Mongolia Brief December 16, 2014
"Reducing
Hep-C in Mongolia" Program Draft Submitted
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) Health and sports Minister G.Shiilegdamba received on
December 16 a draft of the "National program on reducing incidence of
hepatitis C in Mongolia" from his Vice J.Amarsanaa.
The program,
initiated by the latter, was considered on December 5 by 32 professionals from
the National Center for Oncology, the National Center for Infectious Diseases,
the National University of Medical Science, the Academy of Sciences, the
Mongolian Academy of Medical Science, the Health Department of Ulaanbaatar, the
Institute of Medical Science, the First and Second state clinics, “Intermed”
and “Grandmed” hospitals.
Mr Amarsanaa
said that 15 percent of Mongolia’s population is suffering from Hep-C
infection, a main cause of liver cancer and hardening. "Hepatic diseases
claim 2,400-2,700 lives in Mongolia every year and have become a second
from the top cause of deaths. Trials and researches to invent medicines to cure
Hep-C have been running since 2000, and the medicines and drugs were introduced
in treatments in 2010. Mongolia leads the global chart by its liver cancer and
Hepatitis incidences,” said the Vice Minister stressing that this program's
implementation is urgent.
Nat’l
Consumer Price Index Rises
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) The national consumer price index rose by 0.7% in
November 2014 by 10.1% against the previous month, and by 11.5% over the same
period of the previous year.
The increase of
0.7% was mainly due to increases of 2.1% in housing, water, electricity and
fuels, and 1.4% in clothing, footwear and cloth.
Bank
of Mongolia Reports
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) The Bank of Mongolia reports that money supply (broad
money or M2) reached MNT 9.9 trillion at the end of this November, going down
by 53.1 billion or 0.5% against the previous month, and increasing by 0.8
trillion or 9.1% against 2013.
At the end of
November 2014, a currency issued in circulation reached MNT 769.0 billion,
declining 40.7 billion or 5.0% against the previous month, and increasing by
MNT 34.9 billion or 4.3% against the previous year.
Loans
outstanding amounted to MNT 12.6 trillion at the end of November, decreasing by
185.1 billion or 1.4% against the previous month, and going up by 1.8 trillion
or 16.9% against the previous year.
Principals in
arrears reached MNT 444.7 billion at the end of this November, declining MNT
5.9 billion or 1.3% against previous month, and going up by 283.6 billion or
2.8 times compared with same period of 2012.
The
non-performing loans over the bank system reached MNT 620.0 billion, increasing
13.7 billion or 2.3% against the previous month, and increasing 47.5 billion or
8.3% against the previous year.
44.4 million
units of shares were traded valued at MNT 168.3 billion in the stock market.
The securities trading declined by 153.0 billion or 47.6%, the shares decreased
by 20.4 million shares or 31.5% against the previous year.
New
Year's tree shines bright in Chinggis Square
December 16
(news.mn) The city's New Year's tree was lit in a ceremony on Monday attended
by Ulaanbaatar city authorities and residents.
Chairman of the
Capital City Citizens Representatives' Khural (City Council) D.Battulga,
General Manager of Ulaanbaatar B.Badral, and State Merit Athlete and Labor Hero
E.Badar-Uugan were present to light the New Year's Tree.
Chairman
D.Battulga addressed the crowd, stating, “In 2014, numerous projects were
launched in Ulaanbaatar. There is a tradition of lighting the New Year's tree
at the central square with residents in metropolitan cities. This is the third
year that we have lit the New Year's tree at Chinggis Khaan Square. I wish you
all the best in the upcoming year 2015.” Residents of Ulaanbaatar and visitors
to the square enjoyed a musical and performance on Monday night, celebrating
the New Year's tree lighting.
Traffic
restriction hours shortened
December 16
(news.mn) The Ulaanbaatar Citizens Representative's Khural issued a decision to
cut the hours of traffic restriction on city roads, on Monday, December 15th.
Under the City
Council measure, effective since August 2013, vehicles were restricted from
participating in city traffic between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. based on their
vehicle license plate numbers. But the traffic restriction hours have now been
changed, as citizens suggested shortening the hours of traffic
restrictions.
Traffic
restrictions will now be in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays. The
change will be effective starting today, December 16th.
New
parking rules at the Government House rescinded
December 16
(news.mn) Speaker Z.Enkhbold's Monday decision to allow only vehicles belonging
to parliamentarians park at the east side parking area at the Government House
resulted in a public backlash.
The new parking
rule allowed only parliamentarians to park at the east side and the other
Government House staff and visitors to share west side parking.
