VietNamNet Bridge – The President of the Republic of Seychelles, James Alix Michel, will begin an official two-day visit to Viet Nam today (Aug 28), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President of the Republic of Seychelles James Alix Michel.

Michel is in the country at the invitation of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang.

According to the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Seychelles, an island country, is a tourist haven and one of the most attractive markets in Africa.

With a population of nearly 100,000, Seychelles recorded a GDP value of US$1 billion in 2012, registering year-on-year growth of three per cent.

Holding advantages in the fields of tourism, high-class services, banking and finance, the country has great opportunity to become one of the best destinations in Africa in the near future, the VCCI said.

Viet Nam and Seychelles established bilateral relationship on August 16th, 1979. More recently, the two countries signed an agreement on visa exemption towards holders of diplomatic and official passports in July 2011.

During President Michel's visit, the VCCI will co-ordinate with the Seychelles Embassy in the Chinese capital Beijing to organise an event titled "Viet Nam- Seychelles Business Forum: Boosting Economic Co-operation." The forum will aim to support Vietnamese companies as they seek opportunities for co-operation with potential Seychelles partners.

Source: VNS