7 Aug 2014

Vanuatu citizenship sale scheme rolls on

10:13 am on 7 August 2014

The Vanuatu Citizenship Commission says it will continue to implement the Vanuatu citizenship sale scheme until the government directs it to do otherwise.

It's secretary-general, John Enock Ware, made the comments as the government reaffirmed provisional support for the Capital Investment Immigration Plan, which raises government revenue through citizenship sale.

The Prime Minister Joe Natuman says support for the plan is subject to a government taskforce negotiating with the Hong Kong-based agent for the scheme while it comes under review.

Mr Ware says since the scheme kicked off at the start of the year, the government has generated almost 500 thousand US dollars.

"We believe that it's a good programme. It will help the government in terms of revenue, and the government may use those funds to assist service delivery in this country."

John Enock Ware says so far the Commission has issued 29 citizenship certificates to participants in the scheme.