Mongolia Brief December 2, 2014
P.Tsagaan
Meets Founder of Oxford Business Group
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTRSAME) Head of the Presidential Office Mr P.Tsagaan Monday
received Andrew Jeffreys, a founder and chief executive officer of the Oxford
Business Group (OBG).
The parties
discussed Mongolia's political and economic situation and exchanged views on
interviews and other news pieces that will be published in the 2014 Report of
the OBG.
Founded in 1994
Group is running activities in 33 countries; since 2010 it started publishing
reports on Mongolia's macro economy. The Group has issues reports on 17 fields
such as Mongolia’s mining, banking, finance, infrastructure and macro economy.
WB
Sustainable Livelihoods Project to Be Considered
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) The Speaker of Mongolia's parliament Z.Enkhbold received
on December 1 the Country manager of the World Bank for Mongolia Jim Anderson.
While focusing
on projects the WB is ready to launch here, Mr Anderson said the methodologies
and mechanisms introduced during the First and Second Sustainable Livelihoods
projects will be adapted in the scope of the implementation of the project’s
third phase. The Third Sustainable Livelihoods, costing USD 23.5 million, aims
to promote the implementation of the Law on budget, to give technical support
for building a capacity of required staff, to asses and analyze activities of
Community Development Funds, and to encourage good performance through
allocating budgets.
As for
E-Health, he went on, the project’s implementation cost stands at USD 19.5
million. The main objectives of this project are to build an Internet database
for health to improve a usefulness and consistency of the health information,
to refine a sufficiency of medical care and health services by developing
a local information network on patients.
About the Smart
Governance project Mr Anderson said it would be costing USD 19.4 million and
will aim at promoting the Government initiative on building smart governance
and at improving transparency in the governance by use of information
technology.
Education
Quality Reform project’s estimated cost is USD 30 million, it supposed to
better a quality and outcome of the Mongolian language and mathematics classes
and to improve primary education quality by strengthening an effective planning
of study programmes, said Mr Anderson.
In response,
the Speaker promised to have the Third Sustainable Livelihoods Project
discussed by related Standing Committees and to work on enabling the
projects drawing rights. As for the three other projects, Mr Enkhbold suggested
discussing them after a formation of a new Cabinet.
After this
meeting, the WB Country manager was received by a head of Standing Committee on
social policy, education, culture and sciences D.Battsogt MP to seek his
support for the projects.
Head
of Judicial General Council Visits Turkey
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) A delegation led by the Executive Commissioner of the
Judicial General Council of Mongolia Prof. N.Lundendorj is visiting the
Republic of Turkey to get acquainted with the innovation in judiciary.
Mr Lundendorj
has met with Metin Yandyrmaz, a vice president of the Turkish Supreme Board of
Judges and Prosecutors. They introduced to each other their organizations and
touched upon matters such as a cooperation development and information
exchange.
After this
meeting, the delegation visited the Turkish justice Academy to sign the
Memorandum of Cooperation between the Judicial General Council of Mongolia and
this Academy. In accordance with the Memorandum, the sides will involve 40
Mongolian judges in trainings in the Academy, jointly realize programs,
share academic research findings, and render technical assistance to each
other.
Present at the
meetings was also the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia
to Turkey B.Batkhishig.
Specialized
Inspection Cancelled Until New Law Approval
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) The Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg Monday gave some
obligations to D.Batmonkh, a head of the General Agency for Specialized
Inspection (GASI), and to B.Ariunsan, a head of the General Taxation Office
(GTO).
The PM said the
economic situation will improve if the government backs the private sector,
enterprises and companies by a specific policy, mentioning that leaders of the
private sector asked him to provide them with nice conditions for running
business and to reduce state bodies' pressure. "Imposing fines upon them
is not a good idea," he said and ordered the GASI and GTO heads to
temporarily stop any inspections in companies and entities until parliament
adopts a new law on the inspection. "If it is adopted, Mongolia will get a
crisis-based monitoring system," he said and reminded that it is better to
involve inspectors in re-trainings.
Due to the
economic difficulties, an expected size of tax revenue will go down, and to
minimize it, no pressure must be put on the private sector, the Premier
stressed again.
The GTO head
B.Ariunsan was told to accept tax statements through the E-methods in
conjunction with transferring into the E-tax collecting system. Other
obligations given him were to stop the paper-based collection of tax statements
and to change a system of encouraging tax inspectors.
