5Th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum & Trade Expo

Photo by Alcina Charlie

5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum & Trade Expo Holiday Inn Resort, Port Vila, Vanuatu 28th February, 2017 Invest in Vanuatu...

Vanuatu is growing and is inviting you to invest! Here’s why...

• Political and social stability. • Growing infrastructural development. • Strong offshore financial center. • Ideally situated providing market access to Australia, NZ and the entire Pacific region. • A strong and reliable workforce. • Bilingual (English/French) speakers. • Reasonable labor rates. • Submarine fiber optic cable enhancing ICT services in Vanuatu. • Multi-cultural society.

The Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority, VIPA, is the only agency established to facilitate foreign direct investment into Vanuatu.

We are your gateway to investing in the land of opportunities!

Talk to us today! Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority PMB 9011 Laguna Building Port Vila T: 24441/24096 w: www.investvanuatu.org.vu Invest in Vanuatu...

5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum Tuesday 28 February 2017, 8:30am – 5:30pm Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu, Port Vila, Vanuatu.

MONDAY 27 FEBRUARY. 1800 CARNIVAL AUSTRALIA Opening Cocktails & 1930 BANK SOUTH PACIFIC Opening dinner, The Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu. TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY. 0745 ANZ BANKING GROUP Registration Desk Open & HOLDING REDLICH breakfast on arrival 0830 PACIFIC AIR EXPRESS PLENARY SESSION ONE 0830 WELCOME TO DELEGATES: Mr Gary Clifford, President, Australia Pacific Islands Business Council. 0845 KEYNOTE ADDRESSES: Vanuatu: The Hon Joe Natuman, Deputy Prime Minister. Vanuatu is growing and is inviting you to invest! Here’s why... Australia: Ms Jenny Da Rin, High Commissioner to Vanuatu. 0935 THE VANUATU ECONOMY: • Political and social stability. Mr Simeon Athy, Governor, Reserve Bank of Vanuatu. 1000 BUILDING INVESTMENT IN VANUATU: • Growing infrastructural development. Mr Lionel Kaluat, Chairman, Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority. • Strong offshore financial center. 1025 INVESTMENT CASE STUDIES: • Ideally situated providing market access to Australia, NZ and the Tourism: Mr Richard Barnes, Director, The Point Marina. entire Pacific region. Agriculture: Ms Cornelia Wyllie, Chief Executive Officer, Vanuatu Direct Ltd. • A strong and reliable workforce. 11:15 LUNCHEON REFRESHMENTS • Bilingual (English/French) speakers. 1215 AUSTRALIAN TRADE COMMISSION PLENARY SESSION TWO 1215 TAKING VANUATU’S TOURISM INDUSTRY TO THE NEXT LEVEL: • Reasonable labor rates. Ms Milissa Day, Senior Operations Officer, FCS IDA, International Finance Corporation • Submarine fiber optic cable enhancing ICT services in Vanuatu. Mr Jeremy Goodman, Director Supply Chain, Carnival Australia Mr Dixon Seeto, President, Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association. • Multi-cultural society. 1325 LAND REFORM: THE KEY TO INVESTMENT IN VANUATU: The Hon Ralph Regenvanu MP, Vanuatu Minister for Lands, Geology and Mines, Energy and Water Resources. Mr John Mulally, Principal, John Mulally and Associates. 1415 PANEL SESSION: MANAGING BANKING, FINANCE AND TAX ISSUES: Mr Martin St Hilaire, AJC Accounting; Govenor Simeon Athy, Reserve Bank of Vanuatu; Mr Stuart Beren, Bank South Pacific; Mr James Hudson, Bred Bank; Mr Geoff Toone, National Bank of Vanuatu; Mr Rufus Pinto, ANZ Banking Group. Ms Gayle Stapleton, Stapleton Pacific (Facilitator) 1515 BRED BANK AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS 1615 ORIGIN ENERGY PLENARY SESSION THREE 1615 PACER PLUS: Dr Edwini Kessie, Chief Trade Advisor. 1640 ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK – FUTURE WORK PROGRAM IN VANUATU: The Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority, VIPA, is the only agency established Ms Nancy Wells, Senior Country Coordination Officer, Extended Mission-Vanuatu, Asian Development Bank. to facilitate foreign direct investment into Vanuatu. 1705 AUSTRALIAN DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE WORKING TO SUPPORT BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: Ms Susan Ryle, Deputy High Commissioner and Development Counsellor, Australian High We are your gateway to investing in the land of opportunities! Commission, Port Vila. 17:30 END OF PLENARY SESSIONS.

