Editing Vanuatu (section)

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Vanuatu}}Vanuatu was ranked the 173rd safest investment destination in the world in the March 2011 Euromoney Country Risk rankings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Euromoney Country Risk |url=http://www.euromoneycountryrisk.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730183356/http://www.euromoneycountryrisk.com/ |archive-date=30 July 2011 |access-date=15 August 2011 |publisher=Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC}}</ref> In 2015, Vanuatu was ranked the 84th most [[Index of Economic Freedom|economically free country]] by The Heritage Foundation and ''The Wall Street Journal''.<ref name="Economic Freedom">{{cite web |title=Country Rankings |url=http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916153902/http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking |archive-date=16 September 2017 |access-date=20 January 2016 |website=heritage.org |publisher=The Heritage Foundation}}</ref> The economy grew about 6% in the early 2000s.<ref name="Asian Development Bank">{{cite web |date=31 December 2008 |title=Asian Development Bank & Vanuatu&nbsp;– Fact Sheet&nbsp;– Operational Challenges (pdf file) |url=http://www.adb.org/documents/fact_sheets/van.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031190547/http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/VAN.pdf |archive-date=31 October 2009 |access-date=26 July 2009 |publisher=Asian Development Bank}}</ref> This is higher than in the 1990s, when GDP rose less than 3%, on average. One report from the [[Manila]]-based [[Asian Development Bank]] about Vanuatu's economy gave mixed reviews and noted that the economy grew at a 5.9% rate from 2003 to 2007.<ref name="Asian Development Bank" />

Vanuatu became the 185th member of the [[World Intellectual Property Organization]] (WIPO) in December 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garae |first1=Len |date=22 December 2011 |title=Vanuatu is 185th member of WIPO |url=http://www.dailypost.vu/content/vanuatu-185th-member-wipo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328015550/http://www.dailypost.vu/content/vanuatu-185th-member-wipo |archive-date=28 March 2012 |access-date=16 March 2012 |work=Vanuatu Daily Post}}</ref>

=== Agriculture ===
[[File:PortVilaMarketHall.jpg|thumb|A market hall in Port Vila]]

Exports include [[copra]], [[kava]], beef, [[Cocoa bean|cocoa]], and timber; imports include machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, and fuels. In contrast, mining activity is very low. Agriculture provides a living for 65% of the population. In particular, production of copra and kava creates substantial revenue. Many farmers have been abandoning cultivation of food crops and use earnings from kava cultivation to buy food.<ref name="Lonely Planet:Vanuatu" /> Kava has also been used in ceremonial exchanges between clans and villages.<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 33&nbsp;– 5.2)</ref> Cocoa is also grown for foreign exchange.<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 49&nbsp;– 7.2)</ref>

In 2007, the number of households engaged in fishing was 15,758, mainly for consumption (99%), and the average number of fishing trips was 3 per week.<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 77&nbsp;– 13.1)</ref> The tropical climate enables growing of a wide range of fruits and vegetables and spices, including banana, garlic, [[cabbage]], peanuts, [[pineapple]]s, [[sugarcane]], [[taro]], [[Yam (vegetable)|yams]], [[watermelon]]s, leaf spices, carrots, [[radish]]es, [[eggplant]]s, [[vanilla]] (both green and cured), [[Black pepper|pepper]], [[cucumber]], and many others.<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 114&nbsp;– table 4.17)</ref> In 2007, the value (in terms of millions of [[vatu]]&nbsp;– the official currency of Vanuatu) for agricultural products was estimated for different products: kava (341&nbsp;million vatu), copra (195), cattle (135), crop gardens (93), cocoa (59), forestry (56), fishing (24), and coffee (12).<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (various pages)</ref>

Raising cattle leads to beef production for export. One estimate in 2007 for the total value of cattle heads sold was 135&nbsp;million vatu; cattle were first introduced into the area from Australia by British planter [[James Paddon]].<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 67&nbsp;– 11.1)</ref> On average, each household has 5 pigs and 16 chickens, and while cattle are the "most important livestock", pigs and chickens are important for subsistence agriculture as well as playing a significant role in ceremonies and customs (especially pigs).<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 73&nbsp;– 12.1)</ref> There are 30 commercial farms (sole proprietorships (37%), partnerships (23%), corporations (17%)), with revenues of 533&nbsp;million vatu and expenses of 329&nbsp;million vatu in 2007.<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 97&nbsp;– 15.1)</ref>

