Mongolia Brief December 4, 2014
PM
submits draft on government structure
By Ch. Khaliun
December 4 (UB
Post) On Wednesday, Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg submitted drafts on
governmental structure, the new government’s components, an amendment to the
law on government, and a Parliamentary resolution on adopting the general
structure of state administrative bodies to Speaker Z.Enkhbold for approval.
The draft
states that the new government’s structure will consist of a prime minister,
deputy prime minister, state minister and head of the cabinet secretariat. It
will also include the following ministerial positions: environment and tourism,
foreign affairs, finance, justice, industry, defense, construction and urban
planning, education, culture and science, roads and transportation, mining, labor,
population development and social welfare, food and agriculture, energy, health
and sport, and a state minister of Mongolia.
PM Saikhanbileg
believes that a state minister of Mongolia should work in the government to
implement major national development projects and programs important to
Mongolia’s prosperity.
The state
minister will decide on the issues of necessary investments for these major
projects and programs, and provide consistent policy guidelines and directives
for project implementation. Ch.Saikhanbileg believes that this will positively
influence the results of these projects and included that the state minister
won’t control any of the new government’s 15 ministries.
The Ministry of
Environment and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and
Ministry of Justice will be general functional ministries and the remaining 11
will become sectoral ministries.
In accordance
with the submission of the government’s structure to the Parliament, the
parliament resolution on adopting the general structure of state administrative
bodies was revised.
The revised
resolution proposes having ten government regulatory agencies, eighteen
government enforcement agencies, and to liquidate the Nuclear Energy Agency and
Takhar organizations.
In the past
three years, foreign investments have dramatically decreased and the draft
states that the issues of improving investor trust, increasing investments,
intensifying the state and private sector’s business activities, and increasing
the efficiency of local properties should be improved under the direct control
of the PM.
The following
day, a meeting of the Standing Committee on State Structure was scheduled to
discuss the draft bill on government structure but was indefinitely delayed.
There is speculation
that the delay might be a result of political parties and the coalition caucus
being unlikely to reach a final agreement on the government’s structure.
Related:
Draft
Cabinet Composition Submitted – Montsame,
December 4
Meeting
to discuss government structure delayed
December 4
(news.mn) The meeting of the Standing Committee on State Structure was
scheduled to be held at 9:00 a.m. today, on December 4th, but the meeting to
discuss the draft bill on government structure has been indefinitely delayed.
There is
speculation that the delay might have been caused as a result of political
parties and the coalition caucus being unlikely to reach a final agreement on
the government's structure.
PM
Ch.Saikhanbileg submitted a draft bill of government structure to the Speaker
of Mongolian State Great Khural Z.Enkhbold on December 3rd. The draft
bill proposes that the new government would be comprised of 15 ministries and
19 ministers, including the PM, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Mongolia and
Head of the Cabinet Secretariat for Government, and cabinet ministers.
Related:
Cabinet
Composition Discussion Postponed – Montsame,
December 4
P.Tsagaan
Meets Ambassador of India
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) Head of the Presidential Office P.Tsagaan Wednesday
received Mr Somnat Gosh, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
India to Mongolia. The sides touched upon issues of attaching a great
importance to the bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, agriculture
and IT.
237
work-related deaths reported
December 4
(news.mn) The State Social Security Insurance General Office launched their
forum “Healthy Workplace” and free courses in collaboration with the
Occupational Safety and Health Management Institute of Mongolia today, on
December 4th.
The General
Agency for Specialized Inspection has also released its September report on
work-related deaths.
In 2010 through
2013 and the first three quarters of 2014, a total of 1,414 occupational
accidents were registered, which resulted in 237 work-related deaths.
Reports from
2010 through 2014 reveal that 301 employees were left with disabilities
following workplace injuries and work-related accidents, and 958 employees were
left temporarily unable to work.
According to
reports by the General Agency for Specialized Inspection, occupational accidents
are more common in the following sectors: mining, construction, roads and
transport, education, and healthcare.
The top 5
causes of occupational accidents and injuries in the workplace include:
Falling
Lack of
accountability
Poor vehicle
and equipment maintenance,
Defective
equipment and poor technological processes
Improper
lifting of heavy items and equipment
The “Healthy
Workplace” forum aims to launch management to prevent workplace injuries and
occupational hazards, and support companies in improving labor safety and
controls.
Fire
in Oyu Tolgoi sag mill
December 4
(business-mongolia.com) Fire was reported through one of the OT’s workers at 6
pm local time on 3rd of December. The picture was taken from the staff’s
facebook account and was reported on local news website. The OT LLC said that
fire is under control and it nobody was injured. Fire came from one of the sag
mills.
Related:
No casualties reported in
the Oyu Tolgoi processing plant fire – news.mn,
December 4
Healthcare
reform brought to life
By S. Batzaya
December 4
(Mongolian Economy) Mongolians spend about USD 70 million to USD 120 million on
medical treatment trips abroad every year, say officials from the Health
Ministry. This enormous capital outflow for seeking diagnosis and treatment
shows the Mongolian health system needs considerable development. To have a
job, maintain an income and live happily, you need to stay healthy. This is why
every employed person pays a small amount of money from their wages to the
public Health Insurance Fund every month. But this contribution from a
citizen’s salary to their health is not benefiting them. Lately,
representatives from the public and private sector have levied heavy
criticizing against this abnormal system, calling for changes to be made.
Though the
spring session of parliament saw a draft bill introduced to reform the current
health insurance law, lawmakers withdrew it. Since the withdrawal, The Ministry
of Population Development and Social Protection has reconstructed the law,
which is now submitted to Parliament under a new title: Health Mandatory
Insurance. We have yet to be informed exactly what or how the new law is to
reform public healthcare.
According to a
public study, one of every four Mongolians are diagnosed with the virus
Hepatitis B or C. Though each citizen pays public health insurance, a more
advanced level of medical treatment that requires additional payments is
necessary to test whether or not one has Hepatitis. This is one of many
examples that highlight the inefficiencies and deficiencies of the current
public healthcare system fed by workers’ salaries.
Solidarity breaks
The government
budgeted MNT 570 billion for health sector financing in 2014. This sum will be
increased by another MNT 200 billion in financing from the Health Insurance
Fund. In other words, the healthcare system is spending around MNT 770 billion,
but the budgeted financing is mostly finished spending on products and services
purchased and given away to hospitals.
Jobless
citizens, the elderly, disabled citizens, and children are paid by the state
MNT 670 per person per month, a sum of only MNT 8,040 per year. The state paid
portion makes up only six percent of the public Health Insurance Fund. On the
contrary, 59 percent of the fund is spent on the aforementioned citizens for
their medical needs. In the meantime, working citizens contribute from their
salaries about MNT 16,000 monthly, MNT 192,000 per year. It seems unfair to pay
health insurance differently—yet this is the basis of the solidarity system.
