Georgia John works as an the Assistant Corporate Secretary at AJC.
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We asked her 5 questions to get to know her better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I come from the islands of Tongoa and Ifira, where I cherish family times at the beach and taking a boat outside the harbor to watch the sunset. These experiences gave me a love for nature, community, and the simple joys of island life.
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
I basically live here.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
I enjoy cooking, sewing and playing guitar, as well as learning new things. I also love exploring new places, whether at the beach, on a mountain with beautiful views, or simply to watch a good sunset. Additionally, I enjoy reading inspirational books, which motivate and inspire me.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
In 5 to 10 years, I see myself growing in my career, continuing to learn, and making a meaningful contribution at work. I also hope to maintain a balanced life, spending quality time with family while pursuing my passions.
What I like most about Vanuatu is the kindness of the people and their warm smiles. There are many great places to visit, from beaches and mountains to cultural sites, which make Vanuatu a truly special and memorable destination.
Esther Nicholls works as an the Accountant at AJC.
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We asked her 5 questions to get to know him better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I am from Paama. The smallest Island located near Ambrym Island.
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
I was born & raised in Port Vila
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
My favorites hobbies are socializing with friends and spending good time with my family.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
Professionally in the future i see myself as an accountant in a company in Port Vila with more knowledge in the field of accounting. Personally : I wish travel and discover new places.
Andrea Molisa works in the Admin & Operations at AJC.
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We asked her 5 questions to get to know her better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I am originally from North western Santo, but lived and educated in Port Vila. Santo symbolizes place of abundance, great hope, and tenacity and perseverance of the people to create livelihoods. My home village is close to my heart for the vast river and creeks running through the area.
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
My parents settled here with jobs and put us in schools here. Urban location to pursue job needs for them.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
I love reading any genre of books that grabs my attention, raising and managing my four children, and I crochet shawls as a leisure activity.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
Fighting fit health wise, I envisage myself achieving a Master of Business Administration, and using it to accomplish more good and making impactful change at AJC.
Vanuatu is home to so many different clans and tribes with their unique languages and cultural folklore and they preserve their history and secrets through painting, songs and dances. The native bushland of Vanuatu is also home to so many specie of flora and fauna, and most of its virgin forest is pristine and undiscovered.
We asked him 5 questions to get to know him better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I grew up in Santo which is an amazing place it is known for the white beaches, blue holes, coconut palms.
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
I moved to Port Vila from New Caledonia because I had a great opportunity to join AJC and work close from home and my family.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
Hunting and fishing were my favorite things to do in New Caledonia but in Vanuatu probably just fishing and going to gym and Netflix and chill (if we can call that hobbies).
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
In 5 to 10 years, I still see myself at AJC, continuing to learn and grow alongside some of the best professionals in the field and going up the chain.
We asked him 5 questions to get to know him better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I come from the northwest of Malekula Island in Vanuatu. It is a peaceful and beautiful area known for its strong sense of community, rich cultural traditions, and close connection to nature.
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
I moved to Port Vila to continue my studies and, most importantly, to seek better job opportunities that would help me gain experience and support my future career goals.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
Basketball, Watch movies,
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
In five to ten years, I see myself professionally established in my field, working in accounting or economics and contributing meaningfully to my organization and country. I aim to continue developing my skills, gaining practical experience, and possibly pursuing further studies or professional certification. Personally, I hope to be financially stable, support my family, and give back to my community by sharing knowledge and helping create opportunities for others.
What I like most about Vanuatu is the peaceful lifestyle, the warmth of the people, and the strong sense of community. The country is rich in culture, natural beauty, and traditions that are still practiced today. If I had to convince someone to come to Vanuatu, I would highlight the friendliness and hospitality of the people, the beautiful islands and beaches, and the relaxed way of life.
Ashan Madushanka is Audit and Accounting Manager at AJC.
We asked him 5 questions to get to know him better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I come from the island country of Sri Lanka, often called the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.” One distinctive characteristic of Sri Lanka is its stunning beaches and vibrant biodiversity. A cherished memory for me is visiting the ancient city of Sigiriya, where I climbed the Lion Rock and enjoyed breathtaking views of the lush landscape, which is a unique and special experience in Sri Lanka.
