Mongolia Brief November 12, 2014



President returns home from Beijing
November 12 (news.mn) President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj arrived home Tuesday after attending the Dialogue on Strengthening Connectivity Partnership at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing, China, upon the invitation of China's leader Xi Jinping,.

President Ts.Elbegdorj had meetings with President Xi Jinping and Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Zhang Dejiang and delivered a speech at the forum.
In the meetings with China's president and Chairman Zhang Dejiang, President Ts.Elbegdorj expressed satisfaction with President Xi Jinping's successful visit to Mongolia in August, and the Mongolia-China-Russia leaders’ three-party meetings in Dushanbe in September. He spoke of his hope that both Mongolia and China continue to work on the issues that were raised during the visit and meetings.
President Ts.Elbegdorj emphasized in his speech at the dialogue on strengthening partnership, “Mongolia is a landlocked country, though it is a gate and an opportunity to link Asia-Pacific economies with its geographical location and close transport infrastructure."
Related:
President Returns from APEC MeetingMontsame, November 12

"Mongolia Update 2014" Forum Runs in Australia
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, November 12 (MONTSAME) This forum was held November 11 in Canberra. It is organized every two years at the Australian National University (ANU).
Dean of Research College for Asia-Pacific of the ANU Prof. Veronica Taylor and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Australia R.Bold opened the forum. After this, the gathered debated reports: "Political Economy for Minerals-based growth: Mechanisms for satisfying public expectation" by the former Minister of Minerals and Energy D.Zorigt; "Direct foreign investments in Mongolia, impact of mining in Mongolia’s economy" by director of Economic Research institute at the State University of Mongolia B.Tuvshintogs; "Mongolia’s modern arts and culture" by director of Mongolian Arts Council Ts.Ariunaa; "Relations between Mongolia and Middle-Powers" by a doctorate at the Canadian University of British Columbia J.Mendee; "Encashment of Mongolia’s income by Mining industry: Analysis and Lesson" by doctorate at the ANU I.Yung; and "Capability of Mongolia-Australia cooperation in agriculture" by Deputy Director for North Asia of the Australian Government Department for Agriculture S.Grimes and expert B.Binks.
This forum has been organized by Mongolian Institute at the ANU and Mongolia's Embassy in Canberra with a support of "Foundation for Mongolian Studies”. Present were over 80 guests. The closing speech was made by L.Narangua, a head of Mongolian Institute at the ANU.

DP will nominate a candidate for PM in closed vote
November 12 (news.mn) The DP caucus in parliament held a meeting on Tuesday and put forward MP R.Amarjargal, MP and Head of the Cabinet Secretariat for Government Ch.Saikhanbileg, and MP D.Ganbat as nominees for PM. The caucus took a break from the meeting to negotiate the issue with president Ts.Elbegdorj.
Ousted PM and DP leader N.Altankhuyag claimed that he would not nominate anyone who voted against the government last week and left the caucus meeting on Tuesday.
Today, the DP caucus is expected to nominate a final candidate for PM in a closed vote.

Auto Trade Complex will open on Saturday
November 12 (news.mn) The new Auto Trade Complex designed to consolidate and relocate auto markets and parts sales outside of the city center will open in Songinokhairkhan District. The first phase of the Auto Trade Complex will be operational on Saturday, following an opening ceremony.
The Auto Trade Complex will feature sales of vehicles, spare parts, tires, oil and lubrication, car insurance services, vehicle diagnostics, license plate number services, tax payment services, leasing services, auto repair, car wash facilities, advanced driving courses, a driving safety center, and a vehicle testing range.
The parking lots are paved with high standard materials, twice as thick as paved roads in Ulaanbaatar. The large auto markets that currently conduct auto parts and auto sales in the city, like Da Khuree and Uguumur auto markets, are supposed to relocate to the new Auto Trade Complex in measures to reduce traffic congestion and centralization in the city center. Sales centers for used cars, parts, and equipment in 34 locations in Ulaanbaatar will be moved out of the city when the new complex parking lot is finished in the first phase of construction.
Over 250 entities and car traders have applied for requests to purchase 1,200 auto parking permits at the new Auto Trade Complex.

