Richard Butler | Exclusive Report by MINISTRY OF TRADE & COMMERECE, VANUATU | 27TH JUNE, 2025
The Honourable Samson Samsen, Minister of Trade and Commerce of the Republic of Vanuatu, is leading a high-level bipartisan delegation to the Republic of Fiji this week on a successful economic diplomacy mission focused on strengthening bilateral trade relations, regional cooperation, and Vanuatuโs plans to establish Economic Development Zones (EDZs).
The official visit comes in the wake of Vanuatuโs constitutional amendment enabling the creation of Free Trade Zones with special rights, with the Free Trade Zone Bill now being finalized for Parliamentary tabling in November 2025. The purpose of the mission is to study Fijiโs established economic zones to inform Vanuatuโs legislative, operational, and investment framework for EDZ implementation.
Public Information: Types of Trade Zones (with Examples)
To support public understanding of the EDZ initiative, here are common types of trade zones used globally, including real-world examples:
1. Free Trade Zones (FTZs) โ Jebel Ali Free Zone (UAE)
2. Export Processing Zones (EPZs) โ Bangladesh EPZs
3. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) โ Shenzhen SEZ (China)
4. Industrial Parks โ Namanve Industrial Park (Uganda)
5. Free Ports โ Singapore Freeport
6. Technology Parks โ Cyberjaya (Malaysia)
7. Economic Development Zones (EDZs) โ Kigali SEZ (Rwanda)
8. Agro-Processing Zones โ SCPZs (Nigeria)
9. Customs Bonded Zones โ Port of Rotterdam Bonded Warehouses
Participating Agencies and Their Roles in Vanuatuโs EDZ Development. As part of this strategic mission, several institutions are playing critical roles in shaping and implementing Vanuatuโs EDZ framework:
Department of Industry Vanuatu
Will lead on industrial policy development, investment attraction strategies, and coordinate with sectoral agencies to identify high-potential industries for clustering within EDZs. It will also serve as the central technical body for inter-ministerial coordination.
Vanuatu Bureau of Standards
Will provide compliance, quality assurance, and certification frameworks to ensure that goods produced within EDZs meet national and international standards. VBS will also oversee conformity assessment bodies for agro-processing, manufacturing, and exports.
Department of Customs and Inland Revenue (DCIR)
Will develop customs and tax incentive protocols applicable in EDZs, including bonded warehousing rules, tax holidays, and import/export facilitation. DCIR is responsible for aligning EDZ tax mechanisms with Vanuatuโs revenue laws.
Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency
Will serve as the primary investment facilitation and promotion body, targeting foreign direct investment into the zones and coordinating investor registration, approvals, and aftercare services.
Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Will represent the private sectorโs interest, mobilize business participation in EDZs, and provide business advisory services, especially to MSMEs seeking to operate within the zones. VCCI will also advocate for workforce development and business-friendly reforms.
This multi-agency approach ensures that the EDZ model is inclusive, compliant, competitive, and investment-ready, built on robust legal, technical, and economic foundations.
A pivotal highlight of the mission was a bilateral meeting with the Honourable Manoa Kamikamica, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications of Fiji. The two Ministers exchanged strategic views on trade facilitation, regional integration under the MSG framework, and investment cooperation.
The Ministers jointly reaffirmed their commitment to regional trade and agreed to share technical expertise in areas such as economic zone governance, compliance infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks to assist Vanuatu in the establishment of its forthcoming EDZs.
The EDZ study mission was declared a success, with Minister Samsen noting that lessons learned from Fijiโs proven zone models will directly inform Vanuatuโs legal and operational framework. The Minister also confirmed that public consultations will commence immediately upon the delegationโs return to Port Vila to finalize the national EDZ framework.
One of the key findings of the mission was the strategic role of EDZs in enhancing food security. The delegation observed that Fijiโs economic zones demonstrate strong capacity to produce and preserve food productsโincluding seafood, beverages, and processed goodsโsufficient to supply not only local markets but also vital industries such as tourism and hospitality. This model offers valuable insights for Vanuatuโs ambition to establish agro-processing hubs as part of its EDZ strategy.
The mission is composed of a bipartisan delegation, including:
โ๏ธDeputy Leader of the Opposition
โ๏ธChairman and Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic and Foreign Policy
โ๏ธHonourable Members of Parliament
โ๏ธRepresentatives from the private sector
โ๏ธSenior officials from the Department of Industry, Vanuatu Bureau of Standards (VBS), Department of Customs and Inland Revenue, VFIPA, Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), INAC, and provincial governments.
This composition reflects the importance of a unified national vision and ensures inclusivity in economic policy design. Given the shared environmental and economic context between Fiji and Vanuatu, the delegation focused on best practices, challenges, and regulatory lessons from Fijiโs economic zones. Among the key site visits conducted on 25 June were:
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Kalabu Tax-Free Zone
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Battery Manufacturing Facility, Walu Bay
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Lyndhurst
โ
Mindpearl
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Seafood Processing Facility (focus on compliance and export)
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Foods Pacific
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Viti Foods
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Hangton Processors
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Golden Ocean
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Coca-Cola Fiji
These visits provided critical insight into compliance standards, export logistics, industrial innovation, and local manufacturing capacity, all central to the design of Vanuatuโs EDZ strategy.
During the bilateral meeting, both Ministers also discussed improving trade in strategic commodities, notably kava, cocoa, and beef, and pledged to ensure Vanuatu and Fiji are aligned in finalizing the MSG Trade Agreement (T3). The Ministers confirmed their commitment to working-level consultations ahead of the MSG Ministers of Trade Meeting in mid-July. As part of the bilateral outcomes, the Ministers agreed to appoint a technical taskforce comprising senior officials from both countries to finalize the revised MSG Trade Agreement (T3). This team will be mandated to conclude negotiations during the MSG Ministers of Trade Meeting in Suva in mid-July, with a view to having the agreement ratified at the next MSG Leadersโ Summit.
Minister Samsen also reaffirmed Vanuatuโs interest in tran-shipment development under the Governmentโs โStrategic Investment Initiativeโ, with technical missions to Singapore, China, and other global transhipment hubs planned in the coming months. The aim is to position Vanuatu as a key maritime logistics and processing centre in the region.
The Honourable Minister extended deep appreciation to Investment Fiji and VIPA for their coordination and technical facilitation. The visit reflects a shared Pacific vision for common growth, sustainable trade, and mutual support in transforming regional economies.
