Mongolia Brief January 20, 2015



President Meets Speaker of Czech Senate
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) With a state visit to the Czech Republic, the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj Monday received Mr Milan Stech, the president of the Czech Senate (upper house of parliament), in Prague.

Mr Stech spoke about the Senate of the Czech Republic, after which the Mongolian leader thanked him for the warm audience and noted that the 65t t h anniversary of the Mongolia-Czech diplomatic relations is marked this year. He also said that former Czechoslovakia used to be a second largest investor of Mongolia before 1990, "and it shows how wide our relations are".
He also said that the bilateral cooperation is possible to expand in many spheres such as economy, education, mining and infrastructure.
Supporting the views of the President about the bilateral ties and cooperation, Mr Stech emphasized that Mongolia is one of the best partners of the Czech Republic, and that his country successfully overcame the transition period of 1989 as the country developed an industrial sector by attracting foreign investments.
Some biggest Czech companies want to export their products and to open their representatives in many countries including Mongolia, he went on. "We consider that Mongolia has nice conditions for investors, and it may give impetus to the bilateral cooperation which may be determined by the private sector in the future."
The Senate president said the inter-parliamentary ties can expand and noted that mutual visits have been regularized in recent years at parliamentary level. His country will pay a special attention to the collaboration in service, education and health sectors, he said.
Mongolia will host the 2016 ASEM Summit as well as a meeting of MPs, Mr Elbegdorj said. Mongolia is focusing on tourism and environment sectors, he noted and emphasized that a project has been successful realized on acclimatizing wild horses (takhi) within the cooperation. "The number of the wild horses has been rising, reaching some 100 heads. Khustain Nuruu, a main land for these animals, is definitely a favourite place for tourists," Mr Elbegdorj said.
The visiting group has the private sector’s delegates, and a Mongolia-Czech business forum will run Tuesday.

Two Presidents Call Press Conference
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj and the President of Czech Republic Milos Zeman called a press conference January 19 after their official meeting.
"We had an interesting discussion. It is right to mention that the former Czechoslovakia was the biggest partner to Mongolia after the Soviet Union. However, the history cannot repeat itself because we cannot possibly remove China from Mongolia’s market," said Mr Zeman.
With Mr Elbegdorj he mainly discussed a restoration of the cooperation in trade and economy, he went on. "The major interest in Mongolia lays in its mining sector, where over 80 Czech companies operate. I presented to Mr Ts.Elbegdorj a list of other 40 companies that are interested in operating in Mongolia," he said.
Mongolia’s democracy is highly recognized in the Czech Republic, "I am happy that six democratic elections have run in Mongolia, and that the current President has been elected twice," he noted. The Mongolian leader Ts.Elbegdorj said he is glad to visit the Czech Republic. Our two countries have common values and traditional friendly relations, "2015 is the 65th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, and Mongolia and the Czech Republic do not have any controversial issues, are full of pleasant opportunities to expand the relations," said Mr Elbegdorj.
"Our businessmen who are accompanying me will be able to establish ties with the Czech counterparts at a business forum," he also noted. Not only the economic cooperation, but also ties and understanding between the two peoples are important, for example, "many Mongolians are working in this country". "We also discussed an agreement on cooperation in social and educational spheres, this door is open wide,” he said.
Our President also informed that he would visit the Charles University on January 20, one of the pillars of Mongol studies. He said that the military forces of Mongolia and the Czech Republic have served shoulder-to-shoulder in several peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan.
“Mongolia celebrates the 25th anniversary of its very first democratic election this year. On this special occasion, I have invited Mr Milos Zeman to visit our country on a state visit. I am happy that he accepted my invitation," he said.
After this, a reporter asked the Czech President to share his country’s practices on attracting investors, mentioning that this country has drawn investments of USD 144 billion within a year. The reporter also commented that investment is what Mongolia needs at the moment.
Mr Zeman answered that, although he is not entitled to advice Mongolia, he would say that the Czech Republic has offered tax reliefs to foreign investors since 1998. “This has continued for almost a decade. Our commitment to increasing of the investments is still underway, focusing lately on the value-added industries,” he said.
A reporter asked the Presidents if they had discussed any particular project or program. The Czech journalist asked if Mongolia can contribute to the improved relations between the Czech Republic and China.
Mr Elbegdorj said their meeting did not address any particular program or project, and that the presentation of 40 companies’ list expresses Mr Zeman’s significant interest in cooperation with our country, and that he will put his efforts to study the opportunities and intensify the cooperation. He also promised to pursue a matter of the Czech companies operating in Mongolia, during a development of the plan of follow-up actions to this visit.
“Mongolia’s door is always open to foreign investors, particularly, that come from a Third neighbor, because such investments will yield the economy and help balance the investments to Mongolia. Our country has no controversy with its two neighbors. The last year’s visits of the leaders of Russia and China have brought abundance of progress,” he said.
A Mongolian reporter said the Czech Republic accordingly receives 10 million tourists, which equals to its own population. The reporter asked how this country advertises itself and what national brands they use. “What do You expect from a state visit paid nine years after a visit of a head of State of the Czech Republic to Mongolia?”
Replying, Mr Zeman said,"Our beautiful women and men, and historic landmarks and buildings."
Mr Elbegdorj said that many Czech professionals had worked in Mongolia, in fact, the professionals who discovered the riches of our Erdenet deposit were the Czech nationals. “We have well based relations thanks to the Czech’s assistance in construction of Mongolia’s major factories and plants”. He also said he expects the bilateral relations to expand in variety of spheres and that the Czech businessmen can also visit us with their President.
“I am willing to travel to Mongolia with the business representatives because I consider the basis of diplomatic relations is the economy. In a scope of my visit, I would like to discuss the opportunities of investment, cooperation in mining and railway constructions, and geological explorations, as well as other matters,” said the Czech President.

