Mongolia Brief December 3, 2014
Aimag's
Delegation Visits Czech Republic and Slovakia
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) A delegation led by Mr S.Od-Erdene, the governor of
Dundgobi aimag, and Mr S.Budjav, the head of the Citizens’ Representative
Khural of the aimag paid a working visits to the Czech Republic and the Slovak
Republic on November 27-December 2 with aims to establish brotherhood friendly
ties with some states and cities of these countries.
The delegation
held meetings with Mr Zdanek Trebul, the governor of Slovakia’s Kosice Region,
and authorities of this city and expressed a willingness to cooperate with them
in tourism and agriculture spheres.
Trebul
thankfully accepted the proposal after which the sides reached an agreement to
launch the brotherhood friendly ties and cooperation.
The Mongolian
delegation also legged the Technical University of Kosice and the Saca private
hospital, and met with a Mayor of Vysoki Tatry city. They also visited the
“Kocin” and “Adam” farms to get au fait with intensified agriculture factories.
In the Czech
Republic, the delegation met with J.Silva, a deputy governor of South Bohemian
Region and members of the Region’s Council, to share views on starting ties and
cooperation. The two sides concurred to establish a cooperation memorandum in
the nearest time between the aimag and the region.
After this, the
delegation met with authorities of the “Agromont Vimperk” LLC and the “BGM
Export” company to consider ways of cooperation in founding cow farms and
small-sized factories of milk and meat processing.
The visits of
Dundgobi’s delegation have been organized with a support and participation of
Mongolia’s Embassy in the Czech Republic; P.Slavik, the Consul-General of
Mongolia to Slovakia; and the Embassies of Mongolia in Austria, Hungary and
Germany.
Center
for Disabled to Be Built
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) On the occasion of the UN International Day for Persons
with Disabilities, a State secretary of the Ministry of Population Development
and Social Welfare B.Otgonjargal has signed an agreement with a representative
of IPPR International Engineering Corporation Shen Gang on construction design
of the Development Center for Children with Disabilities.
The development
of such a center is being funded by a non-refundable aid from the government of
China. According to the statistics, there are 96 thousand disabled people in
Mongolia, 10 thousand 869 of whom are children aged 0-18, most of them
are living below the poverty line. When this center is erected, as reflected in
the Government action plan, the disabled will have accesses to earlier
diagnosis of all types of impairments and to development programs which suit
them. The Government expects that children with disabilities will be provided
with pre-school, primary and higher education, also with as equal participation
in society, thus reducing the poverty as an outcome of the overall achievement.
In the services will also take part teachers, families, and staffers of NGOs
and of other cooperating organizations. All kinds of trainings for physical
therapists and special educators, as well as for other personnel in service
will be conducted in the center.
B.Otgonjargal
thanked the government and people of the PRC for enabling the construction of
such a center where the children can receive comprehensive physical therapies.
According to her, the agreement regulates a performance of the contractor until
the center’s commissioning expected in 2018.
Mongolia
and Vietnam to Continue Further Cooperation in Auditing Fields of Natural
Resources Exploitation
December 3
(infomongolia.com) Upon the invitation of Auditor General of the State Audit
Office of Viet Nam, Mr. Nguyen Huu Van, a delegation of Mongolian National
Audit Office headed by Auditor-General Mr. Ayur ZANGAD is conducting a working
visit to Hanoi these days.
On December 02,
2014, the two Offices headed by the Auditors General held an official talk and
emphasized that the two countries are commemorating the 60th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2014 and were satisfied
with broadening cooperation between the two top organs.
Also, parties
negotiated to continue further cooperation in auditing the fields of natural
resources exploitation and rehabilitation, food safety and clean water, climate
change and air pollution as well as to share experiences using information
technology achievements. Following the meeting Auditor-General A.Zangad invited
his counterpart Mr. Nguyen Huu Van to visit Mongolia in 2015 at his convenient
time.
On the same
day, Auditor-General A.Zangad had a meeting with the Vietnamese National
Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and during the meeting, parties
exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and exchanges of high-ranking
delegations reciprocal visits as well as to work closer at multilateral forums.
Related:
Auditor-General
Visits Vietnam – Montsame,
December 3
Proposals
Submitted for Tavan Tolgoi Investment
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) The working group responsible for the selection of
investor for Tavan tolgoi completed on Monday receiving the proposals from
potential investors. The proposals have been submitted by Xinhua Energy, joint
consortium of Sumitomo Corporation and Energy Resource LLC, and Peabody Energy.
