Mongolia Brief July 1, 2014 Part II



Classic art show to be staged on Chinggis Square

Ulaanbaatar, July 1 (MONTSAME) To promote classical art performances, a "Best of Classic: Open Air" show will be shown on the Chinggis Square July 6.

Actors of the Opera and Ballet Theater will perform the bests of world and of Mongolian masterpieces   on the city's main square in an open air event. It will be organized by the City Governor’s Office, City Culture and Art Authority, Opera and Ballet Theater and "Sound of Mongolia" Co.

Bestsellers named by "Internom" bookstore

Ulaanbaatar, July 1 (MONTSAME) A book named "Fires on steppe" by Yo.Otgonbayar--a brief history of Mongolians’ fight for the independence--topped the latest list of bestseller books at the "Internom"  bookstore on Monday.
This book was followed by the "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg--published first in 2013, a top of the chart of bestsellers by the New York Times for 12 weeks, a top book for business of the Year. The third is a translated into Mongolian "1Q84" by a Japanese Murakami Haruki. Other bestsellers were Oxford English-Mongolian dictionary; "The Man Who Laughs" by Victor Hugo; Textbook for Photographers by K.Gaktum; “Bat the Good King”, "Sorghaghtani" historical roman both by B.Sarantuya; and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson. 

Standing Committee on State Structure has approved a draft on public celebrations

July 1 (news.mn) MPs from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on State Structure have discussed and approved a draft on public celebrations and remarkable days on Tuesday`s meeting on July 1st.
The draft amendment reflects a clause on prolonging the Naadam holidays from three to five days so that people can simultaneously celebrate the anniversaries of the Great Mongol Empire and People’s Revolution of Mongolia.
As a result of a poll, 63.8 percent of MPs from Standing Committee on State Structure voted for the draft amendment to extend days of Naadam holidays from three to five days.

Tickets for Naadam will be sold from July 6th

July 1 (news.mn) Naadam on the occasion of the 2223rd anniversary of Mongolian Statehood, and the 93rd anniversary of Mongolian People`s Revolution will start with Uriankhai Style Archery on July 7th.
The Opening ceremony for Naadam will start under the theme of “High destiny of Mongolia” displaying nomadic people`s history, philosophy and wonders at the Central Stadium at 11.00 pm on July 11th.
State Honored, State Merit Artist D.Sosorbaram is working as the organizer of the Naadam preparation.
The tickets for Naadam will be available at the cash offices of the Central Cultural Palace and the Wrestling Palace from July 6th. Ticket for Naadam costs 16,000 MNT, 20,000 MNT and 24,000 MNT depending on location and seats.

Parliamentary Spring Session takes break

July 1 (news.mn) This is the last day of the Spring Plenary Session of the Parliament today on July 1st. The Spring Session of parliament will be closed after Tuesday`s Plenary Session Meeting of Parliament.
Several Standing Committee meetings will be held before the Plenary Session Meeting of Parliament where many bills and issues including draft bill on the main direction of Mongolia’s social-economic development for 2015, Draft bill to make amendment into law of public holidays and commemorative days, /the first discussion on the draft bill to extend Naadam days on 14 and 15th July, Issues to be discussed at 2014 Autumn Session of Parliament that were submitted by the Government of Mongolia, Draft bill to make amendment into Law on Communication that submitted by the Government of Mongolia, Draft bill to make amendment into Minerals Law and other draft bills, revision for Petroleum Law , draft bill to make amendment into Customs Tariff Legislation of Mongolia, Draft Law on Glass Account,  are scheduled to be discussed.

Government Transparency and Responsibility

July 1 (Mongolian Economy) Yesterday, the President held a press meeting to discuss four new draft laws: the increased accountability on high level officials, the General Administrative Law, the Public Hearing Law, and the Transparency Law. Public servants will become more aware of their duties and responsibilities while citizens will have access to more information regarding public services. 
The law that will impose responsibilities upon appointed high level officials will create a legal framework outlining their duties. Through this, specified steps will be created in order to dismiss and recall those who fail to commit to their responsibilities. In terms of general administration, Mongolia lacks laws that regulate general matters detailed in specialized laws. Thus, this law will help work out the problems regarding general administration.
The Public Hearing Law has several important sections within it, highlighting the dedication to arrange seven different hearings that will involve regular citizens to participate in running the country. Also, parliament members are currently issuing bonds to obtain more loans as the budget is facing a shortage. However, the President says that these members must learn to take the responsibility of the shortages since they hold the power to make decisions about the expenditures being made. As soon as these parliament members leave their positions, they leave the rest of Mongolia in debt making it imperative that they begin to take accountability. 
The Transparency Law will allow anyone who wishes to view the expenditures of international and domestic bonds and investments. When money is borrowed from the government, the amount must be registered and permission must be granted in order to obtain a loan from related authorities. Financial aid must also be registered. The goal of this law is to reduce corruption since the current law uses a budget administration system only available to the government. With the establishment of these new policies, the people of Mongolia will soon see higher levels of transparency and responsibility on the part of government members. 

