Mongolia Brief July 9, 2014 Part V



Minister S.Oyun at High Level Forum in NY
Ulaanbaatar, June 9 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Environment and Green Development Ms S.Oyun is taking part in the Second meeting of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which kicked off June 30 in New York, USA.

A chair of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), Oyun is participating in the forum also as the key speaker. She has already introduced to the gathered results of the first UNEA meeting. "This action brought together governmental delegates from 159 countries and commenced a historical step to realize decisions of the Rio+20 Conference. We carried out high-level discussions dedicated to 'Sustainable Development Goals and the Post-2015 Development Agenda including sustainable consumption and industry' and 'Illegal trade of wild animals and plants', and approved 16 resolutions, two decisions and a final document of Ministers," she said.
She introduced to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) a necessity considered by the UNEA for designing possible sustainable developmental goals that focus on reducing poverty rate, protecting environment and supporting environmentally-friendly economy.
After this Ms Oyun ran several meetings--with Mr Martin Sajdik, the ECOSOC president, and heads of delegations Environment Ministers of Japan and Romania--to share views on related matters. She also met with regional chairs of Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Africa to discuss the UNEA’s results and measures to be taken.
Under auspices of the ECOSOC, the second meeting of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development will last until July 9.

Committee Chair Meets Japanese Delegation
Ulaanbaatar, July 9 (MONTSAME) A head of parliamentary Standing committee on security and foreign policy  Ts.Oyunbaatar received Wednesday a Japanese delegation led by Takamatsu University Professor Shigefumi Maruyama.
Pleased with the meeting with the delegation, Mr Oyunbaatar said Mongolia has been cooperating with Japan for attracting intellectual investments in recent years, intending to increase a number of students majoring in engineering and technology in Japan.
He also talked about approval of an agreement by the Mongolian Government to prepare a group of one thousand engineers and technological staffers in Japan, for which the Japanese part will finance USD 75 million. He expressed a pleasure with enhancing cooperation in every field.
In response, Mr Maruyama said that a cooperation between engineers of Mongolia and Japan has a long-year history, and that Japan wants to launch businesses based on these ties, "and that is why I am being accompanied by representatives of construction, commerce, and industrial companies, as well as technologists".
He also contributed the successful cooperation to proper information-sharing and collaboration aiming at development of the nations, and underlined his willingness to increase opportunities for Mongolians to study business management in Japan.
Mr Oyunbaatar noted vast chances of cooperation between the two sides, taking examples of exporting the camel milk to the world market and making the Mongolian sea-buckthorn a world-known brand.

Finance Minister Submits Draft Amendment to Law on Credit Guarantee
Ulaanbaatar, July 9 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Finance Ch.Ulaan MP Tuesday submitted to the Speaker Z.Enkhbold a draft amendment to the law on fund for credit guarantee.
It is time to amend the current law on fund for credit guarantee because there are requirements to augment sources for the fund of credit guarantee, to broaden its actions, to support small- and middle-sized businessmen in localities, Mr Ulaan said.
He added that the amendment aims to promote local businessmen initiatives for development, to deliver the credit guarantee fund’s services to localities, and to create a legal opportunity for them to get the services.

Special Rule Approved to Explore and Exploit Minerals
Ulaanbaatar, July 9 (MONTSAME) The regular cabinet meeting on Wednesday approved a special rule for exploration and exploitation of widely-spread mineral resources in biggest auto roads, railways and great construction projects.
The permission to explore and exploit these minerals will be given by the government. A license owner must spend own money for exploiting the minerals, which must be used for selected project and programmes only. 
In view of this, the cabinet obliged the Minister of Road and Transportation, the Minister of Mining, the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, and governors of aimags to control a realization of the rule. 

Direct Transportation Chances Open for Mongolian Carriers
Ulaanbaatar, July 9 (MONTSAME) A meeting of the Cabinet approved Wednesday an intergovernmental agreement on international auto-transportation relations between Mongolia and Latvia.
The agreement was signed in Ulaanbaatar on June 12.
Under the agreement, Mongolian transporters have become able to make direct freights to the European countries through a new transition point in Latvia. Before, Mongolia had to make this transportation through Russia, Belarus and Poland due to absence of related agreement with the latter.
Issues regarding Asia-Europe trades, transports, customs, taxation and insurance will be solved easier thanks to this agreement.
Since 1993, Mongolia has established similar agreements with Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, North Korea, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus.

Cabinet Meeting in Brief
Ulaanbaatar, July 9 (MONTSAME) At its meeting on Wednesday, the cabinet approved a Mongolia-Latvia intergovernmental agreement on exempting the diplomatic and official passport holders from the visa requirements, which was signed this June in Ulaanbaatar.
In accordance with the agreement, the holders of these passports can stay in another country up to 90 days without visa.
- The cabinet did not back a bill on supporting families with children, orphans and youths. It was initiated by D.Oyunkhorol and other 11 MPs.
- The cabinet discussed draft amendments to the laws initiated by J.Batzandan and A.Bakei MPs on combating corruption, on the Constitutional Court, on National Commission for Human Rights, on central body of elections, on statistics, on Bank of Mongolia, on state audit, on legal status of the Finance Regulatory Committee and on state service. Related proposals will be conveyed to the draft initiators.

