Mongolian leader ends visit

The Mongolian President, Natsagiin Bagabandi, has ended a visit to Nepal -- the first by a Mongolian head of the state since the two countries established diplomatic relations 40 years ago.

On his departure, President Bagabandi said he hoped his visit would help boost trade, tourism, and cultural and economic relations between the two countries.

During the visit, Nepal and Mongolia have signed an agreement to boost economic co-operation, focusing mainly on agriculture and livestock.

They also agreed to set up a joint ministerial commission that will review bilateral ties.

Political contacts and economic co-operation between the two land-locked Asian nations have been negligible in the past.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service