On Monday, the
“unworkable” parking rule spurred discontent among staff and visitors who found
the east side parking area empty. Today the Speaker is rescinding the parking
regulation, allowing staff, visitors and parliamentarians the same access to
both parking areas, in response to the social media backlash.
Ulaanbaatar
signs MoU on cooperation with The Asia Foundation
December 16
(news.mn) Ulaanbaatar City Administrative officials, including Capital City
Governor and Ulaanbaatar Mayor Bat-Uul Erdene, are paying an official visit to
San Francisco. On Monday, Ulaanbaatar Mayor Bat-Uul Erdene met The Asia
Foundation President David Arnold.
At the meeting,
The Asia Foundation gave a brief introduction of ongoing projects targeted to
improve the quality of life of citizens in Ulaanbaatar to Ulaanbaatar city
officials. They also discussed the quality and access of public services;
accomplishments in urban development, in particular re-planning the ger
districts; and exchanged opinions on the range of future projects ranges and
promotion.
Following the
meeting, Mayor Bat-Uul Erdene and David Arnold signed a memorandum of
cooperation between Ulaanbaatar and The Asia Foundation.
The parties
agreed to maintain joint projects of mapping khoroos in Ulaanbaatar in order to
cultivate the re-planning of ger districts and to keep planning on track,
increase citizen involvement in re-planning and resolutions at the community
level, develop an economic strategy for Ulaanbaatar, improve waste management,
cut corruption, and strengthen transparency.
Related:
Ulaanbaatar
and Asia Foundation Expand Cooperation – Montsame, December 16
First
Business Forum between Dornod Aimag, Mongolia and Zabakailsky Krai, Russia Takes
Place in Chita
December 16
(infomongolia.com) On December 15-17, 2014, the First Business Forum themed
“Business Without Borders” between Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Dornod
Aimag of Mongolia and Zabakailsky Region of the Russian Federation is taking
place in Chita city of Zabaykalsky Krai.
In his opening
remarks, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Zabaykalsky Krai,
Andrey Markov said, "We go back to the centuries-old friendship between
our peoples. We are ready to help and develop our relationship and will do our
best. In fact, trade and economic relations between the Zabakailsky Region and
Dornog Aimag have a long history. Today, only need to bring them back to the
previous level. Notably, an important role in this played a recent official
visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Mongolia”.
Chairman of the
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Dornog Aimag, E.Adiya added, "Since
the visa-free regime came into force, this meeting will give a positive impact
on business development and tourism, so we came to the forum to expand our
cooperation in the fields of joint projects in mining, light industry, and food
industry. Basically, we want to export coal and meat from Mongolia, we have a
lot of meat".
During the
first Business Forum, round table meetings, seminars, official meetings,
exhibitions of goods and products displayed from both sides are being
organized.
Government
of Mongolia Resolves to Downsize Number of Agencies by 15%
December 16
(infomongolia.com) On December 15, 2014, the regular Cabinet meeting was held
and the first issue resolved was to reduce the total number of Government
Agencies by 15 percent.
The State Great
Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia ratified a Decree No.70 on November 14, 2014
that obliged to perform economical savings in the State Budget by abridging the
number of public administrative organs and its employees.
Accordingly,
the Cabinet approved the renewed structure and its organizational issues to
adhere that aim to eliminate doubled administrative functions, to downsize
management steps and to transfer some Agencies to affiliated professional
associations and private sectors.
Currently, the
Government of Mongolia operates with 15 Ministries, 26 Agencies and Cabinet
Secretariat of Government.
Moreover, the
new Government decision reflects not to dismiss or change qualified personnel
and to adhere the following obligations:
- To ensure the
continuity of government operations,
- An Agency
will not employ a Deputy Chairperson, if the Agency comprises fewer than 100
employees. Moreover, to remove duplicated divisions by the means of functions,
- If an Agency
consists of over 100 employees, only one Vice or Deputy Chairperson is allowed,
- An employee
from a merged or liquidated Agency will be promoted for a designated post only,
- An Agency
will be comprised of about 10 Units, where Departments and Divisions will no
longer exist,
- An Agency
Chairperson will not employ an Advisor, besides, allowed to ride only a small
capacity vehicle for official usage, but a Deputy Chairperson and a Unit
Director are not allowed to ride a vehicle;
Related:
Number
of Staffers at Ministries and Agencies to Be Reduced – Montsame, December 16
15 percent limit set for
cutting ministry and government agency jobs – news.mn, December 16
MCC
to Continue Project in Mongolia
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) At the cabinet meeting on Monday, the Prime Minister
Ch.Saikhanbileg reported that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)
decided to continue to implement projects in Mongolia.