In accordance
with the Government resolution No. 268, a joint consortium of Itochu and Sojitz
corporations together with Mitsui Group and Tavan Tolgoi LLC, have submitted
proposals of cooperation on coal mining and commerce.
The resolution
was adopted last August by the cabinet on commencing the selection process for
potential investors for Tavan tolgoi. The selected will be obliged to have a responsibility
over Tavan tolgoi operations’ management and liabilities, to facilitate within
2.5 years a plant with production capacity of up to 30 million tonnes coal
concentrate a year in the deposit area, and to commercialize the riches
into a secondary market. According to the resolution, the 51 percent stakes
holder investor is required to have operated more than five years and to have a
Mongolian national assigned for ownership over the control packet of shares.
For the time being, the "Energy Resource" LLC meets these
requirements only.
Mongolia
and France to Host Second Intergovernmental Working Group Meeting in
Ulaanbaatar
December 3 (infomongolia.com)
The intergovernmental working group between Mongolia and the French Republic
was established in 2013 with aims to exchange government policies and stimulate
bilateral relations as well as boost trade turnover and investment.
Accordingly the
first intergovernmental working group meeting between the two countries took
place in Paris last year and following the meeting parties agreed to host the
second meeting in Ulaanbaatar.
Due to
negotiations, the second intergovernmental working group meeting between
Mongolia and the French Republic will be held in Ulaanbaatar on December 08,
2014. In this regard, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Economic
Cooperation of Mongolia, Mr. D.Gankhuyag is entrusted to provide preparations
and submit the guidelines to adhere on behalf of Mongolian side, which was
agreed at the Cabinet meeting held on December 01, 2014.
At the second
meeting, Mongolia and France are scheduled to discuss issues of cooperation on
agriculture, infrastructure, energy, environment and cultural spheres.
The French side
will be chaired by Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of
Tourism and French Nationals Abroad, Mr. Matthias Fekl and during the working
visit to Mongolia, he will be held bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister
of Mongolia as well as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation,
Minister for Industry and Agriculture, and Minister for Mining and Energy.
In 2015,
Mongolia and the French Republic will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of
the establishment of diplomatic relations, which was signed on April 27, 1965.
Related:
Mongolia-France
intergovernmental taskforce meet – news.mn,
December 3
Quotas
for hunting in 2015 set
December 3
(news.mn) The Government of Mongolia issued a resolution during Monday's
cabinet meeting, setting quotas for hunting wild animals in 2015.
According to
the resolution, based on 40 wildlife management areas in regions in 15
provinces, 2015 quotas for hunting will be as follows: 40 argali (Ugalz-male
wild sheep), 60 ibex (wild goat), 15 red deer, 20 grey wolf, 10 roe deer, and
10 wild boar.
For wildlife
hunting royalties in 2015, 2.1 billion MNT will be sent to local government
budgets. No less than 50 percent of 2015 royalties will be spent on
environmental protection, wildlife management planning, building aquatic
habitats for wildlife, and pasture restoration.
Currently 11
entities, 2 environmental protection communities, 10 partnerships, and 6 local
NGOs are in charge of wildlife management in 58 areas.
According to
wildlife management conducted with the support of local communities, it is
estimated that there are over 6,000 ugalz (male wild sheep) and 12,000 ibex
(wild goat) in Mongolia.
Mongolia
to establish a sovereign wealth fund with the assistance of JP Morgan
December 2
(business-mongolia.com) After many discussions and negotiations the Government
of Mongolia decided to establish a sovereign wealth fund with the assistance of
JP Morgan. The decision was based on the minutes of cabinet’s July meetings. In
relation, government authorized the Development Bank to facilitate and
commit USD100 million to the fund. Also, the Finance Ministry was charged to
support the establishment of the first ever Mongolian sovereign wealth fund.
About
Mongolia's Corruption Index
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) This index became from 83 to 80, among 174 countries,
with a point of 39 for this year, alongside Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, El
Salvador and Morocco (on a scale from 0 perceived "highly corrupt" to
100 perceived "very clean").
The latest
report was released on Wednesday worldwide. Mongolia was is listed 120th in
2009, 116th in 2010, 120th in 2011, 94th in 2012, and 83th--in 2013.