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
I moved to Port Vila to gain foreign professional exposure and enhance my career development.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
Watching movies, cricket matches, preparing nice foods and traveling.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
In 5 to 10 years, I see myself as a successful and happiest business advisor and entrepreneur, thriving professionally while maintaining a happy family life.
I love Vanuatu for its friendly people, relaxed lifestyle, and the vibrant mix of multinational residents. It’s also a fantastic place to explore, with stunning travel destinations like pristine beaches, lush forests, and unique cultural sites.
This article was originally published in the Vanuatu Business Review.
Lola. Harold. Pam. Since 2005, the thatched roofs at Iririki Resort have withstood the ravages of these cyclones and more. Their Canadian manufacturer, Palmex International, recently sent a representative to Port Vila to develop more projects with local businesses, demonstrating, once again, how foreign expertise is the key to making Vanuatu more economically resilient.
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere,” Frank Sinatra famously sung. What’s true for Italian-American singers in New York also applies to Canadian thatched roof manufacturers in Vanuatu.
Palmex’s roofing material has stood the test of time at Iririki Resort while retaining its properties, all with zero maintenance. That’s the best possible advertising for the Canadian manufacturer.
“We’re bringing opportunities for local distributors because the quality of our products gives them a good return on investment. Our roofs have a 20-year warranty and a life expectancy of 40 to 50 years,” said Marie-Claude Roy, Export Manager at Palmex International.
Palmex began in French Polynesia in 2003, when Canadian plastics expert Richard Maillé first got the business idea. Since then, the Canadian company’s synthetic thatched roofs can be found in resorts and high-end accommodations across the Pacific, from Fiji to Samoa to the Cook Islands. Worldwide, the company has supplied over 5,000 projects in 87 countries, including hotels, theme parks, zoos and museums.
Enduring, environmentally respectful beauty
Besides resisting high winds (up to 260 km/h), Palmex products are waterproof, fire-resistant, 100% recyclable and fit any architectural design. They don’t attract insects, rats, birds or snakes, don’t get mildew, moss or fungus or smell after a downpour. They’re simply picture-perfect, natural-looking imitations of natural roofs, made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) instead of palm leaves.
“In many places in the world, our products give property owners the distinctive look of thatched roofs without having to replace palm leaves every year, close for repairs and frustrate their customers,” Roy added. “And no forests are decimated in the process.”
The Quebec connection
Ironically, this Pacific-inspired product is made in snowy St. Sauveur, Quebec, Canada —better known for ski slopes than thatched roofs— with additional processing in Thailand and Brazil. Vanuatu has attracted a small community of Quebecers, including Marie Eve Chabot of the accounting firm AJC, her husband Martin St-Hilaire of fintech company Titan FX, and her brother Pierre-Luc Chabot who owns the 83 Islands rum distillery. Naturally, Roy contacted her fellow Quebecers on Linkedin to learn more about Vanuatu.
Vanuatu visit an eye-opener for foreign experts
“Marie Eve and Martin made it easy for me to meet with local businesses and explore potential partnerships in Vanuatu. I was impressed with the facilities at 83 Islands, which is poised to become a strong export business,” Roy added.
“Vanuatu is truly a paradise with unbelievable sights but its culture of positivity was the most striking thing for me. Every Ni-Vanuatu seemed genuinely happy to meet me and be helpful. I felt so welcome and safe.”
Before you rush to renew your vehicle permit, make sure your vehicle is road-worthy by having it inspected by the Public Works Vanuatu (PWD) team.
New Inspection Schedule: In collaboration with the Director of the Department of Public Works and our Inspection Team, we’ve made some exciting changes! Your inspection certificate will now expire on the same date next year as your last inspection. For example, if your vehicle was inspected on September 24, 2023, mark your calendar for September 24, 2024, to visit our PWD Inspection Team.
This change is designed to evenly spread out the vehicle inspections and reduce the rush during January to March each year, making it more convenient for you.
Road Worthiness Inspections are now available year-round, from January to December.
Keep your vehicles safe, legal, and ready for the road.