Aviation industry must spread its wings
By B. Enkhtsetseg
November 12 (Mongolian Economy) A vast land, an increasing number of millionaires and an overflow of aviation staff is a good foundation for Mongolia’s general aviation—but can the country’s infrastructure development cater to the sector’s growth?
General Aviation (GA) refers to all non-scheduled, non-airline civil aviation both private and commercial—such as gliders, corporate jets, helicopters, flying clubs, and flight training. Although there are only 10 aircraft currently in Mongolia that are classified as GA, that number could increase significantly in the coming years. Mongolia is an emerging economy with a huge territory, two huge factors known to trigger rapid development of GA. Currently, scheduled non-GA flights take up 99 percent of the civil aviation market, while
GA companies for recreational flights and air taxi services share only one percent.
GA is the foundation of the airline industry internationally, yet Mongolian GA lags far behind. It is unfortunate that Mongolia, despite its status as the second Asian country to send a cosmonaut into space, still has trouble sending aviators into the clouds.
The groundwork for Mongolian GA was first laid in Socialist times, and initially grew fast. But the sector’s importance has waned since democracy took over. According to official statistics, Mongolia initially had 21 aircraft that delivered 363,000 kg of cargo and carried 11,605 passengers in 1958. By 1970, 80 percent of all Mongolian Airlines (MIAT) flights went to and from 130 different provinces and soums. Even today, 17 out of 21 provinces have aircraft runways—six paved—and control towers.

An economic boon
The positive economic benefits of GA are many. In the United States, GA contributes more than USD 150 billion to the US economy annually, and employs more than 1.2 million people, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s (GAMA) 2013 General Aviation Statistical Databook & 2014 Industry Outlook. The data also shows that approximately 70 percent of the world’s aircraft (209,000) are based in the US. Every year, GA logs almost 25 million flight hours, of which two-thirds are flown for business purposes.
In the international marketplace, Asian officials and businesses have been taking GA seriously. Last September, the transport ministers of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum adopted a set of core principles to facilitate business aviation in the region. The Asia-Pacific region more than doubled its market share of annual business aircraft deliveries between 2007 and 2012. “This strong growth is proof that economies in this region recognize that business aviation is not only a productivity tool for business but also helps countries achieve their economic and regional development objectives,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce.
Moreover, Mongolia’s two giant neighbors are not just sitting and doing nothing in this sector. China has opened its aviation sector step by step to the outside world, even christening an aircraft supermarket in Beijing last year. In the meantime, Russia announced that an action plan for developing GA, prepared by the government and a special presidential commission, was approved last October.
Letting general aviation fly
Throughout the world, there are 360,000 aircraft and more than 700,000 pilots that serve in GA. The US and Canada are the biggest players in the market due to their GA development capacity—yet they are also countries with large amounts of land. GA is considered a much needed sector in countries where administrative units are located far apart from each other, especially in areas where the population is scarce.
General aviation is considered a much needed sector in countries where administrative units are located far apart from each other, especially in areas where the population is scarce.
In Mongolia, there are currently six GA companies that run private commercial flights at a rate of USD 1,500 to USD 4,000 per hour, depending on the type of aircraft. Those prices, however, are 30 percent higher than the world average—they could be brought down to USD 300 to USD 400 for small aircraft in the future.
“Due to seasonal weather difficulties, there are 250 days good for small recreational aircraft flights, which could mean up to 500 to 700 hours annually of flight per aircraft in Mongolia. This would mean a profit per plane of USD 200,000 per year, after fuel and maintenance costs,” said Buren-Erdene Khuldorj, President of the Mongolian General Aviation Association and CEO of Thomas Air, a private aviation company.
He also said that this sector could be built up with only private sector involvement and without the state’s participation or financing—all the government needs to do is establish clear regulations for private pilots, and separate regulations for scheduled big airline and cargo flights from GA legal regulations for smaller aircraft.
Today, Mongolia has reasonable GA facilities, such as take-off and landing runways, pilot training programmes, and an adequate supply of small aircraft. But there are no regularly employed private pilots, nor a dedicated legal environment to support the industry.
Though GA has de facto inclusion in the Civil Aviation Law of Mongolia, the sector’s policies have always left GA out of sight. Mongolia’s Civil Aviation Law and its regulations, lifted directly from New Zealand’s own, have changed little since 2001. The current law doesn’t support development, nor the ability to maintain, manage and control the stable operation of GA. The government must act urgently to reflect certain GA dedicated policies in the law, and pass a related package of regulations to remove the development barriers of GA.
The aviation sector has potentially many flexible opportunities in the market due to the far-reaching capacity of its services. Some Mongolian companies have been expanding their operation by competing in tender projects outside of Mongolia, surviving by providing services for foreign markets. However, they say that domestic market expansion and legal environment promotion are of the utmost importance for GA development and private growth.
In May 2014, domestic Mongolian airlines Eznis Airways folded, leaving 200 employees without a job. If GA had been developed, those 200 employees could have made a transition to the GA market. Unfortunately, the miniscule existing GA market could do nothing but sympathize with the unemployed, a situation they are all too familiar with themselves.
The one area that fills most job vacancies in the aviation sector internationally is GA. “According to international standards, it is the chosen method to let young pilots build up their experience and complete flight hours through GA,” says E. Enkhzorig, pilot and Director of the Youth Pilot Association.
The cost to train pilots in developed countries costs an average of USD 80,000 to USD 90,000—often enough to buy a small aircraft. If such aircraft were available in Mongolia, it would be possible to use them to train commercial pilots.
“Due to the employment opportunity shortage in Mongolia’s aviation sector, the rare hiring is followed by a fall in the pilot’s value. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of state dollars spent on preparing a workforce to meet international standards are wasted. Airline companies drag the value of pilots down, keep the wages low, and use the work agreement as a trap,” says E. Enkhzorig.
Every year, pilots graduate universities in GA leading countries such as the US and Canada. Do they all get jobs as soon as they graduate? No, they say. But an educated and trained workforce is the first step in building the industry. Luckily, GA has this capacity to be launched in Mongolia.
If the high growth of Mongolia stays on track, and the development of local areas is intensified in the coming years, GA is expected to grow rapidly thanks to the private sector. A new civil aviation law, which clarifies some issues facing GA, removes barriers to development, and opens opportunities, is waiting for its turn for reshaping in parliament. A law passed will mean the beginning of a new era in Mongolian aviation—and a new wing to help a diversified Mongolian economy take off.

