Gov’t eyes PPP with Aneityum Pine Holdings

August 13, 2026 11:07 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Anita Roberts.

The government is discussing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Aneityum Pine Holdings to use local pine timber from the island to build schools, businesses and homes in Vanuatu instead of importing materials.

This was conveyed by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Finance Johnny Koanapo when addressing the recent launch of the TAFEA Economic Sector Development Plan 2026-2030 at Isangel on Tanna.

The provincial plan guides the government in making better investments in key sectors that can bring economic benefits to TAFEA and Vanuatu.

He said the landowners must benefit from their pine and timber trees.

DPM Koanapo said a team from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MoFEM) went to Erromango and Aneityum to assess the economic potential of the timber industry there in helping realise the plan.

Koanapo said the government, through the TAFEA Provincial Government Council, is creating a new road on the island to connect farmers and allow them to easily transport timber to the ports.

He said the government has already spent VT100 million on roads around the island and will invest more.

“For the first time, roads are being built through kauri, pine and other timber trees. The government will continue to improve roads to ensure landowners benefit from their resources,” he said.

The island of Aneityum is covered in Caribbean pine planted before independence. According to the DPM, the pine trees are worth billions of vatu.

Erromango, Vanuatu’s third-largest island, is home to some of the best timber resources. Timber plantations established many years ago remain utilised. The island is historically famous for its native sandalwood forests.

A lot of trees have been cut down in the past and processed into timber for schools and other community buildings. Now, the government’s focus is on creating economic opportunities while making sure customary owners also benefit from their resources.