Talk to us today! 17:35 CLOSING DRINKS. Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority 18:35 END CLOSING DRINKS PMB 9011 Laguna Building 19:00 CLOSING DINNER, HOSTED BY VANUATU MINISTER OF FINANCE, THE HON. GAETAN PIKIOUNE Port Vila T: 24441/24096 w: www.investvanuatu.org.vu

5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017 3 Handbook Contents Advertisers

Program P 3 Major Sponsor VIPA Inside Front Cover List of advertisers P 4 Silver Sponsor Origin Energy Page 4 List of exhibitors P 4 Platinum Sponsor ANZ Page 5 Speaker Profiles - Keynote P 6 Gold Sponsor Bred Bank Page 7 Speaker Profiles - Economy P 6 Gold Sponsor Holding Redlich Page 8 Speaker Profiles - Investment P 7 Platinum Sponsor BSP Page 11 Delegates List P 8-9 Silver Sponsor Austrade Page 13 Speaker Profiles - Investment, Tourism P 10 Silver Sponsor Pacific Air Express Page 14 Speaker Profiles - Land reform, Finance P 12 Platinum Sponsor Carnival Australia Inside Back Speaker Profiles - PACER Plus P 13 Speaker Profiles - ADB, Aus High Comm P 14 Exhibitors

COMPANY NAME Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority Philip AYONG Vanuatu Chamber Of Commerce & Industry Mark SALELOUI Solar Pumping Solutions Kim HARDING Ramada Resort Port Vila Denis MASSE R.c. Manubhai & Co Ltd Suresh CHAND Oils Of Paradise Vanuatu Rona GARAE Iririki Island Resort & Spa Jayne KINGHORN First National Real Estate Anne DONCHOS Cover Photo Credit : Island welcome, Lumete Guesthouse, south west bay, Malekula. Photographer: Alcina Charlie (Vanuatu Photo Library) Australia Pacific Technical College Nick CROSLING Actions Fasteners Pty Ltd Raymond HOLLIS

4 5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017 CONNECTING BUSINESSES ACROSS ASIA AND BEYOND IT’S IN OUR DNA

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anz.com/vanuatu

ANZ Bank (Vanuatu) Limited. Welcome to Delegates

Mr Gary Clifford is President, Australia lands, PNG, Vanuatu, Nauru and other pacific islands with Pacific Islands Business Council. Gary is Australia since 1993, and presently uses two Boeing 737- the founder and managing director of Pa- 300 freighter aircraft for this work. Gary went to the Solo- cific Air Express, the south pacific re- mons in 1984 as a young pilot, and has over 7000 hours gion’s first international cargo airline. logged flying in Solomon Islands and connecting interna- Pacific Air Express has provided sched- tional routes. These days his time is spent managing the uled and charter freighter services linking the Solomon Is- airline and developing new air freight routes in the region.

Keynote Addresses

The Hon Joe Natuman MP is a ni-Vanuatu general election. He has been continuously re-elected since, politician, member of the Vanua’aku Pati, has held various Ministerial portfolios over this time. and is currently Deputy Prime Minister. He is a graduate of the University of the Ms Jenny Da Rin is a senior career officer South Pacific, and was also an exchange with the Department of Foreign Affairs student at the University of Papua New and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Guinea. In the 1980s, he worked in the highest ranks of the Assistant Secretary, Pacific Bilateral & civil service, culminating with the position of First Secretary New Zealand Branch. She also served as to the Prime Minister’s Office from 1987 to 1991, at the time Senior Adviser to the Minister for De- of Prime Minister Walter Lini. He then worked as assistant fence (2010) and Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs registrar at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, (2009-10). Ms Da Rin holds a Master of Laws from the Aus- until 1995. He entered national politics when he was elected tralian National University and is a fellow of the Australian MP for Tanna, representing the Vanua’aku Pati, in the 1995 Institute of Company Directors.

