KATHMANDU, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The minutes of talks on operating Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service was signed here Sunday, which decided to begin with two passenger buses each from the two sides from May 1.

    "It is a historical event that will enhance mutual cooperation and exchanges between our two countries," Hari Prasad Nepal, director general of Nepali Transport Management Department, said Sunday at the signing ceremony.

    The Himalayan kingdom is eagerly waiting for Chinese tourists and hopes the direct bus service will make contribution in this field, he said.

    The minutes of talks was signed after a two-day meeting on Saturday and Sunday on the running of the service, easing visa procedures and other issues between officials Nepali Transport Management and a 14-member delegation led by Chang Xingxian, acting director general of the Transport Management Department of China's Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

    Nepal's government owned transport company Sajha Yatayat and Gorkha Travels Company, a private transport company in Lhasa, will operate the 955 km long bus service from both sides.

    The fare of the 22 hours travel by luxury coaches is fixed at 70 US dollars.

    "The bus service is expected to bring in more Chinese tourists to Nepal, and to support promotion of economic tourism in China's Tibet Autonomous Region specially by the Nepalese Hindus and Buddhists," Mukunda Raj Satyal, executive chief of Sajha Yatayat, told Xinhua. Enditem