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Vanuatu

Vanuatu profile

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(Last updated: 28 May 2009)


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.

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Country facts

Capital city: Vila
Surface area: 12,200 sq km
Population: 235,000
Official language(s): Bislama, English, French
Head of State: President HE Kalkot Matas Kelekele
Head of Government: Prime Minister The Hon Edward Nipake Natapei
Australian exports to Vanuatu: A$84 million
Australian imports from Vanuatu: A$2 million
Vanuatu's principal export destinations: Thailand, India, Japan
Vanuatu's principal import sources: Australia, Singapore, New Zealand
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet)

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Economic climate

Key economic indicators and statistics for 2008:

  • GDP – US$554 million
  • GDP per capita – US$2,301
  • Real GDP growth – 3 per cent
  • Inflation – 4.3 per cent

(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet)

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.

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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 last eelctions were in march 1998). The legal system is based on English law, Supreme Court of Vanuatu

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Trade relations and statistics

Major Australian exports to Vanuatu (2007-08):

  • Liquefied propane & butane - A$6 million
  • Prams, toys, games and sporting goods - A$3 million
  • Alcoholic beverages - A$3 million
  • Tobacco, manufactured - A$3 million

Major Australian imports from Vanuatu (2007-08):

  • No significant imports were recorded.

(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet)

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OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

Multinational Enterprises should be aware of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business behaviour in a variety of areas, consistent with applicable domestic laws. These Guidelines are endorsed and promoted by the Australian Government. For more information, go to the ANCP website.

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