The Vanuatu Economy

Mr. Simeon Malachi Athy commenced Office in mid-2008 and held that position until his success- his tenure as Governor of Reserve Bank ful appointment to the position of Governor of the RBV. Mr of Vanuatu on 15th November, 2013. Gov- Athy served in several capacities in the public sector, in- ernor Athy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in cluding among others, Chairman of the Millennium Steering Economics from the University of Papua Committee that oversaw the construction of two major na- New Guinea (1991) and held various positions within the tional roads in Vanuatu in late 2000; Having served both in RBV from 1991 to 2003, including the position of Director the RBV and in the public sector over the last twenty two the Research and Statistics Department. He joined the Gov- (22) years, his wide expansive range of experience serves ernment of Vanuatu public service as Director General to him well in his current role as Governor and Chairman of the the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management. He was Reserve Bank and its Board of Directors. duly transferred in the same position to the Prime Minister’s

6 5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017 Supporting Investment in Vanuatu

Mr Lionel Kaluat became Chairman of three common ones being “Permanent Residence Program the VIPA BOD in 2004. Mr. Kaluat is the (PR), the capital Investment and Immigration Program (CIIP) Commissioner of Labour. Prior to becom- and the “Vanuatu Ecomonical Recovery Program” (VERP). ing chair of the VIPA BOD, Mr. Kaluat as- Mr Kaluat has been and remains VIPA’s focal point when sumes chairmanship responsibilities in a dealing with customary land issues on Efate. He was or- number of committees in both public and dained as Chief of his clan “ Naflak Nmaal” in 1989 in his private sector, and, as chairman of the VIPA BOD, Mr. Kaluat community and is still an active member the Eurakot Coun- represents VIPA in several national committees, including cil of Chief of Pango Village where he comes from on South as chairman of the country’s Tripartite Labour Advisory Efate. His popularity amongst and respect from the commu- Council In his capacity as chairman of the VIPA BOD, Mr. nities makes him a very excellent spokesman for VIPA, es- Kaluat has been actively engaged in the design and execu- pecially when foreign investors are in search of accessing tion of a number of Government revenue initiatives. The land for their projects.

5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017 7 Delegates List

FIRST NAME SURNAME COMPANY POSITION COUNTRY

The Hon Joe NATUMAN Government of Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister Vanuatu Ms Jenny DA RIN Government of Australia High Commissioner to Vanuatu Vanuatu The Hon Ralph REGENVANU Government of Vanuatu Minister for Lands, Geology & Mines, Energy & Water Resources Vanuatu Simeon ATHY Reserve Bank of Vanuatu Governor Vanuatu Adrian WEEKS Australian Trade Commission (AUSTRADE) Trade Commissioner Pacific Australia Andrew AVENELL Rhodes Projects Services Pty Ltd Project Manager Australia Andrew BULMAN Bridge Procurement & Services Pty Ltd Director Australia Annalise KNIGHT IFC Finance and MArket Consultant Australia Anne DONCHOS First national Real Estate Principal Vanuatu Annie Rose COOPER Oceania Freight International Pty Ltd OWNER Australia Anton DRAZEVIC Folklore Managing Director Australia Astrid BOULEKONE Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce & Industry General Manager Vanuatu Brad BOWMAN Cardno Ltd IDA Branch Manager - Pacific Australia Bryan DEATH TMS Ltd Owner Vanuatu Cornelia WYLLIE Vanuatu Direct Ltd Chief Executive Officer Vanuatu Daniel CUSACK CCB Envico Construction Manager Australia Danielle BAILLY Antipodes Australia Manager Australia Denis ETOURNAUD BLUESCOPE President Director General New Caledonia Dixon SEETO President Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association Fiji

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8 5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017 Delegates List

