At the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang, President of the Republic of Seychelles James Alix Michel will pay an official visit to Vietnam from August 28-29, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

According to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Seychelles, an island country, is both a tourist heaven and one of the most attractive markets in Africa. With a population of only about 100,000, Seychelles earned a GDP value of US$1 billion in 2012, registering a year-on-year growth of 3 percent. Having advantages in such fields as tourism, high-class services, banking and finance, the country has a great prospect to become one of the best destinations in Africa in the near future, VCCI said. On the occasion of the Seychelles President’s visit, the VCCI will coordinate with the Seychelles Embassy in China’s Beijing to organize an event titled “Vietnam- Seychelles Business Forum: Boosting Economic Cooperation”, with an aim to create good conditions for Vietnamese companies to seek opportunities for cooperation with its potential Seychelles partners.”

Vietnam and Seychelles established diplomatic ties on August 16, 1979. In July 2011 the two countries signed an agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic or public service passports.