Ministry of
Population Development and Social Protection officials believe that the current
system creates inequality in society and leads to negative effects on
solidarity.
When a working
contributor to the Health Insurance Fund uses services from public hospitals,
they aren’t protected from facing financial risk. There are many medical
services not included in the public healthcare package. So, even though
Mongolians pay the monthly mandatory health insurance, they still need to pay
for certain additional services—especially expensive ones. Large payments add
huge pressure on working Mongolians, pushing many into poverty. The Asian
Development Bank (ADB) has performed research on the correlation between
poverty and the health sector. They concluded that people always try to get
back good health at any cost, even when they have to sell everything they have
if they or any member of their family gets sick. This process leads many
families to poverty, states the ADB.
The current
hospital system is financed with inpatient and overnight-stay fees imposed by
the underfunded hospitals. In other countries, about 3 to 8 percent of the
population needs to stay in the hospital for medical service. In Mongolia, this
number is at an alarming 25 to 30 percent. It means some patients who
don’t need to stay at the hospital are lied to and forced to receive inpatient
care so that hospitals can charge more from them and the Health Insurance Fund
later on for ‘service provided’. This practice is tantamount to public
healthcare fraud.
A competitive healthcare system
We need to have
choices in health services. Mongolian Investment Holding (MIH) group president
D.Jargalsaikhan says, “We want to have a second type of insurance. It can be
either private or public. Then the service providers will be forced to compete
with each other. Insurance is a financial service. In other words, it’s better
to disassemble the social welfare components of the Health Insurance Fund. If
healthcare is divided into many competing parts, there will be more choices.
Now we have the wrong system so we don’t have any selection. Money we give to
social insurance should be ours. Money concentrated in a public fund which is
supposed to provide us services has been mixed with the budget. Now it’s time
to disconnect these two.”
Private sector
representatives say that there is no ready recipe for how to achieve healthcare
reform. However, instead of saying that there is no recipe, we should at
least define our direction. In order to do that, we should study other countries
experience with this issue, say sector representatives.
“The power of
policymaker needs to be shifted to hospitals, and insurance organisations
should be in charge of financial power in terms of assistance and services in
order to develop,” says, Ts.Natsagdorj, health economist. Countries such as
Estonia and Kyrgyzstan that used to have socialist systems have achieved great
success as a result of complex, relevant development policies. One major change
was in the governance of hospital. Hospitals became an independent body with
the power to manage their human resources, financing and management. Such a
process creates responsibility and good practices for everyone who is required
to follow. Healthcare reform brought to life.
MIH group
president D.Jargalsaikhan insists, “Rather than looking at a country’s
development level, we can bring good practices from any country who achieved
success in a particular sector. But it is important to know in what direction
it directs us and if it will benefit us. The health issue is forever. So we
should have people’s interest set right. But we don’t have this right
now.”
Why shouldn’t
we receive services differently depending on the amount of money we pay? There
is the need to create a legal environment where people can pay to any insurance
provider they want, rather than just pay a percentage to the state. If that can
happen, and competition enters the marketplace, then the long wait for better,
more efficient healthcare will be over.
Mongolia
Hosts Two-Day Workshop Meeting to Join Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
December 4
(infomongolia.com) The Academy of Diplomacy under the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Economic Cooperation of Mongolia in association with Research
Center for General Coordination on Foreign Policy and Konrad Adenauer
Foundation have successfully organized an International Workshop themed
"Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation - Mongolia's National Capacity Building
to Join the APEC" in Ulaanbaatar on December 02-03, 2014.
The two-day
seminar was held at the Foreign Ministry’s “Consensus” Meeting Hall, where
experts and scholars from Australia, China, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and
United States have attended who conduct studies toward APEC-related researches.
Moreover, scholars and academics from National Institutes of Studies and
Universities, economists and experts from Asian Development Bank, Foreign
Ministry and Finance Ministry as well as representatives from Customs Office
and National Taxation were also present.
The
International Workshop was organized with purposes to study other countries’
experiences who have been working with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) and to develop recommendations attaching comments and opinions of
internationally recognized scholars and scientists on Mongolia’s policy being
implemented to date and further actions and measures to carry out after joining
the APEC.
At this
Seminar, scholars from APEC-member 6 countries have participated and shared
their experiences and practices on joining the APEC and organizers considered
this meeting was practically significant as guest attendees evaluated
Mongolia’s policy to join the APEC and recommended on further acts to adhere.
In his opening
remarks, Director of the Academy of Diplomacy Kh.Bekhbat noted, “Mongolia fully
supports goals and principles of the APEC and has been forwarded its interest
to join the APEC since 1993. In this regard, we are hosting this seminar to
outline and analyze what policies and measures we have implemented so far and
now it's time to talk about how to deal in the future. Therefore, we want this
two-day event to be not as a regular scientific meeting by the means of
delivering speeches and others to listen. Instead, we are asking you to race
freely with your opinions, reviews and ideas. We expect from this meeting to
determine and strengthen the capacity building of Mongolian national priority
to join APEC”.
Related:
Seminar
on Empowering Mongolia to Join APEC Runs – Montsame, December 4
Mongolia hosts international
workshop to work towards joining APEC – UB
Post, December 4
Parliament
to Discuss New Cabinet's Matters
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) Parliamentary Standing Committee on state structure held
a meeting Thursday to discuss the submitted bills on composition and structure
of the new cabinet. A majority agreed that these draft laws will be passed to
parliament for consideration.
During the
discussion, the "Justice" coalition's faction and some members of the
Democratic Party faction opposed the decisions about making changes to the
Cabinet, appointing a State Minister with no Ministry, withdrawing Takhar
service agency, Nuclear Energy Agency and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism.
State
Secretary Meets Ambassador of Israel
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) The State Secretary of the Ministry of External Relations
and Economic Cooperation B.Boldbaatar Thursday met Mr Matan Vilnai, the
Concurrent Non-Resident Ambassador of Israel to Mongolia.
At the meeting,
the two exchanged views on a present situation of the Mongolia-Israel relations
and cooperation, further development, and a collaboration within international
organizations.
Copper
Price Rises after OT Mine Fire
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) Copper rose for the first time in three days on
expectations of steady growth in the labor market of the U.S., the
second-largest metals consumer, and after a fire at Mongolia’s biggest
copper-and-gold mine happened on December 3, reports Bloomberg on Thursday.
The red metal
climbed as much as 1.1 percent. Initial jobless claims fell to 295,000 in the
week ending Nov. 29 from 313,000, according to a Bloomberg News survey before
the US government data on December 4. Private payrolls advanced 208,000 in
November after a revised 233,000 climb in October, ADP Research Institute said
Wednesday. The European Central Bank will maintain a negative deposit rate of
0.2 percent, according to a separate survey.