You may be wondering what are the Benefits of Obtaining Vanuatu Citizenship?
We give you 3 main reasons to convince you.
TRAVEL
The Vanuatu passport gives access to 92 countries with visa-free or visa on arrival. These countries include Singapore. Vanuatu also has a mutual visa waiver agreement with Hong Kong and Russia.
You can stay up to 30 days visa-free in Singapore.
Passport are valid for a period of 10 years renewable for the same period.
Vanuatu has zero corporate tax, it also has no income tax, no capital gains tax, no estate tax, no wealth tax, no withholding tax, no gift tax and no other personal income taxes. Aside from a locally applied 15% VAT, there are almost no taxes at all.
In conclusion, Vanuatu is business-friendly.
BONUS
Vanuatu is a member of the Commonwealth and therefore its citizens are considered Commonwealth citizens. This recognition thus grants the citizen of Vanuatu additional rights in certain Commonwealth countries.
You can add most of your family to your application (children under 25 years old, parents aged 50 and above).
Vanuatu is my home and there are almost too many reasons why I like this country. From its rich history, diverse culture and language, stunning landscapes, beautiful untouched secrets and friendly island people; Vanuatu is a country you need in your life.
Martin St-Hilaire Honorary Consul of Monaco in Vanuatu
Monaco may be a tiny country half a world away, but it’s been persistent in its efforts to maintain strong ties with Vanuatu, as demonstrated by the recent appointment of Martin St-Hilaire as its honorary consul in Port-Vila.
Born in Canada in 1976, Martin moved to Vanuatu in 2003 and was naturalized Ni-Vanuatu in 2017. He’s been a key player in the country’s financial industry, first as managing director of professional services firm AJC (since 2007), then as managing director of online brokerage Titan FX (since 2018), and as Chairman of both the Financial Centre Association (since 2015) and the Financial Markets Association (since 2020). He also sits on the boards of a number of Vanuatu businesses including Pacific Private Bank, 83 Islands Distillery, Kacific Broadband Satellites, PDTC (the firm behind the Yumiwork incubator and co-working space); and he’s a partner in Singapore-based global mobility firm EC Holdings.
Due to Martin’s high profile in the community, he was deemed an ideal candidate to be appointed honorary consul by Prince Albert II of Monaco in an “Ordonnance Souveraine” dated September 7, 2022. On November 25, he received his official approval letter – or “exequatur” in diplomatic parlance – from Hon. Jotham Napat, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade.
Tell us what exactly is an honorary consul?
It’s a question I’m asked quite frequently. Honorary consuls are volunteer diplomats who work in their home country to represent the interests of the foreign nations that appoint them. The system has existed for centuries and there are now thousands of honorary consuls worldwide. They often fill in the gaps in places where a fully funded diplomatic mission would not make sense, as is often the case between smaller countries.
At 2.1 km2 Monaco is the second smallest state in the world after the Vatican, with a population of under 40,000, of which only 6500 are citizens. Few might ever need consular services in Vanuatu, and those who do can already receive help from the French embassy under the Franco-Monegasque agreements, so there is no need to establish a permanent mission.
One of my duties is to offer immediate assistance to any Monegasque national who may require it; but I suspect most of my time will be devoted to another important role vested in me by His Royal Highness: the promotion of Monaco.
You are not Monegasque; how come your name came up for this position?
Actually, most honorary consuls do not need to have the nationality of the country that appoints them. What’s more important is that they are knowledgeable about and well established in the consular district, and that they uphold their function with loyalty.
My wife Marie Eve is Canadian and Ni-Vanuatu like me, and she’s been the honorary consul for Sweden for many years. And my predecessor in this role, Patrick Morvan, was a French national.
Marie-Ève invited Patrick to use our offices at AJC, and that’s how she and I had the honour to be introduced to His Serene Highness Albert II during his visit to Vanuatu four years ago. When Patrick left his functions, I got in touch with Monaco authorities and offered to replace him, and they accepted. The Prince’s Standard and his official portrait are still displayed at our offices – only now with a new consul.
Martin St-Hilaire meeting Prince Albert II during his visit to Port Vila in 2018
Why is Monaco called a “principality”?
