Mongolia Brief July 2, 2013 Part I
Parliamentary spring session adjourns
Ulaanbaatar,
July 2 (MONTSAME) Plenary meeting of the parliamentary session Tuesday heard
final redrafts of some laws.
After this, the
plenary meeting decided to free Mr Sh.Tuvdendorj from a post of a head of the
Standing committee on justice and to appoint D.Ganbat.
Then the MPs
adopted an issue of altering a composition of the Sub-committee on special
monitoring, about which had been suggested by the Standing committee on
security and foreign policy.
Final
discussions were run of a draft resolution of parliament on approving the Basic
Guidelines of Social-Economic Development of Mongolia in 2015, a draft
amendment to the law on minerals and other bills. These all were backed by a
majority. Their approval was also given to draft amendments to the laws on
customs tariff and tax and on VAT. The MPs passed a bill on “glass” account,
other related draft laws, and also a draft resolution of parliament on fixing a
percentage of state-owned shares of the “Tsagaan suvarga” mineral deposit.
After having
completed all the discussions, the 2014 parliamentary spring session took a
break. The Speaker of parliament Z.Enkhbold delivered a speech, adjourning the
session.
Bill on the Glass Account was adopted
July 2
(news.mn) On the last day of Spring Plenary Session of parliament, the Bill on
the Glass Account was given final approval and passed by majority
vote. Long-awaited bill that was formulated with the intent to make the
State transparent and open to the public, to guarantee their civil rights by
providing information, and to make the state finance healthy and stable and
disciplined providing a transparent budget was rejected several times.
President Ts.Elbegdorj initiated and submitted the bill in April.
Related:
Law
on “glass” account adopted – Montsame,
July 2
Speaker makes closing remarks at parliamentary spring session
Ulaanbaatar,
July 2 (MONTSAME) The Chairman of the State Great Khural (parliament)
Z.Enkhbold made the remarks, adjourning the spring session of parliament.
He noted that
plenary meeting met 29 times, meetings of Standing Committees and of
sub-committees ran 29 times. Heads of the legislative bodies of Myanmar, Russia
and Turkey paid official visit at invitations of the Speaker. Parliament
discussed and adopted 106 laws and resolutions, of which 10 were laws,
61--amendments to laws, four--annulments, four--ratifying treaties and 27--resolutions
of parliament, he went on.
Mr Enkhbold
pointed out that the spring session passed many important laws and resolutions
such as the 2015 Budget Frameworks, the laws on 2016-2017 budget assumption, on
approving the Basic Guidelines for Social--Economic Development in 2015, on
protecting cultural heritage, draft new wordings of the laws on oil, on
index-based livestock insurance, on minerals, also parliamentary resolutions on
some measures for intensifying economy, on approving a middle-term programme on
green development concept, on fixing a percentage of state-owned shares of the
“Tsagaan suvarga” mineral deposit.
In addition,
the session adopted bills on ratifying the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade
in Tobacco Products, a general financial agreement for the programme of
developing ger areas and supporting investment, a credit agreement for the
project on higher education for engineering and technological institute, and a
credit agreement for additional finance for the project on food, nutrition and
social welfare, the Speaker said.
He also urged
MPs to pay attention to implementing the 34th resolution on taking some
measures for intensifying the national economy, adopted by parliament on May 8.
"We can call an irregular session if there will be urgent issues related
to parliament," the Speaker noted and said he wants all MPs to make
efforts to realize the 100 days of intensifying economy.
Mongolia to cooperate with ADB in implementing urban dev't project
Ulaanbaatar,
July 2 (MONTSAME) Deputy Mayor of Ulaanbaatar city on urban development and
investment affairs Mr S.Ochirbat Tuesday received Mr Muhammad Sami Saeed, a
director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Mongolia.
The Deputy
Mayor received him on occasion of a programme on developing Ulaanbaatar and
investments, which was ratified by parliament on this May 23.
Congratulating
Mongolia on ratifying and signing the programme, Mr Saeed said the ADB is
studying an opportunity to collaborate with Ulaanbaatar in implementing the
biggest projects being realized by the municipality on developing ger areas, on
families health centers and on supporting small- and middle-sized productions.