The Corruption
Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their
public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s score indicates the
perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to
100 (very clean). A country or territory's rank indicates its position relative
to the other countries and territories in the index. This year's index includes
175 countries and territories.
In the 2014 CPI,
Denmark ties for first place with scores of 92, whereas Somalia makes up the
worst performers, scoring just 8 points.
Berlin-based
Transparency International (TI) is a non-governmental organization that
monitors and publicizes corporate and political corruption in international
development. Originally founded in Germany in May 1993 as a not-for-profit
organization, Transparency International is now the international NGO. It
publishes an annual Corruption Perceptions Index, a comparative listing of corruption
worldwide. The organization defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power
for private gain which eventually hurts everyone who depends on the integrity
of people in a position of authority.
Ban
Ki-Moon's Message for Int'l Day of Persons with Disabilities
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) This year’s International Day of Persons with
Disabilities focuses on the theme "Sustainable development: the promise of
technology", the official website of the United Nations reports.
"Technology
has changed the world, bringing knowledge within reach and expanding a range of
opportunities. Persons with disabilities can benefit enormously from such
advances, yet too many lack access to these essential tools. As the
international community works to develop an ambitious and inspiring post-2015
development agenda that leaves no-one behind, we must harness the power of
technology for development for all."
"Through
adaptive, assistive and inclusive technology, persons with disabilities can
make the most of their potential in their communities and in the
workplace. Employers can harness technology to create an enabling
environment for persons with disabilities to find productive employment and
fully use their skills and capacities."
"Technology
can also help persons with disabilities caught up in natural disasters by
making sure that critical information reaches them. Equally important,
technology can help us include the particular needs of persons with
disabilities in disaster preparedness and response."
"Let us
spare no effort to ensure that policies, programmes, guidelines and 21st
century technologies are accessible to persons with disabilities, and sensitive
to their perspectives and experiences. Together, let us work for a better
future that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable for all", the UN
Secretary-General's message says.
Pupils
of British School of UB Win Gold Medal in Math
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) Pupils of Ulaanbaatar-based British School have won gold
medals in a mathematics contest of the natural sciences' Olympiad, organized by
the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACMIS).
The British
School UB team has B.Amur, 7th grade, E.Aranjinsuren, 8th grade, B.Misheel,
G.Naransosor and E.Bilguudei, all 9th grade.
The ACAMIS is a
non-profit association of international schools in eastern Asia and comprises
over fifty international schools from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and
Mongolia. The association acts as a networking platform with the aims to
broaden the education dimensions of participating schools, advance the
professional growth of school staff members, promote international friendship
within the schools through activities, encourage student interaction through
extracurricular activities in sports, the arts, and environmental issues, and
finally collaborate on the professional development of participating members.
Members of the
ACAMIS are all international schools within the region, having commitment to an
international program delivered in English. A few of the acceptable curricula
are major international, American, Canadian, Australian, or British programs,
including, International Baccalaureate, CIS, WASC, NEASC, Middle States
Association Accreditation, Ontario, New Brunswick and Alberta education
systems, New South Wales Board of Studies, and OFSTED.
17 pupils of
this school have also been qualified to participate in the International
English Olympiad which will run in March of 2015 in United Kingdom.
Int’l
Volunteer Day to Be Marked
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) This Day (IVD) will be celebrated at the UN House in
Ulaanbaatar with a participation of Network of Mongolian Volunteer
Organizations, World Vision Mongolia, United Nations Volunteers, and United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The IVD,
mandated by the UN General Assembly, runs every year on 5 December. The purpose
of the IVD is to recognize the commitment of volunteers and volunteer
organizations, to inform people about the impact of volunteering on peace and
sustainable development, and to applaud volunteers for their dedication and
impact. In particular, IVD 2014 recognizes and celebrates volunteerism, with a
special focus on honoring people’s participation in making a difference at all
levels: locally, nationally and globally.
It will be
celebrated through organizing a Development Dialogue and announcing the Best
Volunteer Awards of the year.
Here, a
Development Dialogue 9:"Volunteerism for Mongolia’s Development-Youth
Engagement in Volunteering for Development" will be held.
