New eBusiness Link to streamline business registration
August 12, 2026 11:10 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
The Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (VFIPA), in collaboration with the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue (DCIR) and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), has soft-launched eBusiness Link Vanuatu, a new digital platform designed to simplify and speed up the registration of businesses in the country.
The soft launch was held on 10 August 2026 at the Ramada Hotel conference room in Port Vila and brought together representatives from the three partner agencies, system developers ZestIT and other stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, VFIPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Raymond Vuti said the initiative forms part of the Government’s broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business in Vanuatu, particularly by making the process of registering new businesses more efficient.
Under the current system, investors and businesses are required to submit separate applications to VFIPA, DCIR and VFSC. The process can result in applicants waiting several days for approvals from the different agencies to be completed.
The new eBusiness Link platform is intended to address this by allowing investors to submit a single business registration application that can be accessed simultaneously by the three participating agencies.
By connecting the agencies’ systems, the platform is expected to reduce processing times and provide investors with a clearer and more predictable pathway from application to approval.
“This trial is an important first step. It shows what is possible when agencies work together with a single goal in mind: making it easier for investors and businesses to operate in Vanuatu,” CEO Vuti said.
The soft launch marks the beginning of a trial period expected to run for several months. During this period, VFIPA, DCIR and VFSC will work with ZestIT to test the platform, refine workflows and ensure the system is compatible with the requirements and existing systems of each agency.
The agencies will also use feedback from customers during the trial to identify areas for improvement before the platform is rolled out more widely.
Mr. Vuti acknowledged the contribution of the three partner agencies and the system developer in aligning their respective systems, saying the collaboration demonstrates the importance of a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to improving Vanuatu’s investment environment.
The partner agencies have also encouraged other government institutions, including the Department of Labour, Department of Immigration and Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF), to consider joining the platform as it develops.
Expanding participation could allow investors and businesses to complete a wider range of regulatory approvals through a single digital platform.
The eBusiness Link initiative supports the Government’s efforts to improve Vanuatu’s investment climate and responds to concerns raised by investors and businesses about the time and complexity involved in obtaining regulatory approvals.
The project committee also acknowledged the support of ZestIT, a New Zealand-based company known in Vanuatu for its work in information technology and systems development.
The committee further recognised funding support from PACER Plus for the development of Vanuatu eBusiness Link, as well as on-the-ground coordination support from the Vanuatu Project Planning and Implementation Unit (PPIU).
The committee said it looks forward to strengthening collaboration with its partners as the platform develops and exploring further opportunities for the system, including its potential application to locally owned businesses.
The trial period is expected to provide the three agencies and system developers with an opportunity to identify technical and operational improvements before the platform is introduced more broadly.
