Prime Minister Hon Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau has officially launched the new company VANUEX LTD on 7^th February 2023, which will be conducting business/trade through Digital technology. He has pointed out that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) economic outlook is within the same level of Digital transformation.

Most country’s economy are moving towards Digital and Vanuatu is going in the same direction.

The announcement was made along side MP Jessy Luo, MP for Malekula Hon Anatole Hymak and Minister of Agriculture Hon Nako Natuman.

4 billion VT projects to be funded from Chinese funds that were never used. Prime Minister Hon Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau Maau’koro has announced a total of 4 billion projects from the aid money that was never utilised by the previous government. The 2 billion for 2021 will be injected into road projects for Efate and Santo while a further 2 million for 2022 will be go towards the construction of a new school of nursing collage in Santo and up grading health facilities.

The Prime Minister made the announcement after signing off all documentations that were later dispatched to Chinese Embassy last week. When he came into office after his election as PM, he found out that 2 billion Chinese grand for 2021 and another 2 million for 2022 was never put to use. The Prime Minister Maau’koro said it is best to target only two islands and make an impact and move to other islands next. This does not mean the government has ignored other islands completely under this grand. We have 2023 and 2024 still to be utilised and the Public Works will still continue working on our roads.

Monday 4^rd August, 2025 – On July 23, 2025, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat and Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo Rasou met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris for bilateral discussions.

Amongst a host of many other key issues of mutual interest, high on the bilateral discussions was the outstanding issue of the maritime boundary delimitation and sovereignty over the two southern islands of Umaenupne/Matthew and Leka/Hunter, within Tafea province.

Prime Minister Napat and President Macron have agreed to maintain an open and constructive dialogue, aiming for an amicable resolution to the sovereignty over the two islands.

The leaders have instructed their negotiating teams to engage in discussions as soon as possible, with the first round of resumed negotiations to be held in Port Vila this autumn and the second round in France before the end of the year.

This commitment aims to promote regional cooperation, stability, and strengthen the bilateral relationship between Vanuatu and France.

A joint communique has been released publicly to inform citizens of both countries of the progress made so far.

Download Communique (ENG) Download Communique (FR)

Port Vila, Vanuatu - July 21^st, 2025 – Prime Minister Jotham Napat is leading a high-level delegation to France this week for a crucial high level dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron. The meeting aims to strengthen bilateral relations, explore new opportunities for cooperation, and discuss key issues of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister left the country on Sunday 20^th of July and in his absence, the Minister of Agriculture Ian Wilson, is the Acting Prime Minister.

Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo Rasou Nies who left earlier on Friday will also join Prime Minister Napat for the high-level dialogue with President Macron.

Notably, Deputy Prime Minister Nies- in his capacity as the Minister for Finance and Economic Management, has other engagements, but has a key stop in Toulouse, France to meet with Airbus authorities.

In addition to the meeting with President Macron, the Vanuatu delegation is scheduled to meet with heads of prominent financial institutions, including Bred Bank and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). These meetings will focus on strengthening relationships, identify investment opportunities, and discuss potential collaborations.

The visit underscores the importance of the relationship between Vanuatu and France.