In response, Mr
Ochirbat thanked the ADB for implementing the very first multiphase financing
programme together with Ulaanbaatar city, and spoke about a course of the
programme’s preparation and other works related to the ger areas re-planning.
The project’s leading committee and its unit have been approved, he added. In
order to successfully realize the programme, the capital city will take all
necessary measures, Mr Ochirbat underlined.
The
municipality and the ADB reached an agreement to collaborate in projects on the
ger areas replanning and urban development.
Memorandum signed to erect solar energy station
Ulaanbaatar,
July 2 (MONTSAME) The Ministry of Energy will cooperate with South Korean
companies in renewable energy sector in frames of the "Gobitech and Asian
super network" project.
The document
was signed Wednesday by D.Delgertsogt, the State Secretary of the Ministry of
Energy; Lee Wan Keun, president of South Korea’s “Shing Sung solar energy” LLC;
Lee Wang Hee, president of the “Weel” LLC; and by B.Osorgarav, director of the
“Mon-Korea” LLC.
Accordingly,
the sides will construct a solar energy station of 8 Megawatt near the
“Bayanteeg” coal mine in Ovorkhangai aimag’s Nariin teel soum.
Before the
memorandum, a forum themed “Development of renewable energy in Northeast Asia:
Gobitech-Asian Super Network” was co-organized last week by the Energy Charter
Forum and the Ministry of Energy. Policy makers from Russia, China, South Korea
and Japan, also international organizations, business delegates and others
exchanged views on the Gobitech-Asian Super Network initiative and discussed
opportunities to invest this initiative.
Deeltei Mongol festival will take place
July 2
(news.mn) An annual festival of traditional Mongolian costumes, Deeltei Mongol
- Mongol in Deel will happen at Chinggis Khaan`s Square on the last day of the
summer Naadam, on July 13th.
The Annual
festival of traditional Mongolian costumes that aims to encourage young people
to take pride in national culture, and celebrate the richness of historic and
contemporary fashion of traditional costumes has been observed for the eighth
year since 2006.
During the
festival several cultural events, exhibitions of national dress, souvenir will
be organized.
“Mongolians in
deel –2014” festival program
13.00-14.00
Opening ceremony
Parade of
participants dressed in national costumes
14.00-14.15
National folk
music concert
14.15-14.30
Costume
national runway
14.30-14.50
Contest of best
dressed youngest participant
14.50-15.05
Cultural
performance
15.05-15.35
Contest of best
dressed couple
15.35-16.00
Entertainment
time
16.00-16.15
Contest of best
dressed foreigner
16.15-16.30
Cultural
performance
16.30-16.45
Awards ceremony
16.45-17.15
Social dance
17.15-17.30
Cultural
performance
17.30-17.45
Award ceremony
Best Dancing
Couple
17.45-18.00
Closing
ceremony
Same Number, Different Carriers
July 2
(Mongolian Economy) Mobile companies are currently in a state of transition due
to a new law parliament passed yesterday regarding telecommunication
regulations. This law mandates that any mobile user can switch communication
services without having to change their phone numbers, making it easier on
individuals who wish to transfer over to a different carrier.
According to
last year’s statistics, this regulation is prevalent in 78 different countries.
Many Western nations were the first to enact this law. For example, the United
States created a section under the Federal Communications Commission to allow
“local number portability,” meaning users can switch wireless carriers while
keeping the same phone number. These changes provide an easier way to contact
others without the worry of constantly switching numbers.
Outcome of Parliament’s Spring Session
July 2
(Mongolian Economy) Parliament ended the last day of their spring session
yesterday. During these meetings, parliament members were able to discuss 79
laws, regulations and resolutions. Of these 79, nine of them were independent
laws, which were all passed. In addition, they were able to change 43 current
laws by adding major improvements.
During this
spring term, the laws that were passed will hold a big impact in the Mongolian
community. For example, the nine big laws that were passed include a law
related to the announcement of the overall budget of 2015, a law related to the
budget of 2016 and 2017 as a future projection, priorities to develop the
society of Mongolia, priorities to develop the economy of Mongolia, cultural
heritage protection law, oil law, transparency law, minerals law and an animal
index insurance law.
