Vanuatu appoints new head for VIC, tasked with promoting citizenship program

The Vanuatu Information Centre has just appointed James Harris as Managing Director.

 

Press release:

Managing Director appointed for Vanuatu Information Centre (VIC) global network

Port Vila

3 September 2017

The Board of the Vanuatu Information Centre (VIC) network recently appointed Mr James Harris to the position of Managing Director for VIC. Based initially out of Bangkok, James will have a remit to manage and grow the office network in line with the ambitious objectives of the VIC and Vanuatu Government to propel its recently launched Honorary Citizenship Program – The Vanuatu “Development Support Program” (DSP) to the top tier of global CIP options available.

Announcing the appointment, Chairman of the VIC, and Hon Consul for Vanuatu to Vietnam, (Lord) Geoffrey Bond said, “with a Business Consulting background spanning more than 20 years in Asia, and previous experience in a UK Government Directorate running international bilateral cooperation programs, James offers a tremendously broad range of skills to credibly represent the Vanuatu Government’s Development Support Program, as we seek to drive global awareness and distribution opportunities for this unique offering.”

Mr Bill Bani of Bani Law, Co-Chairman of VIC and former Vanuatu Financial Services Commission Chairman added, “As we grow our global network of offices and representatives, it is essential that we bring in experienced professionals whose skills and experience will help shape the Development Support Program, and to engage effectively with the global Investment Immigration industry. We believe that James Harris will be an excellent Ambassador for the DSP and Vanuatu Information Centre network, and are delighted to have him fulfil this role.

James Harris commented “I am honoured to have such a tremendous opportunity as this. The Vanuatu Development Support Program fills a large gap in the global range of CIP options available, and it was essential that following its 2017 launch, a suitable platform for globalizing the Program was created. The Vanuatu Information Centre Network provides this and already a considerable investment has been made into creating a regional footprint of offices across Asia. My ambition now is to take the Network globally so that both CIP Industry professionals and potential Citizen applicants alike can have the opportunity to learn “first hand” from experts who know and understand all the great attributes and abundant opportunities that Vanuatu has to offer”.

With five offices already up and running in Asia and a rapidly evolving network of agents, VIC is targeting to be in China and the UK within the next six months, and to keep growing.

In addition to providing information and support to the DSP Citizenship Program, an explicit aim of the VIC network is to support Vanuatu through the provision of information covering investment opportunities in Vanuatu, bi-lateral trade and tourism.

The VIC Network currently spans Port Vila, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Hong Kong. For more information: info@vic.vu