Republic of Vanuatu
  • Ripablik blong Vanuatu (Bislama)
  • République de Vanuatu (French)
Motto: "Long God yumi stanap" (Bislama)
Nous nous tenons devant Dieu (French)
"With God we stand"
Anthem: "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (Bislama)
"We, We, We"
Location of Vanuatu
Capital
and largest city
Port Vila
17°S 168°E / 17°S 168°E / -17; 168
Official languages
Ethnic groups
(2020)
Religion
(2020)
  • 4.6% Animism
  • 1.4% Baháʼí Faith
  • 0.6% other / none
Demonym(s)Ni-Vanuatu (or rarely: Vanuatuan)
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary republic
Nikenike Vurobaravu
Jotham Napat
LegislatureParliament
Independence
 from the United Kingdom and France
30 July 1980
Area
 Total
12,189 km2 (4,706 sq mi) (157th)
Population
 2023 estimate
335,908 (182nd)
 2020 census
300,019
 Density
27.6/km2 (71.5/sq mi) (188th)
GDP (PPP)2023 estimate
 Total
$1.002 billion
 Per capita
$3,001
GDP (nominal)2023 estimate
 Total
$1.064 billion
 Per capita
$3,188
Gini (2019)Positive decrease 32.3
medium inequality
HDI (2022)Increase 0.614
medium (140th)
CurrencyVatu (VUV)
Time zoneUTC+11 (VUT (Vanuatu Time))
Calling code+678
ISO 3166 codeVU
Internet TLD.vu

Vanuatu is a beautiful island nation located in the South Pacific region. It has a population of around 300,000 people and is known for its stunning natural beauty, warm tropical climate, and friendly locals. If you are looking to start a business in Vanuatu, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you through the process of registering a business in Vanuatu.

Choose a business structure:

The first step in starting a business in Vanuatu is to decide on the business structure. You can choose to register as a sole trader, partnership, or a company. A sole trader is a single person operating a business. A partnership involves two or more people operating a business together. A company is a separate legal entity from its owners.

Register your business name

After deciding on the business structure, you need to register your business name. This can be done through the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC). The VFSC is the regulatory body responsible for registering companies and businesses in Vanuatu. To register your business name, you will need to provide the following information:

Your chosen business name

Your business structure (sole trader, partnership, or company)

Your business address

Your contact details

Obtain necessary licenses and permits:

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Before starting your business, you may need to obtain certain licenses and permits. The type of license or permit required will depend on the nature of your business. For example, if you are opening a restaurant, you will need to obtain a food handling permit. If you are starting a construction business, you may need to obtain a building permit.

Register for tax purposes:

All businesses operating in Vanuatu are required to register for tax purposes with the Vanuatu Inland Revenue Department (IRD). You will need to provide your business registration certificate, business name, address, and contact details when registering for tax purposes.

Open a bank account:

After registering your business and obtaining necessary licenses and permits, you will need to open a bank account. This will enable you to conduct financial transactions related to your business. You can choose to open a bank account with any of the major banks operating in Vanuatu, such as ANZ or Westpac.

Generis Global can help you with your business in Vanuatu: Starting a business in Vanuatu can be a complex process, especially if you are not familiar with the local laws and regulations. At Generis Global, we can help you with the legal part of your business journey in Vanuatu. Our experienced team of lawyers and business consultants can guide you through the process of registering your business and obtaining necessary licenses and permits. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you start your business in Vanuatu.

 

 

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