President on first state visit to Vietnam

27-August-2013

President James Michel has left Seychelles for Hanoi on a state visit at the invitation of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Truong Tan Sang.

The visit, which is expected to further strengthen relations between the two countries, is the first official visit President Michel makes to Vietnam. 

Discussions are expected to focus on fisheries, agriculture, tourism, financial services, air services as well as opportunities to enhance trade and investment between the two countries.

The presidential delegation comprises the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, the Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development Idith Alexander, senior government officials, as well as representatives of the private sector.

Speaking before his departure, President Michel said Vietnam is developing very fast and has been going through an incredible transformation for the past few years after emerging from years of destruction from wars and poverty. 

“Today,  just like Seychelles, Vietnam has liberalised its economy and it is therefore important that Seychelles, which has recently gone through an economic transformation, seeks to share ideas and experience with the Asian country and explore ways the two can collaborate ,’’ the President said.

Noting that Vietnam is an active member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), President Michel said he believes that developing important bilateral relations with this Asian country will give  a big boost to Seychelles’ breakthrough in this part of the world.

President Michel said the visit also forms part of his policy of proactive diplomacy where Seychelles welcomes and seeks to develop relations with countries from different parts of the world in order to gain more social and economic visibility and share experiences in different areas.

“It is going to be an important visit because it will be an opening for Seychelles which will allow for the development of future cooperation which we expect to develop in this region,” he pointed out. 

Mr Michel noted that Seychelles stands to benefit in the long run especially at a time when Asean countries are seeking to increase their investments on the African continent.

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