The Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) is the official currency of Vanuatu, an archipelago nation in the South Pacific Ocean.
The Vatu, symbolized as “VT,” replaced the former currency, the New Hebrides Franc, in 1982 after Vanuatu gained independence from France and the United Kingdom.
History
Prior to the adoption of the Vatu, Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides, was under a unique condominium arrangement between France and the United Kingdom.
The New Hebrides Franc was used as the currency, along with the Australian Dollar.
After gaining independence on July 30, 1981, the government of Vanuatu decided to introduce the Vatu as the country’s official currency in 1982.
Central Bank
The Reserve Bank of Vanuatu is the country’s central bank and is responsible for issuing and managing the Vatu, as well as implementing monetary policy and ensuring the stability of the financial system.
Denominations and Subdivisions
The Vanuatu Vatu is subdivided into 100 cents; however, cents are no longer in circulation.
Coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Vatu, while banknotes are available in denominations of 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and 10,000 Vatu.
Economy
Vanuatu’s economy is small and primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and financial services.
The country is vulnerable to natural disasters, which can have a significant impact on economic growth.
The government has implemented policies to promote economic development and diversification, with a focus on sustainable tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure investment.
Summary
The Vanuatu Vatu is the official currency of the island nation of Vanuatu.
Since its introduction in 1982, it has played a vital role in the country’s economy, which relies heavily on agriculture, tourism, and financial services.
The Reserve Bank of Vanuatu manages the currency and implements monetary policy to ensure the stability of the financial system.