The Premier
obliged the Ministers to work out proposals needed for priority spheres to be
involved in the MCC project and to introduce the proposals at the next cabinet
meeting.
Mongolia has
been listed the 37th among the 68 selected countries who will receive
non-refundable aid through the 2015 action plan of the MCC realized by the US
government.
Before this,
the MCC implemented here projects of USD 285 million. Appreciating the actions
to strengthen the governance and a successful fulfillment of first-stage works
of the project, the US government decided to continue the project in Mongolia.
Law
on "Glass" Account to Come into Force Soon
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) Initiated by the President Ts.Elbegdorj, the law on
"glass" account was adopted by parliament on July 1 of 2014 and will
come into force from January 1 of 2015 onwards.
The state and
localities' budgets, procurement plans, financial statements and draft budgets
of following years will be openly informed to the public. All the information
will be delivered through a unified website of the "glass" account
administrated by a state administrative body in charge of budget matters.
In view of
this, the cabinet approved Monday a rule on fixing common standards for the
website’s content. Related Ministers have been obliged to publish textbooks on
the rule, conduct training for general managers of the budget, connect every
organization with a model list of transparent accounts issued by the National
Data Center, and to create an opportunity for organizations without websites to
post their account information.
Foreign
Policy and Actions Must Be United More
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) This was underlined by Foreign affairs Minister
LPurevsuren at the cabinet meeting on Monday.
He introduced
to the cabinet a matter on ensuring the integrity of the country’s foreign policy
and actions, which was approved by the governmental resolution last year.
The Ministers, Mayor of Ulaanbaatar and governors of aimags have been obliged
to adhere in their work to this vital rule that generally focuses on
implementing the foreign policy on a principle of a "single window".
It means that state servants' foreign visits, their negotiations with foreign
states and private organizations, and treaties and documents signing are to be
brought under one united management and accordance. "This will help the
state more wisely and profoundly design directions for the cooperation with
external partners and ensure the national security," the government
considers.
Renting
of Textbooks to Be Extended
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) The cabinet meeting on Monday gave an obligation to
L.Gantomor, the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, to expand and
stabilize the renting of textbooks which are financed by the Asian Development
Bank (ADB). This action aims to fully provide pupils of all schools with
necessary textbooks.
Chief
Advisor to PM Appointed
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) One of the famous women politicians of Mongolia and
doctor of historical science Delgermaa Banzragch has been appointed chief
advisor to the Prime Minister.
Having
long-year experiences in laws and politics, Delgermaa defended a PhD degree on
historical science in the Siberian branch of Russia’s Academy of Sciences in
2005 with a dissertation "The history of Mongolian democracy of 20th
century". She speaks English and Russian.
B.Delgermaa
worked as a prosecutor at the State Prosecutor Department in 1982-1986; a
teacher of School of Law at Mongolian State University (MSU) in
1986-1989; a scientific worker at Institute of Law at the Academy of Sciences
in 1989-1990; an advisor to State Conference in 1990-1992; a director of
Academy of Political Education in 1993-1996; a member of parliament in
1996-2000; an advisor to PM on social policy in 2004-2006; a director of
“Liberty” institute; and the Ambassador of Mongolia to Singapore since 2012.
DB
to Receive Loan of 300 Million
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) Development Bank (DB) of Mongolia signed a loan
agreement with the Credit Suisse bank of Switzerland and Sumitomo Mitsui bank
of Japan on December 15.
The DB has
successfully completed a fund-raising for the financing of projects on
infrastructure, construction, industrialization, and energy. In accordance with
the Government and parliament resolutions, the DB is obligated to allocate
financing for the major economic sectors such as transport, construction and
urban development, energy and mining.
The recent loan
of USD 300 million will be allocated for the additional financing for major
projects on infrastructure, construction and energy that have been previously
financed by the Chingis bonds. The loan is guaranteed by the Government, its
credit term is seven years.
The leaders of
the DB noted that the loan financing will be dedicated only for the sectors of
strategic importance such as energy, industry (promoting exports and
substituting imports), infrastructure and mining, and that this loan is the
first syndicate credit obtained by the DB.
MoU
Signed on Co-Implementing “Sustainable Finance” Program
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) During the Sustainable Finance Forum organized by the
Mongolian Banks’ Association (MBA) on December 16, the participants to the
event adopted a memorandum of understanding on co-implementing the programs of
sustainable finance.
The forum has
gathered some 400 officials including the Deputy Mayor responsible for Urban
Development and Investments S.Ochirbat, a president of the MBA M.Bold, a
Minister of Environment, Green Development and Tourism D.Oyunkhorol,
representatives of international organizations, banks and businesses.