As opposed to a Republic like Vanuatu or France, Monaco is a constitutional monarchy headed by a Sovereign Prince, who holds executive power with the Princely Government, shares legislative power with a National Council elected by the people, and delegates judicial power to independent judges.
The current Prince, Albert II, ascended to the throne following the death of his father Prince Rainier III in 2005, who famously married American actress Grace Kelly who became Princess Grace. The family, the House of Grimaldi, has quite a fascinating story.
They’ve been in charge ever since 1297 when their ancestor François seized a fortress built by the Genoese Republic. Many European forces threatened Monaco through the Middle Ages and, in 1641, it became a protectorate of France so as to better dissuade any would-be conquerors. But when the French revolution broke out it 1793, the territory was annexed, and it consequently fell under Napoleon’s rule until 1815, when it was placed under the protection of the King of Sardinia. The current Principality was finally formed in 1861, and its constitution adopted in 1911. As Monaco affirmed its status as an independent state, it took on a greater role on the global stage. It became a full voting member at UNESCO in 1949, then at the United Nations in 1993 and at the European Council in 2004. It now has diplomatic ties with 153 countries and is a member of many global organizations – as any sovereign country however tiny should.
How will your new role impact Vanuatu?
I wouldn’t have volunteered if I didn’t think Monaco had a lot to offer Vanuatu. The two countries are very different in many respects, but if you focus on the similarities, it becomes clear that Monaco can be an inspiration for our economic development.
Monaco is less populated and much smaller than Vanuatu, especially when you compare our exclusive economic zones, yet somehow it manages to churn out a massive annual GDP of US$6.8 billion – about seven times bigger than ours, with about seven times less people.
What can we learn from Monaco?
Like us, they have little to offer in the way of natural resources or labour capacity. Like us, they do not raise tax on income, on wealth, on capital gains, on real estate or on housing. Like us, they raise most of their revenue through a VAT and pay-per-use fees and duties. And that’s where the similarities end.
A key difference is their extreme degree of diversification. Administrative and support services amount to 21% of their GDP, followed by construction and real estate at 19%, financial services at 16%, wholesale businesses at 10%, accommodation and catering at 7%, retail at 7%, communications at 5%, and so on. It’s a very balanced portfolio of industries that make their economy as strong as the Rock of Monaco!
This stems from their ability to attract foreign investment, in the form of both financial and human capital. People of over 140 nationalities make up Monaco’s population today. They were seduced not only by its business-friendly tax regime, which again is similar to ours, but also by its world-class infrastructure and unparalleled security – which accounts for 20% of the principality’s budget but provides 1 police officer for 70 residents, due to the specific risks in the Mediterranean region.
Just very recently, His Serene Highness publicly reasserted that improving attractivity for investors was the main focus of His Government.
Our history and geopolitical context may be different, but the fact remains that diversification is key for small countries, and as I have long championed, Vanuatu would do well to expand far beyond agriculture and tourism. I intend to use my new role to that end.
Can we expect another princely visit soon?
The Sovereign Prince is very active in his Foundation (fpa2.org) for the protection of planetary health.
One of the Foundation’s projects, Océan-Mer de Corail 2023/2024, might bring a team of Monegasque scientists to Vanuatu to explore our unique seas. If this is confirmed, it will be a good opportunity to extend an invitation to the Prince himself, as I believe he enjoyed his last visit quite a bit. I will try my best to make it happen.
Augustin Sablon du Corail is an Audit & Accounting Senior and Supervisor at AJC.
We asked him 5 questions to get to know her better.
1. Where do you come from ?
Je suis originaire d’Auvergne située au centre de la France, beaucoup de nature, de volcans endormis, de lacs et de magnifiques paysages. C’est également un paradis pour les amateurs de fromages! J’ai ensuite vécu 10 ans à Paris, autre ambiance!
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
Je souhaitais avoir une expérience dans un autre pays, bien que je n’avais pas du tout imaginé venir au milieu de Pacifique! Le fait d’avoir découvert par hasard le Vanuatu et AJC lors de recherches sur Internet ainsi que les discussions qui ont suivi avec des membres d’AJC m’ont fait comprendre que c’était l’occasion rêvée de partir à l’aventure et de faire un grand changement de vie!
