Small Business Grant

Vanuatu Government Recommended Financial and Economic Stimulus – COVID 19

Small Business Grant  (SBG)

The Government through the Council of Minister's Decision No. 036 of 2022 has approved the rollout of a Third Policy Stimulus to assist businesses cushion the impact of the current COVID-19 restrictions due to community transmission in Vanuatu.

The Council of Ministers has approved a number of programs under the third policy stimulus to support businesses. This package aims to give some breathing space to businesses in need, by supporting cash flow while they adapt to the 'new normal'. The Government sees this as an opportunity for businesses to adapt to these challenges and find opportunities in this economic environment. These schemes are:

  • a Small Business Grant (SBG) to support monthly cash flow until the end of August 2022 for all businesses with an annual turnover of less than VT 4 million; and a
  • Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) to support businesses that are VAT-registered and distressed (“faenem se hemi hard blong winem mani') with their staffing costs until the end of August 2022.

Small Business Grant

Under this scheme, the Government will issue a grant of VT 15,000 per month for a period of 6 months (covering March to August 2022) to eligible small businesses. For the purposes of this scheme, any business applying for the scheme must have:

a) been issued a business license, fishing license or liquor license from the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue or a provincial government or a Municipality permit between 1 January 2021 and 15 March 2022; and

b) reported an actual annual turnover for the previous year, or an estimated annual turnover for the current year of less than VT 4 million in their application for that license, or have a business licence issued by a provincial government that does not include details of turnover for the previous year.

Application process:

If you meet the eligibility criteria below, you can submit an application in any one of the ways detailed below.

Can access a computer with Microsoft Excel (anywhere in Vanuatu):

  • Download an application form in the format of an Excel spreadsheet from the website for the Department of Finance and Treasury doft.gov.vu/stimulus (to do this you need to have access to a computer with the Microsoft Excel application)
  • Fill in the Excel spreadsheet and take a scan/photo of your business licence and a signed letter from your bank confirming your business bank account details and that the bank account is active
  • Submit the Excel spreadsheet and photos/scans of your business licence and the letter from bank by email, with ‘Small Business Grant’ in the subject line, to only one of the three following organisations:
    • Any applicants can submit their completed application form and documents to VCCI at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • Members of the Public Land Transport Authority can submit their completed form and documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • Members of a handicraft association can submit their completed form and documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

No access to a computer with Microsoft Excel and located in Port Vila, Efate:

  • Go to VCCI opposite Shefa Provincial Headquarters in Port Vila with your business licence and a signed letter from your bank confirming your business bank account details and that the bank account is active. They can help you to complete the form. You can call them on 27543 for more details.
  • If you are a member of Public Land Transport Authority, go to Public Land Transport Authority office in Port Vila with your business licence and a signed letter from your bank confirming your business bank account details and that the bank account is active. They can help you to complete the form. You can call them on 7693381 or 5039377for more details.
  • If you are a member of a handicraft association, you can call Nadia Kanegai on 774 1059 to arrange to meet with her to complete your application. When you meet her, please bring your business licence and a signed letter from your bank confirming your business bank account details and that the bank account is active. She can help you to complete the form.

 Please direct any queries you may have to:

Industry

Contact Name

Phone number

Email address

Any applicants in Port Vila

Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry

27543

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Members of Public Land Transport Authority in Port Vila

Public Land Transport Authority

Landline: 22252 or 33200

Mobile phone: 7693381 or 5039377

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Members of a handicraft association in Port Vila

Nadia Kanegai

774 1059

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Any applicants in Sola, Torba Province

Davis Pakoa Kalangis

38501

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Any applicants in Saratamata, Penama

Pauline Taribiti

38001

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Any applicants in Luganville, Sanma

Veronic Loloso

37039

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Any applicants in Lakatoro, Malampa

Marie George Theuil

48400

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Any applicants in Lenakel, Tafea

Johnly Maukura

88014

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Any applicants anywhere else in Vanuatu

Area Administrator

See your Area Administrator & Area Secretary list: Area Council list

Eligibilit Criteria

All businesses that have already applied and benefited from the Second Policy Stimulus.

Businesses that have a valid license (as defined below) for one or more of the following periods:

-          2021 or

-          2022 (registered prior to 15 March 2022)

Businesses that hold one of the following licenses (and provide a true copy of this license in their application) issued by a licensing authority as per the Business License Act No. 19 of 1998:

  • Valid Business License Certificate with a certified stamp and signature from authorized authority.
  • Liquor License Certificate with a certified stamp and signature from relevant authority.
  • Fishing License Certificate with a certified stamp and signature from relevant authority.
  • Open food vendors or kava bars with a permit from the municipalities.

No other licenses, permits or receipts will be accepted in lieu of the above licenses. For the avoidance of doubt, RSE/SWP/PLS agent permits, casino licenses, gaming licenses, lottery licenses and environmental licenses will not be accepted as proof of eligibility.

Businesses that declared an actual turnover for the previous year of less than VT 4 million in their business license application.

Or

Businesses that declared less than VT4 million turnover in their 2021 VAT returns submitted to DCIR.

Or

Businesses with a license issued by a provincial authority (i.e. from a provincial government) that does not include a record of declared actual turnover from the previous year.

Businesses that submit an application form, in a format provided by MFEM, ensuring all fields required are provided, including:

  • Contact details for the business owner
  • Bank account details for the business (or a written letter from the owner to confirm alternative payment arrangements) and a letter from their bank confirming these details and that the bank account is active
  • A declaration that all information provided is accurate

Businesses that do not benefit from the Wage Subsidy scheme (businesses that are eligible for both schemes may choose which scheme to apply for)

 Download application form here