Discussed
issues were Mongolia's policy on green development, global trends and best
practices, roles and participation of banking sector in the establishment of
green economy, and coordinating the development of Ulaanbaatar with Sustainable
Finance.
The MBA
developed the principles of sustainable finance taking into consideration the
pressing issues for the environment and the society. In a scope of the
implementation of such principles, banks will introduce in their work and
decision-making processes the guidance in four main spheres--mining,
construction, agriculture and processing industry--from February of 2015. By
this, the banks will be able to estimate the economic efficiency and risks of
the projects to be financed by them, and to manage the financing impacts on the
environment and society, thus to refuse to finance unpleasant projects.
The MoU was
adopted by the Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism and the
Bank of Mongolia, at their support for implementing sustainable development
policies through the financial leverage and for promoting green economy.
Book
about Golden Horde Published
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) Mongolia's Ambassador Sh.Altangerel participated
December 10 in a video conference that ran for a presentation of the "How
the Golden Horde made the Rus’ rich" book by Aleksei Shlyahtorov in
Russian Chelyabinsk city.
The book has
been published recently but is already in a great demand. Its author Mr
Shlyakhtorov says he wants the Russians to throw away an understanding, which
has become firmly in their mind during Soviet times, that the Golden Horde was
nothing but a yoke of Mongol-Tatars in Rus’. "In contrary, the Golden
Horde, which used to rule during the Great Mongol Empire, had helped Russia to
prosper, and this is certified by valid historic sources," he stresses.
"Whoever
reads this book, he/she will more or less get rid of the wrong 'Mongol-Tatars
yoke' idea," he adds.
Ice
rink opens in the city center
December 16
(news.mn) An outdoor ice skating rink for the enjoyment of youth and children
was made available to the public today, December 16, at Chinggis Khaan Square,.
The skating
rink was installed for its second year by the Ulaanbaatar Governor's office.
The outdoor ice rink measures 50 x 25 meters and will later be equipped with a
changing room, bench seats, lightning and litter bins. The temporary ice rink
will host sporting and entertainment events over the New Year's period.
Prime
Minister of Mongolia Urges to Introduce Project Proposals to Be Financed by
Millennium Challenge Corporation
December 16
(infomongolia.com) At the Cabinet meeting held on December 15, 2014, Prime
Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg affirmed that the Millennium Challenge Corporation
(MCC) of the United States selected Mongolia to develop the second MCC compact.
Accordingly,
Premier Ch.Saikhanbileg ordered all affiliated Ministers to submit required
project proposals at the next Cabinet meeting.
At its quarterly
meeting held on December 10, the Millennium Challenge Corporation Board of
Directors voted Mongolia as eligible for new compact along with other
countries. The Board’s selection of Mongolia to develop proposals for the
second compact underscores the country’s commitment to good governance.
Mongolia successfully completed an MCC compact in September 2013, but poverty
remains significant and to the date, the MCC implemented projects worth of
284,911,363.00 USD.
Prime
Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg Appoints His Advisors
December 16
(infomongolia.com) Prime Minister of Mongolia Ch.Saikhanbileg issued an
Ordinance to appoint Doctor of Historical Sciences Mrs. Banzragch DELGERMAA as
the Senior Advisor to the Premier and Doctor of Economic Sciences Mr. Ochirbat
CHULUUNBAT as the Economic Advisor to the Premier.
The Senior
Advisor to the Prime Minister, B.Delgermaa is an experienced politician who
started her career as a Prosecutor at the State Prosecutor’s Office in 1982 and
her latter public service was as the Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Singapore.
The Economic
Advisor to the Prime Minister, O.Chuluunbat is also an experienced economist
and banker, he used to work as the Governor of Central Bank of Mongolia in
2000-2006, elected as a Parliamentarian in 2008-2012 and later served as the
Deputy Minister for Economic Development of Mongolia in 2012-2014.
MP
receives EU advisor
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) International advisor to the European Union Mr Mel
Kausen was received by the head of the Standing Committee on social policy,
education, culture and sciences D.Battsogt MP on Tuesday.
The guest
thanked the MP for receiving him and said that many projects have been
successfully implemented in Mongolia by the EU, "a first phase of the
project on promoting the professional education has complete, the second is to
commence". He also informed the MP about intended to be realized by the EU
funding projects on improving an employment in Mongolia and on promoting the
implementation of state policies on the employment. He is staying here to
assist the development of such projects, he added.