Cabinet
Permits to Establish Investment Fund in Mongolia
December 2
(infomongolia.com) On December 01, 2014, the first regular Cabinet meeting took
place in the Government House and one of the issues resolved was authorizing to
establish an Investment Fund.
At the Cabinet
meeting held on July 02, 2014 it was noted that the Development Bank of
Mongolia was holding negotiations with several international financial
institutions to establish the Investment Fund in Mongolia.
As a result,
the JP Morgan Bank (JPMorgan Chase & Co) was chosen to collaborate and
under the submitted proposal an opportunity to establish the Investment Fund
was created.
In this regard,
the Board of the Development Bank was entrusted to issue a financial commitment
of 100 million USD with aims to implement the first stage of the Fund
establishment following negotiations with foreign and local financial
institutions.
Moreover, the
Ministry of Finance is also allowed to ensure with operation policies and give
directions in the establishment of the Investment Fund.
Related:
Investment
Fund to Be Established – Montsame,
December 2
Mongolia
to Host 14 International Sports Events in 2015
December 2
(infomongolia.com) At the Cabinet meeting held on December 01, 2014, it was
resolved to host 14 international sports events in Mongolia next year.
In 2014,
Government allocated 1.2 billion MNT (Tugrug) to finance 10 international
sports competitions organized in Mongolia, where a total of 5,472 athletes,
coaches and official representatives have participated and from these sports
events, 6.7 billion MNT was collected in the state budget by the means of
indirect income.
Increasing the
number of international events in 2015, officials deem it is important not only
to promote Mongolia, but also the National Team will be provided more joint
trainings with proficient foreign athletes as well as to gain more experiences.
The 14 international sports events to be
organized in Mongolia in 2015
1. Model
Aircraft World Championship
2. Chinggis
Khaan 2015 Judo Grand Prix
3. FIDE Women's
Grand Prix
4. Asian
Individual Deaf Chess Championships
5. Asian Youth
Fencing Games
6. “Asian Cup
2015” Football competition
7. Asian
Eastern Zonal Men's Volleyball Championship
8. “Mongolia
Open 2015” International Tournament for Senior Freestyle and Women Wrestling
9. “Mongolia
Open 2015” Speed Skating
10. “Mongolia
Open 2015” Soft Tennis
11. “Mongolia Open
2015” Practical Shooting
12.
“Ulaanbaatar Marathon 2015”
13. “Mongol
Tuurgatan” Traditional Wrestling Tournament
14.
International Sports Festival for Seniors
Accordingly,
the Cabinet budgeted one billion MNT to finance above events and Minister of
Culture, Sports and Tourism Ts.Oyungerel is obliged to introduce the report
within the fourth quarter.
Related:
Mongolia
to Host 14 Int’l Sport Events Next Year – Montsame, December 2
Licenses
Required for Hazardous Chemicals
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) The Cabinet accepted in principle a draft amendment to
the List of Export- and Import- License Requiring Goods which was adopted in
2002.
Since the
effectiveness of this amendment, the handling of all hazardous chemicals
including “extremely high hazard” chemicals, except for the substances with
permission exemption according to the Code for Export, Import, Cross-border
Transport, Production and Trading of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals, will
require special licenses.
In a scope of
the amendment to the package laws on the environment, the Law on Waste
prohibited the import and cross-border transportation of toxic wastes, and
allowed waste exports with permission from the central government authority
responsible for the environment. The Cabinet considered that it will be
suitable to include the toxic waste in the List and to export them with
required licenses.
Intergov’tal
Working Group Meeting Approaches
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) The second meeting of the Mongolia-France
intergovernmental working group will run this December 8 in Ulaanbaatar.
In view of
this, the cabinet meeting on Monday ordered D.Gankhuyag, acting Vice Minister
of External Relations and Economic Cooperation, to approve directives the
Mongolian side will maintain during this meeting, and to ensure a preparation.
As supposed, at this meeting the sides will exchange specific views on the
bilateral relations in agriculture, infrastructure, energy, environment and
culture spheres. From the French side, the meeting will be chaired by Mr
Matthias Fekl, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of
Tourism and French Nationals Abroad during his working visit here. He will also
meet with the Mongolia’s Prime Minister, the Minister of External Relations and
Economic Cooperation, the Minister of Industry and Agriculture, the Minister of
Mining, and the Minister of Energy.
