Vanuatu

The government recently passed regulation governing the import, cultivation, production and sale of medical cannabis and hemp.

ABC Pacific reports once the regulations are gazetted, seven licences will be sold to businesses at a cost of 10 million vatu ($AUD12,000) each.

But there is growing concern the plan could lead to social instability, with some saying the government would be better placed to invest in existing commodities.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese completed a bilateral meeting in Canberra yesterday reports RNZ Pacific.

A spokesperson for Australia's Prime Minister says some of the money will go towards supporting aviation, trade, infrastructure, cyber security and banking.

The spokesperson said both Prime Ministers agreed Australia would prioritise the construction of a new home for Vanuatu's Council of Ministers and National Security Council Secretariats under the agreement     

Photo file 

The Vanuatu government passed the Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Act in 2021 but its regulation measures were only signed off last week.

Cultivation of the product will only be for export purposes only.

The Chairman of Parliament's Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Advisory Committee, Moses Amos, said the drug will not be grown for locals and will be regulated carefully.

"In order to ensure that we can back capacity, we allow for 10 years of experience to come and invest in Vanuatu.

The Department of Industry Vanuatu said, “The three-day sourcing event is a joint venture of two of the industry’s leading events groups – Informa Markets Jewellery, organiser of the world’s biggest fine jewellery marketplace – Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong – and Italian Exhibition Group SpA (IEG), organiser of Vicenzaoro, one of the most influential jewellery shows worldwide and the top European trade fair in the sector.”

It's the first visit by a Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu since 2018.

The Guardian reports, Kalsakau is joined by his trade and business minister as well as his agriculture minister.

Prior to Kalsakau's departure, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said trade, security, people-to-people links and climate would be discussed.

Malpoi has been severely impacted by landslides and mud.

RNZ Pacific reports the Santo Sunset Environment Women's Network (SSEWN) said the village's main water-source is contaminated and houses and gardens have been destroyed.

Chairman of the network Allan Taman said the villagers need water and building materials.

"The main thing they need is water because their water source is destroyed. They said because they have relocated out of the village to the new sites they need materials to build houses."

As part of efforts to grow their product line the farmers recently completed training on processing and packaging of new value-added products like pineapple cordial.

Participants learned how to extract raw materials to process, packaging and other skills.

The Department of Industry and the Department of Agriculture supported the workshop.

Photo supplied Caption: Pineapple farmers with their new pineapple cordial

Vanuatu Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau will embark on a three day tour, in what will be the first official visit from the nation's head since 2018.

Mr Kalsakau will be joined by his trade and business minister as well as his agriculture minister.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the visit will give the government the opportunity to listen to Vanuatu's priorities and strengthen co-operation in trade, security and climate.

Malpoi has been severely impacted by landslides and mud.

The Santo Sunset Environment Women's Network (SSEWN) said the village's main water-source is contaminated and houses and gardens have been destroyed.

Chairman of the network Allan Taman said the villagers need water and building materials.

"The main thing they need is water because their water source is destroyed. They said because they have relocated out of the village to the new sites they need materials to build houses."

The Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority and the Department of Ports and Harbour signed the MOU to facilitate the change.

“The MOU outlines their shared legal responsibilities and allows for mutual understanding and support in implementing the VMSA Act, Shipping Act [CAP 53], and Ports Act [CAP 26].”