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
Voyager, découvrir de nouvelles choses, courir et manger!
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
Je n’en ai absolument aucune idée, je le saurai dans 5 ou 10 ans!
We asked her 5 questions to get to know her better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I come from Pentecost Island. I grow up in Port Vila. My families are leaving in Pentecost so on every Christmas holiday, I went there to spent times with them.
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
Education makes me grow up in Port Vila.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
I like spending times with my kids, following up on their school lessons, homework and playing and doing home task with them.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
Professionally: I wish to know and understand every professional services we provide to our customers at AJC.
Personally: I wish to travel to some places that I have never been before.
We asked her 5 questions to get to know her better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I am originally from Malicolo, more precisely from the southeast of the island, in a village called Lamap. Lamap is a village that had a beautiful bay. It is also known for its mangroves and its welcoming inhabitants. I spent my entire childhood in this village, which is very special to me because my whole family lives there.
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
I moved to Port Vila to continue my studies.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
My hobbies are spending time with friends, family, listening to music and scrolling on social media.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
In the years to come I am sure to have deepened my knowledge in the field of accounting (finance) and perhaps continue my studies.
Vanuatu is a small paradise country, it is known for its tourist sites (volcanoes, magnificent waterfalls etc.) and also it has a diversity of customs. The population is welcoming and lives there peacefully.
Titan FX and AJC Vanuatu help Marius Metois keep his eye on the prize at next month’s Commonwealth Games.
Will Marius Metois become the fourth Ni-Vanuatu judoka to compete in the Olympics? He’s working his way toward that goal with characteristic determination, starting with the Commonwealth Games, July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham, UK. Right now he’s in Australia working with world-class trainers in preparation for the event. Thanks to an AU$7000 joint sponsorship from Titan FX and AJC Vanuatu, Marius can focus 100% of his time and energy on reaching the podium!
Born in New Zealand to French parents, Metois came to Vanuatu as a baby. After a brief stint in judo from age 3 to 5, he returned to the mat more seriously in 2019 at the age of 14. The Vanuatu Judo Federation quickly spotted his physical and mental affinities for the sport, and picked him as Hugo Cumbo’s training partner for the Tokyo Olympics. This naturally placed him next in line to compete for Vanuatu at this year’s Commonwealth Games, the logical gateway to Olympic participation in either 2024 or 2028.
As there are few Ni-Vanuatu judokas, Marius was hard pressed to find training partners in his half-heavyweight (-90 kg) category. As luck would have it, Australian Olympian and friend of Vanuatu Robert Ivers extended Marius an invitation to train with world-class coaching in Sydney starting in January. The young athlete quickly showed his prowess, winning one Bronze medal as a Junior at the Canberra Open, two Bronzes (one each as a Junior and Senior) at the Sydney Open, and then Gold as a Junior at the NSW Judo State Championships.
Then fate stepped in, in the form of a torn hamstring.
Rolling with the punches
“My progress was suddenly put on pause, but I was lucky enough to be well supported by two physiotherapists who put me on the path to rehabilitation. It’s taken almost two months. Now I feel much better,” confides Metois, who’s entered his last training phase before the Birmingham competition.
The accident also compromised his already stretched financial resources. As a Kiwi national he had initially been able to support himself in expensive Sydney, working as a fundraiser for the Life Saving Australia volunteer organization. But with the intensive rehabilitation, there simply weren’t enough hours in the day anymore.
“I still had to keep training the upper portion of my body, twice a day, to maintain my power gains. My lifestyle quickly became miserable as I had to wake up at 4 a.m. for rehabilitation, then work at fundraising all day, then train from 7 p.m. and come back home at 9 p.m. at the earliest. As you can imagine my performance plummeted, both in my judo skills and in sales at work, and I had to make a choice. That’s when I reached out to sponsors for help,” Metois recalls.
Vanuatu’s fintech leader Titan FX teamed up with consulting firm AJC to come up with AU$3500 each, enough to cover the athlete’s expenses until he flies to Europe (the travel costs are separately covered by VASANOC), and also his rent while he’s away. For AJC, this is a second contribution to Vanuatu judo as the firm also sponsored Nazario Fiakaifonu when he competed in the 2012 London Olympics.
