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.

The Government has launched an initiative to develop a Sustainable Blue Economy Roadmap, led by the Department of Oceans and Maritime Affairs with support from the Waitt Institute through Blue Prosperity Vanuatu (BPV).

 The Roadmap aims to provide a guide towards the development of Vanuatu's Blue Economy, to demonstrate how healthy, protected ocean areas can drive economic growth, and to outline a clear path to establishing a prosperous ocean economy.

 "This Roadmap reflects our Government's vision for a Stable, Sustainable, and Prosperous Vanuatu, as set out in our National Development Plan. It is a key priority for our Government and for the future of our people and our ocean. We are grateful for the support from the Waitt Institute and Blue Prosperity Vanuatu," said Honorable Prime Minister Jotham Napat.

 To advance the development of the Roadmap, Waitt Institute President Mike Goldman and Chairman Ted Waitt traveled to Port Vila to progress the partnership with the Honorable Prime Minister and the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management Johnny Koanapo Rasou.

 "Vanuatu has enormous untapped potential to grow its ocean related economies in a sustainable way, and we are proud to support that process," said Waitt Institute President Mike Goldman.

 A Blue Economy Task Force is being established to help steer the Sustainable Blue Economy Roadmap. The Task Force will be chaired by the Director of the Department of Finance and will have representatives from the government departments that play roles in the Blue Economy. The Roadmap development process will engage government agencies, private sector businesses, communities, and ocean experts.

 The Roadmap reflects a unique economic model where ocean protection and prosperity go hand in hand, where healthy reefs, abundant fisheries, and protected seascapes sustain food security, livelihoods, and community resilience for generations to come.

 Vanuatu's recently passed Ocean Act provides the governance framework for this work. One of the central requirements of the Ocean Act is the development of a Marine Spatial Plan. The Marine Spatial Plan is a blueprint that determines how and where Vanuatu's entire ocean is used, protected, and managed, from where fishing occurs to where Marine Protected Areas are established and where new economic activities can grow.

 The Sustainable Blue Economy Roadmap is an integral part of the Marine Spatial Plan, identifying how healthy, protected ocean areas can support economic growth and innovation, generating revenue for the government and jobs for communities. The two are designed to work together: the Roadmap guides the economic vision, and the Marine Spatial Plan provides the framework for where and how that vision can be enacted.

 The Roadmap will complement the work already undertaken by Vanuatu’s marine sectors and Blue Prosperity Vanuatu. It will focus on building economic opportunities in and around Vanuatu's healthy, protected ocean areas, strengthening sectors such as aquaculture and tourism to support resilient and productive oceans. The Roadmap will be designed to ensure that the benefits of Vanuatu’s Blue Economy are realized by the National government and the communities across all six provinces.

Port Vila, Vanuatu - March 31^st, 2026 — The Sanma Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is currently assessing damage caused by last night's 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Santo and nearby islands. Preliminary reports indicate no casualties or injuries from this second major earthquake in just over a year, following the devastating December 17th, 2024 event that affected Port Vila.

Assessments show power has been restored, though water services remain disconnected. However, water supply is flowing at the Northern District Hospital (NDH). Minor structural damage to some buildings has been reported, likely due to poor workmanship, highlighting the need for enforcement of the approved Building Code.

Prime Minister Jotham Napat stated, "We are relieved there are no reported casualties, but we must act swiftly to address potential risks and ensure our buildings are resilient. We urge authorities to enforce our Building Code strictly to safeguard our communities."

The Government awaits a report from the Sanma Emergency Operations Centre, to be tabled at the Council of Ministers this week.