FIRST NAME SURNAME COMPANY POSITION COUNTRY

Douglas PATTERSON Island Properties Owner Vanuatu Francesca GRILLO Francescas Beach Club Owner Vanuatu Frederic BELLEVEGUE BRED Bank Head of Lending Vanuatu Gary BURTON Etmat Bay Owner Vanuatu Gary CLIFFORD Pacific Air Express Managing Director Australia Gayle STAPLETON Stapleton Pacific Partner Australia Geoff TOONE National Bank of Vanuatu Managing Director Vanuatu George DECHAINEUX Ramada Resort Port Vila Managing Director Vanuatu Holly COLE Folklore Director of Marketing and Strategy Australia James HUDSON BRED Bank General Manager Vanuatu Jayne KINGHORN Iririki Island Resort & Spa Sales & Marketing Director Vanuatu Jeremy GOODMAN Carnival Australia Director - Supply Chain Australia Jimmy ANDENG IFC Country Coordinator Australia John VIVIAN IFC Senior Financial Sector Specialist Australia John MULALLY John Mulally and Associates Principal Australia Johnson WABAIAIT Vanuatu Project Management Unit Director Vanuatu Jonathan LAW Law Partners Principal Vanuatu Julie MIEHE Holding Redlich Partner Australia Keith WILSON Churches of Christ Medical Santo Executive Committee Vanuatu Kim HARDING Solar Pumping Solutions Director Australia Lionel KALUAT Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority Chairman Vanuatu Lyn COX Churches of Christ Medical Santo Executive Manager Vanuatu Mark DUNN Origin Energy Vanuatu Ltd General Manager Vanuatu Martin ST HILAIRE AJC Vanuatu Managing Partner Vanuatu Matthew HARDING Australian High Commission Counsellor Vanuatu Megan WILLIAMS Care International in Vanuatu Gender & Program Quality Manager Vanuatu Michael FULLELOVE Sunstate Cement Operations Manager Australia Milissa DAY International Finance Corporation Senior Operations Manager Australia Mona MATO Pacific Islands Trade & Invest Export Services Manager Australia Nancy WELLS Asian Development Bank Senior Country Coordination Officer Vanuatu Narcisse SUMTOH Bluescope Lysaght Vanuatu Director Manager New Caledonia Nick MORGAN Excentricity Director Australia Nick CROSLING Australia Pacific Technical College Country Manager Vanuatu Vanuatu Nik REGENVANU BSP Vanuatu Head of Business Banking Vanuatu Nitij PAL ANDE + Co. Principal Australia Pablo KANG Dept Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Assistant Secretary Australia Peter SHARRY Axiom Water Technologies Pty Ltd Director Australia Peter Tari MERAKALI Reserve Bank of Vanuatu Deputy Governor Vanuatu Rajeev RAMANKUTTY Sunstate Cement General Manager Australia Raymond VUTI Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority Acting Chief Executive Officer Vanuatu Raymond HOLLIS Action Fasteners Pty Ltd Owner Australia Richard BARNES The Point Marina Director Vanuatu Rufus PINTO ANZ Bank Vanuatu Country Manager Vanuatu Sam NAMURI Ministry of Public Utilities Acting Director General Vanuatu Santos VATOKO BRED Bank Senior Project Manager Vanuatu Sara KING IFC Tourism Consultant Australia Sergio De SONNEVILLE SDS T/as General Maintenance Director Vanuatu Shaun WESTCOTT Solar Pumping Solutions Export Manager Australia Sonya GRAY Australian High Commission First Secretary Vanuatu Steve FRICHOT Iririki Island Resort & Spa General Manager Vanuatu Steve HARDING Solar Pumping Solutions General Manager Australia Steve SIRO Office of the Chief Trade Advisor Trade Policy Officer Vanuatu Stuart BEREN BSP Vanuatu General Manager Vanuatu Susan RYLE Australian High Commission Vanuatu Deputy High Commissioner/ Development Counsellor Vanuatu Tony SULLIVAN International Finance Corporation Investment Officer Solomon Islands Vicki JOE Law Partners Principal Vanuatu Willie LUEN Trade Development Officer Trade Development Officer Vanuatu Frank YOURN Australia Pacific Islands Business Council Executive Director Australia Nina MARCELLIER Australia Pacific Islands Business Council Events Australia Minnie EDMANLEY Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority Research and Marketing Officer Vanuatu Mia CUSACK Australia Pacific Islands Business Council Communications Manager Australia Lillian CHAPMAN Australia Pacific Islands Business Council Secretariat Australia