More
regulations were passed as well including measures to boost economic growth, to
enhance the green development policy and to implement the midterm programme
approval. In relation to the Tsagaan Suvarga mine that contains copper and
molybdenum deposits, parliament also discussed how much of these deposits the
state can own.
Resolutions
regarding monetary policy also came under play as parliament members targeted
an inflation rate of 8% this year and 7% in the next two years in hopes to
insure a stable macroeconomic environment. However, as of May this year,
inflations levels remained at 13.7%, providing the government with little hope
that it would hit 8%.
Besides
inflation, foreign currency income rests at lower levels than expected. The
budget income is facing a shortage and bad loans issued to sectors are now
starting to deteriorate. The current account is also not in a good situation.
It has experienced a fall of 56%, which is equal to USD 728.2 million. To add
on to the fall of the current account balance, the country is facing a deficit
of USD 580.5 million.
Z. Enkhbold,
parliament speaker, said “Given the current situation and given the current
fall in foreign direct investment, the government is trying to keep boosting
the growth of Mongolia by pushing the mining sector. The current account
balance lost its stability, Mongolian currency is facing depreciation, and high
inflation rates will require the nation to tighten its macroeconomic policy. If
we continue down this path, we might get trapped in this situation and will
have to limit supply.”
If the current
policy is continued, the Development Bank of Mongolia will have financing equal
to 5% of GDP outside the budget, says International organizations If they carry
on funding projects and programmes outside of the budget, the budget deficit
will increase to levels consistent with 10% of GDP.
Financing from
the Chinggis and Samurai Bond, in addition to other budget operations, needs to
be reflected in a general budget and then total deficit needs to be cut down
until it meets the level consistent with the Fiscal Stability Law, which rests
at 2%. In order to do this, budget amendments should be processed and submitted
to parliament next month and parliament members will need to announce an
off-season session in August.
Inner Mongolians are interested in non-mining sectors
July 2
(Mongolian Economy) Last November, the Foreign Direct Investment Law was
passed. Since the enforcement of this law, many investment forums and meetings
took place within Mongolia with the participation of many foreign investors.
Since the beginning of this year, 20 business forums have been organized by the
National Chamber of Commerce and Industry that included over 600 foreign
investors from a variety of nations.
The
Inner-Mongolian Investment Forum began today and will last until the 4th of
July. 200 foreign investors from Inner Mongolia and China will partake in the
events, hailing from many sectors including energy, road and transportation, construction,
mining, agriculture, food, telecommunications, trade, bank and financing and
environment. Another 200 business people will also participate from Mongolia
representing 160 different entities.
This forum aims
to expand economic cooperation between China and Mongolia in addition to
smoothing out the environment. The summit will bring together businesspeople
from both nations to boost cooperation. The investors from Inner-Mongolia and
China primarily come from the agriculture sector and the food industry as well
as the food-processing level. These investors get along well with the Mongolian
policy through diversification.
Sun Wei Dun,
the Director of the National Chamber of Commerce of Inner Mongolia of China,
said, “This forum is important because it is happening at a time of good
relations.” Chinese investors also underlined the importance of a stable legal
environment.
In reply, S.
Javkhlanbaatar of Invest Mongolia Agency said, “Not only in the legal
environment, but in all other sectors, it is important to remain stable.
Mongolia right now is in the centre of investors’ attention. They’ve been
visiting hundreds by hundreds, but we are paying attention to make cooperation
effective and beneficial in order to avoid losing investor confidence and
trust.”
According to Go
Gan, the Trade Department Deputy Director of Inner Mongolia, it is not
important to seek opportunities in big sectors, such as mining that brings the
economy down. It is agreed that it is important to not only cooperate with big
companies, but with small- and medium-sized enterprises as well. The result
will end up with attracting bigger and better investment.
This forum is
organized by Invest Mongolia Agency, Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, and Sub Council of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the China
Council for the Promotion of International Trade
2014 National Naadam Festival Program
July 2
(infomongolia.com) The 2014 National Naadam Festival, which is officially to
celebrate nationwide as public holidays on July 11-15 starting from this year,
is dedicated to the 2,223rd Anniversary of the Mongolia's First
Statehood, the 808th Anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire and the 93rd
Anniversary of the People's Revolution.