Extended Holiday

July 1 (Mongolian Economy) Today, parliament members gathered to discuss the extension of a public holiday under the Public Holiday and Events Law. A majority of the members approved this change that will be implemented this month during Naadam. Rather than a three day holiday spanning from July 11 to July 13, workers will be granted a longer break lasting five days from July 11 to July 15. 

Xi Jinping to Visit Mongolia    

July 1 (Mongolian Economy) The current President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, will pay Mongolia an official visit next month in August. Jinping also holds the position of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission. As China’s paramount leader, Jinping aims to further relations with Mongolia in addition to renewing campaigns in his home country against corruption, hoping to continue economic reforms and open governance. 
He has also pledged to broaden economical cooperation and partnership with Mongolia by providing ample support. Jinping consistently meets with Mongolian President, Ts. Elbegdorj, to discuss pressing issues between Mongolia and China in order to continue their collaboration in a variety of sectors ranging from infrastructure to mining. 
Jinping’s last official visit to Mongolia was in 2008, when he was the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China. His appointment this year highlights the 65th year since both nations established diplomatic ties as well as the 20th anniversary since the renewal of their cooperative agreement known as “Mongolia-China Friendly Exchanges.” The former paramount leader, Hu Jintao, paid an official visit to Mongolia 11 years ago, signifying China’s consistent support of Mongolia. The People’s Republic of China also holds the position as Mongolia’s largest trading and investment partner.

Oyu Tolgoi’s Future Plans

July 1 (Mongolian Economy) Since last July, Oyu Tolgoi started exporting copper concentrate from its open pit mine. This year, the company is aiming to export between 900,000 and 1 million tonnes of copper concentrate to its trading and investment partners. According to D. Ganbold, the Executive Director of Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC, if they are able to achieve this goal, Oyu Tolgoi will earn between USD 2.0 and 2.6 billion in revenues. 
Last year, Oyu Tolgoi shipped 252,000 tonnes of copper concentrate from its open pit mines. According to its schedule of its underground mining operations, the company will start supplying products from this source beginning in 2016. By 2021, Oyu Tolgoi will expand its underground mining capacity by 50%, equivalent to 150,000 tonnes of ore. If the Mongolian government and Rio Tinto can come to a final decision regarding this process, underground mining can easily receive the financing necessary to jumpstart operations. 

Czech Parliamentary Delegates Led by Secretary General

Petr Kynstetr Visits Mongolia

July 1 (infomongolia.com) Delegates from the Czech Parliament headed by Secretary General of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, Petr Kynstetr are conducting an official visit to Mongolia on June 29-July 02, 2014.
On July 01, 2014, Secretary General of the Secretariat at the State Great Khural (Parliament) B.Boldbaatar welcomed the guests at the Government House introducing the Parliament Session Hall, Standing Committees’ activity as well as organizational structure of the Secretariat.
During the meeting with his counterpart, Secretary General Petr Kynstetr expressed his interest to broaden collaboration between the two Secretariats and exchange experiences in the relevant legislative organs and noted within the scope of this visit they aim to boost partnership being established in the past, moreover, Mr. Petr Kynstetr invited a delegation from the Secretariat of the State Great Khural to visit the Czech Parliament in the upcoming September. At the end of meeting, the two counterparts signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two Parliaments.
On the same day, Secretary General Petr Kynstetr was received by Deputy Speaker of the Mongolian Parliament L.Tsog, who served as the Secretary General of the Secretariat at the State Great Khural in 1996-1999 and incumbent Secretary General of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament, Petr Kynstetr has been serving for 23 years. During the meeting, parties mentioned their first meeting memories held 10 years ago and were satisfied with recovering relationships between the two Parliaments.
Also, the Czech legislators will be received by the Speaker of State Great Khural, Z.Enkhbold and planned to be familiarized with Gobi Cashmere Factory, Gandantegchinlen Monastery, National Museum of Mongolia and Skoda auto salon in Ulaanbaatar.

Paved Road to Tavan Tolgoi Military Training Center to Be

Constructed with Participation of Japan Ground Self Defense Forces’ Engineering Training Team

July 1 (infomongolia.com) The Japanese Army officials led by Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces, General Kiyofumi Iwata have conducted a working visit to Mongolia on June 25-28, 2014.
Last Friday, June 27, the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces’ engineering training team has exchanged experiences on constructing a paved road, including road planning and road measurement with militants of the Unit No.014 of Mongolian Armed Forces and teachers of Mongolian University of Defense.
The joint training was held in the territory of Argalant Sum of Tuv Aimag, where Mongolia-Japan military engineers are pledged to accomplish a 15 km of paved road by 2016, which is to stretch the Military Training Center known as Tavan Tolgoi or Five Hills, where the annual "Khaan Quest 2014" multinational peacekeeping exercise has been finished today on July 01, 2014.
In the scope of training 14 days period, the first 100 m of paved road is started with a ground breaking ceremony.

