Yumi Stanap Vanuatu conference was held at Warwick Le Lagoon – Vanuatu, with key speakers been put in the spotlight to highlight the power of accountability, governance, and transparency as the key mechanism for economic development. Yumi Stanap Vanuatu committee invited a leading Caribbean economist from Trinidad and Tobago, widely respected for her work on economic development, equality, and sustainability across over 20 Caribbean nations and advocate for inclusive, resilient economies Marla Dukharan. As a special guest speaker at the YumiStanap Vanuatu dialogue, offering powerful insights drawn from her Caribbean background and praising Vanuatu for preserving its indigenous heritage in ways many considered important.

Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (VFIPA) was a Bronze Sponsor to the Yumi Stanap Vanuatu dialogue and was also included along other dignitaries to observe the exchanges of dialogues between the speakers and audience. The information shared among the speakers, largely focuses investing in well-developed infrastructure, which is a powerful tool for rebuilding and strengthening economies, women's equal and meaningful participation in decision-making especially at public avenues, issues relating to the climate change, teaching at the roots of education which means focusing on building a strong foundation of knowledge, skills, and understanding supporting school’s curriculums. During his keynote address at the Yumi Stanap Vanuatu, Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Nampat ‘reaffirmed the government’s commitment for equal cooperation across all sectors, and the need for reform in legislation and policy in building unity and economic resilience’.

As part of VFIPA’s facilitation role in assisting foreign investors to get approvals from other government line agencies, there were also discussion on the process of setting up business in Vanuatu. A common legal challenge faced by startup businesses, which makes difficult to understand and navigate especially for first-time entrepreneurs. Even though VFIPA has its own online system which is more convenient and allows foreign investors to register and lodge application forms.  In addition, VFIPA is also taking the lead calling other government agencies that largely involved in processing to work together on the One-stop shops initiative. The single point of access using the communication channel have emerged as a way for the government representative to provide better services and improve regulatory delivery to foreign investors and citizens.

Successful collaborations are crucial to positive outcomes in all endeavors involving more than one actor, and this resonate VFIPA’s commitments in working with key stakeholders in Vanuatu. This was also highlighted by a speaker from the financial institution who acknowledge the expansion of ICT, which has enabled the digital revolution and contributed to both foreign and local business productivity, supporting economic growth in Vanuatu. VFIPA’s engagement is promoting ICT will continue to be a high priority, especially identifying investment opportunities to capitalize on between both private and public sectors.

VFIPA is fortunate to be included along with other sponsors at the Yumi Stanap Vanuatu 2025. This is the first Yumi Stanap Vanuatu event held this year that brings speakers from all sectors to one platform to share their views. VFIPA’s participation to this event aligns to its strategies in building relationship through networking, increase visibility, and more importantly informing everyone about the importance of FDI in Vanuatu, as a driving force behind economic growth.