Since 2012,
UNDP Mongolia has organized 8 Development Dialogues, encompassing core themes
related to the sustainable social-economic development for Mongolia. The 9th
Development Dialogue is held in recognition of the spirit of the IVD and to
keep the momentum of the inspirational debates produced over the previous
Dialogues. This time, the focus will be placed on discussing how youth
engagement in volunteering would contribute to the peace and development of
Mongolia in a forward-looking manner and what are required in creating an
enabling environment to promote youth volunteerism in the country.
Volunteerism is
increasingly recognized as a form of civic engagement and a vital delivery
mechanism for social, economic and environmental transformation, ensuring a
lasting impact with its ability to change people’s mindsets, attitudes and
behaviors and thus contributing to social cohesion and societal well-being. In
particular, volunteerism has an important role to play in harnessing the
potential of young people, while fostering their inclusion in global peace and
sustainable human development processes. For young people, engaging in
voluntary work can be an opportunity to change the world for the better while
learning new skills, gaining knowledge, learning about new cultures and better
understanding the realities of development and peace building in the global
community.
It is also true
that although the capacities and willingness of young people are high, several
barriers to youth volunteering exist varying from country to country. Common
recognition of values of volunteering and tapping potentials of the youth into
the social-economic development of the country are not always as easy as told.
The challenges include lack of access to information about volunteering and
volunteering opportunities, and economic barriers. There is also a lack of strategic
national policies and programmes for the effective promotion and management of
volunteering. Last but not least, sustainable financing for volunteer involving
organizations and their activities is also another challenging factor.
On the other
hand, there are also several promising examples and endeavors to benchmark,
which were initiated by different countries to utilize the values and wealth of
youth volunteerism into the development of their nations. In recent years,
there has been enhanced interest and demand to develop the national volunteer
programme as well as the related policy and legislation in Mongolia too,
through active networking among volunteer organizations, research and public
discussions, to name only a few. Mongolia needs to recapture the will and
continue efforts to boost volunteerism, in particular through meaningful
engagement of youth, which would be very much instrumental in realizing the
Mongolia’s Comprehensive National Development Strategy for 2008-2021 as well as
the strategic priorities of the UNDAF 2012-2016.
Against this
backdrop, benefits of volunteering as well as key success factors and
innovative approaches in establishing the favorable infrastructure to catalyze
the youth volunteerism in the context of Mongolia will be debated during the
proposed Development Dialogue. Addressing these issues and building on new
opportunities will be critical to ensuring meaningful youth engagement for the
peace and sustainable development of the country.
The Dialogue is
expected to raise key issues and recommendations to promote youth volunteerism
in Mongolia, which will ultimately contribute to the sustainable
social-economic development of Mongolia: What would be core values of the youth
engagement in volunteering, in particular in the context of Mongolia’s
sustainable human development? What would be effective approaches to share
common understanding of volunteering and its benefits amongst the youth and key
stakeholders in the society? What are challenges and opportunities for meaningful
youth engagement for social changes through volunteerism in Mongolia? What are
requisites for establishing a favorable policy and regulatory framework to
strengthen the role of youth in development of Mongolia through volunteerism?
How could volunteering activities and experiences of youth contribute to
leadership and capacity development of young people? What kind of partnerships
are needed amongst different stakeholders of the society to promote youth
volunteerism in a more innovative and productive manner?
The Dialogue
will be organized as a Panel Discussion answering the questions proposed above
and sharing diverse perspectives through a facilitated interactive discourse.
Panelists will be from among volunteer involving organizations, policy makers,
youth groups, government ministries, academia, etc. to have wide national
representation. The panel discussion will be followed by an open exchange of
views among participants.
Mongolians
Wrestle in London
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) First in the UK national wrestling tournament was
organized in London on November 30 by a group of wrestlers and amateurs who
live in this country, together with our Embassy in London and the Mongolian
Association of Great Britain.
The events were
run in purposes of advertizing the Mongolian wrestling, improving skills of
young wrestlers, and involving the amateurs in a contribution to the
development of the national sport. The organizers intend to make the tournament
a quarterly event.
Out of the
eight wrestlers who competed in circuit bouts, an aimag’s "Arslan"
(Lion–one of the wrestling titles) Ya.Oyun-Erdene championed, having declared
seven victories. He was followed by a soum’s "Zaan" (Elephant)
N.Otgonbayar, "Nachin" (Falcon) of the London Naadam Festival
B.Khadbaatar, and a young S.Saikhankhangai.
The Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia H.E. N.Tulga opened the
tournament and then handed the prizes, ending the action.