A fire at the
ore concentrator at Oyu Tolgoi copper mine was brought under control and is
being investigated, said Tony Shaffer, a spokesman for Turquoise Hill Resources
Ltd., which co-owns the mine. He declined to comment on the impact to
production. The concentrator is a machine that separates waste rock from
copper. It can process 100,000 tons a day, according to Rio Tinto Group.
"The U.S.
improvement will have a positive effect on metals demand," said Will Yun,
a commodities analyst at Hyundai Futures Corp. in Seoul. The Oyu Tolgoi fire
will also increase positive sentiment for copper prices, he said.
Copper for
delivery in three months gained as much as USD 68 to USD 6,448 a metric ton on
the London Metal Exchange and was at USD 6,432 a ton at 11 a.m. in Hong Kong.
The March futures contract rose 0.8 percent in New York to USD 2.8955 a pound,
while the metal for February in Shanghai advanced 1.1 percent to 45,720 yuan
(USD 7,433) a ton.
Mongolian
Elected Member of ELIA Board
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) Dean of the Mongolian State University of Arts and
Culture E.Sonintogos has been elected the member of the Board of the European
League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA) for 2014-2016.
The decision
was made at the Sixth ELIA Leadership Symposium held November 27-29 in Swedish
Helsinki. The ELIA has over 400 arts institutes from 50 countries. The
University of Arts and Culture joined it in 2012, opening new opportunities for
itself to advertize Mongolian culture, training art professionals who satisfy
international standards, and to cooperate with international partners.
Ms Sonintogos
said the decision manifests the ELIA’s trust that "our University can
train professionals that can compete with the art masters of Italy, France, the
UK, Switzerland and Netherlands". A delegation led by the executive
director of the ELIA Carla Delfos visited last spring the State University of
Arts and Culture and agreed to cooperate.
The European
League is headquartered in Amsterdam and is joined by the Asian countries such
as South Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan and Mongolia.
“Culture
Days of Mongolia” in Beijing
December 4
(news.mn) The ten-day cultural event "Culture Days of Mongolia" will
be held in Beijing, starting December 5th.
Cultural Days
of Mongolia in Beijing will be part of protocol to conduct cultural exchange
days as China and Mongolia have named 2014 the "Year of China-Mongolia
Friendly Exchanges." The sides have both organized a series of events,
including high-level government visits, photo exhibitions, cultural programs,
and youth exchange projects on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of
diplomatic relations between Mongolia and China, and the 20th anniversary of
the signing of an agreement on friendly relations and cooperation.
Culture Days of
China and a Chinese cultural heritage exhibition and performance were
successfully conducted in Ulaanbaatar during Chinese President Xi Jinping's
official visit to Mongolia.
Culture Days of
Mongolia in Beijing, featuring a ceremonial concert and a photo exhibition of
beautiful Mongolian landscapes, will conclude on December 14th.
Related:
Mongolian
Culture Days to Launch in Beijing – Montsame,
December 4
Photo
News: Winners of “Wheelchair Miss 2014” Announced
December 4
(infomongolia.com) Commemorating the International Day of People with
Disability that marks annually on December Third, the first ever Mongolian
pageant contest for people with disabilities, the "Wheelchair Miss
2014" was successfully organized in Ulaanbaatar at the National Chamber of
Commerce and Industry on December 03, 2014.
The “Wheelchair
Miss 2014” was first initiated to host by "Bid Chadna Negdel", the
NGO earlier organized the “Wheelchair Fashion Show 2013” and this time they
arranged the event featuring both beauty and fashion categories to raise the
voices of community and in the meantime to introduce Mongolian beauties with
disability, where 14 contestants including participants from provincial
Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, Bulgan and Zavkhan Aimags of Mongolia have competed
for the 2014 Crown.
The beauty
contest was co-organized in collaboration with "Brilliant" Women's
Club and Ikh Zasag International University as well as many other foreign and
local companies have sponsored and the winners of the “Wheelchair Miss 2014”
were named as Miss 2014, Miss Talent, Miss Intellectual and Miss Smile.
Winners of the “Wheelchair Miss 2014” are:
Miss 2014 -
B.Tsolmon
Miss Talent -
Ch.Tungalagtuya
Miss
Intellectual - B.Batchimeg
Miss Smile -
B.Narantungalag
The top prize
of the Wheelchair Miss 2014 was awarded with a certificate to have 18-day
holiday in Italy with a family member granted by Leo Camp International Youth
Center. Moreover, B.Tsolmon will be the Envoy representing Mongolian people
with disability until the next contest, which is planned next 2-3 years.
Also, other
winners were awarded with cashmere products, certificate of 1-year free
services at “Ruby” Beauty Salon and scholarship to study at Ikh Zasag
International University.
We appreciate
the Executive Director of "Bid Chadna Negdel" NGO Mrs. B.Otgontuya
for providing comprehensive information and photos below taken by Kh.Unenbayar,
New Group Media.
Related:
Miss Wheelchair Mongolia
2014 pageant held – news.mn,
December 4
Chief
of President’s Office receives OIE regional director
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) Head of the regional activities of the World Organization
for Animal Health (OIE) Dr Francois Caya met with the Chief of Staff of the
President’s Office P.Tsagaan on December 4. They discussed a preparation for
organization of the Ninth Conference of Ministers Responsible for Livestock
which is to take place in Mongolia in 2015.
The decision to
organize here this meeting was included in the documented plan of actions to be
implemented as a follow up of the visit of the OIE Director-General Dr Bernard
Vallat to Mongolia in 2012. During his visit, Dr Vallat met with President and
Prime Minister and touched upon matters on promoting the animal health
sector, cooperation in the development of animal health standards,
strengthening the food security, fighting/eliminating livestock infectious
diseases, and supporting these matters by attracting international
organizations and donor countries to Mongolia.
Mr Tsagaan
expressed a willingness to support the organization of the meeting and said
Mongolia is interested in an export of its meat and meat products, in
having considered its resource of over 60 million heads of livestock. "The
heads of states of Russia and China expressed their interests to receive meat
from Mongolia during their visits to Mongolia in August and September," he
added.
The sides also
exchanged opinions on the potential support from OIE for improving Mongolia’s
livestock health on export of Mongolian meat.
Mongolia’s
first online trading system introduced
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) Golomt Securities LLC is introducing an international
standard "Online Trading System" for the first time in Mongolia.
Using the new
system, not only the Mongolian residents but also Mongolians abroad as well as
foreign investors will have equal access to the MSE trading, reported
Golomtbank on Thursday.
Traditionally,
clients had to go to brokerage firms in-person to place their orders. Now, with
the new online trading system, clients will have the same privileges and
receive the same services, plus a real-time management of their
portfolios.