NSO Oct.14: Compare with Same Period of Previous Year, Number of Children Born Increased by 3.2 %
November 12 (infomongolia.com) On November 11, 2014, the National Statistical Office of Mongolia (NSO) released the Social and Economic report for the first 10 months of 2014.
Social Indicators as of the first 10 months of 2014
The number of unemployed reached 34.2 thousand at the end of October 2014, has shown a decrease of 5.2 thousand persons or 13.3 percent compared with the same period of the previous year.
In the first 10 months of 2014, the revenue of the Social Insurance Fund amounted to 1,119.6 billion MNT, reflecting increase of 122.6 billion MNT or 12.3 percent and the expenditure of the fund reached 1,064.7 billion MNT, increased by 192.5 billion MNT or 22.1 percent compared with same period of the previous year.
In the first 10 months of 2014, 198.0 billion MNT granted from the Human Development Fund to 987.2 thousand children aged below 18 as a cash benefit.
In a first 10 months of 2014, 68,358 mothers delivered children and the number of live births reached 68,764. The number of the mothers delivered children increased by 2,081 mothers or 3.1 percent and that of children was up 2,146 or 3.2 percent compared with the same period of the previous year.
In the first 10 months of 2014, infant mortality reached 1,012, it increased by 59 children or 6.2 percent, and under-five mortality reached 1,234, has increased by 53 or 4.5 percent compared with the same period of the previous year.
In the first 10 months of 2014, 3,911 disasters and accidents occurred. As a result, 159 people died, 14,664 livestock and animals were lost which of 3,454 livestock died by hoof and mouth disease. Of the natural disasters and accidents reported in the first 10 months of 2014, 3,287 were construction fires, 255 forest fires, 116 cases of domestic animal madness diseases, 85 times floods and river and lake accidents, 36 times 3.5 magnitude earthquakes, 32 incidents heavy rain and floods, 24 incidents severe storms, 17 times anthrax, 13 incidents related to chemical substance usage and emergency call, 12 times incidents thunder, 11 times slug firearms accidents.
In the first 10 months of 2014, 95 persons died from drowning in rivers and lakes, 49 persons died from construction fires, 5 persons died from thunder, 3 from fires on forest and artisanal mining and rock falls respectively, 2 from heavy rain and floods and severe storm respectively. Compared with the same period of previous year, the occurrence of natural disasters and accidents increased by 12.
At the national level, 22,476 crimes reported in the first 10 months of 2014, shows an increase of 1,286 crimes or 6.1 percent compared with the same period of the previous year. This increase mainly due to number of crime against the right of ownership (887) and infliction of a bodily injury (553) increased compared to same period of the previous year.
Total 8,831 persons have injured and 923 persons died caused by crimes. A number of persons injured increased by 943 persons or 12.0 percent and persons died increased by 106 persons or 13.0 percent from the same period of the previous year respectively.