Mongolian
Actor Walks NYC Red Carpet in National Costume
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) A Mongolian actor B.Amarsaikhan, famous for his roles in
Trapped Abroad (2014) and Thief of the Mind (2011), attended the "Marco
Polo" TV series opening premiere in AMC Loews Theatre of New York on
December 2. On the red carpet he appeared with his wife, both in Mongolian
national costumes.
He played a
role of Khubilai Khaan’s younger brother Arigbokh in the “Marco Polo” TV series
created by Netflix. The first episode will be released on December 12.
“The
Nutcracker” Ballet Choreographed by State Merit Artist D.Altankhuyag Starts from
December 24, 2014
December 3
(infomongolia.com) Upon the initiation of Governor of the Capital City and
Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, E.Bat-Uul, the opening of 2014-2015 winter season of
"Friendly Ulaanbaatar" Program starts with "The Nutcracker"
ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky hosted by Mongolian Ballet Development
Foundation.
Welcoming the
Christmas and New Year’s Holidays, the world famous “The Nutcracker” ballet is
simultaneously staged in the five continents of the globe and in Mongolia, the
ballet will be choreographed by State Merit Artist Dugaraa ALTANKHUYAG at the
State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (SATOB) on December 24-28, 2014.
The Mongolian
Ballet Development Foundation founded in 2011 by D.Altankhuyag is presenting a
New Year’s gift to Mongolian audience by performing this classical ballet for
the first time in UB with a brand new composition.
Moreover, the
Foundation purchased all stage decorations, dance costumes and other apparel
from Boston Ballet (USA) and children for ballet were recently selected at the
SATOB and now ready for performance, say organizers.
In addition,
the biggest New Year’s Tree is being erected inside the SATOB and a ticket for
“The Nutcracker” ballet costs beyond 20,000 MNT depending on seat locations at
the Theatre Ticket Office.
D.Altankhuyag
joined the Boston Ballet in 2007 as a member of the corps de ballet and was
promoted to second soloist in 2009. Today, his repertoire includes the roles of
Albrecht in “Giselle”, Siegfried in “Swan Lake”, the Prince in “Sleeping
Beauty”, Colas in “La Fille Mal Gardee”, Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” and the
Faun in “Afternoon of a Faun”. He became a permanent resident of the United
States in 2010.
Related:
"Nutcracker"
to Be Staged – Montsame, December
3
Peace
keepers awarded
December 3
(news.mn) The 10th shift of peacekeepers from Mongolian Armed Forces and
8th shift of helicopter and technical assistance specialists arrived home
after completing their mission with the International Security Assistance Force
successfully in Afghanistan.
In accordance
with a decree from the President of Mongolia and Defense Minister, the state's
highest prizes and honors were presented by Chief of the Armed Forces General
Staff Lieutenant General Ts.Byambajav and officials from the Defense Ministry
and Mongolian Armed Forces.
The 10th and
8th shift of Mongolian peacekeepers completed a mission to provide security and
guarding of an air force base in Herat Province in Afghanistan for 7 months.
It has been 12
years since Mongolia joined international peacekeeping operations, carrying out
state policy to fulfill the nation's security through politics and diplomacy.
During this
period, over 10,000 Mongolian peacekeepers in 13 countries on three continents
have successfully completed peacekeeping missions. Mongolian peacekeepers are
now on missions in South Sudan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Republic of the Congo, and
Western Sahara.
International
Day of Persons with Disabilities observed
December 3 (news.mn)
The United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities is held
annually on December 3, to focus on issues that affect people with disabilities
worldwide. This year it is observed with the theme “Sustainable
Development: The Promise of Technology.”
There are a
number of events being held today, including an art exhibition by secondary
school children with hearing disabilities from the School No. 29 at Red Ger Art
Gallery, opening at 3:00 p.m. today.
There will also
be wheelchair fashion show and Miss Wheelchair pageant today.
It is estimated
that 96,000 persons with disabilities live in Mongolia. And 10,869 of them are
18 and under.
His
Holiness Dalai Lama Renders Third Annual Teachings for Mongolian Buddhists
December 3
(infomongolia.com) His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet is giving four-day
teachings for Mongolian Buddhist believers and practitioners on Tsongkhapa's
Great Stages of the Path at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala on December
02-05, 2014.
