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.

Port Vila, Vanuatu – 21^st April, 2026 — Today’s Daily Post report suggesting Vanuatu may be moving toward a security agreement with China was grossly misguided and inaccurate.  

 The agreement being discussed between Vanuatu and the People’s Republic of China is not a security agreement. It is a comprehensive development cooperation agreement between Vanuatu and one of its key long-standing partners.  

 Cooperation with China, as with all our partners, focuses on infrastructure development, capacity building, and economic support — areas critical to the development priorities of Vanuatu. As the Chinese Embassy has correctly stated, this cooperation strictly follows the principle of respect for sovereignty and independence of Vanuatu.  

 Vanuatu has maintained its long-term position as a non-aligned country and we will continue to be friends to all. That position has not changed. We value all our partnerships with Australia, China, and all our development partners who respect our sovereignty.  

 Vanuatu will decide what is good for Vanuatu. We will not be dictated to. Our foreign policy is guided by our national interests, not by external speculation or pressure.  

 Suggestions that our partnerships could affect visa arrangements or other bilateral matters are unhelpful and not a cultural reflection of Nakamal values. Vanuatu’s relationships are not exclusive. We engage with multiple partners because, as a Small Island Developing State (SID), we must pursue all avenues for development that deliver for our people.  

 As previously stated by Government, delays in finalising the Nakamal Agreement with Australia are not at all linked to China. Officials are continuing close engagement to ensure any agreement with any partner reflects Vanuatu’s interests as high priority in ensuring its longevity.

Port Vila, Vanuatu – 21^st April, 2026 — The attendance of two Ministers and the Director for Digital Transformation at the recent World Internet Conference in Hong Kong was approved by Prime Minister Jotham Napat as Minister responsible for ICT and digital technology — and it was both imperative and right.  

 The Prime Minister does not approve travel for the sake of travel. Every overseas engagement is assessed on national interest.  

 “In this day and age, it is no longer acceptable for leaders in Parliament to be detached from the reality of today’s digital technology, the onslaught of AI, and the critical issues of cyberspace and security. Gone are the days when leaders or lawmakers can only rely on technical officers for advice. Political leaders make policy. They pass laws. They commit public funds. They cannot do that blindly. They must be on top of their game,” said Prime Minister Hon. Jotham Napat.  

 Sending Ministers to the World Internet Conference is not “stupidity” — it is forward-looking. Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybercrime, data sovereignty, and digital infrastructure are now core governance issues, not niche technical topics. Decisions made in these spaces affect every Ni-Vanuatu citizen.  

 The Director for Digital Transformation Mr John Jack also attended alongside the two Ministers, one of whom is the Minister responsible for national security - precisely to ensure technical continuity and to brief the wider public service on outcomes. But Ministers lead. If we expect them to legislate on digital technology, cybercrime, data protection, and AI regulation, then they must be exposed to global best practice and expert dialogue.  

 Vanuatu cannot afford to have a Parliament that is digitally illiterate while the world moves ahead. That would be the real misuse of prioritisation.  

 In 2025, Vanuatu and Fiji took important steps towards addressing cybercrime by ratifying the Budabest Convention on Cybercrime. Prior to that ratification Minister Napuat himself attended the ‘Parliamentarians for Global Action on Cybercrime in June in Fiji. This meeting was following in similar veins and should not be a surprise.

 The Government will continue to ensure that both political leaders and technical officials are equipped to navigate the digital era. That is not a luxury. It is a necessity for national security and development.