NSO Oct.14: GDP by Production Approach up 7.0% at Constant Price Y-O-Y
November 12 (infomongolia.com) Macroeconomic Indicators
GDP by production approach reached 16,517.3 billion MNT at current price and 11,093.5 billion MNT at 2010 constant price in the first 9 months of 2014, up 18.8 percent at current price and 7.0 percent at constant price compared with the same period of the previous year.
GDP by expenditure approach reached 15,847.3 billion MNT at current price, 11,150.3 billion MNT at 2010 constant price in the first 9 months of 2014, up 16.7 percent at current price and 7.3 percent at constant price compared with the same period of the previous year.
According to report of the Bank of Mongolia, money supply (broad money or M2) reached to 10.0 trillion MNT at the end of October 2014, went down by 90.2 billion MNT or 0.9 percent from the previous month, while it goes up by 1.3 trillion MNT or 14.5 percent compared with same period of the previous year.
At the end of October 2014, currency issued in circulation reached 809.6 billion MNT, went down by 17.6 billion MNT or 2.1 percent from the previous month while went down by 15.1 billion MNT or 1.8 percent from same period of the previous year.
Loans outstanding 2014 amounted to 12.8 trillion MNT at the end of October, increased by 222.0 billion MNT or 1.8 percent from previous month and 2.3 trillion MNT or 22.4 percent from the same period of the previous year.
Principals in arrears reached 450.6 billion MNT at the end of October 2014, goes down by 14.0 billion MNT or 3.0 percent from previous month, while it went up by 281.1 billion MNT or 2.7 times compared with same period of the previous year.
At the end of October 2014, the non-performing loans over the bank system reached 606.3 billion MNT, goes up by 15.9 billion MNT or 2.7 percent from the previous month while it goes up by 45.8 billion MNT or 8.2 percent from same period of the previous year.
In the first 10 months of 2014, 41.7 million shares were traded valued at 139.0 billion MNT in the stock market. The securities trading was decreased by 107.7 billion MNT or 43.7 percent and shares decreased by 17.9 million shares or 30.0 percent compared to same period of the previous year.
In the first 10 months of 2014, total equilibrated revenue and grants of the General Government Budget amounted 4,850.2 billion MNT and total expenditure and net lending of the budget reached 5,128.6 billion MNT, representing a deficit of 278.5 billion MNT in the equilibrated balance of the General Government Budget increased by 95.5 billion MNT compared to same period of the previous year.
Compared with same period of the previous year, tax revenue increased by 212.8 billion MNT or 5.4 percent. This increase was mainly due to increases of 112.3 billion MNT or 21.2 percent in other taxes, 103.2 billion MNT or 15.2 percent in social security contributions and 19.5 billion MNT or 1.3 percent in taxes on goods and services although income taxes decreased by 23.3 billion MNT or 2.7 percent in which of 45.1 billion MNT or 8.8 percent in revenue from corporate income tax.
In the first 10 months of 2014, total expenditure and net lending of the General Government Budget reached 5,128.6 billion MNT and increased 486.8 billion MNT or 10.5 percent compared with the same period of the previous year. This increase was mainly due to increases of 209.7 billion MNT or 13.7 percent in subsidies and transfers expenditure, 190.3 billion MNT or 10.3 percent in expenditure on goods and service, 183.7 billion MNT or 2.2 times in lending minus repayments although there were decreases of 100.3 billion MNT or 79.7 percent in other lending minus repayments.

NSO Oct.14: Mongolia Trades with 131 Countries from All over World
November 12 (infomongolia.com) Macroeconomic Indicators
In the first 10 months of 2014, Mongolia traded with 131 countries from all over the world and total external trade turnover reached 9,080.0 million USD, of which 4,605.7 million USD was made up by exports and 4,474.3 million USD by imports.
Total external trade turnover increased 258.8 million USD or 2.9 percent of the total, exports were up 1,125.5 million USD or 32.3 percent and imports were down by 866.7 million USD or 16.2 percent compared with the same period of the previous year.
External trade balance showed a deficit of 1.9 billion USD in the first 10 months of 2013, while it was in a surplus of 131.4 million USD in the first 10 months of 2014.
The national consumer price index rose by 0.8 percent in October 2014 from the previous month, by 9.3 percent compared with the beginning of the year, and by 12.1 percent over the same period of the previous year. An increase as 0.8 percent was mainly due to increases of 5.3 percent in housing, water, electricity and fuels, and 1.0 percent in clothing, footwear and clothing.
On the 1st of November 2014, 515.2 thousand tons of cereals, 160.7 thousand tons of potatoes, 102.6 thousand tons of vegetables were harvested and 1,117.9 thousand tons of hay harvest, 36.4 thousand tons of handmade fodder were produced.
Compared to same period of the previous year, cereals rose by 130.8 thousand tons or 34.0 percent, vegetables rose by 2.4 thousand tons or 2.4 percent, hay harvest rose by 62.9 thousand tons or 6.0 percent, handmade fodder up 4.9 thousand tons or 15.6 percent, potatoes down by 30.8 thousand tons or 16.1 percent.
The industrial production index (2010=100 seasonally adjusted and experimental estimation) in the first 10 months of 2014, increased 14.4 percent from the end of the last year, 8.5 percent over the previous month and increased by 16.9 percent compared with the same period of the previous year.
The mining products such as molybdenum with concentrate, gold, copper concentrate, iron ore, crude oil, fluorspar concentrate increased 5.0-63.1 percent in the mining and quarrying sectors while the production of products such as beer, bakery products, juice, cigarettes, metal foundries, milk, cake, metal steel, knitted goods, soft drinks, buuz, dumpling, bread, vacuum windows and doors, kind of sausage, cement, sawn wood, horse meat rose 0.4 percent to 3.0 times in the manufacturing sector compared with the same period of the previous year.
In the first 10 months of 2014, 17,051.5 thousand tons freight and 2,840.8 million passengers (double counting) were carried by railway transport. Compared with the same period of the previous year, the amount of carried freight decreased 354.9 thous.ton or 2.0 percent and number of carried passengers by 355.2 thousand persons or 11.1 percent.
The revenue from railway transport in the first 10 months of 2014 reached 349.3 billion MNT reflecting decrease of 2.9 billion MNT or 0.8 percent compared with the same period of the previous year.
In the first 10 months of 2014, 2916.1 ton Figure II.5 freight and 579.4 thousand passengers (with double counting) were carried by air transport. Compared with the same period of the previous year, the amount of carried freight dropped 580.7 ton or 16.6 percent and number of carried passengers by 88.4 thousand persons or 13.2 percent.
The revenue from air transport in the first 10 months of 2014 reached 211.2 billion MNT and there were increase by 1.4 billion MNT or 0.7 percent over the same period of the previous year.