Skilled on and off the mat
Few 18-year-olds think long-term; not only does Marius have two major life pursuits, he’s already well advanced in both.
While he’ll keep raising his judo skills to international levels, Marius has his eye on a career in film and video in Australia, and intends to start seriously exploring the field once his first Olympic bid is over.
The aspiring filmmaker has already distinguished himself with a short documentary released before the last Paralympic Games with the support of the Australian High Commission. Entitled Mi Tu Mi Save Mekem (“I can do it too”), the film tells the uplifting stories of two young Paralympic athletes, Marceline Moli from Santo and Elie Enok from Malekula. You can watch it on YouTube.
Supporters will be able to follow his progress on his Facebook page, as well as those of Vanuatu Judo, Titan FX and AJC. Let’s wish Marius all our best both on and off the tatami!
We asked her 5 questions to get to know her better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I came from Ambrym, one of the Island in Malampa Province. I grew up in a village, in West Ambrym call Port-Vato. It’s a place where I have lot of good memories of my childhood.
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
I move to Port-Vila to continue my Studies.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
My Favorite Hobbies are listening to a music, reading books, walk in a nature especially in forest, play with friends, etc.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
Personally in 5 or 10 years, I looking forward to improve myself in everything I do and Professionally, I am looking forward to create a small business for me.
Generally Vanuatu is a place where I found peace and smiling faces everywhere. Also, the people were kind and helpful. Finally, there are many places were very attractive and visitors are allowed to discover the hiding treasure that Vanuatu keep it for many years until now. For examples: the places, the Volcanos, the cultures, the traditional foods and visit the different island around.
Anne-Laure Bosson is Audit and Accounting Manager at AJC.
We asked her 5 questions to get to know her better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I was born in France, in the Alps, near the Mont Blanc (the highest Western European Mountain) but I immigrated in Canada when I was 20 years old and stayed there for 11 years before coming in Vanuatu.
During these 11 years, I became a Canadian so I am now French-Canadian!
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
My bones were frozen after 11 years in Canada, and I needed a refill of vitamin D.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
I love going on adventures, anywhere, anytime to do anything! I particularly love to climb (normally on rocks but here, in Vanuatu, on trees…). I love to be in the water and go to the beach to watch a good sunset. And I love to read, I am a very curious person always keen to read about anything really.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
5 or 10 years ago, I could not have imagined to be one day here in Vanuatu so I can’t imagine where I will be in 5 or 10 years from now… I’ll let my faith decide!
The feeling of living in a hidden gem, a secret place! The beauty of everything around us is stunning: in Vanuatu, the green is greener, the blue is bluer, the moon is lighter… I feel alive and everyday seems to count twice!
We asked her 5 questions to get to know her better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I am from Aniwa. The smallest island located at the Southern province of Vanuatu and is well known of its sweet & sugary oranges!
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
I was born & raised in Port Vila.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
My favorite hobbies are watching movies, socializing with friends & spending quality time with my family.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
Professionally in 5-10 years time I will be a senior Accountant pursuing my CPA. Personally: I wish to travel to some places that I have never been before.
DFK International has been ranked as the sixth largest association in the world by a leading industry magazine.
AJC has been a proud member of DFK International for 10 years.
The association has moved up one spot in the ratings to achieve sixth place in the International Accounting Bulletin’s (IAB’s) annual 2022 World Survey Report.
The report is based on collective fee income, with DFK International members firms achieving a turnover of $1.532 billion.
DFK has sat in seventh place for 10 years, but has moved up the list after achieving a growth rate of three per cent compared to the previous year.
The association now has 230 member firms, 1,413 partners, 13,919 staff members and 455 offices in 94 countries.
IAB is the only global magazine covering the professional services world. Focusing on business issues affecting accounting firms, networks and associations, it is a trusted source for leading accounting news, as well as vital data and analysis provided by its survey features.
It is regarded as a must-read title by the world’s leading accounting professionals, and is supported by an advisory board comprising a roll call of international CEOs.
