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Int'l Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
VIMB Expands Rural Infrastructure and Jobs Through Strategic Citizenship Investments
VIMB In a world where wealth buys access, the concept of "citizenship by investment" has often drawn criticism for fueling global inequality, commodifying nationality, and enabling the ultra-rich to circumvent borders. Yet in the Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu, one government-designated agent is rewriting that script—not by selling privilege, but by converting investor contributions into rural infrastructure, jobs, and long-term national assets. VIMB Services Limited , led by Managing Director Daniel Agius, is emerging as the architect of what some in the region call a "citizenship model that gives back." Through the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) and its flagship vehicle—the CNO Future Fund—VIMB is channeling millions of dollars in investor capital into neglected agricultural communities and renewable energy infrastructure. This is more than marketing spin. In its first full year of operation, the fund processed 144 citizenship applications, raised $7.2 million in investment, and generated over $9 million in direct government revenue. But perhaps more critically, it has delivered tangible benefits to some of Vanuatu's most vulnerable regions—benefits that are beginning to alter the national development trajectory. Post-Earthquake Resilience Meets Economic Innovation Vanuatu's citizenship programs were paused for over three months in early 2025 as the government undertook a sweeping audit of CIIP agents. The result was a dramatic regulatory overhaul: stricter due diligence, a five-year lock-in period for investments, and mandatory quarterly and annual reporting from designated agents. Only a handful of firms emerged from the review with full compliance status. "The regulatory reforms weren't a hurdle—they were a validation of everything we've built," said Agius. "We designed the CNO Future Fund to be sustainable, transparent, and high-impact from day one." As other agents stumbled or folded, VIMB doubled down. And then, in December 2024, disaster struck. A magnitude-6.8 earthquake devastated infrastructure in Port Vila and beyond, crippling logistics, mills, and coconut production facilities. Instead of scaling back, the CNO Future Fund used the moment to demonstrate its resilience and its purpose. By Q1 2025, more than 70% of affected operations had resumed. Four new trucks had arrived to service rural routes, and over 55 new jobs had been created in logistics, milling, and plantation management. The fund's investments helped reopen aggregation hubs on Malekula and Ambrym islands, which are now serving as central nodes for processing, drying, and exporting coconut products. From Copra to Clean Energy The heart of the fund's strategy is coconut oil, specifically, converting copra (dried coconut kernel) into a viable source of clean energy. The CNO Future Fund's vision is aligned with Vanuatu's national goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030. With state-of-the-art equipment and partnerships with local producers, the fund is driving a transition from raw commodity exports to a vertically integrated, value-added supply chain. As of Q1 2025, monthly production surpassed 230 tons, enough to power two 1MW base grid generators already acquired by the government. The roadmap includes the construction of additional mills in Santo and Malekula to ensure decentralization and seismic redundancy—lessons hard-learned from the December quake. Beyond electricity, the fund is also exploring coconut water bottling, copra meal exports to New Zealand, and revaluing dormant plantations into high-value timber. Its 30% equity stake in Vanuatu Baskets—the country's leading coconut oil producer—has further anchored its role in economic diversification. Financial Discipline, Social Return According to amended CIIP regulations, each designated agent must invest $50,000 per application into an approved fund. That investment must remain unencumbered, personally funded, and held in-country for a minimum of five years. To qualify, funds must submit detailed reports including financials, operational charts, and proof of employment and local spending. VIMB not only meets these standards; it exceeds them. Its Q1 2025 investor report details expenditures on replanting programs, mill upgrades, and earthquake recovery. Insurance claims totaling over 65 million Vatu are being reinvested into plant restoration. Over 65 rural bank accounts have been opened for new employees and producers. "This isn't just about mobility or tax efficiency," Agius noted. "It's about leaving something behind—something real." The fund's expansion into the kava and cocoa sectors further amplifies its role in community-driven development. Processing centers are being planned with end-to-end supply integration to enable local producers to export value-added goods, not just raw crops. These aren't isolated CSR gestures; they are systematic investments designed to build national resilience and inclusive growth. The Politics of Trust To critics of citizenship-by-investment schemes, Vanuatu's model has long stood on precarious ground. Concerns over due diligence, international scrutiny, and transparency have haunted the program since its inception. The government's regulatory crackdown and subsequent endorsement of only a handful of agents—including VIMB—has changed that equation. With the CIIP now anchored in law, compliance enforced, and investments traceable, the program's future and VIMB's role in it look stronger than ever. Still, challenges remain. The success of the CNO Future Fund depends on continued investor interest, geopolitical stability, and the ability of the government to maintain oversight without politicizing the program. But if the past year is any indication, VIMB has found a formula that works: one rooted not just in passports, but in people. "When you tie citizenship to responsibility and outcomes," said Agius, "you're not just offering access. You're building futures."