26 Mongolian Sumo Wrestlers Compete in 2014 Grand Sumo November Tournament
November 12 (infomongolia.com) The 2014 Kyushu Basho or Grand Sumo November Tournament is ongoing on its fourth day in Fukuoka city of Japan on November 12, 2014.
After third day of the Tournament (Nov.11), 9 wrestlers are leading the Top Division of Makuuchi with no losses, of which 3 of them are Mongolian sumo wrestlers.
The third Yokozuna Harumafuji, who withdrew last Basho due to injury, won over his countryman, new sumo “star” Sekiwake Ichinojo on the first day of the competition and currently, both wrestlers are continuing the tournament with 2 wins and 1 loss each. As of other two Yokozunas - Hakuho and Kakuryu are among the leaders with no loss.
Standings of Mongolian sumo wrestlers after DAY 3, 2014 Grand Sumo November Tournament
Makuuchi Division
1. East Yokozuna Hakuho - M.Davaajargal 3-0
2. West Yokozuna Kakuryu - M.Anand 3-0
3. East Yokozuna Harumafuji - D.Byambadorj 2-1
4. West Sekiwake Ichinojo - A.Ichinnorov 2-1
5. MW-3 Terunofuji - G.Gan-Erdene 2-1
6. MW-10 Tamawashi - B.Munkh-Orgil 1-2
7. MW-11 Kyokutenho - N.Tsevegnyam 3-0
8. ME-13 Takanoiwa - A.Baasandorj 1-2
9. MW-13 Arawashi - E.Dulguun 2-1
10. MW-15 Kyokushuho - T.Erdenebaatar 1-2
Juryo Division
11. E-1 Tokitenku - A.Khuchitbaatar 2-1
12. W-1 6 Kagamio - B.Nanjid 2-1
13. W-3 Seiro - A.Unubold 1-2
14. E-4 Shotenro - D.Nyamsuren 2-1
15. W-7 Asasekiryu - B.Dashnyam 1-2
16. E-10 Azumaryu - S.Todbileg 1-2
17. W-12 Sakigake - Ya.Battushig 3-0
Makushita Division
18. W-11 Chiyoshima - G.Munkhsaikhan 0-1
19. W-14 Gochozan - D.Uuganbaatar 1-1
20. E-18 Ryuonami - B.Buyanjargal 2-0
21. W-23 Daishoho- R.Shijirbayar 2-0
22. W-25 Sensho - E.Bayarbat 2-0
23. E-53 Aratoshi - V.Tserendorj 0-2
24. W-60 Daionami - B.Uuganbayar 1-1
Sandanme Division
25. E-24 Takakasuga - E.Enkhmanlai 0-1
Jonidan Division
26. E-9 Sadahikari - D.Narantsogt 2-0

World Pneumonia Day: Who Conducts DHS to Introduce Pneumococcal Vaccine in Mongolia
November 12 (infomongolia.com) November 12th marks the fifth annual World Pneumonia Day and global health advocates are calling on leaders to scale up existing interventions and invest in new diagnostics and treatments to defeat pneumonia.
Welcoming the Day, the Ministry of Health of Mongolia hosted a press conference on November 11, 2014, where Deputy Minister Mr. J.Amarsanaa, the WHO Resident Representative Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, recently appointed UNICEF Mongolia Resident Representative Mr. Roberto Benes, Director of the Department of Policy Implementation and Coordination at the Ministry Mrs. Ya.Buyanjargal, Director of the National Center for Maternal and Children's Health Mr. Sh.Enkhtur and other officials were present.
Opening the press conference, Deputy Minster J.Amarsanaa noted, “In Mongolia, the pneumonia is the second largest cause of death in children under five and this disease can be preventable. Thus, we should help parents and guardians to increase their knowledge on prevention measures and therefore I appeal public to join this campaign”.
Also, WHO Resident Representative Dr. Soe Nyunt-U added, “The World Health Organization has been providing technical assistance to the Government of Mongolia. Today, the Organization is conducting Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in order to introduce the vaccine in Mongolia against pneumonia”.