Martin Sharp, executive director of DFK International, said: “We are very proud to be among the leading associations worldwide.
“Moving up to sixth place demonstrates that despite the pandemic, DFK remains one of the strongest associations in the world and our member firms have continued to grow, which is a fantastic achievement.
“We have seen growth across all services lines, particularly in North America, which shows that our members have continued to provide outstanding support to their clients in a challenging environment and in-turn have expanded their practices.
“We now look forward to another successful year as we continue to do business and share knowledge and best practice to achieve further growth.”
To learn more about DFK International visit www.dfk.com
AJC Vanuatu is proud to announce its accreditation as a Full Member of DFK International, the London-based association of independent accounting, tax, legal, and business advisory firms. The organization, with more than 200 members in 100 countries, recognizes AJC’s outstanding work and professionalism in upholding the values and best practices embraced by its members worldwide.
Founded in 2003 in Port Vila, AJC first joined DFK International in 2009 as a Correspondent Member. Since then, the firm has tripled in size by broadening its range of accounting and business advisory services, including audit and accounting, the incorporation of local and offshore companies, corporate secretariat, and support to investors seeking to obtain licenses issued by Vanuatu authorities.
The team is now made up of 30 seasoned professionals including accountants, lawyers and digital communications experts.
Marie Eve Chabot, Managing Director of AJC, said: “DFK International has been instrumental throughout the years in helping us build our network, stay on top of industry best practices, and bring added value to our clients by referring them to like-minded firms across the world. Now that we are a Full Member, we expect to reap even greater benefit from this prestigious association.”
While today AJC is one of the leading professional services firms in Vanuatu, it has stayed true to its roots as a family business. Canadian-born Marie Eve Chabot, CA, CPA, took over the lead two years ago from her husband – also CA, CPA – Martin St-Hilaire.
Besides its instrumental role in facilitating the kind of foreign investment that helps grow the country’s economy, AJC is also proud to provide an outstanding professional training environment to Ni Vanuatu graduates. Building a nation through economic growth requires a highly skilled workforce, and AJC strives to do its part in developing Ni Vanuatu talent.
In recent years AJC has been through a thorough digital transformation and it now helps clients achieve the same. It has also developed in-depth expertise in regulatory issues and offers custom-tailored consulting services in this area whenever clients need them.
Left to right: Diana, Isaline, Vanessa, Verisha, Tristan, Anne-Laure, Anne-Hélène, Evelyne, Marie-Eve, Leyla, Clayberman, Marlène
AJC would like to wish the Port Vila Community, our clients and everyone in Vanuatu Happy New Year 2022.
We are now entering the third year of the world pandemic. The past two years have been very difficult for many of our clients, in particular those operating tourism-related businesses.
New services
AJC, like most businesses in Vanuatu, have had to look at diversifying our offerings. In addition to our standard range of professional services – accounting, audits, business valuations, corporate secretaries, residency visas, work permits, international entries to Vanuatu, local and international company setup, financial dealer licenses – we have built an entirely new digital marketing division to help clients fine-tune their websites and advertise in search engines and social media. The division has already secured its official Google Ad Partner certification – a first for Vanuatu.
New people
Unfortunately, this last pandemic year has taken two of our highest skilled professionals. Damien Mullins, a Chartered Accountant from Australia, left us to move to Canberra with his family and Annick Bonnier Roy, CPA from Canada, decided to follow her heart when her Kiwi pilot boyfriend ran short of planes to fly in Vanuatu.
Other members of our team will continue to benefit the local community: Chloe Rolland joined the Vanuatu Government, in the Prime Minister’s Office no less, Isabelle Theuil joined the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) organisation and Sara Harry went to one of our valued clients, Titan FX.
Our firm is not only a business; it is also a place for professional training and career development, where graduates can hone their skills and knowledge acquired at schools before they move to the next professional step. The kind of experience we provide in a professional services firm gives our employees a wide skill set and we are happy to see them share with the world wherever they go.
Speaking of newcomers, we are pleased to announce to Vanuatu’s business community and our clients and employees that two new skilled recruits, Anne Laure Bosson and Anne Helene Lefrancq, both Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA – Canada), have safely landed in Vanuatu just before Christmas and started a new step of their professional journeys within AJC.