The Organizing
Committee of the 2014 Naadam Festival has released the detailed program of
sports and cultural events to take place prior, during and after the Festival.
The 2014 Naadam
Festival starts as customary with Uriankhai style archery tournament and
scheduled to take place at the Archery field, next to Central Stadium in UB,
and will be held on July 07, 2014.
2014 Horse Trainers Festival Program
July 2
(infomongolia.com) The 2014 National Naadam Festival, which is officially to
celebrate nationwide as public holidays on July 11-15 starting from this year,
is dedicated to the 22, 23rd Anniversary of the Mongolia's First
Statehood, the 808th Anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire and the 93rd
Anniversary of the People's Revolution.
The Organizing
Committee of the 2014 Naadam Festival has released the detailed program of
sports and cultural events to take place prior, during and after the Festival.
As part of the
2014 National Naadam Celebration, the “Uyachdiin Naadam” or Horse Trainers
Festival usually takes place at the Khui Doloon Khudag valley in Tuv Aimag annually
on July 13, 2014, which is about 35 km from center of Ulaanbaatar and in the
scope of the Festival, a special program with full of events are being
organized at the Khui Doloon Khudag.
Mongolian trotting match horse racing
competition
The trotting
match horse racing is one of the most interesting events organized during the
Festival. There are three main types of horse trotting namely in Mongolian
language Uran, Usan and Telmen, and Mongolians started to organize the trotting
match since 1996, but from 2004 National Naadam Festival, the trotting match
has been organized in the form of short track horse racing and the race
particularity is that a trotting horse should not miss an interval between the
steps but to speed up.
One lap of the
short track distance is 400 m and 5 laps to run in the trotting match horse
racing. Afterwards, horses with most clean trotting came in the first are
winning.
Art and Cultural Program of 2014 National Naadam Festival
July 2
(infomongolia.com) The 2014 National Naadam Festival, which is officially to
celebrate nationwide as public holidays on July 11-15 starting from this year,
is dedicated to the 22, 23rd Anniversary of the Mongolia's First
Statehood, the 808th Anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire and the 93rd
Anniversary of the People's Revolution.
The Organizing
Committee of the 2014 Naadam Festival has released the detailed program of art
and cultural events to take place during the 2014 National Naadam Festival.
Parliament of Mongolia Takes Break until Autumn 2014
July 2
(infomongolia.com) According to the Law on Parliament, the 2014 Spring Plenary
Session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) is closed on July 01, 2014 and
on the last day of the meeting; the first issue ratified was dismissing the
Chairman of Legal Standing Committee, MP Sh.Tuvdendorj from his post.
Former Chairman
of Legal Standing Committee, MP Sh.Tuvdendorj, who was recently promoted for
Minister of Industry and Agriculture, is succeeded by MP D.Ganbat.
Afterwards,
members of Parliament revised draft bills on amendments to the Law on Customs
Tariff and Tax, amendments to the Law on VAT, bill on “Glass Account” and bill
on “Tsagaan Suvraga Deposit’s State Share” and following the discussion all
bills were approved.
In his closing
remarks, Speaker of the Parliament Z.Enkhbold stated, “The State Great Khural
is taking break until Autumn Plenary Session and the Fourth Spring Session
lasted for 62 working days, whereas plenary sessions took place 29 times and Standing
Committee meetings 108 times with duplicated numbers.
During the last
Spring Session a total of 79 laws, resolutions and Parliament decisions were
ratified, of which 9 laws, 43 amendments, 2 annuls, 4 treaties and 21
Parliament resolutions.
Among the
ratified bills were 2015 State Budget framework, Budget forecast for 2016-2017,
Socio-economic development in 2015, Protection of Cultural Heritages, Law on
Crude Oil, Law on Glass Account, Amendments on Mineral Resources, Resolution
No. 34 on Some Measures to Strengthen Economy, Mid-term Program Approval for
Green Development Concept as well as a bill to determine state share on Tsagaan
Suvraga Deposit”.
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