Mongolia and Cuba to Boost Bilateral Cooperation in Sports and Physical Education
November 12 (infomongolia.com) In March 2014, the Foreign Ministries of Mongolia and the Republic of Cuba organized the second intergovernmental consultative meeting in Ulaanbaatar to stimulate bilateral cooperation in sports and physical education, culture and tourism as well as agriculture and health.
In the frameworks, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Mongolia and the National Institute of Sport, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) of Cuba have established a five-year Agreement of Cooperation to boost the bilateral ties in sports management and administration.
The Agreement was signed in Havana on November 10, 2014 by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Cuba, Mr. Otgonbayar DAVAASAMBUU and the President of INDER Mr. Antonio Eduardo Becali Garrido.
In the scope of the collaboration, the two countries agreed to bolster bilateral relations in sports activities, in particular, a joint preparation in boxing, freestyle wrestling, judo and athletics for the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics to take place in Brazil, moreover, to involve Mongolian coaches in a short and long-term programs in Cuba.
At the document signing ceremony, Director of Asia and Oceania of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos, representatives of local media as well as legendary athletes born from Cuba such as World and Olympics Champion in Athletics, Javier Sotomayor Sanabria and Cuban heavyweight boxer, a three-time Olympics Champion and sixtime World Champion, Felix Savon Fabre were present.
Related:
Mongolia and Cuba to Cooperate in SportsMontsame, November 12

Food and Agriculture Programs to Run
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, November 12 (MONTSAME) The Ministry of industry and agriculture called a press conference on Wednesday to inform about projects and programs being implemented in cooperation with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Commencing of second phase of the "Food Security" program was announced.
The FAO shows support to Mongolia’s agricultural sector in a scope of its program “South-South Cooperation”. In light of its implementation, China has located USD 30 million in the UN Trust Fund. Mongolia joined the General Agreement on the UN Trust Fund in 2009 in order to realize the National program “Food Security”. As a result of this, China and the FAO decided to give technical assistance to Mongolia and ran a first phase of the program in 2010-2013.
The Ministry announced the decision to commence the second phase of the program. The phase will take place from November 2014 until November 2016. The South-South Cooperation will assist a “Food Security” and “Mongolian Livestock” programs. Four experts and five professionals from the PRC will work for two years on the program implementation. They will provide consulting in animal farming, livestock fodder, vegetable planting, bee farming, fishery, and chicken farms. Officials say the implementation of the programs will result in increase of ranges of food products, introduction of global standards, and in improvement of technology in agricultural companies.

Employment and Social Insurance in Statistics
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, November 12 (MONTSAME) A number of unemployed amounted to 34.2 thousand at the end of October of 2014, decreasing 5.2 thousand people or 13.3 percent against the same period of 2013.
In the first ten months of 2014, the revenue of the Social Insurance Fund stood at MNT 1,119.6 billion, increasing MNT 122.6 billion or 12.3 percent, the expenditure of the fund reached MNT 1,064.7 billion, showing increase of 192.5 billion or 22.1 percent compared to the same period of 2013.
A total of MNT 116.9 billion was granted to 198.8 thousand people for long-term pensions and welfare benefits from the Social Welfare Fund. Compared to the same period of the previous year, a number of people who received the long-term pensions and welfare allowances increased 2.6 thousand or 1.3 percent, the amount of the pensions and allowances went up by MNT 7.1 billion or 6.5 percent as well. 
By the first ten months of 2014, 198.0 billion Togrog was granted from the Human Development Fund to 987.2 thousand children below age 18, as cash benefit.

National CPI Increases
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, November 12 (MONTSAME) The national consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.8 percent in October against September, by 9.3 percent against the beginning of the year, and by 12.1 percent against the same period of 2013. This increase happened due to 5.3-percent increased in housing, water, electricity and fuels, and to 1.0-percent increase in clothing and footwear.

