Ahead of the main event, local producers gathered at the Melanesian Hotel this week for a business-to-business engagement organised as part of the Vanuatu Made programme.

The one-day activity allowed producers to pitch their businesses and products to potential buyers, network with other local businesses and learn more about what buyers are looking for.

Phalguni James, Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Manager for the Export Ready Programme, said the organisation was pleased to facilitate the workshop.

She said the session focused on preparing local businesses to engage more effectively with potential buyers and understand the types of questions they may face when presenting their products.

“The business-to-business event is just a one-day event happening this week, but it has been a really great one,” James said.

She said the workshop also allowed producers to interact, network and learn more about each other’s products, while potential buyers had the opportunity to view locally produced goods.

James said VCCI wanted producers to be prepared not only for retail customers but also to develop longer-term business relationships with buyers.

She said follow-up activities would be undertaken in the coming months to assess the impact of the workshop and the business connections established through the event.

Many locally produced products are currently sold within Vanuatu, particularly through handicraft markets, tourism businesses and other local outlets.

However, the Vanuatu Made Trade Show is intended to help producers expand beyond these existing markets and establish relationships with buyers from the region and overseas.

One of the producers participating this year is Ericka Mabon, Support Officer at the TAFEA Handicraft Market on Tanna.

Mabon said the TAFEA Handicraft Market does not produce the goods itself but sells products supplied by local producers from communities across Tanna and the outer islands of TAFEA.

She said the organisation works with associations of mothers across Tanna to support them in producing and selling their goods.

This is Mabon’s first year participating in the Vanuatu Made Trade Show.

She said the recent VCCI workshop had helped her better understand what customers look for when purchasing products and how presentation can influence a customer’s interest.

She said some of the products sourced through the TAFEA network are already being exported to international markets, providing an opportunity for producers to learn what is required to reach overseas customers.

Mabon said she planned to take the lessons from the workshop back to the producers and mothers in TAFEA so they could improve their products and better target international markets.

She described the Vanuatu Made Trade Show as an important opportunity for producers from across the country to come together and showcase locally made products.

Mabon encouraged members of the public to attend the trade show and support local producers, while also encouraging students to visit the exhibition and learn from the businesses and producers taking part.

Another participant is Lindon Liu, representing Tanmaeto Products from Maewo in PENAMA Province.

Liu said the business produces a range of fruit jams, including around 17 varieties, as well as root crop and fruit powders.

He said most of the business’s customers are currently local, particularly in PENAMA, although products are also sent to Port Vila when customers request them.

Liu said the business-to-business workshop had given him a better understanding of how such engagements work and helped him improve his knowledge of marketing and communicating with potential customers.

He said one of the main priorities for the business was finding wider markets, increasing the number of buyers and securing opportunities to have its products stocked in existing shops.

He also said establishing networks with other local businesses would help the company expand.

However, transportation remains a major challenge for producers based outside Efate.

Liu said getting products from Maewo to Santo and Port Vila can be difficult, particularly when volcanic activity on Ambae affects flights or marine weather warnings prevent ships from travelling.

He said reliable transportation was therefore an important factor in helping businesses from the outer islands access larger markets.

Sherolyn Galomule, owner of Sherolyn’s Fancylicious Cakes, is another local producer preparing to participate in this year’s trade show.

Galomule, who is originally from Ambae and married to Tanna, specialises in cakes and desserts.

One of her products is “Pretty Mix”, a chocolate cake product packaged in a container with a spoon, using locally produced Vanuatu cocoa and mixed fruits. The product is available in different varieties and is one of her business’s specialities.

Galomule said one of the key lessons from the VCCI workshop was learning how to negotiate and communicate more effectively with customers and potential buyers.

She said the training helped her understand how to start conversations with buyers, discuss prices and negotiate business arrangements.

Galomule said she sometimes found herself simply agreeing when customers requested something, but the workshop helped her understand how to handle difficult conversations and negotiate more confidently.

She said she hopes to use the Vanuatu Made Trade Show to meet new customers and establish future business relationships.

While she already has regular customers, Galomule said she was particularly interested in connecting with cafés, hotels and other businesses that could become future buyers of her products.

The 2026 Vanuatu Made Trade Show will feature returning participants and new local producers, with the event providing a platform to showcase locally produced goods and explore potential partnerships and new markets.

The trade show will take place on 29 and 30 September at Independence Park in Port Vila.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST