Vanuatu

Vanuatu could have fish plant with American company

Last last week, for the first time, frozen albacore tuna was off-loaded at Port Vila's main wharf before being transported to the Chinese-funded fish packing plant at Black Sands.

The Daily Post reports that with the assistance of United States surveillance vessels, the Vanuatu government is committed to having all Vanuatu-flagged fishing vessels unload their catches from the country's Exclusive Economic Zone in Port Vila.

The paper says Bumblebee is in discussion about building a plant in Vanuatu.

Mini Games officials hope to speed up preparations

RNZ reports Van2017 officials met with the representatives from the Pacific Games Council and the 13 national sporting federations taking part in the Mini Games in Port Vila last week to hear more about plans for the sports programme at the Games next December.

CEO Clint Flood said they needed to make sure that on the day, the teams from all the countries would be able to compete and do their best.

"It's the most important job we have," said Flood.

Pacific Games Council executives attend inaugural meetings of VAN2017 Pacific Mini Games

A tour of the Korman Stadium site, under construction with the support of the Chinese Government, was also conducted. 

Last week’s meetings follow on from President Lakhan’s last visit to Port Vila in May where the PGC General Assembly was conducted.  At that time, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Charlot Salwai, publicly at the General Assembly and privately to President Lakhan, reaffirmed the Vanuatu Government’s commitment to hosting the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

New partnership enables affordable insurance for low income earners

BIMA, a world-leading mobile micro-insurance provider, and the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) have launched their second major joint initiative that will provide microinsurance products to underserved communities across five Pacific Island Countries.

PFIP has provided a grant to BIMA to bring simple, affordable microinsurance products to low-income, rural and underserved communities in Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa and Nauru.

Semi-finals within reach for Group A pair in OFC U 20 Championship

New Caledonia topped the pool by defeating Papua New Guinea 4-1, while Vanuatu edged defending champions Fiji 1-0 in the other match on Saturday and should they both win again against Fiji and Papua New Guinea respectively they would wrap up the top two places with a game to spare.

Confirming a place in the final four of the eight nation is a step closer to qualifying for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, which for the first time welcomes two teams from the OFC qualifying tournament, specifically the winners of each semi-final.

Mini Games in Vanuatu on track

RNZ reports the assurance was given by China's ambassador to Vanuatu, Liu Quan, when he met the prime minister Charlot Salwai, the minister of sports Jack Norris and senior government officials at the construction site.

Mr Salwai's delegation heard from the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) construction company that work will be completed in October next year.

Currently, the CCECC employs 30 ni-Vanuatu but the number is expected to reach 80.

Pacific 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes off Vanuatu

The US Geological Survey said the quake was 535km (330 miles) southeast of Vanuatu island.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a local tsunami warning for areas close to the earthquake, though this was later cancelled.

There were no initial reports of damage or casualties.

Quakes are fairly common in the region. Two similar sized tremors last October and December caused no damage.

Friday's quake initially registered with a magnitude of 7.6 but was later downgraded. It was measured at a depth of about 10km.

Tough journey for U-17 hopefuls in OFC meet

The 2017 edition of the OFC U-17 Championship will be held in Papeete, Tahiti in February 2017 with preliminary stage winners Samoa joining the hosts, defending champions New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

Just one side was seeded for the draw – hosts Tahiti into position A1 – with the remaining teams drawn into positions at random.

SI, Vanuatu, FLNKS, ULMWP maintain support on West Papua

They are also in support of full membership of ULMWP to the Melanesian Spearhead Group .

The MSG members said they are committed to advocating for West Papua and strongly adhere to the principles that are at the core of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, which is the ‘Political aspirations of self- determination of our Melanesian people.’

There is recognition that such a commitment will require bold and ethical leadership and a clear understanding of our Melanesian values.

2017 Mini Games in Vanuatu on track following govt assurances

Two weeks ago, VASANOC said it would ask the Council to withdraw the 2017 Games from Vanuatu if urgent action by the Government was not taken to release promised funding.

The President of the Pacific Games Council, Vidhya Lakhan, said all parties are now on the same page.