The [[Vanuatu National Statistics Office]] (VNSO) released their 2007 agricultural census in 2008. According to the study, agricultural exports make up about three-quarters (73%) of all exports; 80% of the population lives in rural areas where "agriculture is the main source of their livelihood"; and of these households, almost all (99%) engaged in agriculture, fisheries and forestry.<ref name="spc.int">Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 18)</ref> Total annual household income was 1,803&nbsp;million [[vatu]]. Of this income, agriculture grown for their own household use was valued at 683&nbsp;million vatu, agriculture for sale at 561, gifts received at 38, handicrafts at 33, and fisheries (for sale) at 18.<ref name="spc.int" />

=== Mining ===
Although [[manganese]] mining halted in {{Circa|1980}},<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mourgues |first=Adrien |date=February 2005 |title=State of Environment Report |url=https://www.pacific-r2r.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/State%20of%20Environment%20Report%20-%20VanuatuSoE-Vanuatu.pdf |journal=Pacific R2R |location=Port Vila, Vanuatu}}</ref> there was an agreement in 2006 to export manganese already mined but not yet exported.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-03-06 |title=Vanuatu says manganese exports a breakthrough for mining |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/160706/vanuatu-says-manganese-exports-a-breakthrough-for-mining |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref> The country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light-industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from [[Tariff|import duties]] and a 15% [[Value Added Tax|VAT]] on goods and services.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Introduction to VAT Value Added Tax |url=https://vanuatucustoms.gov.vu/images/Brochures/IRD/eng/Introduction_to_VAT_21.pdf |journal=Customs and Inland Revenue |location=Port Vila, Vanuatu}}</ref> The country's economic development has been suspected to be hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances between constituent islands and from main markets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vanuatu |url=https://www.economy.com/vanuatu/indicators |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Moody's Analytics |at=Economy; Economic Indicators}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
{{anchor|Tourism}}Vanuatu is one of the premier vacation destinations for scuba divers wishing to explore coral reefs of the South Pacific region.{{sfn|Harris|2006}} Another attraction to scuba divers is the wreck of the US ocean liner and converted troop carrier ''[[SS President Coolidge]]'' on [[Espiritu Santo]] island. Sunk during World War II, it is one of the largest shipwrecks in the world that is accessible for recreational diving. Tourism increased 17% from 2007 to 2008 to reach 196,134 arrivals, according to one estimate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adb.org/documents/fact_sheets/van.asp|title=Asian Development Bank & Vanuatu&nbsp;– Fact Sheet (pdf file)|publisher=Asian Development Bank|date=31 December 2008|access-date=26 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403190139/http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/VAN.asp|archive-date=3 April 2007}}</ref> The 2008 total is a sharp increase from 2000, in which there were only 57,000 visitors (of these, 37,000 were from Australia, 8,000 from New Zealand, 6,000 from New Caledonia, 3,000 from Europe, 1,000 from North America, and 1,000 from Japan).<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Vanuatu Statistics Office |year=2001 |url=http://www.vanuatustatistics.gov.vu/About%20VNSO/Data/Social/Tour&Mig.htm |title=Tourism and Migration Statistics&nbsp;– Visitor Arrivals by Usual Country of Residence (1995–2001) |access-date=26 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429004619/http://www.vanuatustatistics.gov.vu/About%20VNSO/Data/Social/Tour%26Mig.htm |archive-date=29 April 2009 }}</ref>

Vanuatu [[Immigrant investor programs|sells citizenship]] for about $150,000. With demand from the Chinese market booming, passport sales may now account for more than 30% of the country's revenue.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nunis |first=Sarah Treanor and Vivienne |date=10 October 2019 |title=How selling citizenship is now big business |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49958628 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011000401/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49958628 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Such schemes have been shown to raise ethical problems,<ref name="passports_RNZ" /> and have been involved in some political scandals.<ref name="lasvegas" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Neate |first=Rupert |date=12 February 2022 |title=Bitcoin paradise? Briton creates 'crypto utopia' in South Pacific |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/feb/12/bitcoin-paradise-briton-creates-crypto-utopia-in-south-pacific |access-date=12 February 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]] }}</ref> On 19 July 2023, Vanuatu lost UK visa-free access due to concerns over its citizenship by investment scheme.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cobham |first=Tara |date=22 July 2023 |title=UK imposes visa requirements on five nations citing 'abuse' of migration system |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/visa-application-uk-migrants-suella-braverman-b2380045.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829195910/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/visa-application-uk-migrants-suella-braverman-b2380045.html |archive-date=29 August 2023 |access-date=29 August 2023 |work=The Independent}}</ref>

