JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER CONCLUDES VISIT UPDATE Kathmandu, 29 April: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha has said that Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba´s visit to Nepal was successful in strengthening the bilateral relations existing between the two countries, RSS reports. Speaking at a press meet before bidding farewell to Mr Gemba here today, Minister Shrestha said the Japanese Minister´s visit has added a new dimension to consolidating the mutual relations between Nepal and Japan. "The cooperation and solidarity on the part of Government of Japan to Nepal´s development endeavors and ongoing peace and constitution drafting process is really praiseworthy", he said adding, "The visit to Nepal by a Japanese Foreign Minister after 35 years has been fruitful from many aspect". The Government of Japan is always ready to help Nepal for her overall development, said Minister Shrestha quoting the Japanese Minister. The Japanese Minister has pledged to help Nepal especially in the sectors of education and agriculture and in development of physical infrastructure, he added. Stating that political stability and institutional development of democracy would help Nepal move towards economic prosperity and bring peace and progress among the Nepali people, the Japanese Minister said that Japan wishes to play a constructive role in the international forum and in SAARC by remaining close to Nepal, according to Minister Shrestha. During his meeting with political leaders here, Minister Gemba expressed his hope that the new constitution would be promulgated within the slated time in Nepal, it is learnt. The Japanese Minister arrived here on Saturday night in connection with a two-day official visit. Japanese Foreign Minister returns Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba returned to New Delhi, India on Sunday following completion of a two-day official visit to Nepal. Foreign Minister Gemba had arrived here on Saturday evening leading an 11-member Japanese delegation, at the friendly invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Narayan Kaji Shrestha. Mr Gemba and his team were seen off by Foreign Minister Shrestha, Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Kunio Takahashi and other high-level government officials. During his stay here, the Japanese Foreign Minister had called on the President and the Prime Minister, and had meetings with senior leaders of major political parties. Nnnn BIRD FLU OUTBREAK; POULTRY FARMERS TO BE COMPENSATED Kathmandu, 29 April: The Bird Flu Disease Control District Technical Committee has decided to compensate the losses incurred by poultry farmers in the culling of poultry and related products carried out in order to check the spread of the Disease, RSS reports from Lalitpur. The meeting on Sunday of the Committee decided to award compensation to the losses incurred due to the damage in eggs, poultry feed and other goods including poultry faeces. It may be noted that the Bird Flu Control Ordinance-2066 B.S. did not include compensation for faeces, crate and other goods used in poultry farms. The poultry farmers can now avail of the new ambit of compensation from the Department of District Livestock Services, according to the Committee. The issue of compensation to other goods incurred by poultry farmers in course of the culling operation had come to light when a poultry farmer in Lalitpur lost 450 kilogram of feed and 1,600 eggs during such an operation, carried out following the confirmation of Bird flu in the area. nnnn