Mongolia Brief October 15, 2014 Part III
President’s
advisor meets founder of TI
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 15 (MONTSAME) An advisor to the President on human rights and legal
policy Ch.Onorbayar Wednesday received Mr Peter Eigen, the founder of the
Transparency International NGO.
Mr Onorbayar
highlighted accomplishments and ongoing project on fighting corruption,
establishing rule of law, strengthening justice and good governance. Then he
emphasized that Mongolia successfully lowered its Corruption Perception Index,
held by Transparency International, for the last two years. He promised to
continue the anti-corruption fight to provide transparent and open government.
Mr Eigen highly
spoke Mongolia’s achievements in the anti-corruption actions and concurred to
support and to cooperate with Mongolia.
Presidents
of Mongolia and Austria about their meeting
By B. Khuder/B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 15 (MONTSAME) Being in Austria with the official visit, Mr Ts.Elbegdorj
together with his counterpart Mr Heinz Fischer called a press-conference after
their official talks in Vienna on Tuesday.
Mr Fischer
underlined an importance of the Mongolian President’s visit and he is “happy
that the Mongolian President attaches a great importance to the relations with
Austria”. He noted that he visited Mongolia 12 years ago being the president of
parliament, “since then our relations, especially the economic ties, have been
expanding”.
The human right
is a vital matter for Austria, "we have touched upon it and have
highlighted a decision of Mongolia on putting a moratorium on the capital
punishment,” he said.
“We have also
talked about recent visits of China and Russia state heads to Mongolia, a
Mongolia-Russia-China trilateral meeting in Dushanbe, and approaching
early November meeting of landlocked developing countries in Austria, which
will bring together the UN Secretary-General as well as delegates of Mongolia,”
he said.
In turn, Mr
Elbegdorj expressed a satisfaction with visiting Austria and underlined that
both Mongolia and Austria have unique traditional culture and history, “and we
cherish human rights, freedom, justice and democracy”.
“Austria was
one of the first countries to establish the diplomatic relations with Mongolia
and to set up commercial ties. Our countries could cooperate in many spheres
such as energy, agriculture, tourism, education and culture,” Mr Elbegdorj
said.
The Mongolian
President noted that the two countries support each other at international
arena. “Mongolia is doing important steps towards a good governance. Mongolia
joined the International Anti-Corruption Academy in 2013, Mongolia also managed
to reduce its corruption in the last two years by 27 places,” Mr Elbegdorj
emphasized and invited Mr Fischer to visit Mongolia.
After this the
two dignitaries answered questions.
Q: How does
Mongolia consider Russia’s position over Ukraine? Does Mongolia want to join
the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)?
A: Mongolia has
been running big reforms in its politics, society and economy since late
1989, Mongolia is the most liberal country in its region in terms of
politics and socio-economy. I studied in Ukraine for five years. The matters
regarding Ukraine are multi-sided, have deep reasons. Being in Mongolia with a
visit, the President of the Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward a
peace initiative on tackling the Ukraine’s issues. In general, I think that
Russia and western countries can negotiate this matter, and that this approach
is supported by Russia and its President.
Regarding the
Eurasian Economic Union (former Eurasian Customs Union), I would say that we
can run economic talks with it, but do not intend to join it.”
After this the
Presidents answered a question about cooperation as the landlocked nations.
“A group of
landlocked countries do not have united stable position, which is may be
explained by geographical locations. Main objective of the forthcoming meeting
of the landlocked countries in Austria is to determine spheres where their
interests may cross, for instance, economy or environment matters, but not to
shape up a united political direction or policy,” Mr Fischer emphasized.
In turn, the
Mongolian President mentioned about a foundation of the International
Think-Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries by the UN Secretary-General in
2007 in Ulaanbaatar and then said Mongolia will send its delegates to the
upcoming international meeting for the landlocked countries.
“Main issue of
the visits of the Presidents of China and Russia to Mongolia was the transit
transportation. Mongolia has established an intergovernmental agreement with
China, and is working on make same agreement with Russia. I see that
Mongolia is fully possible to take specific privileges,” he said.
Mongolia has
two neighbours and considers the whole world, the European Union and Austria as
its “Third Neighbour”. In case of reaching mutual understanding with the
neighbours on the transit transportation issues, Mongolia will settle its path
to the “Third Neighbour”, Mr Elbegdorj said.
When asked
about the settlement of issues between Rio Tinto and the Government of
Mongolia, the President expressed his belief that the issues can be settled.