5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017 9 Investment Case Studies

Ms Cornelia Wyllie is no stranger at see- paper, Councilor in the Chamber of Commerce, and ex- ing opportunities and making the most of tremely passionate about connecting the dots for others. them, having spent 29 years as an agri- cultural entrepreneur, food processor, Mr Richard Barnes has been living in Va- and a connector of people. Cornelia is nuatu for the last 9 years having moved the CEO of Fine Foods ltd, founder of from The Cayman Islands where he Sowers and Growers, a program that mentors Ni Vanuatu worked in Banking and Property Valua- farmers, and the creative designer of Rainbow Botanic Gar- tion for seven years. Richard is a New dens. She also exudes a warm motherly figure to many. Cor- Zealander and keen water-sportsman nelia has more than 30 years of living and working in Vanu- and is a Director and co-owner of Vanuatu Property Valua- atu and a wealth of knowledge of the challenges that face tions, an Independent Property Valuation and Advisory new comers. Prior to starting her food processing busi- company in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Richard and his wife jumped ness, Cornelia spent 10 years developing Vanuatu Direct Ltd at the opportunity to join their partners in The Point Marina an import export business and 15 years as a horticulturist. Subdivision Development having lived next to the site of the Apart from the full time commitment of running Fine Foods Marina which was formerly an abandoned quarry for the Ltd Cornelia is a regular writer for the Independent weekly last five years.

Taking Vanuatu’s Tourism Industry To The Next Level

Ms Milissa Day supports investment Mr Jeremy Goodman is the Director of across fragile, conflict affected states Supply Chain at Carnival Australia. Prior (FCS) and low income IDA members to joining Carnival Australia, Jeremy was across the East Asia and Pacific region. the Group Procurement Manager at Ar- She builds regional and investment staff dent Leisure Group. Starting his Procure- knowledge and resources to increase the ment career as an analyst with the Accor number of projects and value of total investment portfolio. Hotel Group, Jeremy rose to senior roles within the Accor She provides technical support and access to global knowl- Procurement team, before moving to Quest Serviced Apart- edge and resources to assist transaction teams, advisory ments as Procurement Manager, and then Mummu Media staff and country teams to deliver meaningful projects in as General Manager. Jeremy is a Procurement & Strategic the most difficult markets. Milissa has twenty years of ex- Sourcing Specialist with 12 years’ experience primarily in perience in post-conflict and fragile environments including the hospitality industry, looking after both direct & indirect Timor-Leste, Kosovo, Indonesia and Somalia. In 2010, she sourcing. Jeremy has a keen view to develop strategic part- joined IFC as Timor-Leste Resident Representative, Milissa nerships to maximize value within supply chains. Jeremy’s led engagement for IFC’s first ever investments in the coun- key interests & experience include the areas of food & bever- try and for reform projects which resulted in costs savings age, IT&T, travel & marketing, and has a strong passion for of over USD$20 million. Prior to joining IFC, Milissa worked the travel & hospitality industries. for Development Alternatives, Inc., the World Bank and Women’s World Banking on microfinance development, Mr Dixon Seeto was born and raised in both at industry and institutional levels. Milissa’s educa- Suva. He studied Airline Management in tional background includes a Masters from the Kennedy the United Kingdom while attached to School of Government, Harvard University and a Bachelor of British Airways in London. Upon his re- Arts in political economy from the University of California, turn to Fiji, he worked for the National Irvine. Carrier and held various senior positions in Air Pacific. From 1987 he joined the private sector travel industry in senior management positions, including the

