(Seychelles News Agency) - Promoting cooperation between African countries and increasing trade and industry have been the main focus of diplomatic work of the outgoing Nigerian High Commissioner to Seychelles, Solomon Akintola Oyateru, during his term in office.

High Commissioner Oyateru made this statement in an interview with the press at State House in Seychelles capital Victoria this morning, after paying a farewell call on Seychelles President James Michel. He represented Nigeria for three years, while based in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Nigerian diplomat said that an investment forum will be established to allow Nigerian investors to view the potential in Seychelles in areas such as tourism, the Blue Economy and others. The date for the event has not been set.

“We talked about entering in some sort of trade and investment agreement, by signing the bilateral air service agreement and the double taxation avoidance agreement; we believe that this will be the basic platform in order to improve on trade and investment,” said Oyateru.

Discussions in the State House meeting focused on the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries and areas for future collaboration.

The Technical Aid Corps Agreement (TAC) whereby Nigeria provides Seychelles with technical expertise in areas of need, especially in health and education, was touched upon during their talks.

TAC was conceived in 1987 to provide African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states with manpower. Seychelles has been receiving such assistance since 2007.

“The technical programmes especially TAC and the new segment expected at the end of this month and others are being processed at the moment by our department," he confirmed.

Oyateru also said that Seychelles is soon to receive a new batch of experts as part of the agreement.

Commenting on his mandate of three years, Oyateru said, “It has been very quite exciting and fruitful. I think I have been able to build on what the predecessor has left me and our engagements have become much active and deeper. My successor will be able to build on that. The level of interaction has actually improved.”