Golomt
Bank named as best bank of Mongolia
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) The Banker magazine, world’s premier banking and finance
resource, has named “Golomt” commercial bank as the “Bank of the Year-2014” in
Mongolia; thus, the bank is receiving this prestigious award for the fifth
time.
The Banker has
been providing global financial intelligence since its establishment and has
built a reputation for objective and incisive reporting on in-depth regional
and country economic development while ranking global banks based on their
strong financial performance, sustainable growth, innovative products and
services as well as on the expansion of branches and operation.
Golomt bank’s
performance fully satisfied world standard criteria; thus, the bank is being
awarded as the “BANK OF THE YEAR-2014” in Mongolia from “The Banker” magazine.
During the
award dinner held in London, CEO of Golomt bank Mr Ganbold stated that “This
prestigious award truly honors and strengthens Golomt bank’s leading role in
Mongolian banking system,”
Committed to
and Investing in Excellence, Golomt bank has been the driving force of
Mongolian banking and finance sector’s development as well as being the most
innovative bank in Mongolia since its establishment in 1995.
|
Furthermore, Golomt bank issued the first “AMERICAN EXPRESS® GOLD
CARD” in cooperation with American Express, world’s leading payment card
company in Mongolia as well as updated its core banking services to
“FINACLE,” world standard core banking system bringing its product and
service qualities to world standard in 2014.
|
Stock
Exchange news for December 4
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Thursday, a total of
7,709 units of 10 JSCs were traded costing MNT seven million 048 thousand and
828.00.
"Hai Bi
Iol” /5,977 units/, “Mongolia Development” /1,000 units/, “Sor” /260 units/,
“Gutal” /200 units/ and "State Department Store” /149 units/ were the most
actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were
"Hai Bi Oil” (MNT three million 556 million and 310), "Gutal” (MNT
one million 905 thousand and 500), “Sor” (MNT 494 thousand), “Mongolia
Development” (MNT475 thousand) and "Sharyn gol” (MNT 333 thousand and
900).
The total
market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 464 billion 283 million 130
thousand and 037. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 15,023.85, increasing 73.95
units or 0.49% against the previous day.
Discussion
runs on women’s role in sports
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) Such a profound talk themed "Women’s participation
in Olympic movement" was organized Thursday in the headquarters of
Mongolia's National Olympic Movement (MonNOC) by the "Sport and
women" commission.
It attracted
members of the commission, representatives of sport federations, universities
and institutes, also women athletes, coaches and sport journalists. A member of
the MonNOC’s Executive Council D.Khaltar made the opening remarks. He was
followed by a member of the Standing committee on sports and women of the
Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) P.Tungalag with a "Policies of International
Olympic Committee and OCA on women and sports" report, and by a teacher at
the Mongolian State University of Education Dr B.Nomin with "Our
opportunities" paper.
Presentations
were also made by B.Altantsetseg, an Olympic athlete, and B.Badamgarav, a
secretary-general of the Mongolian Union of Sports Journalists.
Judokas
to compete in Tokyo Grand Slam
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
December 4 (MONTSAME) Judokas of the national selected team have left for Japan
to participate in the Tokyo Judo Grand Slam which will start Friday.
The Grand Slam
tournament will gather 424 male and female judokas from 65 countries. Mongolia
will be represented by 20 coached by D.Battulga and Kh.Erdenet-Od.
The events draw
has been conducted, and each country can send up to two competitors per weight
category, whereas the host nation can compete with up to four judokas.
According to
the draw, a World Champion Mongolian G.Boldbaatar IMS has a bye in the first
bout in the men 60kg contest and will face Kunihiro Aaron (USA) or Uzbek
Urozboyev Diyorbek. In the same category, a State Honored Sportsman Mongolian
D.Amartuvshin also has a bye in the first round, and then will face a Spanish.
An international master of sports D.Tomorkhuleg has a bye, and will fight with
Italian Verde Elio. Other women judokas D.Otgontsetseg (48 kg), A.Tsolmon
(52 kg) and D.Sumya (57 kg) also have byes in their first bouts.
Kh.Badamgerel
awarded as Top Model at Goyol 2015
By B. Tungalag
December 4 (UB
Post) Mongolia’s biggest fashion festival, Goyol’s closing ceremony took place
on December 3 at the Central Cultural Palace.
Director of
Andra Model Management agency Kh.Badamtsetseg became Mongolia’s Top Model of
2015.
Designer of
Govi LLC E.Battsetseg won the designers’ Grand Prix.
The Mongolian
Designers’ Association and Shilmel Zagvar Fashion Center organized the 27th
Goyol 2015 Festival. As is tradition, designers and fashion houses taking part
in the festival introduced their designs at the show.
The best model,
photographer, make-up artist, hairdresser, and designer were selected at the
festival. Goyol Fashion Festival has been organized since 1988.
Winners of the festival are:
-
Best Male Model- G.Bolor-Erdene
-
Best Female Model- P.Khaliun
-
Best Modeling Agency- Mongoljingoo Agency
-
Best Hairdresser- T.Bayartsesteg
The following is a brief interview with new
Mongolian Top Model Kh.Badamtsetseg.
Congratulations on being awarded the Top
Model title. How did you do it?
Thank you. I am
very glad. I couldn’t hold my tears back when the host called my name. Today is
an unforgettable day for me.
How long have you been walking on the stage
of Goyol Festival?
I first stepped
into the fashion world in 2004. I walked on the stage of Goyol Festival in
2006. The stage inspires me all the time. I always try not to pass up an
opportunity to walk on the Goyol stage.
Audiences applauded you when you came onto
the stage. Were you surprised by that?
It is very nice
to walk with the applause of audiences. I will do more. I will prepare more top
models through my agency Andra Model Management.
What is your future plan?
I will work for
my agency and the Mongolian Designers’ Association. I am trying to be the best
teacher to my students at Andra Model Management.
Related:
“Goyol - 2015” announces the
best designer fashion trends – news.mn,
December 4
Turkish
Prime Minister send congratulations to the PM
December 4
(news.mn) Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu sent a congratulatory letter
to new PM of Mongolia Ch.Saikhanbileg for his post as the 28th PM of Mongolia.
Turkish Prime
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in his letter that he believes the new Government
of Mongolia will support moving the expansion and strengthening of relations
between Mongolia and Turkey to a new level.
Parliament
discusses government structure plan
December 4
(news.mn) The plenary session of Parliament is now discussing a draft bill on
the new government's structure.
Parliament
agreed to discuss the bill with an 80 percent vote. PM Ch.Saikhanbileg
introduced the issues to be discussed and is now answering questions from MPs
about the government structure.