Mongolian
journalist asked Mr Fischer about Austria’s neutrality in foreign relations,
and its pros and cons.
To this Mr.
Fischer noted that the neutrality was first initiated in Austria by a federal
president after the end of World War II, and was taken after the neutrality of
Switzerland. The second step toward the neutrality was taken when the
contingents of the USSR, France, the UK and the USA left this country, “because
there was a suspicion that Austria would become a member of NATO,” he added.
Austria enacted
the Declaration of Neutrality after adopting its constitution and signing
agreements with the above countries whose contingents left Austria, and yet it
has taken 10-15 years to determine the country’s neutral policies on
international stage, he went on.
“Looking back,
we never regret the decision. I am confident that 85 percent of the population
will vote for keeping the neutrality, if a poll is conducted”, and noted that
the four most powerful political parties in parliament support the
neutrality.
A journalist
asked our President about the achievements made by Mongolia on combating
corruption, as the President had mentioned earlier, and about possibilities of
assistance from Austria to Mongolia in this combat.
Many have
failed in obtaining freedom and lost their way, among the new and restored
democracies since 1974, because of bad governance and bribery, said our
President. Combating corruption is not only a matter of good governance but is
also associated with the country’s independence and security, in respect of the
view that a country’s security is more likely to be eroded by corruption from
inside, he stressed.
He also
mentioned plenty of activities performed by Mongolia on this matter such as
adopting of new programs and laws on jurisdiction, ratification of the UN
Convention Against Corruption, and pending ratification of European convention
on the issue.
“The people’s
commitments and support for the State in establishing good governance and
eliminating corruption have always inspired me”, he said and stressed that
Mongolia’s biggest achievement is two-digit decrease of the last three years in
corruption indexes by “Transparency International”.
“Protecting the
democracy is a continuous process that we should demise for generations.
Mongolia is going to intensify the actions against corruption,” said Mongolia’s
leader.
Consultation
runs for energy monitoring experts
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 15 (MONTSAME) The fourth consultation of energy control experts was
held Tuesday in Ulaanbaatar.
Co-organized by
the Ministry of Energy, the General Agency for Specialized Inspection (GASI)
and the #2 thermal power station, the consultation attracted D.Dorjpurev, the
Vice Minister of Energy; L.Batsaikhan, head of the State Management Department
of the Energy Ministry; and D.Jargal, a department head of the GASI; also 54
engineers and technical experts from 25 organizations.
Eight reports
were delivered at the consultation. The participants decided to issue a
recommendation and to send it to energy companies and factories.
Next
consultation will be run in 2015 by the “Dorgon hydropower station” LLC at the
“Energy system of western region” state-run company.
Stock
exchange news for October 15
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 15 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Wednesday, a total of 23
thousand and 496 shares of 17 JSCs were traded costing MNT 19 million 881
thousand and 569.00.
"Ulaansan”
/14 thousand and 814 units/, “Remikon” /4,100 units/, “Genco tour bureau”
/1,875 units/, “Khokh gan” /1,611 units/ and "Mongolia Telecom” /212
units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of
trading value were "Ulaansan” (MNT 14 million and 814 thousand),
"Darkhan nekhii” (MNT one million 017 thousand and 500), “Talkh chikher”
(MNT 840 thousand), "Gutal” (MNT 745 thousand and 500) and "Remikon”
(MNT 467 thousand and 400).
The total
market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 572 billion 020 million 146
thousand and 346. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 15,682.10, decreasing 21.20
units or 0.14% against the previous day.
Founder
of Transparency International visits
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 15 (MONTSAME) The founder of Transparency International Peter Eigen
called October 14 a press conference at the Kharkhorin Hall of Ulaanbaatar
Hotel. He is visiting Mongolia at invitation of Friedrich Ebert Foundation of
Germany.
Mr Eigen
brought a presentation themed “Roles of independent and civil organizations in
investigating and combating corruption” into discussion. During the conference,
he informed the gathered about solution to corruption—an urgent problem faced
by the global political sphere, and about his talks with other countries.
Branches of Transparency International NGO have opened in 110 underdeveloped
countries. The branches cooperate with press and media organizations to run its
activities. Mongolia branch also runs surveys and makes conclusions regarding
corruption.
The
founder of the NGO shared opinions on Tuesday with Mongolia’s related officials
on Forms and consequences of corruption in mining sector, and on strengthening
good governance through combating corruption in the raw materials industry.
The Government
of Germany has awarded Peter Eigen a state order called “Great Christ Order of
Honor”, in high recognition of his efforts in combating corruption on an
international level.