This is the
third consecutive dharma teachings for Mongolians and the first was organized through
November 20-21, 2012 at the request of the Eighth incarnation of Blama-yin
Gegegen or Panchen Lama (Great Scholar) - Danzanjambalchoijishinen, who first
asked His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama in 2011 and later he established the
Mongol Sunchoi Commission to manage such teachings.
The second
teachings for Mongolians were organized in Dharamsala on December 02-04, 2013
and this year, an audience of about 4,000, including Tibetans, visitors from 49
countries and almost 600 Mongolians awaited His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the
Theckchen Choling Tsuglagkhang on December 02, 2014.
Describing the
relationship between Tibet and Mongolia before the start of the teachings, His
Holiness said, "Earlier in Asia, China, Tibet and Mongolia shared a long
history. Tibet and Mongolia have a special relationship. Not only the two
countries had same religious faith in Buddhism, but I think we also share
similar customs and traditions.”
His Holiness
explained the background of the name "Dalai Lama", a Mongolian name,
he said, “The 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso visited Mongolia and made a good
relation. That’s how the word ‘Dalai’ came. When people asked me for an
autograph, I signed Dalai Lama and then when they asked me for meaning, I say,
Dalai is a Mongolian word.”
The title
‘Dalai Lama’ meaning Ocean of Wisdom was offered to the 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam
Gyatso by the Mongolian King Altan Khan and in return, the Dalai Lama conferred
on Altan Khan the title of Brahma, the King of religion.
“Because the
3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso has Gyatso (Meaning Ocean in Tibetan) in his name,
I think this is why he was called Dalai (meaning ocean in Mongolian) Lama,” His
Holiness added.
His Holiness
the Dalai Lama also commended the Mongolian disciples for the translation of
Lamrim Chenmo into Mongolian language.
The teachings
are broadcasted live on these days and His Holiness is speaking in Tibetan with
English, Chinese, Hindi, Vietnamese, Mongolian and Russian language
translations available.
On the last day
of the teachings, His Holiness will also confer the Avalokiteshvara
Empowerment.
Moreover, the
MIAT Mongolian Airlines has conducted a charter flight to Dharamshala on
November 30 to return on December 05, 2014.
From December
12-14, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Rome, Italy to attend
the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace laureates and continue his teachings on
the 18 Great Stages of the Path (Lam Rim) Commentaries in Mundgod at the
request of Ling Choktrul Rinpoche and Gaden Sharte Monastery from December 23-
29, 2014.
Standing
committee backs "Sustainable livelihood-3" project
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) At its meeting on Wednesday, the parliamentary Standing
committee on budget backed to negotiate the "Sustainable
livelihood-3" project. which is ready for implementation by the World Bank
under a soft loan of the International Development Association (IDA).
But the
Standing committee on economy did not back a credit agreement of the project. Thus,
the Standing committee on security and foreign policy discussed a matter on
considering the draft project, in accordance with the law on regime of
parliamentary session. A report on the draft initiator was presented by S.Oyun
MP, the Acting Minister of Environment and Green Development.
In frames of
the "Sustainable livelihood-3" project, activities will be realized
to completely introduce methods and mechanisms of the project’s 1st and 2nd
series, to support a realization of the budget law in localities, to render
necessary technical assistance for improving skills, to scrutinize an
implementation of the local development fund, to encourage good implementation
of works, and to implement the budget management and monitoring until 2017.
The project’s
financing of USD 23.5 million will be issued by the IDA, a major part of the
money will be spent for making investments to localities. The Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (SDC) has expressed a readiness to finance the
project with USD 11.4 million.
The soft loan
has the interest of 1.25% per year. The first five years will be freed from the
basic payment, the whole loan will be repaid in 20 years.
After some
inquiries, a majority of the Standing committee backed a proposal on setting up
a unit at the Ministry of Finance for the project’s monitoring and credit
policy. They also approved the project’s finance agreement, and the Standing
committees' notes on proposals and conclusions will be conveyed to the cabinet.
Ch.Saikhanbileg
receives congratulations
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) The Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Mr Ahmet
Davutoglu has sent a congratulatory telegram to Ch.Saikhanbileg on being
selected the 28th Prime Minister of Mongolia.
Mr Davutoglu
expresses his confidence that the new cabinet of Mongolia will support the
strengthening of Mongolia-Turkey brotherhood and friendly relations.