10 5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017 C

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WE ARE BSP www.bsp.com.vu Taking Vanuatu’s Tourism Industry To The Next Level

Tapa International Group of Companies and Warwick Inter- il Aviation Authority of Fiji, Air Terminal Services and the Fiji national Group of Hotels. He joined the Hexagon Group of Visitors Bureau. He is the President of the Fiji Hotel and Hotels as the Group Managing Director in 2004 and is re- Tourism Association, Past President and current Board sponsible for the three hotels in the Group and also its fu- Member of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, ture development program.Mr. Seeto has been on various and President of Fiji China Friendship Association, amongst Government Boards and advisory committees which mainly many other positions that he holds. He was a Senator in the involve tourism, civil aviation and travel. These include Civ- previous Government.

Land Reform: The Key To Investment Growth In Vanuatu

The Hon Ralph Regenvanu MP holds de- Mr John Mulally is the principal of the grees in Development Studies, Anthro- law firm John Mulally & Associates in pology and Law and has been the Mem- Sydney. During over 50 years of legal ber of Parliament for Port Vila since 2008 practice he has acted in transactions in (three legislatures). Between May 2013 all States of Australia and in New Zea- and June 2015 as Minister for Lands and land, Vanuatu, Thailand, Indonesia, Ma- Natural Resources in the Government he was the main driv- laysia, Singapore, Japan, Switzerland, State of New York, er behind a major overhaul of the land laws which came into United Kingdom, France, the Russian Federation, Belarus effect in early 2014. He resumed the position of Minister of and the Ukraine. He advised the Russian State Land Reform Lands in the current Government after the January 2016 Committee on the establishment of a land titling system for snap election. Prior to his entry into politics, Regenvanu the Russian Federation. He wrote the Strata Titles Act and served as the director of the National Museum and Cultural other legislation for Vanuatu. John has drafted recommend- Centre of Vanuatu, for eleven years (1995-2006). ed changes to several Vanuatu’s current land laws.

Managing Banking, Finance and Tax Issues

Mr Stuart Beren has extensive experience customers. Previously, James has worked in Australian, in banking with over 18 years in the indus- Asian, Eastern and Western European banking markets. try. Prior to working in the Pacific, Stu- James grew up in Vanuatu calling the archipelago home and art’s banking career was predominately fostering a strong understanding of the local business envi- focused in the commercial and corporate ronment as well as a commitment to its development. Property Finance sector where he ran the Auckland office for ANZ. Stuart has spent 4 years in Vanuatu Mr Rufus Pinto is the current Country and most recently over saw the successful transition from Head of ANZ Vanuatu and New Caledonia, Westpac to BSP. In mid-January this year, Stuart joined the reporting to ANZ Regional Executive Pa- RBV delegation to attend the FATF/APG workshop and is ac- cific, Tessa Price. Mr Pinto transitioned tively involved in championing private sector NCC inclusion. into the role in August 2016 from his role as CEO for ANZ Kiribati. He is an experi- Mr James Hudson is the General Manager enced banker with a career spanning over 15 years in banking at BRED Bank Vanuatu where he has and financial services in India, Australia and the Pacific. worked for the past 10 years. BRED Bank Originally from India, Mr Pinto has worked across various is part of BPCE Group, the 2nd largest banking areas over the course of his career, including Retail, banking group in France with a global net- Commercial, Private and Corporate/Institutional. Mr Pinto work across 46 countries supported also has oversight responsibility over ANZ Kiribati. by108,000 employees and 8,000 branches serving 35mln

