Overview

Due to the small population and limited local demand, it is unlikely an agency will be able to procure many of the services required to support programme needs based on the availability of the market. There are no specialist IT and technical support services. 

For more information on company contact details, please see the following link: 4.11 Additional Services Contact List 

Accommodation

There is limited accommodation available on the main island of Funafuti including 2 hotels and several lodges and guest houses totalling around 150 beds. 

There is no accommodation on the outer islands other than staying with families or sleeping in schools. There are no restaurants on the outer islands. 

Security, in relation to accommodation, is not a problem in Tuvalu, however there is limited capacity to support a large influx of demand. 

Electricity and Power 

Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC) is a state-owned enterprise. It is the sole provider of electricity services to Tuvalu. 

All power sockets in Tuvalu provide a standard voltage of 220V with a standard frequency of 50Hz. Type I plug outlets are used in Tuvalu. 

All the islands are on 24/7-power supply and the access rate is 100%. The main island of Funafuti has some solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems tied to the grid with diesel base load generators. The outer islands are powered by hybrid solar PV systems with diesel generator on standby. 

Funafuti has a current peak load of 1.35 MW, which is forecast to increase to 2.82 MW in 2045. 

Power supply is adequate for the country’s present requirements. Power outages occur occasionally on Funafuti for an hour or less. On the outer islands power is often turned off regularly later in the evenings. 

Financial Services 

The country’s finance sector consists of two banks, the National Bank of Tuvalu and the Development Bank of Tuvalu: a national provident fund, and a Western Union agent with a handful of small, informal moneylenders. The National Bank of Tuvalu, which has 90% of total banking sector assets, focuses on lending to the household sector and providing home loans, while the Development Bank of Tuvalu supports public and private enterprises. The banking sector in Tuvalu is effectively unregulated. 

National Bank Of Tuvalu (NBT) 

The Government has a shareholding of 60 per cent and Westpac, 40 per cent. It is a full service bank operating a main branch (in Funafuti) and eight agencies. All outer islands have an agency. 

In April 2020, the NBT lost its corresponding banking relationship (CBR) with Australian banks, which inhibits the flow of remittances and foreign exchange transactions, although the NBT continues to have a CBR with the Bank of Hawaii and has developed a CBR with the BRED Bank Fiji. The bank plays the part of the Central Bank role whereby it ensures that there’s sufficient cash circulating in the country.  

*Basic details for the main office should be shown here, additional contact details for local/regional offices and full contact details for the main office to be included in 4.11 Additional Services Contact List. 

The Development Bank of Tuvalu (DBT) 

The Development Bank of Tuvalu began in 1993, it is owned by the government of Tuvalu. The Bank provides finances by making loans for the long term economic and social development of Tuvalu in accordance with Government plans, programmes, strategies and priorities. It also provides relevant advice and assistance to customers to support the services above. It also takes deposits from Customers.  

Tuvalu National Provident Fund (TNPF) 

TNPF functions as a defined contribution Fund that provides compulsory superannuation services to all employed citizens of Tuvalu. The Fund is mandated by law to collect compulsory contributions from eligible contributing members and to invest such funds as retirement savings for all contributing members. 

Accountants 

The country’s few accountants are in-house affiliates to local corporations such as the Telecoms Company and the Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau. 

Clearing and Forwarding Agents 

There are several Customs Brokers operating in Tuvalu all based in Vaiaku who are experienced and capable. 

Handling Equipment 

There is no freight handling equipment for rent lease or purchase. There are a number of small (2 - 3MT) forklifts owned by hardware stores and the airport and larger models up to a 30MT forklift at the port that could be used on an adhoc basis in a disaster response. The port also has 2 small (3MT) trucks fitted with cranes. The Department of Public Works has a Hi-ab truck in addition to earthmoving equipment that would be available in an emergency response. 

As a result of the large volume of imports, there is a good supply of pallets in reasonable quality available. 

Postal and Courier Services 

Tuvalu Post Limited - a new merger of the Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau, Tuvalu Post Office and Tuvalu Ticketing Office provide postal services for international letter and parcel delivery. DHL has an agency in Funafuti. There is no formal delivery to the outer islands. 

Printing and Publishing 

The printing and publishing industry in Tuvalu is very limited. There are no publishing companies in the country. The country’s only regular publications are Tuvalu Echoes and the Tuvalu News Sheet which are published by the broadcasting and information office in Funafuti. 

Printing services are limited to 3/A4/ photocopying and laminating services, banners/pull-Up banners/t-shirt Printing and passport photographs:  

Taxi Companies 

There is a taxi service available around the island of Funafuti.  

Vehicle Rental 

Because of the islands’ small sizes, it is not commercially viable for companies to offer car rental service here. There is only one road on the main island of Funafuti, which is about eight miles long.  

There are a number of small private operators that offer motor scooter rental ($10/day) which is the islands most popular form of transport, hotels and shops can offer directions to any one of a number of vendors. No special documentation is required to rent a bike. 

Waste Management and Disposal Services 

The Solid Waste Authority of Tuvalu (SWAT) maintains communal waste bins at selected sites around Funafuti, along the main roads, and outside all community meeting halls for people to dispose of wastes. Household and commercial wastes collected by the Funafuti Kaupule and SWAT, except for green waste, are transported to Funafuti’s one official dumpsite for disposal.  

The main dump is a borrow pit, located on a strip of land 20 meters wide next to the main road, at the northern end of the island. SWAT is responsible for managing the island’s dumpsite. 

Asphalt millings concrete rubble and surplus materials from excavations (considered clean fill material) can either be used to backfill areas where old equipment or infrastructure has been removed or as a resource (e.g. crushed basecourse material) for general use by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the community. 

 The Department of Waste Management (DWM) run a recycling program in country. 

WASTE DISPOSAL-NON-HAZARDOUS 

Household rubbish is stored in 120-liter domestic waste bins. Households that pay annual waste collection fees are provided with weekly waste collection services by the Funafuti Kaupule, (village committees) which operates two open-bed collection trucks. 

For full detail on the Government Waste Management regulations see Annexe 5.5 

WASTE DISPOSAL-HAZARDOUS 

All major producers of waste oil have 1000L IBCs provided and collected by the Department of Waste Management. Individuals use IBCs at communal collection points. Pacific Energy Ltd is responsible for shipping them offshore. 

The department has a collection depot for other hazardous wastes such as electronic wastes and batteries where they are being stored pending the department finding a suitable method of disposing of them.    

Disposers must disclose all necessary information regarding the type of waste that they are bringing, failure to disclose results in a spot fine of $250 and if they unlawfully store hazardous wastes, the spot fine is $500. 

 There is no reticulated sewer network on the islands, septic tanks are utilised.   

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.  

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.