The
Mongolia-France intergovernmental working group, established in 2013, has
purposes to inform France--one of our Third neighbors--about the Mongolian
governmental policy, to activate the bilateral relations, to augment both trade
turnover and investments. The group’s first meeting was held in Paris in
2013.
Government
of Mongolia Approves Quotas for Hunting and Trapping Wild Animals in 2015
December 2
(infomongolia.com) At the Cabinet meeting held on December 01, 2014, the
Government of Mongolia approved the quotas for hunting and trapping wild
animals in 2015.
In 2015, 40
hunting regions in 15 Aimags of Mongolia were included in the hunting
management plan to hunt or trap wild animals for special purposes. Accordingly,
special permits will be allocated to hunt a total of 40 Ugalz (male wild sheep
and female species called - Argali), 60 mountain goats (Ibex - Yangir), 15 red
deer, 20 wolves, 10 roe deer, and 10 wild boars in 2015.
It is estimated
to collect 2.1 billion MNT (Tugrug) as Hunting Reserve Use Fee that will be
budgeted into local administrations and at least the 50% of total income is
obliged to spend for the protection and reproduction of animals.
As of today,
there are 58 hunting regions in Mongolia, where 11 entities, 2 nature
protection unions, 10 cooperatives and 6 local NGOs are registered responsible
to implement hunting management plan.
In recent
studies, the number of wild animals shows an increased tendency and more than
6,000 Ugalz and Argali as well as approximately 12,000 Yangir are counted
today.
Related:
Quotas
of Special Purposes Hunting Approved – Montsame,
December 2
CRCC
Expresses Its Interest to Develop Ulaanbaatar
December 2
(infomongolia.com) On December 02, 2014, Chairman of Ulaanbaatar City Citizens'
Representatives Khural (City Council) D.Battulga received a delegation from
China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) headed by Vice President Hu Fan.
At the meeting,
the CRCC delegates expressed its interest to invest and participate in the
development of Ulaanbaatar, after which parties signed a Memorandum of cooperation
to construct road and bridge under Concession Agreement.
The CRCC is the
second largest state-owned construction enterprise in China and under the
Agreement, a 17.5 km road work between Bayanzurkh and Nalaikh Districts will be
executed; besides, 3.4 km road will be constructed from “Uliastai” intersection
to Bayanzurkh Road Post and a 228 m bridge is also included. Moreover, the CRCC
authorities also expressed its willingness to participate in the construction
of apartments in Ulaanbaatar.
Related:
Ulaanbaatar
and CRCC Ink Agreement on Road Building – Montsame, December 2
"Doing
Business in Mongolia" Meeting Runs in London
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) Such a meeting was held last week in the headquarters of
the Anglo American Company in London of the United Kingdom.
Organized by
the Mongolia-Britain Chamber of Commerce, the meeting brought together 100
people such N.Tulga, the Ambassador of Mongolia to the UK; diplomats;
authorities of British enterprises, members of the Mongolians’ Association in
the UK.
Reports were
given on Mongolia’s present politics, economy, investments, business
environment and opportunities by Graeme Hancock; George Hunt, a business
development manager of the Sunderland University; Ch.Erdenedalai, a Chevening
scholarship student and independent researcher; Association of British Mining
Equipment Companies, a member of the Association of British Mining Equipment
Companies; and Carsten Livermore, a former member of parliament of Australia.
Mr Hancock
noted that difficulties are facing investors due to "unstable condition of
legal environment and poor maintenance of laws although it is easy to found
enterprises with foreign investments". He said the Anglo America Company
is focusing on obtaining information about Mongolian mining industry and
business environment, on setting up ties with the government, business and
civil society representatives, on designing future opportunities, on evaluating
projects on copper exploration and on ensuring a preparation for applying for
exploration special license.
"Mongolia
needs high quality education, and investments have been increasing to this
sector," said George Hunt. Presently, two Mongolian students are studying
in the Sunderland University, this university plans to training five students
next year. The UK earns 17 billion pound sterling from the education industry
and trains 300 thousand foreign students a year, he added.
Erdenedalai
spoke about how he sees nowadays political and economic situation in Mongolia.
He said the governmental stability is important in ensuring of normal
conditions for economy and that the reasons of current economic downturn must
be compared to the conditions of 2008-2009.
