AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY ARRIVING Kathmandu, 31 July: Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Foreign Affairs Richard Marles is arriving here on Monday on a two-day visit, RSS reports. The visit by the Australian diplomat is expected to focus on a review of the Australian assistance to the development endeavors of Nepal and on inquiring information about the latest political developments. During his stay in Nepal, Marles will call on Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai and hold a separate meeting with senior government officials, said Spokesperson of Foreign Ministry Arjun Bahadur Thapa. Besides, he is scheduled to take part in a meeting of development partners of Nepal and donor agencies. The Australian Government is helping Nepal in the sectors of health and education, for good governance, peace process and rural development under the Technical Assistance Programme since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1960. The Australian Government is also providing economic and technical assistance to Nepal for the School Sector Improvement Programme, entrepreneurship development and electoral system improvement and organisational strengthening. According to the Ministry, the annual assistance by the Australian government to Nepal stands between Rs 300 to 400 million. nnnn