The PM says
that the new government structure will cut 464 posts and save the government 13
billion MNT.
According to
the PM's draft bill, the government would be comprised of 15 ministries and 19
ministers, dividing the responsibilities of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and
Tourism. But the PM faces criticism over creating the post for a Minister
of Mongolia, who will not have a ministry or agency.
The PM defended
his suggestion to appoint a Minister of Mongolia, a post that will be in charge
of large projects in Mongolia.
The plenary
session meeting continues into this evening.
Government
progress in green development
By S. Zaya
December 4 (Mongolian Economy) Kh.Khishigjargal
is a senior specialist of Green Development Policy and Development at the
Ministry of Environment and Green Development. The Ministry’s green development
policy was recently approved by the parliament.
What is the
purpose of the latest green economy policy?
There have been
a lot of programs that have been approved and implemented; however, they
usually have weak interactions between themselves. For example, poverty and
social issues have not been well interrelated with economic and environmental
factors. In other words, the green development policy can provide sustainable
development, and balance between economic, social and environmental factors.
The policy
helps economy growth?
Green
development covers not only environmental protection but also sustainable
reserves for the economic development; this includes evaluation of ecosystem
outcomes and keeping them for longer periods. The policy has the aim to spend
development benefits for human benefit, which will bring quality outcomes over
quantity.
Several
months have passed since the approval of the green development policy. What is
being done for its implementation?
There is a need
collaborate internationally and include the green development issues in the
international collaboration. The UN has been supporting countries’ green
development since the World Upper Forum for Sustainable Development, held in
2012. International organizations and donor countries make the green economy
the leading direction for development. Our approved green development policy
has begun to take international support. Mongolia was chosen as the first
country to obtain support in the frame of the UN’s PAGE or Partnership for
Green Economy; we are now working on the start of five guidelines for green
development.
Can you give
more details on these five guidelines?
The five
guidelines relate to green purchase, green construction, criteria for green
development, sustainable development education and improvement of waste
management. We have started a survey on green purchase principles in Mongolia,
to survey the legal environment for creating green purchases with the Finance
Ministry. Also, we have a marketing survey on defining the green products’
amount to be supplied to the market, and the potential amount of green products
that can be domestically produced.
Has much
work been started in green construction?
We are now
conducting a survey on reserve oriented and effective construction drawings,
processing the evaluation system for green construction, which will create an
evaluating and establishing system of energy and other reserves, with rain
water accumulating ponds, preventing harming materials from entering
environment, human health, reuse of water and treatment. The green economy
indications will be worked out and included in the national calculating system
of Mongolia. It is needed to improve the information used for gathering and
using the environmental information. Thus, we are collaborating with World
Green Growth Organization to improve our environmental statistics information.
By improving this, we shall be able to have our green development criteria for
green development.
How can we
educate citizens about green development? The work can go better if the public
has the right mindset.
We must improve
the green economy knowledge of decision makers and specialists for local
development policies, and provide them with training programs for their
capacity increase. Also there are to be training sessions for journalists, so
that they may help provide understanding about the green economy. The
improvement of waste management will be a major focus, as there is not
sufficient involvement of other sectors in such a program. Planning the
activities of Ministries for their relevant waste processing was included in
the National Program for Improving Waste Management, approved by parliament
this October.
Prime
Minister of Mongolia Ch.Saikhanbileg Submitted Bill on New Government Structure
to Speaker of Parliament
December 4
(infomongolia.com) On December 03, 2014, the Prime Minister of Mongolia
Ch.Saikhanbileg submitted a bill to amend the Government Structure to the
Speaker of the State Great Khural (Parliament) Z.Enkhbold.
According to
bill, the new Coalition Government would be consisted of 19 Ministers headed by
the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Mongolia and Head of the
Cabinet Secretariat along with the Ministers of 15 Ministries.
The bill also
includes some changes in the names of these 15 Ministries as follows:
1. Ministry of
Environment and Tourism of Mongolia
2. Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Mongolia
3. Ministry of
Finance of Mongolia
4. Ministry of
Justice
5. Ministry of
Industry of Mongolia
6. Ministry of
Construction and Urban Development of Mongolia
7. Ministry of
Defense of Mongolia
8. Ministry of
Education, Culture and Science of Mongolia
9. Ministry of
Roads and Transportation of Mongolia
10. Ministry of
Mining of Mongolia
11. Ministry of
Labor of Mongolia
12. Ministry of
Population Development and Social Protection of Mongolia
13. Ministry of
Food and Agriculture of Mongolia
14. Ministry of
Energy of Mongolia
15. Ministry of
Health and Sports of Mongolia
Also, if the
draft bill is approved, the Coalition Government of Mongolia would functional
with above 15 Ministries, 10 Regulatory and 18 Implementing Agencies, where the
Marshal (Takhar) Authority (Implementing) and Nuclear Energy Agency
(Regulatory) were delisted from the Government Structure.
Due to order of
discussions, the bill was revised and approved at the State Structure’s
Standing Committee of the Parliament today and at this moment, the Parliament
is hearing the last discussion of the bill on new Government Structure.
To recall, the
previous Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag submitted a bill to reduce Ministries of
Mongolia from 16 to 13 to the Speaker of Parliament on October 02, 2014 and
following discussions, the bill was approved at the plenary session of the Parliament
on October 07, 2014 to diminish the Government Ministries from 16 to 13 with 11
Regulatory Agencies and 19 Implementing Agencies.
Although,
Ministers of above 13 Ministries were not promoted and approved to date and in
the meantime the 27th Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag was ousted by Parliament on
November 05, 2014 and since then Ministries were chaired by Deputy Ministers
and new Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg reached consensus with other political
parties to establish a Coalition Government.
MPP
unhappy with the PM’s proposal on government structure
By Ch. Khaliun
December 4 (UB
Post) Working groups of the political parties with seats in Parliament have
been discussing the government’s structure, but are failing to reach a
consensus because of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) rejection of the Prime
Minister’s proposals.
The Prime
Minister stated that Democratic Party (DP) members will hold the positions of
Prime Minister, Head of the Cabinet Secretariat, and will lead six ministries,
while the position of First Deputy Prime Minister and four ministries will be
held by MPP members. The Ministry of Environment will be led by the Civil Will
Green Party (CWGP). The role of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health
will belong to the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) and the
Ministry of Mining will be led by the Mongolian National Democratic Party
(MNDP).
An unofficial
source reported that the MPP demanded that the number of ministers from the
MPRP be reduced by one seat or that the CWGP party from the cabinet’s
structure. The MPP suggested separating the Ministry of Roads and Transportation
and the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development, and to unify the
Ministry of Population Development and Social Welfare and the Ministry of
Labor. The party also objected to creating the position of First Deputy Prime
Minister, and said that the position of Deputy Prime Minister should be given
to the MPP.