Despite a
slower economic growth of Mongolia and decrease in foreign investments, there
are big opportunities to launch business in Mongolia, to make investments and
to boost win-win cooperation.
Swimmers
to Participate in FINA World Swimming Championship
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) Last week, Mongolian swimmers left for Qatar to compete
in the 2014 FINA World Swimming Championship (25 m) to run on December 3-7 in
Doha city.
The Mongolian
team has B.Dolgoon, Ts.Mongonsor--both from the "Khangarid" sports
club, and G.Zandanbal from the city’s Songinokhairkhan district.
This year’s
Championship is expected to gather one thous.100 swimmers from 171 countries.
Boxers
to Compete Abroad
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) Boxers of the national men team will take part in
international competitions abroad.
Some will
compete in the Men Boxing World Cup among oil producing countries to be held
December 3-8 in Khanty-Mansiysk of Russia. A coach N.Monkhsaikhan IMS will head
G.Gan-Erdene (49 kg), A.Davaadalai (56 kg), M.Batkhuu (60 kg), U.Monkh-Erdene
(64 kg), Z.Enkhzorig (69 kg) and B.Sodgerel (75 kg). B.Atarbayar IMS has been included
in the judges’ panel.
Others will
participate in the 2014 Cottbus Cup which will run November 5-7 in Cottbus of
Germany. These events will also attract boxers from Germany, Austria and
Israel. Mongolia is to be represented by E.Iderkhuu (56 kg), Ts.Otgon-Erdene
(56 kg), B.Tuvshinbat (69 kg), N.Shinebayar (75 kg) and Sh.Batbaatar (91 kg).
Our
World Champions Lead IJF Rankings
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December
2 (MONTSAME) The International Judo Federation (IJF) Monday issued the latest
update of the world’s top judokas in all male and female weight categories.
World champions
Mongolians G.Boldbaatar and M.Urantsetseg have topped the lightest categories
of men and women divisions. International master of sports G.Boldbaatar has
collected 2,636 points, whereas a State Honored Sportswoman
M.Urantsetseg--3,180 points, followed by a Brazilian Sarah Menesez (1,856
points).
In the second
lightest category for men division (66 kg), international master of sports
D.Tomorkhuleg is the 4th with 1,708 points. This category is led by a Japanese
Masashi Ebinuma with 1,800 points. Two Olympic medalists Mongolians
Kh.Tsagaanbaatar and S.Nyam-Ochir are the sixth and the eighth, respectively,
in the men 73kg. An Olympic champion Mongolian N.Tuvshinbayar is the 11th in
the men -100 kg division.
An
international master of sports Mongolian A.Tsolmon (1,062 points) is the 10th
in the women 52 kg; D.Sumya (women 57 kg)--is the ninth, and Ts.Naranjargal
(women’s -70 kg)--the 14th.
Miss
World Mongolia Included in Top 20
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) A beauty representing Mongolia to the Miss World 2014
T.Battsetseg was officially included in the Top-20 among the total 120
contestants on November 29.
This day, the
Spectacular Dress, the Top Model, and the Spectacular Swimwear awards’ contests
were organized. Judges of Miss World 2014 selected 20 Best Beauties as follows:
Mongolia, Hungary, India, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Australia, Czech Republic, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Dominican Republic, South Sudan, France, Namibia, Scotland,
Turkey, Russia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Croatia, South Africa and China.
Overcrowded
district hospital sets up 75 beds in hallways
December 2
(news.mn) Songinokhairkhan District Hospital has set up 75 folding beds in
their hallways as they have run out of beds for infants requiring hospital
stays.
The hospital
has 286 infants requiring hospitalization, but only 165 beds. One third of the
infants were sent from the Bayangol District. The infants, who come from 19
khoroos in Bayangol District, are being served by the Songinokhairkhan District
Hospital as Bayangol District is without one.
Songinokhairkhan
District Hospital's Chief Physician B.Galsantseden said, "The hospital has
an overwhelmingly high workload due to high birthrates in recent years. Medical
specialists and staff work hard to prevent infant mortality. There is a high
demand for children's hospitals in the city."
Press
conference scheduled for the 10th anniversary of News Agency
December 2
(news.mn) News Agency will hold a press conference on its 10 anniversary today
at 2:00 p.m., at Best Western Premier Tuushin.
During the
press conference, the “Welcome to News Workshop” online photo exhibition will
be on display, and the News Forum and News Hit award ceremonies will take
place.
