VCCI and Indonesian counterpart strengthen business ties
February 23, 2026 10:54 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday with the Kamar Dagang dan Industri Indonesia/Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN Indonesia) in Canberra, Australia, marking the official entry into force of the agreement between the two Chambers.
The MoU was initially initialled on 14 October 2025 in Jakarta and subsequently formally signed by the Chairman of KADIN Indonesia. Yesterday’s signature by VCCI represents the final step required to operationalise the agreement.
The signing ceremony was hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canberra. VCCI President Antoine Boudier, accompanied by VCCI Vice President Christophe Crowby, signed the MoU in person. Joining the Vanuatu delegation were Ernest Guy Sumptoh, Acting High Commissioner for Vanuatu in Australia, and Patrice Kuautonga, Labour Attaché and Country Liaison Officer for the Vanuatu Department of Labour in Australia. The Chairman of KADIN Indonesia, having already signed the document, joined the ceremony virtually as a witness, alongside representatives of the Embassy and invited stakeholders.
Opening remarks came from the Ambassador of Indonesia to Australia, Dr Siswo Pramono.
“Through this MoU, we open doors for practical collaboration from trade and investment promotion to business exchanges and knowledge sharing,” said Ambassador Pramono. “More importantly, we create a platform where entrepreneurs, innovators and industry leaders from both countries can explore new opportunities with competence and optimism.”
In his response, VCCI President Boudier said the MoU represented confidence in each other’s economic potential and in the future of bilateral relations between the two countries.
“In today’s challenging world, regional partnerships are essential. By building structured cooperation between our chambers, we create a channel that allows businesses to explore opportunities representatively, transparently and in a spirit of partnership,” President Boudier said.
In discussions held alongside the signing, both Chambers acknowledged the steady growth in trade between Vanuatu and Indonesia in recent years, reflecting increasing engagement between the private sectors of both countries. Existing exports of fisheries products, cocoa, beef and coffee to the Indonesian market were highlighted as priority areas for further expansion. There was mutual recognition of the importance of strengthening these established trade flows, addressing technical requirements such as biosecurity and certification standards through closer regulatory engagement, and identifying priority sectors where practical cooperation can be advanced.
Discussions also progressed planning for an Indonesian business mission to Vanuatu in May 2026, aimed at advancing priority sectors and facilitating direct business engagement.
The MoU, established for an initial three-year term, provides a formal framework to enhance cooperation between the private sectors of Vanuatu and Indonesia, including the promotion of trade and investment, facilitation of business linkages, information exchange, and institutional collaboration.