The draft on
governmental structure suggests that the ministries of foreign affairs, sport
and culture, agriculture, and labor will belong to the MPP.
Traffic
violations see 40 percent decline after surveillance installation
By M. Zoljargal
December 4 (UB
Post) The number of total traffic violations in 2014 has decreased by almost 40
percent since the launch of the traffic monitoring system in late 2013,
compared to the rate of last year.
The Ulaanbaatar
City Traffic Monitoring Agency has been monitoring the traffic with
surveillance cameras for over a year now and sent 169,635 traffic tickets to
drivers who violated traffic regulations so far this year.
From the total
traffic fines issued this year, 26,968 were sent for violating traffic lights,
while 142,267 were for speeding.
Hockey
players need rinks
December 4 (UB
Post) International Sports Master, ice
hockey player of the Mongolian National Ice Hockey Team, goaltender of Khasiin
Khulguud team of Otgon-Od club G.Tamir gave an interview to Zuunii Medee.
He is a six-time champion of Ice Hockey
League, five-time champion of Otgon-Od club and two-time champion of Youth
Championship.
You have participated in many competitions.
In which competition will you challenge yourself this winter?
The Ice Hockey
League Championship is about to be held soon and seven teams will compete. The
first round of the competition will take place from December 14 to 21 in
Ulaanbaatar. Four teams will be selected in the final, which will take place
from February 11 to 15 in Baganuur.
How well did you prepare for the
competition?
We lost our ice
hockey rink and recently we took it back through court, but we still can’t do
our training because the District Governor has not resolved our request yet. If
this issue is resolved, we will be able to make competition preparations.
What measures have been taken from the
Mongolian Ice Hockey Federation to build ice rinks?
The Mongolian
Ice Hockey Federation reshuffled their personnel two years ago. The Hockey
Federation can’t afford to build a new ice rink alone, but our federation is
working well to organize league competitions and improve old ice rinks. The Ice
Hockey Federation found sponsorship for us. For example, Khas Bank sponsors our
team.
The Mongolian team won a bronze medal at
the Challenge Cup of Asia. In order to capitalize on previous successes, is it
important to have an ice rink?
Our team seized
a bronze medal at the Challenge Cup of Asia in 2011 and in 2013. Participating
countries have to have an ice rink, which has a specific number of seats. The
Mongolian hockey team stopped participating in international competitions
because we didn’t meet requirements. We need a regularly operating ice rink to
develop ice hockey in Mongolia. We train during winter months and we don’t have
any possibility to conduct training in other seasons.
How skillful are Mongolian athletes?
From
international competitions, we can see that Mongolian ice hockey players are
not prepared very well. Its reason is that we did not learn the basic
techniques on a professional level. On the other hand, our athletes are strong
contestants both mentally and physically.
Have you conducted joint training swith
other country’s coaches and athletes?
Yes, we have.
Foreign coaches came to Mongolia in previous years. Two Russian athletes came
to Erdenet with their coach. Also, a hockey player from Finland played
with Mongolian athletes.
What made you interested in hockey?
I grew up in
the 15th Khorooolol, where many Russians used to live. I used to play hockey
and skate with their children. Then I formed a team with my friends and won a
silver medal at Golden Puck. We used to play hockey only wearing our winter
coats and skates without any protection. After this competition, an athlete of
Otgon-Od club Purevdagva supplied skating clothes and equipment to us and
recruited us in his team. Since then, hockey became an essential part of my
life.
Are you interested in other sports besides
hockey?
I love this
sport because I trained from an early age. Training is the best feeling I ever
had.
Ice hockey demands athletes to be fast and
strong. Is it important to have a good coach?
Playing hockey
really requires physical strength. During the games, we collide and push. So
sometimes we fight because of misunderstandings. We did not have a professional
trainer. The most important thing is to prepare your psychology and overcome
fears.
Is training in winter challenging?
We repair ice
rinks before training and we spend two to three hours outside. After training,
we change our clothes outside since we don’t have a dressing room. In my opinion,
the number of children who are interested in hockey is declining because of
this.
Source: Zuunii
Medee
Ch.Mungundalai:
My ambition is to overcome the challenges of life
December 4 (UB
Post) The following is an inspiring
interview with Ch.Mungundalai , a young Mongolian cyclist with communication
disorder and member of the Young Cyclist Club of the Mongolian Youth Federation
(MYF). He achieved his dream by cycling a 6,300 km journey from Ulaanbaatar to
the western provinces of Mongolia in four months.
Just five months ago, not many knew who
Ch.Mungundalai was, but now he has become an inspiration to thousands of young
people in Mongolia.
Was it difficult to travel with a hearing
disability?
My conditions
shouldn’t stand in the way of my dream. I was welcomed at every venue thanks to
my fellow club members of the Young Cyclist Club of the MYF who supported the
journey by notifying other members in provincial and local branch associations.
Is it true that you were robbed and got
into a car accident during your journey?
There were many
difficulties and obstacles. My motivation for my journey can’t be measured by
such small accidents. Many kind and good people helped me during those unfortunate
occurrences. Particularly, O.Sansarkhuu from the MYF, who did the main
management of the journey and contacted and notified everyone. In Bayan-Ulgii
Province, elderly men with big beards like in fairytales invited and welcomed
me to their homes. I’d like to express my gratitude to the good-hearted and
hospitable Kazakh people. I realized how hospitable Mongolians are through this
trip.
You passed 210 soums of 15 provinces. 6,300
km is almost three quarters of Mongolia’s total border length. Which place had
the most thrilling nature?
Arriving at the
peak of Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain was a touching moment. It was very cold up
there. I recovered my spirit and climbed down from Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain
after raising the state flag of Mongolia. Uvs Province also has amazing nature.
The hot spring in Galt soum of Khuvsgul Province was really good. Selenge River
was truly beautiful and majestic. The progress of the journey has been captured
on camera. All details of my travel will be revealed on Facebook soon. I hope
others can see and feel as I have seen and felt.
What happened in Bayan-Ulgii Province?
At the time,
Speaker of Parliament Z.Enkhbold was working in Bayan-Ulgii Province. He said
he found out that I was going on a journey from Facebook. When I climbed down
from Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain, many police officers surrounded me. I was
scared. I quivered in fear wondering what had happened and if I had done
something wrong. I calmed when security tapped on my shoulder and told me they
were letting me meet the Speaker of Parliament. Z.Enkhbold told me to meet him
when I return to Ulaanbaatar after I complete my journey.
You’ve travelled for many days through
places with no inhabitants. How did you manage your food, drinks and other
supplies?
I set up my tent
in places without households. In some places, I was able to stay in people’s
homes, recover my strength, and continue with my journey.
For three months, you only travelled on
your bicycle?
