PORT VILA, VANUATU (5 July 2024): The Director General of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat, Leonard Louma has called on the CEO of Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, Raymond Vuti, to discuss ways and means of enhancing commercial links, and exploring avenues for business partnerships between and within MSG Countries.

This follows discussions that the Director General had with Director Joe Pakoa of the Vanuatu Department of External Trade.

The visit provided an opportunity for DG Louma to inform the CEO VFIPA that he had held discussions recently with the Managing Director of the PNG Investment and Promotion Authority, Mr Clarence Hoot, and an investment mission to Vanuatu is being considered. The IPA Managing Director has requested for some indications from the relevant Vanuatu Authorities as to when it may feasible to undertake this investment mission.

“I have also been requested to ascertain from the relevant Vanuatu Authorities areas and sectors where investment would be needed so that this could assist the PNG Investment and Promotion Authority to put together a team of investors to match the areas identified”, said DG Louma.

He added that he will be talking to the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce on this PNG planned investment mission and seek the Chamber’s views on the timing of the visit and the investment area.

The CEO of Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency welcomed the proposed PNG Investment Mission and expressed with satisfaction the potential for more enhanced business and commercial collaborations amongst MSG countries.

Mr Vuti stated that, "strengthening and expanding our network of strategic partners has been and remains a key strategic priority for the Agency. Through such arrangement, not only does the Agency is able to attract the right type of investments Vanuatu needs, but promoting and encouraging the sharing of skills and knowledge through capacity building opportunities is important - an area the Agency is looking forward to pursuing."

He expressed that VFIPA stands ready to play its part in facilitating the visit of the PNG Investment Mission and any other future engagements with potential investors from the MSG countries.

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