Mongol Studies Scientific Forum Runs in Ankara
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, November 12 (MONTSAME) On the occasion of establishment of the first in Turkey center for Mongol Studies at Haceteppe University of Ankara, an international scientific forum named “Historic Turkish-Mongolian Relations” ran November 11 in Ankara.
It gathered the two countries' scholars and researchers who debated over 13 presentations. The action was opened by a rector of Haceteppe University Prof. A.M.Tunjer and a head of Turkish Studies Institute of the University Prof. Yu.Koch. The reports discussed were: "Ancient Findings of Mongolian Script" by Secretary-General of the International Association of Mongolian studies D.Tomortogoo; “Roles and Involvement of TIKA in development of Mongolia-Turkey relations” by the vice-chairman of Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) Mr Sureyya; “Third-Neighbor policy and Mongolia-Turkey relations” by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Turkey B.Batkhishig; “Stamps of Golden Orda Kings and their Meanings” by scholar of the Institute of history at the Academy of Sciences S.Tsolmon; “Mongolian script dictionary on Arab alphabet” by the Head of Center for Mongol Studies at Haceteppe University B.Gul; “Turkic studies in Mongolia” by Head of Department for Turkic Studies at the State University of Mongolia Ts.Battulga; and “Relations of Mongolian Ilkhaganate” by doctorate of the University of Ankara.
Mongolian academician D.Tomortogoo congratulated all on the establishment of the centre in Turkey and gave to Koch books about Mongol Studies written by the International Association of Mongol Studies, Institute of history of the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia and the State University of Mongolia.

Births Increase
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, November 12 (MONTSAME) In the first ten months of 2014, 68 thous.358 mothers delivered children. A number of live births reached 68,764.
A number of the mothers increased 2,081 mothers or 3.1 percent, the number of children increased by 2,146 or 3.2 percent against the same period of the previous year. 
Infant mortality reached stood at 1,012 in the first 10 months of this year, increasing 59 children or 6.2 percent, under-five babies mortality reached 1,234, going up by 53 or 4.5 percent against the same period of 2013.

Crimes Increase
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, November 12 (MONTSAME) At the national level, 22,476 crimes were reported in the first 10 months of 2014, showing a 1,286 crimes increase or 6.1 percent compared to the same period of 2013.
This increase was triggered by increases in crimes against the right of ownership (887) and infliction of a bodily injury (553). Due to the crimes, some 8,840 people were injured and 923 people died. A number of the injured went up 943 people or 12.0 percent, of the victims--by 106 people or 13.0 percent against the same period of 2013.

DP nominates MP R.Amarjargal for PM
November 12 (news.mn) During the DP caucus closed meeting on Wednesday, MP R.Amarjargal was nominated for PM. A total of 28 MPs attended the closed meeting and there was a unanimous vote for the party's candidate.
MP D.Ganbat, one of the three MPs who were being considered for PM, withdrew his name from the nomination. The DP caucus agreed to put aside their conflicts among the caucus factions in order to form a strong government to remedy the current economic situation.
After the DP negotiates their nominee for PM with other political parties in parliament, they will submit the nomination for PM to President Ts.Elbegdorj for approval.
A new PM will be appointed at the plenary session meeting of parliament if the President accepts the nomination.

Changes to housing mortgage program
November 12 (news.mn) The Central Bank of Mongolia announced amendments to mortgage lending rules that create conditions for local borrowers in the countryside to buy apartments with long term loans at reduced interest rates of 8 percent per annum.
The “Housing Mortgage Program” carried out by Central Bank of Mongolia has been available to borrowers to purchase new or residential apartments that were built in the 1980s.
According to housing mortgage lending rules, loans with reduced interest rates of 8 percent per annum can be issued to purchase apartments no larger than 80 square meters. Regarding the changes to mortgage lending rules, there is now no limit to the size of apartments eligible for purchase through the low interest loans.
The “Housing Mortgage Program” will soon issue loans to borrowers to purchase houses in the city.
President of the Central Bank of Mongolia N.Zoljargal said that the new loan program will be launched as part of Ulaanbaatar policy to reduce air pollution and smoke.
The Government of Mongolia had originally announced that the interest rate for the housing mortgage program in the countryside would be 7 percent per annum.  However, it was not included in the government budget, so it will be the same 8 percent annual interest for borrowers in the countryside.

Mongolian College Basketball League’s Logo Brought from T.Sanchir’s Silhouette
November 12 (infomongolia.com) The Students Basketball League 2014, which is being organized by Mongolian National College Basketball Association for the consecutive 15th year, made its opening at the Central Sports Palace in Ulaanbaatar on November 08, 2014.
At this year’s edition with a total monetary prize of 15 million MNT (Tugrug), 12 Men and 6 Women College Teams are to compete until April 01, 2015.
Most notably, the logo of Mongolian College Basketball League was brought from a silhouette of T.Sanchir in white on a red and blue depicting the flag of Mongolia and a ball.
Tungalag SANCHIR is an International Master of Sports, whose silhouette was taken from a picture during the match against Maldives in the 17th Asian Games finished in Incheon, South Korea last October.
Mongolian College Basketball League 2014
Women Teams:
Ulaanbaatar University
Otgontenger University
Mandakh Burtgel Institute
Mon Altius Institute
National University of Mongolia
Ikh Zasag International University
Men Teams:
West:
Ulaanbaatar University
San Institute
Mandakh Burtgel Institute
Mon-Altius Institute
Orkhon University
Institute of Finance and Economics
East:
National University of Mongolia
Otgontenger University
CITI Institute
Ikh Zasag International Universtity
Institute of Engineering and Technology
University of the Humanities