That’s right.
My bicycle travelled a 6,300 km long road without breaking even once.
(According to the President of Cannondale Mongolia Company, Ch.Mungundalai rode
a GT bicycle of Cannondale brand.)
How many years have you been cycling?
I started
cycling in 2003. I’ve been actively cycling in the last three years. Particularly,
I became interested in the cycling sport and travel after meeting members of
the Young Cyclists Club. Our club members are really nice people. I’m extremely
happy that I got to achieve my dream with the help from club members. I might
have even died if it weren’t for their support and encouragement.
Are you talking about the car accident?
What exactly happened?
I got hit by a
car when I was riding on the road from Erdenet city to Ulaanbaatar. My bicycle
had been dragged when I gained consciousness. The driver was drunk. When I
showed my MYF membership card and hearing-impaired identification card, the
driver told me to be quiet and don’t mention about this instance, and offered
me money. I didn’t accept it. I called the traffic police to have it decided
justly.
My shoulder
hurt so much but since there was a route to Selenge Province, I continued my
journey. Thanks to many kind people, I’m now healthy and well.
You seem to prioritize an active life.
Before joining the Young Cyclist Club, what did you do?
Overcoming the
difficulties of life is my ambition. I realized that I have to create myself
and overcome all obstacles. Now, I’m 29 years old. In 1997, I stayed in school
dormitory of School No.29. Then, I graduated as an electrician from the
Construction Polytechnic College and started working there.
I exceeded the
time for my journey and I was fired. I was originally planning on working there
for three years. Now, I miss my school teachers very much. Especially,
instructor N.Enkhbayar. He’s my closest friend. Now, I’m living with the
support of my friends from the club. Living in the capital keeps me close to
the club. I get too much free time in the countryside.
My biggest
dream is to travel around the world. I want to do a cycling tour to foreign countries.
After returning from the journey, I’m not content with being settled in one
place. Since I was fired from my work, I have nothing to do. I don’t like
having anything to do.
Besides cycling, what else do you like to
do?
I used to rent
an apartment. When I’m at home, I like reading books. Now that I’m not settled,
it’s impossible to keep books. I haven’t been reading lately. Reading in a calm
environment is the best.
Now, finding an apartment is important,
right?
I want to find
a job and live actively. If I get married, I’ll live in an apartment. That way,
it’ll be easier for my wife when I’m not around. Since I’m single, a single
room would be enough.
You’ve mentioned that you want to marry
someone who’s interested in cycling, right?
That’ll have to
depend on the person’s personality. She doesn’t have to be interested in
cycling or bicycles. Instead of bicycle, it’s important that our feelings
connect. Maybe she might like cycling. Life will show all of this. I will not
force her to ride a bicycle.
Many people wished you good luck on your
Facebook page. Do you have anything you’d like to say to them?
We must
preserve the nature of our home country, left by Chinggis Khaan, in its
untouched form. I’m not pleased with mining issues that have destroyed nature
so much in recent years.
I hope young
people have the heart to maintain mountains, lakes and rivers, and plants the
way they are. Even a single rock of our home country has a life.
Also, I’d
recommend riding bicycles to everyone. Cycling will develop and strengthen your
body. You’ll lose weight and it’s significant in many ways for health. After
finishing work, you shouldn’t eat and drink and gain weight. You should live
actively. Please ride your bike and go on a journey. The MYF notified that our
capital will soon get bike lanes.
Source: Zuunii
Medee
UK
hosts Mongolian national wrestling competition
By B. Baatar
December 4 (UB
Post) Initiated by Mongolian national wrestling amateurs in Great Britain,
Mongolia’s Embassy in UK and Mongolians in UK jointly held a Mongolian national
wrestling competition among Mongolians in UK on November 30.
The aim of the
competition was to promote Mongolian national wrestling and improve the skills
of young wrestlers.
The competition
is expected to be organized every season.
Eight wrestlers
competed in the event. Arslan of Bulgan Province Ya.Oyun-Erdene won the
competition after winning seven-times, followed by Zaan of Soum N.Otgonbayar
and B.Khadbaatar.
Ambassador
N.Tulga opened the competition and handed prizes to the winners.
Mongolian
summer days captured by Turkish photographer
By B. Narantuya
December 4 (UB
Post) For the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and
Turkey being celebrated this year, the President of AKUT NGO, alpinist, writer
and photographer, Ali Nasuh Mahruki, is presenting a photography exhibition.
The exhibition is on view through December 5 at the Union of Mongolian Artists,
and from December 8 through 12 at Red Ger Art Gallery.
Ambassador of
Turkey Murat Karagoz and other officials attended the opening of the exhibition
at UMA on December 2.
The UB Post learned more about his passions
and his photographs in an interview with the artist.
Could you please introduce yourself to our
readers?
My full name is
Ali Nasuh Mahruki. While I was studying management at university I was very
much interested and involved in outdoor activities such as caving, mountain
climbing, paragliding, cycling, and things like that.
In 1995, I
became the first Turkish person to climb Mount Everest. In 1996, I climbed the
highest points of the seven continents. In 1997, I did my first big four-month
motorbike trip with my girlfriend, travelling over 21,000 kilometers. In 2000 I
climbed K2, which is the most difficult and risky mountain in the world. For
every three people, one climber dies. That was the most important climb of my
career.
I am a writer
as well. I have written seven books. My articles are on different subjects, and
my last book was about self improvement.
I am a social
entrepreneur. I am the founder and president of a rescue organization called
AKUT. It is a volunteer rescue team. We founded AKUT in 1996. Since that time,
we have rescued 2,000 individuals. Also, we aim to provide knowledge about
disaster management, emergency management and disaster medical care.
How was the journey through Mongolia?
The landscape
of Mongolia and terrain is ideal for motorbikes. The roads are not good. For
cars it’s bad, but on a motorbike you can easily jump up and down and it
doesn’t feel that way. It actually feels good riding a motorbike through such
terrain. I wouldn’t recommend the big bikes, instead motocross bikes are
suitable. For motorbike enthusiasts Mongolia has a lot to offer. The Gobi is an
amazing experience. It’s a unique place where you can travel for many days if
you want, and there are lots of things to see in the desert. Unfortunately, we
couldn’t see much of it because of the rushed schedule.
So the trip was made only on motorbikes,
right? No cars?
We had a guide.
He was riding a motorbike, like us, and we had two support cars. Otherwise, it
would have been impossible.
How many people were involved in the trip
and how many days did it take?
We had twelve
motorbikes but we were 15 altogether. We had one married couple; they were here
for their honeymoon. The trip took two weeks overall. we spent one week in the
Gobi, and then we got back to Ulaanbaatar by airplane to attend the Naadam
festival. After that, we went to Orkhon, Kharkhorin and up north to Khuvsgul
Province. From Khuvsgul to Ulaanbaatar we went by airplane, which gave us a lot
of flexibility and saved time.
