destinations: |
Thailand, Japan, New Caledonia |
| Vanuatu's principal import sources: |
Australia, Singapore, Japan |
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet)
Economic climate
Government revenues are raised mainly from the customs import duties and the Value Added Tax (VAT).
The country has a dual economy, based on:
- Agriculture - small subsistence holder, established plantations, ranches and large farms with mixed cash crops).
- Offshore financial services - Vanuatu is a tax haven, free of corporate tax, income tax, estate duties and non-capital gains.
Overall, the government employs up to 30 per cent of active population, and the second major employer being tourism and the transport industries.
For the latest key economic indicators and statistics, please see the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade country economic fact sheet.
Political climate
The Head of State is the President of the Republic, elected for five years by an electoral college. Legislature is made up of one single chamber with 52 Members of Parliament, general elections are held every four years. The legal system is based on English law, Supreme Court of Vanuatu.
Trade relations and statistics
Please see the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade country economic fact sheet or key trade statistics.