Mongolia Brief June 13, 2014 Part II



Stock exchange weekly review

Ulaanbaatar, June 15 (MONTSAME) Five stock trades were held at Mongolia's Stock Exchange June 9-13, 2014.

In overall, 13 million 319 thousand and 056 shares were sold of 39 joint-stock companies totaling MNT three billion 050 million 434 thousand and 907.60.
"Silikat” /13 million 289 thousand and 393 units/, "Khokh gan” /5,485 units/, "Moninjbar” /5,000 units/, "Hermes center” /3,670 units/ and "Mongolia Telecom" /3,000 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value--"Silikat” (MNT two billion 990 million 113 thousand and 425), "Gobi” (MNT 17 million 115 thousand and 855), "Sharyn gol" /MNT six million and 953 thousand/, "Talkh chikher" /MNT six million 372 thousand and 300/ and "APU" (MNT six million 153 thousand and 560).


Custom officers seize ‘Ice’ at Zamiin-Uud

June 15 (UB Post) Customs officers at Zamiin-Uud, working under the Customs General Administration, discovered strange luggage belonging to a Mongolian citizen attempting to cross the Mongolian border on June 6. An x-ray revealed the presence of drugs and drug related paraphernalia.
The luggage was inspected right away by a drug detection dog. The inspection uncovered three small crystalline objects, a glass pipe and tube, and a small scale. The customs laboratory in Zamiin-Uud analyzed the crystalline objects and determined they were methamphetamines.
Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive stimulant that is chemically similar to amphetamine. It often takes the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder.


Asian Science Park Association leaders to meet in Mongolia

June 15 (UB Post) The ninth assembly of Asian Science Park Association leaders will take place in Ulaanbaatar from June 19 to 21. The meeting is being organized by the Asian Science Park Association (ASPA) at the Mongolian National Information Technology Park. The National Information Technology Park joined the association in 2012.
Some 30 representatives of Japan, South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam will be participating in this meeting which has two variations: an ASPA leaders’meeting and a business meeting. From Mongolia, 10 governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as over 30 representatives from universities, will participate. At the ASPA leaders meeting, a presentation and discussion session themed “Best Practices of Asian Science Parks” will be held where members of the ASPA will share their experience and countermeasures for establishing science parks, and discuss the challenges in establishing science parks in Mongolia.
Representatives of leading Asian companies specializing in electronics, technology, vehicles and the IT sector will be participating and discussing opportunities for further cooperation during the ASPA’s business meeting.


Visit by Kyrgyz parliamentary officials

June 15 (UB Post) Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Mongolia D.Terbishdagva received his counterpart from Kyrgyzstan, First Vice Prime Minister Tayirbek Sarpashev.
At the meeting D.Terbishdagva thanked Sarpashev for visiting Mongolia and emphasized the opportunities to improve and develop bilateral cooperation in the economy, agriculture, industry, tourism and trade sectors.
Sarpashev noted it has been over 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, and mentioned that the two country’s relations are activating in many fields.
The Kyrgyz government delegation visited Mongolia from June 9 through 11 to learn from the experience of collecting biometric data.


Prime Minister returns from ILO Conference in Geneva

June 15 (UB Post) Prime Minister of Mongolia N.Altankhuyag returned to Mongolia yesterday after delivering a speech at the 103rd Session of the International Labor Conference under the theme “Successful Development-Labor 2014”, in Geneva, Switzerland.
During the working visit to Geneva, N.Altankhuyag attended meetings introducing the “Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprise” and “Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification” projects implemented by the International Labor Organization (ILO), and shared his views regarding Mongolia’s participation.
N.Altankhuyag also held a meeting with the Director General of the ILO, Guy Ryder, where he emphasized the support of the ILO in implementing innovative economic and social policy in Mongolia, noting its contributions towards changing and developing the legal grounds for labor relations, as well as making reforms in wages and the social welfare system, and pointed out the benefits of programs and projects carried out with the support of the ILO to strengthen specialized inspection in labor and promote the transition from an unofficial to an official economy.
At the meeting, the Prime Minister explained that the activities to build socially elaborate three-party relations, sort out the economy, attract foreign investment, increase the efficiency of the work force, invest the results of mining sector growth fairly for the country’s development, and to provide the work force with the means to obtain demanded skill sets have become challenging issues for Mongolia. Furthermore, he expressed Mongolia’s interest in collaborating with the ILO to support and improve SMEs in Mongolia.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) gives an equal voice to workers, employers and governments to ensure that the views of the social partners are closely reflected in labor standards and in shaping policies and programs. The organization organizes annual conferences and invites leaders of countries who are working successfully in the field of labor and asks them to share their experiences with other countries.