About
meeting of HR managers
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar,
October 15 (MONTSAME) The 5th meeting of Human Resources (HR) managers will be
held at the Great Hall of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and
Industry on October 16.
It will be
co-organized by the National Research Institute of Human Resources together
with the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The main topics
are organization development, human factors, and managerial skills. The
participants will learn methods of HR management and planning and global trends
in this sector.
Business
registry in statistics
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 15 (MONTSAME) In third quarter of this year, 110.4 thousand entities
were registered in the Registry Base of Economic Entities, 56.1 thousand or
50.8 percent of registered are operating. Most of the operating entities are
located in Ulaanbaatar, according to the National Statistics Office.
Some 34
thousand entities operate in Ulaanbaatar that make up 61.6 percent of all
operating organizations, 7.1 thousand or 12.6 percent – in central region, 6.4
thousand or 11.5 percent – in region of Khangai, 5.7 thousand or 10.2 percent –
in western region, and 2.3 thousand or 4.2 percent in eastern region.
Entities with
one to nine workers cover 84.9 percent of all operating entities, 10-19 workers
– 6.5 percent, 20-49 workers – 5.3 percent, and entities that have more than 50
workers make up 3.2 percent.
Among the
non-operating 54.3 entities registered in the base include 16.6 thousand that
have not started operations - 30.5 percent, 30.7 thousand or 56.5 percent –
temporarily stopped operations, one thousand or 1.9 percent – entirely
shutdown, 6.0 thousand or 11.1 percent – without specific address or with other
reasons.
Mongolians
to attend World University Championship of Woodball
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 15 (MONTSAME) The national team of student athletes to participate in
the World University Championship of Woodball headed to Malaysia on October 15.
The tournament is to run October 21-26 in Kuala Lumpur.
The team
includes 12 athletes--Sh.Batjargal, M.Sugarsuren, B.Oyuntuya, B.Khishigjargal,
G.Batbuyan, D.Munkh-Orgil, G.Ijiltsetseg, G.Enerel, E.Enkhtuvshin, D.Davaadorj,
Ts.Baasanjargal and B.Bayanbulag. In the previous championship, our team ranked
at fifth place in overall scores.
Bulgan
aimag pays tribute to World champion G.Boldbaatar
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 15 (MONTSAME) Authorities of Bulgan aimag’s Khangal soum and its people
showed respect to their resident G.Boldbaatar IMS, a gold medallist of the Judo
World Championship.
The ceremony
and a small festival were attended by D.Erdenebat, a governor of Bulgan aimag;
the aimag’s administrative officials; leaders of the Orkhon aimag-based
“Khangarid” sport club; members of Khangal soum’s Council; representatives of
the Mongolian Judo Federation and youths’ organizations. This event also
attracted N.Tuvshinbayar, an Olympic champion and State Honored Sportsman.
A judoka of the
“Khangarid” sport club, G.Boldbaatar won a gold medal in the Chelyabinsk-2014
Judo World Championship in the men 60 kg contest. For his success, the club
gave him a cash prize of MNT 25 million and a three-room flat. Bulgan aimag’s
administration also granted him MNT 5 million. He has been awarded prizes and
cash from other organizations.
Press
release: Oyu Tolgoi - update on production and operations
October 15 (Oyu Tolgoi) - 134,100 tonnes
of concentrate produced in third quarter, 2014 -
Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia - Today, Oyu Tolgoi released its quarterly production report,
providing an update on production and performance.
Between July
and September 2014, Oyu Tolgoi produced 134,100 tonnes of concentrate, bringing
total production so far this year to 377,000 tonnes.
In September,
concentrate production was impacted by operational damage to the rake arms of
one of Oyu Tolgoi’s two tailings thickeners. The concentrator operated at
approximately 60 per cent throughput during the repairs. Despite reduced
throughput, Q3’14 metal production was in-line with the previous quarter due to
higher head grades.
Concentrate
sales continued to exceed production rates in Q3’14 resulting in further
inventory drawdown.
Oyu Tolgoi
Chief Financial Officer, Steve Duggan, said: “Our workforce coordinated an
impressive effort across the business to safely and quickly repair the
thickener rake arms while limiting the overall impact on production.
“We continue to
make good progress in moving from the post-commissioning phase of the business
into steady-state operations.”
Oyu Tolgoi’s
latest production figures can be found below. Further information can also be
found in Turquoise Hill Resources’ production report.
Link
to article
Comments
Post a Comment