The tourism sector is a key driver of growth accounting for up to 40% of Vanuatu’s economy and 35% of its formal workforce. Agriculture is another major pillar of the economy, contributing approxiately 27% of GDP.
Vanuatu is also a signatory to the PACER Plus free trade agreement. When this agreement comes into force it will have positive effects for Vanuatu’s development and increase trade links both with New Zealand and with the Pacific region more widely.
Vanuatu’s economy had been performing well, but COVID-19 and Tropical Cyclone Harold (April 2020) have dealt a major blow to its major export earning sectors, agriculture and tourism.