Bangkok (Thailand) – October 12, 2017 (travelindex.com) – The Republic of Vanuatu is sending a government delegation to Bangkok this month to promote trade, tourism, and the possibility of citizenship through investment in this South Pacific island nation. Vanuatu (formerly the New Hebrides), a former British and French colony, gained its independence in 1980 and remains a member of the Commonwealth. The island nation stretches approximately 1,300 km from north to south and consists of 83 islands (65 of which are inhabited). Vanuatu's 285,000 residents were ranked among the five happiest countries in the world according to the 2016 Happy Planet Index. Largely untouched by mass tourism, Vanuatu offers a variety of attractions, from diving in crystal-clear waters to ash surfing on the slopes of an active volcano. Vanuatu is a safe and peaceful country that has no formal armed forces and relies on neighboring Australia for security.

The delegation from Vanuatu, appointed by Prime Minister Charlot Salwai for this mission, will visit Thailand from September 25 to 29. A key focus of the visit is supporting the development of the global network of government-approved offices under the brand "Vanuatu Information Centre" (VIC).

VIC's headquarters are located in Port Vila, Vanuatu. However, Bangkok was chosen as the center for VIC's global operations due to its location and function as an international airport hub. Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, is easily accessible from Bangkok via Brisbane, Sydney, or Auckland. There are also plans to establish direct flights from Bangkok to Vanuatu to further develop trade and tourism ties in the Asia-Pacific region.

A key task of the VIC network is the promotion of Vanuatu's Citizenship by Investment (CIP) program. This program offers individuals the opportunity to acquire honorary citizenship in a tax-exempt Commonwealth member state by donating to the government of Vanuatu's development funds.

Vanuatu's citizenship program, known as the Development Promotion Program (DSP), is a major source of the country's development aid. Holders of a Vanuatu passport enjoy significant benefits, such as visa-free travel to 125 countries – including the UK, the Schengen Area, and Russia – with more countries being added each year.

So-called "CIPs" are widespread in the Caribbean and have experienced a huge surge in popularity over the last decade. Vanuatu's DSP, however, is unique as it is the first and only CIP of its kind in the Asia-Pacific hemisphere – giving it a clear geographical advantage in the APAC market.

Citizenship Certificates (CIPs) are gaining popularity, particularly among high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) seeking the benefits of a second passport for easier international travel and personal security, and who are seeking citizenship in a secure tax haven. While Thailand has not traditionally been a leader in obtaining second citizenship, both Thai nationals and foreign residents are increasingly using CIPs as a valuable component of their wealth portfolios.

Lord Geoffrey Bond, Chairman of the VIC and Honorary Consul of Vanuatu in Vietnam, stated regarding the upcoming delegation visit: “The development program offers worldwide freedom of travel, but equally important, it is the key to a true paradise with incredible opportunities for tourism, housing, and investment. We invited this delegation to give interested parties the opportunity to engage directly with representatives of the Vanuatu government and learn about the exceptional opportunities that the development program and Vanuatu itself offer.”

In addition to promoting trade and tourism, the delegation from Vanuatu will initiate talks on the possibility of visa-free travel to Thailand for Vanuatu passport holders, as Thai nationals are already permitted to enter Vanuatu visa-free for 30 days. Such a step would significantly increase Thailand's attractiveness as a transit country for travelers to and from Vanuatu and simultaneously accelerate the development of trade and tourism between the two countries.

The delegation will be led by Andrew Solomon Napuat, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of the Interior, responsible for passport and immigration matters. Andrew Napuat stated: “I am delighted to be making my first visit to the Kingdom of Thailand. On behalf of our Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, I will be leading a group of government officials, each with relevant expertise. This will allow us to provide comprehensive information on all aspects of trade and tourism opportunities, as well as Vanuatu’s new second citizenship program and development assistance program. I look forward to further strengthening our relations with Thailand for mutual benefit.”

The highlight of the visit will be an event where the delegation will present the official letter of appointment to the Harvey Law Group (www.harveylawcorporation.com) as the first global representative of the Vanuatu Development Support Program.

James Harris, CEO of the VIC Network, stated: “The official appointment of Harvey Law Group as the global representative represents a significant upgrade to the development program and aligns with our goal of establishing ourselves as one of the world’s leading citizenship programs through investment. Harvey Law Group, with its particular strength and expertise in the Asia-Pacific region, perfectly reflects our own regional presence. We are very much looking forward to supporting Harvey Law Group in this new initiative.”

With five offices already operating in Asia and a rapidly developing network of agents, VIC aims to have a presence in China and the UK within the next six months and to expand into other regions during 2018.

The VIC network currently covers Port Vila, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phnom Penh and Hong Kong.

For further information, please contact: [email protected]