Vanuatu Made’ Brand Nearing Completion

The Department of Industry, under the Ministry of Tourism, Trade, Industry, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business, recently held a workshop at Holiday Inn to advance the ‘Vanuatu Made’ brand initiative.

The workshop aimed to validate brand guidelines developed by Sydney-based Made Agency, with participants including government officials, international and regional organizations, and local manufacturers from Efate.

Director of Industry Jimmy Rantes welcomed attendees, acknowledging the proactive support of Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) President Shaun Gilchrist and the funding support provided by Governance for Growth (GfG).

“Vanuatu currently lacks a clear, recognizable identity as a manufacturing hub and tourism destination,” Rantes said. “This is why we’ve engaged Richard Stenlake (consultant) to help develop our ‘Vanuatu Made’ logo and brand guidelines.”

VCCI President and CEO of the Vanuatu Manufacturing Association, Shaun Gilchrist, emphasized the initiative’s importance for protecting Vanuatu products and their intellectual property. He reaffirmed VCCI’s commitment to supporting proactive solutions for the people of Vanuatu.

Brand consultant Richard Stenlake presented the proposed guidelines and logo, which draw inspiration from Vanuatu’s traditional sandroing symbols representing volcanoes, oceans, and sand patterns—symbols deeply rooted in Vanuatu’s cultural heritage.

While participants expressed support for the brand’s progress, concerns were raised regarding product labelling, which under Vanuatu Customs regulations is mandatory and could pose additional costs for manufacturers if labels require changes.

The Department of Industry, in collaboration with key government and private sector stakeholders, noted the feedback and is committed to finalizing the ‘Vanuatu Made’ brand for an official launch by mid-2019.

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