Using the web for effective Investment Promotion –

“Vanuatu experience”

December 3, 2010Sydney, Australia

VANUATU INVESTMENT PROMOTION AUTHORITY

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Contents1.Introduction2.Vanuatu’s experience

1.Thinking process involved2.Actual development process3.Website content and maintenance4.Observed benefits5.Constraints encountered

3.Conclusion

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Introduction1. Established in 1998

1. Website launched around 2000

2. Redevelopment in progress

2. URL:

www.InvestInVanuatu.com

/investvanuatu.org

3. Languages: English

1. Translator: French, Japan,

Korea,. Italy, Spain,

4. VIPA – A statutory body

1. Ministry of Trades and

Industries 3

Challenge

1. How to make Vanuatu known to the rest of the world

2. Getting in touch with potential investors know that Vanuatu is a better place to invest in?

3. Best and quickest ways to promote Vanuatu as an investment destination

4. Who should be responsible:1. Collecting the information

1. Type of information2. Frequency of collect, quality checks, etc

2. Actual architecture of putting the ideas/ thoughts together?

3. What is the best tool to use?4

Focus1. High competition region wide(MSG + others) in

FDI, Vanuatu needs to show that it is the best choice to invest:1. Great investment incentives2. Excellent government support in its policies3. Uniqueness of living Vanuatu

2. Investors have specific information needs:1. Be a portal to investors on all information they

need (e.g, economic environment, government policies relating to investment, investment incentives, political stability..etc)

2. Ensure easy navigation and fast access to and well presented information

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Focus (cont’d)

Investor information

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1. Requirements1. Register,

Permits, Business License, Access to land, FIAC,

2. Business environment1. Investment

Facts2. Strengths:

1. International

2. Regional .3. Contacts

1. VIPA staff2. Other offices via

hyperlinks

Focus (cont’d)

Investor information

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1. Sector opportunities1. Tourism2. Agriculture3. Manufacturing

2. General Information1. Living in

Vanuatu2. Population3. Climate….4. Testimonials

Benefits1. Cheap and most effective 2. Operational costs reduced - postage and printing

(brochures or catalogues)3. Quick updates of new information4. Allows more investors to know about VIPA, hence

get in touch for more information1. Helps expand & improve web content

5. Save staff time on phone calls 6. FAQ page helps staff time and phone calls in

answering these same questions to customers and potential investors

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Management involvement1. Considerable efforts have been made to have the

first VIPA Internet website in terms of:1. resources required to develop the site

1. VIPA site was developed by volunteers (Australia and Japan)

2. training staff for ongoing maintenance (through funding made through PIF that fund training purposes for IPA staff on website development and maintenance

3. Liaising with other departments to get relevant information for the web content

4. Ensuring sufficient budget5. Quality checks

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Marketing VIPA web

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1. Use of key words in SE ("Foreign Direct Investments in Vanuatu, Investment requirements in Vanuatu, Cost of doing business in Vanuatu, Why invest in Vanuatu, Investing in Vanuatu,

Business opportunities in Vanuatu“)2. Inclusion of web URL in:

1. All VIPA publications and Reports2. Advertising magazines3. Emails4. Business cards5. Media ads (TV, Radio..etc)

Obstacles

1. Lack of capacity:1. Designing investment lead initiatives2. Web development and maintenance skills

2. Lack of cooperation between partners3. Access to relevant/required data 4. Limited resources

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Website Management

VIPA PROMOTIONAL STAFF/MANAG

EMENT

CONTACT STAFF FROM LOCAL PARTNERS

WEBSITE MANAGER / ADMINISTRATOR

FINAL CHECK AND UPLOAD

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Except for internal updating, information gathered through reactive approach

Website Management1. Developed investment

opportunities for promotion:1. Not in detail format at this

stage, 2. Provide basic overview

information on key sectors where we believe there is opportunity to invest in

3. Brief adverts of potential investment opportunities

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Website Management1. Handling of inquiries (electronic

communication)1. Delegate to appropriate staff

for response2. Otherwise respond inform

clients that their request will be forwarded to the appropriate department

3. Walk in clients:1. We sit with them and

discuss. 2. Accompany them for site

visits or discussion with other parties

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Conclusion

1. Issues:1. Review Architecture and layout

1. Attractive and user-friendly2. Clear and well-presented information

2. Inclusion of basic business cost data3. Inclusion of detailed sector description on investment

opportunities4. Review and update of existing information including interactive

features5. Inclusion of tools such as website statistics6. Improved coordination between local partners to provide content

2. VIPA looks forward to gain as much as possible from this workshop to improve its IPI system to a new level 15

Thank you

Questions, Comments and discussion.

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