Non-mineral
merchandise exports discussed
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) On “Development and Trends of Non-Mineral Exports”
discussion, held Wednesday at the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (CCI), officials addressed a necessity of an export diversification in
Mongolia’s international trade, noting the nine percent increase of minerals'
export in the last two years.
The discussion,
organized by the CCI, attracted businessmen and state officials. They discussed
urgent issues in the export industry, technical and financial assistance to the
export-oriented manufacturers, implementation of the Government program for
promoting export, and a possibility to promote entrepreneurship under state
guarantee.
The president
of Mongolbank N.Zoljargal said the intensification of exports has been debated
for many years. “It is still important to promote other economic spheres than
the mining industry in these critical times of trade balance, although the
minerals’ sector performance is not satisfactory”. Mineral products’ export
made up 97 percent of the total export in the peak of mining boom, and its stake
went down to 88 percent now, he noted.
He also said it
is crucial to determine a range of products prior to the discussion of export
structures, and that the change needs to be supported by state policies. He
noted that the “Mongolian brand” cashmere has low competitiveness on the global
market because of deficient marketing. “We should improve a quality and range
of products being exported under an adequate marketing”, said Mr Zoljargal.
A department
head of the Credit Guarantee Fund D.Batzogsokh noted that the guarantee sources
should be increased and the international practices for investing in
entrepreneurs must be introduced to our country. He also said the entrepreneurs
in localities lack access to the loan guarantees because 64 percent of all guarantors
are in Ulaanbaatar.
MP S.Demberel
said the issue of “rainbow” economy has been discussed for many years. In the
times of a decline in the minerals’ sector, Mongolia has to widen a range of
products to be exported. “Works have been conducted by the CCI on the economic
diversification. As an outcome of a research, 30 products were named as
efficient export-directed goods,” he went on. The state is considering
the establishment of a fund for export development, said the MP.
The business
people shared opinions on the issues and supported the initiative by the CCI to
provide consulting on non-mineral merchandise exports.
Preliminary
Balance of Payments by October 2014
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) Current account deficit stands at USD 1,107.1 million
which shows decrease of 59 percent from the previous year. This is due to USD
1,723.6 million or 142 percent decrease and a surplus of USD 511.2 million in
the trade of goods, reports the Bank of Mongolia (BoM) on Wednesday.
Capital and
financial accounts showed surplus of USD 550.8 million which is decrease of 46
percent or USD 462.6 million against 2013. This reflected 57 percent decline of
foreign direct investment to Mongolia which equals to USD 1,028.3 million.
Government
Bond not sold
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) Auction for three years maturity Government Bond was
announced on December 3 at face value of MNT 30 billion and each unit was worth
MNT one million. Government Bond was not sold due to absence of both competitive
and non-competitive bids.
Stock
Exchange news for December 3
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Wednesday, a total of
3,254 units of 19 JSCs were traded costing MNT 18 million 850 thousand and
755.00.
"APU” /950
units/, “Gobi” /768 units/, “State Department Store” /449 units/, “Mongol
savkhi” /209 units/ and "Hai Bi Oil” /200 units/ were the most actively
traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were "Gobi”
(MNT five million 683 million and 300), "APU” (MNT three million 562
thousand and 500), “Material impex” (MNT two million 920 thousand and 500),
“UB-BUK” (MNT two million and 142 thousand) and "Darkhan nekhii” (MNT one
million and 785 thousand).
The total
market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 460 billion 375 million 873
thousand and 158. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 14,949.90, increasing 4.56 units
or 0.03% against the previous day.
"Through
Mongolia on Motorcycle" exhibition opens
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 3 (MONTSAME) A Turkish photographer and filmmaker Ali Nasuh Mahruki
opened his photography exhibition at the Mongolian Art Gallery (the Union of
Mongolian Artists) on December 2. The exhibition presents photographs taken
during his travel through Mongolia last August.
Professional
diver, mountaineer and biker, Ali Nasuh is also a founder of the Search and
Rescue Association of Turkey (AKUT), which he initiated after rescuing two
people who had been lost for two weeks in a mountain in 1996. The AKUT is
joined by over thousand volunteers and has saved 852 lives.
He has gone for
travels on motorcycle through Mongolia, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal,
Tibet and several European countries.
The photography
exhibition will be open December 2-5, and in “Ulaan Ger” of Khan Bank on
December 8-12.
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