Vanuatu promotes investment via VIPA (Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority), which grants foreigners permits to invest in projects, as well as giving support and concessions. In addition, whilst the economy is small due to the scarce population, export oriented industries such as organic farming (cattle, fruit, coffee) , fishing , tourism and development can be extremely profitable due to lack of competition.

The labor force is young and mostly capable with wages starting at around $2 an hour. This makes running resorts and other small businesses quite profitable. The writer knows many small businessmen, from tour operators to restaurateurs, who, visit their businesses once a week to collect the pay check without putting too much effort or spending too much time.

Real estate

Real estate is exceptionally well priced with executive waterfront homes starting at around 300,000 Australian dollars, and commercial real estate has a ROI (Return on Investment) of 8% tax free. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership, except that the land tenure system is leasehold with the lease being renewable every seventy-five years.

Taking into account the increasing price of properties in front of the beach and island real estate around the world, Vanuatu remains surprisingly affordable and undiscovered. As an example, a waterfront block of land in an upmarket development can range between 100,000 and 200,000 (AUS) and sometimes even cheaper. On the contrary, in Australia or New Zealand or even Bali, a similar block of land would start at close to 600,000 upwards.

(More info coming soon) 

Contact us