News Hit
recognizes popular figures followed most by news.mn readers according to
website analytics and digital statistics.
Figures who
nominated for the News Hit award are popular columnists B.Baabar, B.Tsenddoo,
and B.Ganchimeg; President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj; MPs Kh.Battulga and
Ts.Nyamdorj; former president of Mongolia N.Enkhbayr; former PM of Mongolia
S.Bayar; Ulaanbaatar City Mayor E.Bat-Uul; politicians Kh.Temuujin,
D.Oyunkhorol, D.Arvin, and S.Oyun; economists D.Jargalsaikhan, B.Lkhagvajav,
and S.Demberel; Olympic champion N.Tuvshinbayar; singer of Kharanga
Kh.Lkhagvasuren; singer L.Bold; and top model E.Odgerel.
Wall
of Honor build for cosmonaut M.Ganzorig
December 2
(news.mn) On the occasion of Scientists' Day in Mongolia, on Monday a Wall of
Honor was built for cosmonaut of Mongolia, Labor Hero, and Merit Figure of
Science, Professor M.Ganzorig, PhD, at the Space and Stars Palace of Research
Center for Astronomy and Geophysics.
The ceremony
for the unveiling of the Wall of Honor was attended by officials of the
Ministry of Education and Science, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Research
Center for Astronomy and Geophysics, Institute of Informatics, and Space-81
NGO.
This wall is
dedicated to teaching the public the history of how Mongolian cosmonauts
prepared for space missions, and the story of their lives, practices and
accomplishments.
The Wall of
Honor displays rare historical photos of the first Mongolian cosmonaut to spend
three years preparing for the Intercosmos joint space mission with Russian
cosmonauts, efforts by cosmonauts to develop science in Mongolia, and photos of
M.Ganzorig with important figures in international aeronautics, and photos of
Mongolia taken from space.
Presidential
Office Chief P.Tsagaan Meets with CEO of Oxford Business Group Andrew Jeffreys
December 2
(infomongolia.com) On December 01, 2014, Chief of Staff of the Office of the
President of Mongolia, P.Tsagaan received in his office the Founder and CEO of
Oxford Business Group (OBG), Andrew Jeffreys.
During the
meeting, the sides discussed current political and economic situation in
Mongolia and exchanged views on interviews and other materials to be included
in the 2014 Report for Mongolia by the OBG.
Oxford Business
Group is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes
economic intelligence on the markets of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin
America. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers
comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments,
including banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, transport, industry and
telecoms. OBG produces an authoritative series of annual country reports across
33 countries in 17 sectors and the annual report for Mongolia has been
published since 2010.
Peacekeepers
awarded state prizes
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) A ceremony took place Tuesday at the General Headquarters
of Mongolian Armed Forces (GHMAF) to grant state prizes to military officers
and troops who have served in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan.
Pursuant to the
decree of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces
Ts.Elbegdorj, the Order of Military Merit was bestowed upon Colonel
D.Olziibayar, the commander of the military contingent; the Honored Medal of
Military--upon Major L.Tseregbayar.
The Medal for
Peace went to 48 servicemen, whereas the Medal for Peace in Afghanistan--to 38
servicemen, and the Medal for Peace in Afghanistan-2--to 49 servicemen.
Present at the
ceremony were Lieutenant-General Ts.Byambajav, a Head of the GHMAF; authorities
of the GHMAF and the Defense Ministry; military personnel and their
families.
Stock
Exchange news for December 2
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 2 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Tuesday, a total of 35
thousand and 146 units of 20 JSCs were traded costing MNT two million 594
million 717 thousand and 303.00.
"Hai Bi
Oil” /5,060 units/, “State Department Store” /952 units/, “Mongolia
Development” /627 units/, “Aduunchuluun” /504 units/ and "Genco tour
bureau” /251 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume,
in terms of trading value were "Hai Bi Oil” (MNT two million 783 million
and 175), "Mongeo” (MNT 921 thousand and 200), “Aduunchuluun” (MNT 783
thousand and 432), “Gazar suljmel” (MNT 560 thousand and 400) and "Shivee
ovoo” (MNT 551 thousand and 375).
The total
market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 460 billion 099 million 168
thousand and 316. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 14,945.34, decreasing 56.57
units or 0.38% against the previous day.
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