Union of Mongolian Manufacturing and Business established in Istanbul

June 15 (UB Post) At the initiation of some businesspeople and entrepreneurs in Turkey, a union of Mongolian manufacturers and businesses has been formed in Istanbul, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Mongolia. Established to develop and activate economic and trade relations between Mongolia and Turkey, the Union of Mongolian Manufacturing and Business embraces 70 members and has formed a branch in Mongolia as well.
Leaders of the union, led by its president Ismail Duru, visited the Mongolian embassy in Ankara on June 11, and discussed cooperation opportunities with Mongolian officials.
Ambassador from Mongolia to Turkey B.Batkhishig congratulated the delegates on the establishment of the union and advised union representatives to collaborate with Mongolia in the construction of apartments, roads, bridges, and in producing and processing leather products, expanding the tourism infrastructure of Mongolia, as well as selling Mongolian wool and cashmere products in the large malls of Turkey.


National film industry in need of more investment

June 15 (UB Post) The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism organized a discussion on pressing problems facing the Mongolian film industry to come up with possible solutions with the Standing Committee on Social Policy, Education, Culture and Science this week.
The attendees raised the necessity to improve film industry policies and highlighted that this sector is in need of more investment sources that are able to meet current demands of the industry’s costs.
Officials agreed that establishing a Film Industry Fund for drawing certain amount of money from incomes of national films to financing the sector might be one possible solution for the issue.
The state budget provides a certain amount of financing for the film sector every year, which is worth one third of the costs required for the industry, according to film industry representatives.


Ulaanbaatar relocates households to build schools and daycares

June 15 (UB Post) Families in ten areas in Ulaanbaatar are to be relocated for the construction of 16 elementary schools and daycares as part of the city’s economic and social plan for 2014.
The city budget has provided a total of 35.2 billion MNT for the constructions.
As of Thursday, households in seven of the areas were relocated, according to city officials.
The Ulaanbaatar City Procurement Office is currently processing bids for the construction of schools and daycares.


National manufacturers to produce wheelchairs from July

June 15 (UB Post) Nickel Ganbaa LLC and Tugeemel Khugjil NGO have jointly produced a prototype wheelchair with the help of a Japanese company with 30 years of experience. The company plans to domestically manufacture wheelchairs starting July.
The wheelchairs will be produced through orders submitted by requesters and will be customized for the individual needs of the patient.
Wheelchairs currently in use in Mongolia are usually for hospital patients who have injured their legs, while physically challenged people must use custom wheelchairs that address their needs.
Wheelchairs for the disabled are typically lighter, not more than four kilograms, than those used by patients with temporary leg injuries, which are typically ten kilograms, reported Tugeemel Khugjil NGO manager Ts.Lkhamjav.
“People in Mongolia have no choice but to choose from a very limited variety of wheelchairs as no national factory produces wheelchairs. Using unspecified wheelchairs can result in bone deterioration after prolonged use,” he added.
Imported wheelchairs costs on average from 150,000 MNT to 200,000 MNT in Mongolia, while custom wheelchairs costs a minimum of 6,000 USD.
Prices for the domestically manufactured custom wheelchairs will be announced shortly before July when it commences production, said the manufacturers.