12 5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017 Mr Martin St-Hilaire, Managing Partner of nesses, Investors & Expatriates across the Oceania Region. the firm AJC Vanuatu (www.ajc-vanuatu. Stapleton Pacific is an accredited member of Australia’s larg- com) is a qualified Chartered Professional est independent finance group which means stability, credi- Accountant (CPA, CA) member of the In- bility and access to more than 30 lenders. Gayle is located in stitute of Canadian Chartered Account- Brisbane, Australia and Vanuatu, the South Pacific. Gayle has ants. Holding a Master’s degree in Busi- 30-years experience in the finance sector and she has worked ness Administration (MBA) from Laval University, Quebec, across Australia (Qld, NSW and Victoria) and seven countries Canada, Martin has extensive experience in Accounting, Au- in the South Pacific - Vanuatu, Samoa, New Caledonia, Tonga, dit and Financial Management, having previously worked for Guam, Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea. « big four » accounting firms in Canada (Arthur Andersen/ Deloitte) and New Caledonia (KPMG). Martin has been a Va- Mr Geoff Toone became the Managing Di- nuatu Resident since 2003 and he is currently the Chairman rector of The National Bank of Vanuatu in of the Vanuatu Financial Centre Association (www.fca.vu). January 2017. Prior to joining the National AJC provide Audit, Accounting and Business Advice to Vanu- Bank of Vanuatu Geoff spent three years atu Businesses and foreign investor. in Papua New Guinea as Managing Direc- tor of Westpac PNG. Geoff is highly expe- Ms Gayle Stapleton is a leading business rienced in the financial services industry. He was formally woman and finance expert in the South leading the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Victo- Pacific and after numerous Chief Execu- rian and Tasmanian office based in Melbourne. Prior to that tive roles with ANZ Bank, she established he was a senior executive in National Australia Bank Busi- Stapleton Pacific. Stapleton Pacific is a ness Banking Division. niche business financing Australian Busi-

PACER Plus

Dr Edwini Kessie has a Doctorate Degree in different capacities. He has been the Chief Trade Adviser in Law from the University of Technology, for the Forum Island Countries since 2012. In this capacity, Sydney, Australia and Masters’ Degrees he provides technical advice on a broad range of trade is- in Law from the University of Toronto, sues to the Forum Island Countries and support them in Canada and the University of Brussels, their PACER Plus negotiations with Australia and New Zea- Belgium and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law land. Dr Kessie conducts lectures, and participates in many from the University of Ghana. He is admitted as a solicitor international conferences and has written a number of arti- of the Supreme Courts of England & Wales, New South cles on international trade issues. His principal areas of Wales, Australia and Ghana. Dr. Kessie is on leave from the interest are regional integration, trade and development and World Trade Organization, where he worked for over 18 years dispute settlement.

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5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017 13 Asian Development Bank

Nancy Wells is a Ni-Vanuatu and holds ences were gained in the Vanuatu Government. She used to the position of the Senior Country Coordi- work as a Government Statistician in the Ministry of Finance nation Officer in Vanuatu in the Asian De- and Economic Management and also held various positions velopment Bank’s Extended Mission in in Government bodies, committees and was part of interna- Vanuatu. She comes to this position after tional bodies such as the Pacific Heads of Statisticians having served over six years as the Development Coordina- working group over the years from 1990 – 2006. She holds tion Officer working for Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Masters Degrees in International Relations & Development the World Bank (WB) Group in the then Joint ADB/WBG Joint Studies and Business Administration from University of East Vanuatu Liaison Office. Prior to this, she worked as a Direc- Anglia, Norwich in UK and The Ateneo University in Manila, tor’s Adviser to the ADB Board of Directors in the ADB’s Philippines. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Headquarter in Manila for three years. Her previous experi- James Cooks University in Townsville, Australia.

Australian Development Assistance Working To Support Business and Economic Growth

Ms Susan Ryle took up the role of Aus- ports economic and infrastructure development, health, ed- tralian Deputy High Commissioner and ucation, community safety and resilience, and cyclone re- Development Counsellor to Vanuatu in covery. Ms Ryle holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of December 2016. Ms Ryle oversees Aus- Asian Studies and a Master’s degree in strategic affairs and tralia’s aid program to Vanuatu, which is development from the Australian National University. valued at an estimated $62.5 million in 2016-17, and sup-

14 5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017 www.carnivalaustralia.com Tangkiu Tumas To Our Sponsors

Major Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Australia Pacific Islands Business Council - w: www.apibc.org.au e: [email protected] p: +617 3348 5142 Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority - w: www.investvanuatu.org e: [email protected] p: +678 24096

16 5th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum 2017