In response, Mr
Battsogt said the Ministry of Labour, established in order to achieve better
employment rate, is to present to parliament a draft resolution on adopting the
state policy on employment. Through enforcing such policies until 2025 in three
phases, the employment will be promoted by the developments of national
industry and economic sectors, as well of the communities and localities, and
the resources will be efficiently distributed. “As a result, inequality in the
job market will reduce, and appropriate ratio of production and wages will be
set,” said the MP and expressed his Standing committee’s support for the EU
projects and promised to collaborate.
The EU
non-refundable aid funded projects on improving employment in Mongolia and on
promoting the state policy implementations will be realized in 2015-2020. In
frames of the realization, analysis of the legal environment on labour,
capacity building for the state servants and professionals in this sphere and
other important frameworks will take place.
Defense
Minister meets Ambassadors
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Defense Ts.Tsolmon Monday received Mr
Wang Xiaolong, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Mongolia,
and Ms Piper Anne Wind Campbell, the US Ambassador to Mongolia.
The Minister
expressed a satisfaction with meeting the dignitaries from the two countries
Mongolia has defense ties and cooperation with, and discussed with them
issues of the cooperation and its future.
Mr Wang
Xiaolong said all the measures and events were successful that ran in the
defense sector in frames of the 65th anniversary of the Mongolia-China
diplomatic relations.
The US
Ambassador Ms Campbell wished the Minister a success and said the defense
sphere plays a leading role in the Mongolia-USA relations and cooperation. She
also said she will do her best to boost this collaboration, enriching it with
new contents.
Former
president of BoM appointed advisor to PM
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) A banker and a former president of the Bank of Mongolia
(BoM) Mr O.Chuluunbat was appointed the advisor to the Prime Minister on
December 16.
Mr Chuluunbat
has graduated the Moscow State Institute of International Relations majoring in
economics, is specialized in foreign exchange and finance, speaks Russian and
English. He has obtained a doctor’s degree in Economics at the Russian Academy
of Sciences with a dissertation themed “Characteristics of financial and
monetary system during transition”. He worked as a senior economist and
referent in a Foreign Accounting Department of the State Bank in 1981-1987, a
senior advisor and dealer at the International Economic Cooperation Bank in
Moscow in 1987-1990, an advisor to the president of the BoM 1990-1991, an
advisor to a private entity in 1991-1992, first deputy director of KHOTSH bank
in 1992-1993, first vice president of the BoM in 1993-1996, a senior trader at
Sales Capital market center in New York in 1996-2000, a president of the BoM in
2000-2006, a consultant in a private entity in 2006-2008, a member of
parliament, head of the Standing committee on Budget and a member of the
Standing committee on Security and Foreign Policy in 2008-2012, and as vice
minister of Economic Development in 2012-2014.
Freight
statistics
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) In the first 11 months of 2014, 19030.6 thousand tons of
freight and 3092.6 thousand passengers (double counting) were carried by
railway transport, according to the National Statistics Office.
Compared to the
same period of the previous year, the amount of carried freight decreased 186.0
thousand tons or 1.0 percent and number of carried passengers, by 400.9
thousand people or 11.5 percent.
The revenue
from railway transport in the first 11 months of 2014 reached MNT 387.5 billion
reflecting increase of MNT 219.2 million or 0.1 percent against the same period
of 2013.
Some 3180 tons
of freight and 623.8 thousand passengers (double counting) were carried by air
transport by the end of November. Compared to the same period of the previous
year, the amount of carried freight dropped by 620.3 tons or 16.3 percent, and
number of carried passengers by 98.6 thousand people or 13.7 percent.
The revenue
from air transport in the first 11 months of 2014 reached MNT 224.4 billion,
which shows decrease of MNT 2.4 billion or 1.1 percent against the same period
of 2013.
Stock
Exchange news for December 16
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 16 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Tuesday, a total of 155
thousand and 913 units of 13 JSCs were traded costing MNT 14 billion 767
million 871 thousand and 713.00.
"Khokh
gan” /1,000 thousand units/, “Genco tour bureau” /756 units/, “Aduunchuluun”
/394 units/, “Sharyn gol” /190 units/ and "Tavantolgoi” /156 units/ were
the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value
were "Sharyn gol” (MNT one million 102 thousand and 050), "Gobi” (MNT
968 thousand and 760), “UB-BUK” (MNT 642 thousand and 600), “Tavantolgoi” (MNT
627 thousand and 120) and "Aduunchuluun” (MNT 610 thousand and 720).
The total market
capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 431 billion 420 million 208 thousand
and 844. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 14,616.43, decreasing 63.43 units or
0.43% against the previous day.
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