Did the team face any difficulties during
the trip?
There were
several problems we faced. We got lost in the dark several times. Especially in
the Gobi, there are no sign posts. People travel in the Gobi just by
visualizing and remembering key places and mountains. But at night, there is no
visibility; even the guides lost their way. We also had two major accidents,
and we were lucky that nobody was injured. Other than that, we really enjoyed
every moment.
What did you enjoy the most while
travelling?
The landscape.
Mongolia has the largest fields in the world. When we were riding in the Gobi
we thought, “Is there any place like this in the world?” It is an endless
field. You just go and you can’t see the end of it. The land is very flat; no
holes and no rocks, and you can even ride closing your eyes. It was a really
surprising experience for us.
MPs
and the public support the President’s childcare service plan
December 4 (UB
Post) The Mongolian President’s bill on childcare service gained support from
Members of Parliament during their regular meeting on November 27.
In Mongolia,
there are 274,100 children between the ages of two to five, but unfortunately,
more than 80 percent of them can’t get enrollment in kindergartens. Simply put,
one out of every three children doesn’t go to kindergarten.
Approving this
bill will also create jobs, and parents who look after their children at home
will be able to pursue employment.
At least 300
new kindergartens have to be built in the near future to provide for these
children. But the state budget for 2015 did not reflect any funding for the
building kindergartens, and according to experts, childcare service is the next
best solution.
Childcare
service can be divided into ger based services and center based services. Ger
kindergartens will have a maximum of six children and each childcare center
will have the capacity for 15 children. The Ministry of Education and Science
will conduct a training program for those interested in providing childcare
services.
While the state
grants 116,000 MNT to children who enroll in kindergarten, children who stay at
home are not eligible to receive it. By executing this law, all children will
have equal rights. According to this bill, operational expenses and food
expenditures for children will be issued from the state budget and parents will
be responsible for paying monthly fees to cover the cost of electricity and
heating, which was reflected to be 12,100 MNT per child.
Even though
this bill has public support, most people still have concerns about the safety,
security, food and hygiene standards of ger and center based kindergartens.
Undesnii Suudan
received public comments on this issue.
D.Dolgordulam:
Creating a comfortable environment is important
I strongly
support this law. It seems quite reasonable because we can work and earn income
by looking after children besides our own. I am thinking about running a
kindergarten. I heard that parents who want to run these kindergartens have to
attend training. I would like to know about this. Parents will place their
children where safety and hygiene is provided. Of course, no one will trust
dirty and bad-tempered people.
A.Jargalmaa: It
is unclear how food safety and hygiene standards will be met.
It is a reasonable
project for people who look after their children at home. Also, creating new
jobs is appreciated. But aside from this, it seems like children’s health and
safety isn’t getting any attention. Parents or professional organizations are
not able to control this regularly. Plus, kindergarten teacher education is
another problem. Not everyone can provide the education that is offered in
kindergartens. For me, these issues need to be clarified. I can send my child
to kindergarten and work, but I can’t afford the fees of private kindergartens.
Almost 80 to 90 percent of my salary will be spent on kindergarten fees.
B.Bilguun: We
need responsible people running ger based services
It is hard to
give my children to a stranger. We don’t know what food will be offered to
children. If we pay money for this service, we need a reliable service. How can
we make sure that kindergarten teachers have medical knowledge in the case of
children becoming injured? From this angle, this project is a little bit
incomplete.
Source:
Undesnii Shuudan
Mongolia’s
own petroleum factory will only be fueled by its own resources
December 4 (UB
Post) Sod Mongol Group announced that they would start building a petroleum processing
factory with the capacity to produce over 1.5 million tons of oil per year.
Industry and government officials attended the opening of the construction site
in 2011. Citizens thought that the time had finally come for Mongolia to
produce its own petroleum.
It’s been three
years since the huge announcement and opening, and yet no construction work has
taken place in Sainshand Province. Many people say that the director of Sod
Mongol Group, Ts.Anandbazar, faked the announcement just to collect votes for
the parliamentary election. A similar situation occurred in 1998. Oyuni Undraa
Group also announced that they would build an oil factory, but it was a lie.
Mongolia
exports 780,000 tons of petroleum to China every year. Officials from the
Petroleum Authority of Mongolia state that the amount of exported petroleum is
going to increase next year, rising up to one million tons. At the moment,
China is exporting oil to Mongolia. Mongolian officials say they want China to
process Mongolian petroleum for Mongolian consumption.
Speaker of
Parliament Z.Enkhbold proposed building a petroleum processing factory while he
was visiting China. Officials from China responded that they would study the
possibility. The proposal didn’t come from the Ministry of Mining, the
Petroleum Authority of Mongolia, or the Ministry of Industry and Agriculture,
but the officials of the Petroleum Authority of Mongolia stated that the
proposal would be an effective project.
Mongolia
consumes 1.4 million tons of fuel. However, if we produced too much petroleum,
we could face a surplus. The Ministry of Mining approved the coal to liquid
processing project being taken on by Baganuur Energy and MAK. These two
companies will produce 450,000 tons of diesel and 400,000 tons of fuel in the
frame of this project. The project will start in 2019.
Overall, 16
companies are working on petroleum exploration. Wolf Petroleum found a key
location that might contain an oilfield in Sukhbaatar Province. If we find more
oilfields it would be much easier to build a petroleum processing factory.
A factory that
has the capacity to produce over two million tons of petroleum works pretty
profitably. When capacity increases, profits go up as well. The Head of the
Petroleum Authority of Mongolia, G.Ulziiburen states, “We have become able to
build a petroleum factory in recent years because we have started to extract a
sufficient amount of petroleum.” The construction of a factory needs an
adequate market and enough resources, which we didn’t have before in Mongolia.
In the list of
government projects, there is always mention of building a petroleum processing
factory, and yet, we don’t have one. Some officials say that a petroleum
factory would be unprofitable. Perhaps that’s why investors aren’t looking to
open one.
Even if the
amount of oil drilled increases to one million tons next year, it still will
not meet the required demand. Factories with low capacities exist in many
countries, but the technology is dated and harmful to the environment. The
government aims to build a factory that meets high standards and is
eco-friendly as well.
Overall, ten
companies have been approved to build a petroleum factory in Mongolia.
Only one of
them has conducted economic and market research surveys, noted the Ministry of
Mining.
Petrochina
Dachin Tamsag Company won’t be able to extract two to three million tons of
petroleum for many years. The building of a petroleum factory depends on the
nation’s petroleum resources. If we can find more resources, we can look
forward to producing petroleum and using our own fuels in upcoming years.
Source: Unuudur
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