Map for UB micro districts available online

June 15 (UB Post) The Office of the Ulaanbaatar City Governor (OUCG) has collected information on 87 micro districts in six districts where apartment towns are located and is now working to build a same community map for apartment areas, in cooperation with the Asia Foundation.
A website (manaikhoroo.mn) featuring a community map of ger areas was launched in English and Mongolian. The website gives visitors an opportunity to access information about public services and features of ger areas.
Information of 65 micro districts will be available soon, 55 of which are developed residential areas and ten are ger districts.
A meeting to exchange views on the main indicators of the map was held at the meeting hall of the (OUCG). The governors’ offices of nine districts, head of the residentss representative office, and specialists in information technology participated in the meeting. During the meeting, the features of the manaikhoroo.mn were presented.
By finishing a map of 152 micro districts, the project’s organizers are hoping that citizen participation will be reflected in the next five years of investment planning. Specialists in information technology will host a training session in the district, named “Making maps using the geographical system” on June 13. The participants ideas will be explored and reflected in the map, reported the OUCG.


Fire breaks out at central building of MUST

June 15 (UB Post) A fire broke out at the central building of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) on Wednesday at 7 pm.
When asked about the cause N.Burmaa, official of the National Agency Management Agency said that it was caused by short-circuiting telephone wires on the fourth floor. She added that the fire fighters extinguished the fire before it could spread and cause damages.


Economic indicators show increases in consumer price index

June 15 (UB Post) The National Statistical Office released economic indicators for May 2014 on Wednesday, which showed increases in revenues in many sectors overall.
Last month, the national consumer price index rose by 1.5 percent from April, and 13.7 percent over the same period of 2013. The rise was largely influenced by price increases in food, non-alcoholic beverages, hotel and restaurant services, and clothing.
Money supply at the end of May reached 10.23 trillion MNT, with a 0.3 percent hike from the previous month, according to report from the Central Bank of Mongolia.
At the end of May 2014, currency issued in circulation reached 863 billion MNT, with a 21 billion MNT increase from the previous month and 3.9 percent increase over the same period of 2013.
In the first five months of 2014, 15.8 million shares were traded at 105 billion MNT on the stock market, while the total equilibrated revenue and grants of the General Government Budget totaled 2.1 trillion MNT and total expenditure and net lending of the budget reached 2.2 trillion MNT, representing a deficit of 106 billion MNT in the equilibrated balance of the General Government Budget.
Compared to May of 2013, tax revenue increased by 83 billion MNT last month and social security contributions, taxes on goods, services and foreign trade were the main sources of the increase.
Total expenditure and net lending of the General Government Budget reached 2.2 trillion MNT and increased by 412 billion MNT compared to May of 2013. This increase was mainly due to rises in subsidies and transfers, as well as expenditure on goods, services and interest payments.
As of May, Mongolia has traded with 115 countries from all over the world and total foreign trade turnover reached four billion USD, of which one billion USD was made up mainly from exports and imports.
The foreign trade balance showed a deficit of 824 million USD in the first five months of 2013, while it was in a deficit of 204 million USD in the first five months of 2014. Total foreign trade turnover increased by 51 million USD. Imports were down by 336 million USD and exports were up by 284 million USD compared to May 2013.
Mining of products such as coal, crude oil and copper concentrate increased by 1.6 percent to 88.5 percent, while the production of bakery products, milk, dumplings, pure water, wood doors and windows, flour, noodles, vacuum windows and doors, and lumber rose by three percent in the manufacturing sector compared to May 2013.
Compared to May 2013, the amount of carried freight decreased by 5.6 percent this year as of May.
The revenue from railway transport in the first five months of 2014 reached 158 billion MNT, reflecting a decrease of 2.1 percent compared to May 2013, while the revenue from air transport decreased to 75 billion MNT, with 2.2 percent over the same period of 2013.