Statistics of Bank and Stock Exchange
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, November 12 (MONTSAME) According to the Bank of Mongolia (BoM), a money supply (broad money or M2) reached MNT 10.0 trillion at the end of October of 2014, going down by 90.2 billion or 0.9 percent against the previous month, and going up by 1.3 trillion or 14.5 percent against the same period of 2013.
By the end of this October, currency issued in circulation reached MNT 809.6 billion, decreasing MNT 17.6 billion or 2.1 percent from the previous month, and by 15.1 billion or 1.8 percent from the same period of the previous year.
Loans outstanding 2014 amounted to 12.8 trillion Togrog at the end of October, increasing by MNT 222.0 billion or 1.8 percent from previous month and by MNT 2.3 trillion or 22.4 percent from the same period of 2013.
Principals in arrears reached MNT 450.6 billion at the end of October, going down by MNT 14.0 billion or 3.0 percent from previous month, but increasing MNT 281.1 billion or 2.7 times compared to the same period of 2013. Non-performing loans over the bank system reached MNT 606.3 billion, showing increase of 15.9 billion or 2.7 percent against the previous month, and of 45.8 billion or 8.2 percent compared to the same period of 2013.
In the first 10 months of 2014, 41.7 million shares were traded valued at MNT 139.0 billion in the stock market. The securities trading decreased MNT 107.7 billion or 43.7 percent, shares decreased by 17.9 million or 30.0 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

Stock Exchange news for November 12
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, November 12 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Wednesday, a total of 138,910 shares of 20 JSCs were traded costing MNT 54 million 578 thousand and 745.00.
"HBOil” /71,810 units/, “Khongon Beton” /53,842 units/, “Remicon” /5,000 units/, “Hermes Center” /2,100 units/ and "Mongol Nekhmel” /2,017 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were "HBOil” (MNT 28 million 792 thousand and 860), "Khongon Beton” (MNT ten million 768 thousand and 400), “Mongol Nekhmel” (MNT eight million and 268 thousand), “Gutal” (MNT one million and 900 thousand) and "Gobi” (MNTone million and 573 thousand).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 536 billion 526 million 701 thousand and 612. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 15,341.64, decreasing 24.48 units or 0.16% against the previous day.

Oyu Tolgoi sales income reaches about half billion dollars
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, November 12 (MONTSAME) By the third quarter of 2014, Oyu Tolgoi LLC marketed 220.3 thousand tons of copper-gold concentrate, and the company’s sales income reached USD 466.1 million, informed Oyu Tolgoi LLC Tuesday.
Based on the assumption on metal content in the concentrates, the company marketed total amounts of 53.6 thousand tons of copper at USD 302.6 million, 144 thousand ounces of gold at USD 158.5 million, and of 323 thousand ounces of silver at USD five million. Volume of concentrate sales increased by nine percent from the previous quarter, and due to the exemption of sales, the reserves of concentrate at storage has decreased, reports Oyu Tolgoi LLC.
As a result, the company paid USD 25.4 million of royalty to the Government. Content of copper and gold at the open pit is expected to increase this quarter. Total production may reach 130-135 thousand tons of copper and 550-600 thousand ounces of gold in 2014.
Turquoise Hill Resources announced its Quarterly Report on Monday. The company reported a lower third-quarter loss due to the start of sales from Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine and lower operating expenses. Net loss attributable to the company fell to USD 38.6 million, or 2 cents per share, in the quarter ended September 30 from USD 94 million, or 9 cents per share, a year earlier. The total amount USD 466.1 million shows nearly 30 times increase against the same period of the previous year, highlights Oyu Tolgoi LLC.

Economists' Forum will be held
November 12 (news.mn) The Standing Committee on Economy along with the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Institute for National Strategy of Mongolia  and National Council for Private Sector Support is organizing the Economists' Forum, under the theme of "Gateway".
The forum aims to give a clear outlook on the current economic and social situation in Mongolia, specify advantages and disadvantages of the economy, seek ways to use opportunities effectively, define long term strategy for development, strengthen economic growth, and exchange opinions on the issues of state and market economy structures.
Suggestions on policy gathered at the forum will be delivered to the Government of Mongolia.
The Economists' Forum will be held at the Government House on November 14th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

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