=== Taxation ===
Financial services are an important part of the economy. Vanuatu is a [[tax haven]] that until 2008 did not release account information to other governments or law-enforcement agencies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Richard |title=Another one bites the dust: Vanuatu gives up being a tax haven |url=https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/05/06/another-one-bites-the-dust-vanuatu-gives-up-being-a-tax-haven/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Funding the Future |language=en}}</ref> International pressure, mainly from Australia, influenced the Vanuatu government to begin adhering to international norms to improve transparency. In Vanuatu, there is no [[income tax]], [[withholding tax]], [[capital gains tax]], [[inheritance tax]], or exchange control.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Schlegelmilch |first=Kai |date=April 2010 |title=Country case study Vanuatu |url=https://foes.de/pdf/2010-09-29%20Vanuatu%20-%20FINAL.pdf |journal=Options for Promoting Environmental Fiscal Reform in EC Development Cooperation}}</ref> Many international ship-management companies choose to flag their ships under the Vanuatu flag, because of the tax benefits and favourable labour laws (Vanuatu is a full member of the [[International Maritime Organization]] and applies its international conventions). Vanuatu is recognised as a "[[flag of convenience]]" country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itfglobal.org/flags-convenience/flags-convenien-183.cfm |title=International Transport Workers' Federation: FOC Countries |publisher=Itfglobal.org |date=6 June 2005 |access-date=29 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718210353/http://www.itfglobal.org/flags-convenience/flags-convenien-183.cfm |archive-date=18 July 2010 }}</ref> Several file-sharing groups, such as the providers of the [[KaZaA]] network of [[Sharman Networks]] and the developers of [[WinMX]], have chosen to incorporate in Vanuatu to avoid regulation and legal challenges.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2017-05-03 |title=Offshore banking in Vanuatu |url=https://www.globalfinances.net/vanuatu/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Global Finances |language=en-GB}}</ref> In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its [[offshore financial centre]]. Vanuatu receives [[foreign aid]] mainly from Australia and New Zealand.

[[File:Commercial agriculture, North Efate.jpg|thumb|[[Commercial agriculture]], North Efate|352x352px]]

=== Expenditure ===
[[File:Tusker beer in Vanuatu.jpg|thumb|Tusker is a local beer made in Vanuatu|300x300px]]
The largest expenditure by households was food (300&nbsp;million vatu), followed by household appliances and other necessities (79&nbsp;million vatu), transportation (59), education and services (56), housing (50), alcohol and tobacco (39), clothing and footwear (17).<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 19 table 2.5)</ref> Exports were valued at 3,038&nbsp;million vatu, and included copra (485), kava (442), cocoa (221), beef (fresh and chilled) (180), timber (80) and fish (live fish, aquarium, shell, button) (28).<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 19&nbsp;– table 2.6)</ref>

Total imports of 20,472&nbsp;million vatu included industrial materials (4,261), food and drink (3,984), machinery (3,087), consumer goods (2,767), transport equipment (2,125), fuels and lubricants (187) and other imports (4,060).<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 20&nbsp;– Table 2.7)</ref> There are substantial numbers of crop gardens&nbsp;– 97,888 in 2007&nbsp;– many on flat land (62%), slightly hilly slope (31%), and even on steep slopes (7%); there were 33,570 households with at least one crop garden, and of these, 10,788 households sold some of these crops over a twelve-month period.<ref>Census of Agriculture 2007 (page 27&nbsp;– Table 4.1)</ref>

===Communications===
{{Main|Telecommunications in Vanuatu}}

Mobile phone service in the islands is provided by Vodafone (formerly TVL)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailypost.vu/news/vodafone-vanuatu-launched/article_c9034d24-7399-11ea-a8c4-f76da4fa0957.html|title=Vodafone Vanuatu Launched|first=Adorina|last=Massing|website=Vanuatu Daily Post|date=1 April 2020|access-date=27 April 2024|archive-date=19 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719195010/https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vodafone-vanuatu-launched/article_c9034d24-7399-11ea-a8c4-f76da4fa0957.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Digicel]]. Internet access is provided by Vodafone, Telsat Broadband, [[Digicel]], and Wantok using a variety of connection technologies. A submarine [[Fiber-optic cable|optical fibre cable]] now connects Vanuatu to Fiji.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Submarine Cable Map|url=https://www.submarinecablemap.com/|access-date=27 April 2024|website=TeleGeography Submarine Cable Map|archive-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017195838/https://www.submarinecablemap.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>