Muhammad Siddique presented his credentials yesterday to President James Michel and called on Vice-President Danny Faure at State House.

He will also call on the Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie tomorrow afternoon.

After his accreditation visit at State House yesterday, Mr Siddique described the cooperation between the two countries as “very friendly” and said the possibilities for further agreements on trade, tourism, education, health and fisheries were also discussed.

“Being the largest producer of rice, and rice being the staple food here, trade is a sector where a lot can be done,” he said.

Mr Siddique, who described Seychelles as being “very beautiful and with friendly people”, said he is also looking forward to official visits by delegations from both countries to Seychelles and Pakistan.

He will be based in Port Louis, Mauritius, and is Pakistan’s 11th ambassador here. He replaces Ghulam Farid Farrukh.