Eight Korean businesses propose opening Mongolian branches

June 15 (UB Post) The business center of Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Mongolia is set to host a meeting on July 3, where delegates of eight Korean businesses will introduce their operations with plans to open branches in Mongolia.
The companies, including Kumho Asiana Group, Postech, Cyber Factory, Jonhun Trade and Yang Yang Trading, have expressed their interest in releasing their products on the Mongolian market.
The company representative will introduce their targeted products, detailed plans and projections at the meeting.


Ulaanbaatar to host Asian Tug of War Championship

June 15 (UB Post) The Asian Tug of War Championship 2014 will take place in Ulaanbaatar from June 14 to 16.
The Asian Tug of War Championship will be held by the rules of the Tug of War International Federation in indoor and outdoor categories.
The outdoor tournament of the Asian Tug of War Championship will take place at Mongol Shiltgeen, Gachuurt and the indoor tournament will be held at Buyant Ukhaa Sports Palace.


National Triathlon Championship to be held in Arkhangai Province

June 15 (UB Post) The National Triathlon Championship 2014 is scheduled to take place in Ugii Lake of Arkhangai Province on July 19 and 20.
The previous National Triathlon Championship took place in Ugii Lake of Arkhangai Province.
Mongolian triathletes will compete in three events; swimming, biking and running.
The National Triathlon Championship 2014 has been included in the national tournament programs for 2014, approved by the Ministry for Culture, Sports and Tourism.


Russian Olympic champion to compete at Chinggis Khaan Judo Grand Prix

June 15 (UB Post) The Chinggis Khan Grand Prix Judo Tournament is scheduled to take place in Ulaanbaatar from July 4 to 6.
Russian Olympic champion judoka Tagir Khabulaev will come to Ulaanbaatar to fight at the Chinggis Khan Grand Prix. The Russian judoka won the Olympic gold medal after defeating Mongolian Olympic champion N.Tuvshinbayar in the men’s 100 kg category at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
In addition, German Olympic bronze medalist Dimitri Peters will compete in the men’s 100 kg event at the Chinggis Khaan Grand Prix.


Mongolians in Poland hold Naadam Festival

June 15 (UB Post) The Association for Mongolians in Poland, Mongolian Students Union in Poland and Mongolian Embassy to Poland jointly organized Mongol Naadam 2014 Festival, among Mongolians living in Poland, in Warsaw on June 7.
During the Mongol Naadam 2014, traditional competitions including national wrestling and anklebone shooting games were held. A total of 32 wrestlers competed at the event and young wrestler B.Temuulen won the event, followed by B.Ochirdogsom.
Over 300 Mongolians living in Warsaw came to see the events. Mongolian folk band Dunjingarav and talented Mongolian students studying in Warsaw performed folk songs, morin khuur performances, throat singing performances, dances and national compositions.


Mongolian badminton team to compete at Asian Junior Exchange Games

June 15 (UB Post) The Mongolian Badminton Association organized a draft on June 7 for the upcoming Asian Junior Exchange Games.
Some 30 badminton athletes under the age of 15, from Arkhangai, Orkhon, Dornod and Darkhan-Uul Provinces, participated in the draft.
Six athletes won rights to represent Mongolia in the Asian Junior Exchange Games, which will take place in Tokyo, Japan from August 31 to September 2.
The team includes B.Munkhbold, U.Bat-Urel, G.Dashnyam, B.Narantsesteg, O.Janchiv and D.Bulgamaa. The team will compete at the tournament against junior players from 16 Asian cities such as Bangkok, Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Yangon, Macau, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Tokyo.


Z.Ganbaatar wins gold and bronze at IPC Shooting World Cup

June 15 (UB Post) The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Shooting World Cup was held from June 1 to 7 in Fort Benning, USA.
From Mongolia, Sports Master Z.Ganbaatar of Avarga club participated in the World Cup and captured a gold medal.
The Mongolian shooter competed in the men’s 50 meter pistol category and collected a total of 178.2 points after ten rounds. Before winning the 50 meter pistol, he also won a bronze medal in the men’s 10 meter pistol category at the tournament with 170.2 points.