Parliament of Mongolia Ratifies to Celebrate State Naadam Festival for Consecutive Five Days from July 11 to July 15 Annually

July 1 (infomongolia.com) At the morning plenary session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) held on July 01, 2014, an issue was revised to amend the Law on Public Holidays and Other Special Days and Celebrations in Mongolia.
The draft bill was introduced by Chairman of the State Structure’s Standing Committee, Mr. N.Battsereg and following the revision, Parliament members agreed to ratify the bill within the first discussion and 63.8% of attendees approved to celebrate the State Naadam Festival for consecutive five days from July 11 to July 15 annually as official public holidays. To date, Mongolians used to celebrate the Naadam Festival nationwide for 3 days on July 11, 12 and 13th.
The newly amended law to celebrate the Naadam Festival for 5 days is effective from the date of ratification and in 2014, the July 14th and 15th fall on Monday and Tuesday.
In accordance with the new law on public holidays, the Law on Labor of Mongolia was also amended.

Ulaanbaatar Energy Charter Forum held

July 1 (UB Post) The Ulaanbaatar Energy Charter Forum, themed “Developing Renewable Energy across Gobitec and Asian Super Grid in Northeast Asia”, was held at Tuushin Premier Hotel on June 26. The President of Mongolia, Ts.Elbegdorj, Minister of Energy M.Sonompil and the Secretary General of Energy Charter Secretariat Urban Rusnak delivered the opening remarks.
During the morning session, representatives from Russia, China, South Korea and Japan made presentations entitled “Why and how to attract large-scale investments in wind and solar projects in the Gobi desert” and led a discussion. The Gobi Desert, shared by Mongolia and China, is estimated to be the third largest potential source of solar energy in the world, and with steady, strong wind speeds, it’s an ideal place for both solar and wind power plant projects. The Gobitec initiative aims to boost production of clean energy from renewable energy sources in the Gobi and deliver electricity to regions with high energy demands. This session of the forum discussed how the renewable energy potential of the Gobi could be utilized to support local economies and contribute to meeting the rising energy demand of Northeast Asia.
During the afternoon session, Director of Invest Mongolia Agency J.Javkhlanbaatar, CEO of Clean Energy Asia LLC and Newcom Group D.Gankhuyag, and Director of the Renewable Energy Division of the Ministry of Energy M.Angarag made presentations themed “Implications of new Investment Law and business opportunities in Mongolia”, “Successes and challenges faced by the business sector to develop wind farms in Mongolia”, and “How to invest in the solar power potential of the Gobi Desert”.
Having planned to deliver electricity to demand centers via regional power corridors, the Asian Super Grid initiative is aimed at connecting the energy networks of countries in Northeast Asia.
The Gobi and Siberia, with strong hydropower potential, are considered to be ideal regions for developing renewable energy sources, but the regions are very isolated. The first cross-border interconnections will eventually develop into the Asian Super Grid and will allow countries in Northeast Asia to freely exchange electricity in the future, and it is believed it will provide large economic, social and environmental benefits. Business sector representatives attended this session of the forum and discussed current and prospective projects of cross-border interconnections among the countries in the region.

Mongolian joint venture in China to be established

July 1 (UB Post) Mongolian Coal Corporation, a subsidiary of Mongolian Mining Corporation (MMC), signed a cooperation contract with Risun Mining, as reported by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on its website. According to the contract, Mongolian Coal Corporation and Risun Mining agreed to establish a joint venture in the free trade zone in Tianjin, China.’
The agreement opens up trading opportunities for Mongolian coking coal to be sold in two countries. Specifically, this will create export opportunities in Chinese provinces such as Tangshan, Baoding, Shintai, and Shijiazhuang, and consumers in the north of Shan-Dun Province, in Hebei. China’s steel and chemical industries will be supplied with Mongolian coking coal, as well as China’s own coking coal industry.
Risun Mining is a subsidiary of Risun, a group that owns subsidiaries in Dubai, Spain, and Brazil, and is the main manufacturer and supplier of coking coal in China. Analysts say that organizing this channel to supply Mongolia’s “black gold” to the Chinese free trade zone will help Mongolian Mining Corporation expand its market, and increase revenue through long-term cooperation with end-users.
Mongolian Coal Corporation owns 51 percent of the newly established Tianjin Zhengcheng Import and Export Trade company, while Risun Mining owns 49 percent. The project requires 14 million CNY in total to establish. After this announcement by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Mongolian Coal Corporation shares increased to 0.49 HKD on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Source: Unuudur

Mongolian film takes Grand Prix at Austrian International Film Festival

July 1 (UB Post) Mongolian short film “Amirlangui” (Serenity), created by Shtork Film Company, competed at the International Film Festival in Austria.
Some 240 short films took part in the festival. “Amirlangui” won the Grand Prix award at the festival.
The film is about the life of an orphan girl Anir, who grew up on the streets. American film director Hugo Anthony said Mongolian film art remarked during the festival that Mongolian cinematography is nearly on par with the world.
Link to article

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