Stock Exchange News for July 9
Ulaanbaatar, July 9 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades held Wednesday, a total of 59 thousand and 413 shares of 30 JSCs were traded costing MNT 46 million 504 thousand and 727.00.
"Remikon” /31 thousand and 982 units/, "Nako tulsh” /10 thousand and 100 units/, "Hai Bi Oil” /4,492 units/, "Tavantolgoi” /3,008 units/ and "Makh impex” /1,564 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value--"Tavantolgoi” (MNT 15 million 033 thousand and 475), "Sharyn gol" (MNT five million 693 thousand and 370), "Remikon” (MNT four million 798 thousand and 428), "Makh impex” (MNT four million 746 thousand and 050) and "Nako tulsh” (MNT two million 727 thousand and 500).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 721 billion 092 million 941 thousand and 746. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 16,854.67, increasing by MNT 274.07 or 1.65% against the previous day.

AF Releases Its Fourth USAID-Funded Study
Ulaanbaatar, July 9 (MONTSAME) The Asia Foundation (AF) and the Sant Maral Foundation Tuesday released the fourth Study of Private Perceptions of Corruption (STOPP) as part of the Strengthening Transparency and Governance in Mongolia (STAGE) project at the Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel.
The project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to strengthen democratic governance by building a more transparent and accountable regulatory and legislative environment while promoting principles of checks and balances.
Implemented since December 2012, the STOPP survey has captured data on the experiences of the business community to find out how corruption debilitates the business environment. The fourth survey interviewed 330 senior-level managers of Mongolian businesses in Ulaanbaatar in April 2014. The STOPP surveys are envisioned to inform critical debates between state actors and the business sector to promote good governance in their exchanges which in turn will foster the business-enabling environment.
Additionally, the STOPP survey is complemented by the Foundation’s other survey on perception and knowledge (SPEAK) which is designed to capture data on perceptions and knowledge of administrative practices and grand corruption. Together, the surveys provide a broad picture of the level of corruption in Mongolia.
Director of the SMF L. Sumati said: “Observations of the business environment from 2004 until now show that for the business community in Mongolia the biggest obstacle remaining is corruption. Nevertheless, the latest screening from 2012 to 2014 showed a visible progress comparing to previous years. Regretfully, some indicators are also showing reverse trends from the good start in 2012. It also overlaps with a very difficult general economic situation in the country.  It is evident that urgent measures are necessary to improve the situation in the private sector."

American Corner Holds First Ever Country Training
Ulaanbaatar, July 9 (MONTSAME) The American Corner at the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar has held its first ever Country Training, the US Embassy website reported Wednesday.
Embassy IRO Ms Bolormaa led the training, with the overall theme “Managing American Spaces,” using the new manual for American Spaces. It was participated by four staff from the American Corner, the Khovd province host organization director Ms Erdenetuya; IT staff Mr Gantulga; and the Foreign Relations and Information Officer from the Ulaanbaatar Public Library Mr Erdene.
On first day of training, Bolormaa gave an overview of American Spaces with new information and discussed the Five Core Programs and standards for American Spaces.
Trainees worked with the trainer to develop Standards Matrices for their own centers, and they shared experiences and lessons learned about their programs, Center management, and Physical Spaces. Mr Gantulga presented the latest best practices regarding social media, iPads, and Kindles.
Participant feedback about the training showed that overall the trainees found the material valuable and were impressed by what they learned.

Mongolian Wins Gold Medal in Powerlifting World Cup
Ulaanbaatar, July 9 (MONTSAME) A serviceman at the General Authority for Implementing Court Decisions Captain M.Batbayar grabbed a gold medal in a World Cup tournament for power lifting held July 2-6 in Novosibirsk, Russia.
The competition was attended by some 1,000 athletes from 25 countries, Mongolia was represented by 21.
M.Batbayar, an international master of sports, has been practicing power lifting for nine years. Thanks to winning this "gold, he has been qualified to compete in the Power lifting World Championship that will take place August 20-24 in Moscow, Russia. 

Who Became Bestseller Last Week?
Ulaanbaatar, July 9 (MONTSAME) About the June 30-July 1 sell said the "Internom" bookstore on Tuesday.
"Mongolians: Beginning of 17-20th centuries" by S.Chuluun topped the bestsellers, followed by first volume of the "1Q84" by a Japanese Murakami Haruki, which had been third earlier. The "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg was listed third.
Other bestsellers were “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson; "Sorghaghtani" historical roman both by B.Sarantuya; “Magic” by Bern; “Incantations for success” by T.Badamzul; “Fires on steppe” by Yo.Otgonbayar; Textbook for Photographers by K.Gaktum; and "The Man Who Laughs" by Victor Hugo.

Opening held for new Dinosaur Museum
July 9 (news.mn) The “T.Bataar and the Amazing Dinosaurs” exhibition opened last night, July 8th, at the new Dinosaur Museum, located in the building of the old Lenin Museum.
In this exhibition, Tarbosaurusbataar and other priceless fossils will be on show. Visitors will be able to see rare and famous Mongolian fossils such as Saichania (an armored dinosaur), Gallimimus (a bird like dinosaur), Oviraptor (meaning an “Egg Thief”) and Protoceratops (meaning “First Horned Face”).
The Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Ts.Oyungerel cut the ribbon opening the exhibition and enjoyed seeing the famous T.Bataar fossil in its new home.
The museum will also be offering educational programs for children, students and families to learn about the dinosaurs in the exhibition and about paleontology.
The museum is located next to Tengis Cinema on Freedom Square, Ulaanbaatar.
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