2023 Panellists

Fremden Yanhambath is the Director for the Vanuatu Skills Partnership. Fremden completed a Masters in Leadership and Management with a specific focus on Vocational Education and Training at the University of Newcastle, Australia in 2013. Fremden started his career as a secondary school teacher after completing his Bachelors Degree. In 2005, he left teaching to concentrate on development work in the field of Environmental Education. In 2009, he joined the Australian Government funded TVET Sector Strengthening Program, now called the Vanuatu Skills Partnership. He began in the role of Business Development Services Officer for the Program from 2009-2012. In 2015, he was appointed as the Program’s Director leading a team of 50 local staff and international advisers working across Vanuatu to support inclusive economic growth through skills development.

Velenie Jacob is a finance and accounting professional with a deep passion for promoting financial literacy. With a strong background in finance and accounting, Velenie has dedicated her career to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complex world of financial management.

Driven by her expertise and experience, Velenie embarked on a mission to educate and empower others in understanding financial literacy. She took the initiative to create a Facebook page, which has grown to an impressive following of over 15,000 individuals. Through this platform, Velenie shares valuable tips, advice, and insights on personal and business financial management, catering to a diverse audience

Recognizing the need for practical guidance, Velenie expanded her efforts beyond online content. Leveraging her knowledge and qualifications, she began conducting training and coaching sessions on financial management and basic bookkeeping for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). As a certified Xero advisor and a certified business coach and trainer, Veleniepossesses the necessary skills to guideentrepreneurs and business ownersinoptimizing their financial systems.

Velenie's dedication to promoting financial literacy led her to establish two ventures. As the sole proprietor of Narara Consulting, she provides comprehensive business trainingand coaching services, empowering individualsand organizations to achieve financial knowledge. Additionally, she is a partneratLokol Akaonting Solusen, a companyspecializing in setting up accounting systemstailored to the needs of MSMEs and SMEs

With a strong focus on educating othersandpromoting financial literacy, Velenie Jacobiscommitted to ensuring that individualsandbusinesses have a solid understanding ofthefundamental principles of financial management. Through her expertise, guidance, and engaging online presence, Velenie strives to empower her audiencetomake informed financial decisions andachieve their financial goals.

Given Name: Palen Ata
Surname: BOP
DOB: 16th March 1973
Original Island: Malekula
Current Occupation: Manager Policy & Planning, Corporate Services Unit of Vanuatu Police Force
Location: VANSEC House, Port Vila

Nik is a Team Lead and senior PFM adviser with over 25 years of experience working on economic and public financial management challenges. He has held a wide variety of senior advisory and in-line positions, including:

• Team Lead EDF 11 Agriculture Value Chain Budget Support Programme to Vanuatu – his current role
• Interim Director General of the Ministry of Finance Timor-Leste, where he was also the long term adviser to the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
• Director Economic Governance and Inclusive Growth PNG-Australia Governance Facility

But perhaps more importantly in Vanuatu Nik is better known as the former Team Lead of the Ministry of Finance Institutional Strengthening Programme and Chairman of the Pacific Institute of Public Policy.

During his many terms as the lead adviser in the Ministry of Finance he assisted the Government in many relevant areas of ICT development including establishing the TRBR, establishing the OGCIO, designing and implementing the Government Financial Management System (IFMIS or Smartstream), supporting the work to develop the Government LAN and WAN and reviewing the first National ICT Policies produced by OGCIO.

Nik also supported much of the analytical work that led to Vanuatu’s graduation from LDC status including supporting the development of Vanuatu’s LDC strategy. Hence, he is ideally placed to be a panellist on this session.

With over 30 years of experience in the Communications arena, Rupert has been a part of the phenomenal growth of Mobile from the 1980’s through to the C21st and beyond. Rupert has been involved in all areas of Mobile from SME Sales and Corporate Sales with a Tier 1 operator through Roaming Services, Mobile Applications, Network Hardware Sales, product management and Senior Management. With qualifications in finance and business management and having studied law and economics, Rupert has a thorough grasp of the Global industry, business and its constantly evolving technologies and has worked around the Globe gaining valuable experience.

Deputy Director Customs Operations. Customs & Inland Revenue, Ministry of Finance & Economy Management.

Current Position: Telecommmunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator.

Qualification:

• Master of Business Administration, Liverpool University.
• Master of Engineering, Telecommunications and Networking, Curtin University of Technology.
• Bachelor of Electrical and Communications Engineering, PNG University of Technology.

Glen Greg ,Chairman, Vanuatu Business Resilience Council

David Lamboukly ,Chief Executive Officer, Vanuatu Qualifications Authority