S.Sarantsatsralt: Grasses in deep thought

June 15 (UB Post) While looking for the artist S.Sarantsatsralt, I shamefully did not notice she was standing right in front of me, facing backwards, wearing a holographic backpack and her hair in a ponytail. It was no fault of mine that I mistook her for an insignificant young girl. As I finally recognized and approached her, she was talking enthusiastically about the “Grass” exhibition at Red Ger Art Gallery (on view from June 12 to 26) to a group of people and about her hopes to touch a lot of the audience. She is a renowned Mongolian artist famous for her unique perspective, and recently won the 44th Da Vinci Diamond Prize of Modern Art in Great Britain, in 2013.
It was an exhibition full of strong colors. Grass and flowers so beautiful and realistic you could almost imagine yourself smelling and running your fingers through them while you run freely in a meadow of happiness. Some of the names of her paintings included interesting slices of poetry: “With graceful girls of lifelong soul mate, such jovial land it is.”
As I was listening to the background music and looking at the paintings, a feeling of sadness and nostalgia engulfed me. The grasses seemed to move to the music and they were too beautiful. I thanked Sarantsatsralt for this feeling. To whoever buys these beautiful paintings, it is sure that they will give life and beauty to any place they reside. “Grass” is an exhibition not to miss, it will introduce you to the beauty of undiscovered land and give you happiness.
After admiring all of her paintings, I had the chance to ask Sarantsatsralt a few questions about her artwork, and delve a little more deeply into the creative nature that sprouted such beautiful imagery.
How did you come up with the idea for this exhibition?
First, the idea to bring about this exhibition came while I was listening to the beautiful songs of the prominent singer Banzragch of 20th century. For instance, the music playing in the background are the songs that were very renowned and popular in the 1960s to 70s, “Minii Nutgiin Baraa” and “Altan Shar Zam” for instance.
The Mongolian Arts Council organized this event and financial support came from Tseren Tours. The coincidence of these two offers made me very happy. Thanks to these two organizations, I was able to show my exhibition to an audience.
What influenced your artwork the most in “Grass”? What did you aim to illustrate?
I illustrated wildflowers, domestic animals, landscape and grass on the uninhabited Mongolian steppe. To show the beautiful parts of Mongolia unnoticed by most people. My aim is to show our beautiful country.
You have used Mongolian outerwear, the deel, quite commonly. What does it signify?
I have signified the deel as our country, Mongolia. Adding to that idea, I added another element to the exhibition: music. We usually take in a drawing from our visual perspective, but I added music to combine these two things to fully convey my message.
What artwork are you most proud of in this exhibition, and why?
There is no artwork that I want to distinguish; all of them have their own uniqueness.
Personally, I really enjoyed “View of My Homeland” and “Just Like Golden Sun & Altai Mountain My Graceful Parents Are”. Which methods did you use to create them?
I wanted to create a collage-like painting; the idea of combining canvases of different shapes exhilarated me. I sandwiched the more realistically drawn canvas between two paintings which were drawn in a modern art technique.
How would you differentiate your artwork from other painter’s artworks?
I don’t really know. I think every artist has their own unique style that comes about due to his or her experiences in life. So my style came about in much the same way.
How do you start drawing? From your imagination or from real life?
When I first have an idea for a painting in my imagination it comes to me with its colors and shapes ready to put on the canvas, and I do my best to illustrate my imagination.
What do you do when you first have an idea for a drawing? Do you first sketch? How is your artwork formed? What is your approach, or technique, in creating your artworks?
I don’t sketch my ideas on paper, because I get too carried away with my paintings and all my work will be on that piece of paper and not on the canvas. If I do a sketch, I won’t be able to enlarge it on the canvas because it will seem fake. When I have an idea, I immediately take my oil brush and start working on my canvas.
Do you have any future projects you are thinking of taking on?
No, I just go with the flow and when inspiration comes to me, I will illustrate it at that moment.

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