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VIMB Emerges as Premier Agent for Vanuatu Citizenship
Photo Courtesy of: VIMB PORT VILA, Vanuatu, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following a comprehensive review by the Government of Vanuatu into the operations of all Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) agents, VIMB Vanuatu has emerged as one of the few agents fully compliant with the new regulatory requirements. The company has been officially recognized as a premier Designated Agent for Vanuatu's Citizenship by Investment programs. The government-led review, conducted over several months, assessed agent compliance across financial reporting, investment integrity, and operational transparency. The resulting reforms have led to updated CIIP regulations that now govern how agents operate, including mandatory quarterly reporting, fund structure requirements, and stricter eligibility standards for applicants and service providers. VIMB Services Limited continues to serve global applicants through its administration of the CNO Future Fund—a government-approved investment vehicle supporting economic development in Vanuatu. Under the revised CIIP framework, VIMB remains one of the few approved firms authorized to operate at full capacity. 'The government review was a critical step in raising the bar for transparency and investor protection,' said Daniel Agius, Chief Operating Officer of VIMB Services Limited. 'We are proud to be recognized as a fully compliant agent and look forward to continuing our work in delivering structured, high-integrity investment citizenship.' The updated regulations require a minimum contribution of USD $165,000 for a main applicant, spouse, and two dependents, inclusive of government due diligence fees. This includes a USD $60,000 direct contribution to the government and a USD $50,000 investment into an approved fund, held for a five-year non-redeemable term. In addition, the rules now prohibit the use of loans or third-party financing, ensuring applicants provide their own capital. Since launching, VIMB has processed 144 CIIP applications, generating more than USD $7.2 million in fund contributions and USD $9.01 million in direct government revenue. Through the CNO Future Fund, these investments have supported infrastructure projects, renewable energy initiatives, and community development throughout Vanuatu. 'Our approach from the beginning was to build a program that could stand up to any level of scrutiny,' said Agius. 'We believe this recognition reflects our commitment to responsible citizenship investment and meaningful outcomes on the ground.' In 2024 and early 2025, VIMB's fund activities have included expanding coconut oil production infrastructure, introducing automated copra drying systems, restoring post-earthquake production capacity, and launching coconut water and meal exports. The company also facilitated logistics improvements, including the deployment of new transport vehicles and the creation of multiple aggregation hubs to streamline supply chains. As the CIIP program reopens under the revised framework, VIMB is preparing to scale its operations in line with growing demand. Planned investment expansions include engineered timber manufacturing from dormant coconut plantations, further development in the kava and cacao sectors, and the establishment of accredited agricultural processing centers. About VIMB Services Limited VIMB Services Limited is a government-appointed Designated Agent for Vanuatu's Citizenship by Investment Programs, including the Development Support Program (DSP) and the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP). VIMB administers the CNO Future Fund and delivers end-to-end services for investors seeking second citizenship through structured, government-approved contributions. With a focus on compliance, impact, and global mobility, VIMB supports initiatives in renewable energy, agriculture, and community development across Vanuatu. Contact Information: Daniel Agius VIMB Services Limited Email: info@ Website: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