People come and go, and everybody grows from it.
Anne Laure and Anne Helene are both dual citizens of France and Canada, and they both graduated from HEC at the Université de Montréal and completed their CPA in Canada. They worked for an international firm in Montreal for years before coming here, and their knowledge and skills are a great addition to AJC, our clients, our team, and the community as a whole.
So, let’s wish all our clients and employees a blissful journey into the New Year and, again, let’s wish a warm welcome to Anne Laure and Anne Helene.
Anna Narvouis a Secretary – Offshore Corporate Services at AJC.
We asked her 5 questions to get to know her better.
1. Where do you come from ?
I come from Erromango Island, an Island situated in the southern part of Vanuatu, in TAFEA Province. I grew up in a small village called William’s bay (it’s former name is Dillon’s bay), located in the western part of the Island. This lovely island is full of natural resources that are mostly untouched, mountains, rivers and green forests. I recall my childhood full of good memories that keeps me from choosing other places in the world as home.
2. Why did you move to Port Vila ?
I moved to Port Vila because of work and my studies.
3. What are your favorite hobbies ?
I like to spend my time playing with my kids, watching movies, listening to music, reading and I like traveling.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years ?
Professionally, in 5 years time, I would like to see myself qualified and experienced in the corporate sector. Personally, I would like to finish my studies, build a house for my family and start a business.
Vanuatu is known as one of the untouched paradise place on earth because of its omnipresent nature, white sandy beaches, different cultures and traditions. Also people are very friendly and kind.
For Vanuatu, the future of financial services has already begun in the form of a recently gazetted amendment that formalizes the use of digital assets for licensed financial dealers. The freshly minted legislation, [Financial Dealers Licensing, 22/07/2021], allows for the “service of distribution, secondary trading, custodial storage, provision of investment advice or other services in relation to digital assets.”
Though digital assets themselves have been a hotly-contested issue in the past few years, a period of deliberation and structured evaluation led Vanuatu to reconsider and overturn an initial ban. Digital assets rely on a distributed, secure ledger, such as blockchain technology, and can be used to represent land, stocks, or other traditional commodities, but their most widespread use is for currencies.
AJC sees the passage of this legislation as a way for financial dealers to work at the forefront of an innovative, versatile asset class and, further, to potentially set the stage for the future of commerce in Vanuatu.
Martin St-Hilaire, chairman of the Financial Markets Association of Vanuatu, noted, “this type of forward-thinking decision came at the right time, and it presents a unique opportunity for Vanuatu to take the lead on the world stage.”
For Vanuatu, official support came through examples of the real-world uses of digital assets and virtual currencies—most notably, Oxfam’s 2020 ‘Unblocked Cash Project,’ which utilized a digital token to give immediate relief for Vanuatu residents affected by Cyclone Harold.
The resulting legislation works to expand the possibilities for licensed companies in Vanuatu as well as to bring forth a new avenue of sustainable economic growth. As a collaborative effort, its journey to becoming gazetted required support and insight from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in addition to parliament members themselves.
“It’s important to stay anchored in the community in both the development and the implementation of regulations that push Vanuatu forward,” added St-Hilaire.
Could the next legislative step be a digital currency for day-to-day use in Vanuatu? AJC certainly hopes so, as we argued in our position paper The case for digitizing the Vatu.
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While the legislation works to help the global community move in step with the country’s development, one key addition is that it has also made operating in Vanuatu more accessible to foreign licensed financial dealers.
International companies can now nominate a representative on the ground in Vanuatu — one way being through AJC — to satisfy the requirements of the law. As such, companies are able to continue to conduct business from afar while maintaining meaningful representation in the country, thus allowing them to make the most of the continued opportunities in the investment and financial services world coming to Vanuatu. Please contact us for more information on how to conform to the new requirements.
Rosana Valentine Kiel on Linkedin
Rosana Valentine Kiel on Linkedin
Professional Profile of Rosana Valentine Kiel
Professional Profile of Rosana Valentine Kiel
Ensure Your Vehicle’s Roadworthiness 
Road Worthiness Inspections are now available year-round, from January to December. 