Bills on Joining ILO Conventions Submitted
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Labour S.Chinzorig MP Tuesday submitted to the Parliament Speaker Z.Enkhbold draft laws on joining the 88th Convention on employment service of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the 181st ILO Convention on private employment agencies.
Adopted on July 9 of 1948 in San Francisco at the 31st ILC session, the ILO 88th Convention on employment service (CO88) reflects matters on national state bodies on employment, their functions, job place criteria for the officials concerning employment services and the criteria on stability and professional skills. It also reflects clauses on drawing up, implementing and monitoring a state policy on employment, creating a proper form of social partnership, ensuring the private sector’s participation in employment services and developing fruitful collaboration between the state and private sector.
The ILO 181st Convention on private employment agencies convention (C181) was adopted on June 19 of 1997 in Geneva, Switzerland at the 85th ILC session. It reflects a condition of private organizations of employment services and norms of protecting the interest of clients.

Standing Committee on Budget Meets
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) At its regular meeting on Tuesday, the parliamentary Standing committee on budget ran first discussion of a draft amendment to the law on budget stability.
A head of the Mongolian People’s Party’s (MPP) faction S.Byambatsogt said their faction canceled a break which was taken before the Standing committee’s meeting, and that they submitted a principally different proposal according to which an amount of total debt of Mongolia will be an equivalent to 58.3% of the Gross Domestic Product in 2015.
After making a clarification from the faction head, the Standing committee ran a poll over the proposal. It was not backed by a majority of the committee’s members.
Then the committee did not back proposals on amending some clauses of the law about budget stability as well as annually estimation of a size of the master budget’s balance by parliament.
The committee decided to present to parliament a conclusion of the polling and the first discussion over the law’s amendment.

Minister Gives Status Report on TT Negotiations
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) Minister of Mongolia M.Enkhsaikhan gave the cabinet a status report of the negotiations between Tavan Tolgoi working group and the selected strategic investors on January 19.
The investor--China Shenhua Energy, Sumitomo Corporation and Energy Resource LLC consortium-- outlined in their investment proposal an agreement with the conditions to make investments with overall value of four billion US dollars, to commission on their expense a construction of railroad connecting the deposit to Gashuunsukhait borderport, to transfer 51 percent of this construction to the Government, to build a coal processing plant with annual capacity of 30 million tons, and to allow USD 150 million in advance to the Government on repayment condition.
The negotiations with the investor are continuing, the sides have agreed to pursue a strategy to reach a mutually beneficial solution, which includes a negotiation based on mutual trust, a discussion on every concerned matter respectively, creative initiatives and approaches to settle such matters, reported M.Enkhsaikhan. The cabinet obligated him to regularly report the processes of these negotiations.
Mr Enkhsaikhan also gave information about the international market of coking coal. For instance, he said China is developing a program solely on building a railroad for coal transport. This program is being undertaken in cooperation with Shenhua Energy.
In order to satisfy the global standards, Mongolia should expect larger production, larger transport, and broader commercialization, said the Minister. To facilitate this, Tavan Tolgoi coal deposit and railway projects should be developed comprehensively. As a result of commitments to the larger transport capacity, Mongolian coal will be able to get its own place on the global market. Supplying the world’s major coal consumers and steel plants through entering the Chinese railway network, and commercializing the coal on third markets through reaching the key maritime ports are required in order to achieve broader marketing.

Draft Law on Control over Alcoholic Beverages Submitted
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) The government Tuesday submitted to parliament a bill on control over alcoholic beverages.
The bill has been submitted in frames of the President's appeal on combating alcoholism, running works of determining factors of affects on the gene pool of Mongolians, and taking necessary measures in accordance with the 2009-2013 policy and action programme of the President.

Desktop Studies of School Buildings Presented
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Education, Culture and Sciences L.Gantomor presented desktop studies on the construction of school buildings to the cabinet on January 19.
These schools will be built on under a nonrefundable aid from the government of China.
The cabinet meeting held in October of 2014 resolved to build schools after discussing a variety of projects that can be funded by the CNY 300 million aid provided for Mongolia by the Chinese government.
L.Gantomor read out the proposal which says that initially 21 schools will be erected in urban and rural areas.
These schools will be constructed under a same design as to be reflected to the feasibility study.
Out of 22 schools that operate in three shifts a day, 21 are in Ulaanbaatar. Every year, approximately four thousand children change schools and move to the city to study. Some 26 school buildings with capacity to receive 17,640 pupils have to be demolished/reconstructed.

Ambassadors of Mongolia to Australia, Cuba, Egypt, Lao,
Poland, Singapore, Thailand and United Nations Will Be
Recalled
January 20 (infomongolia.com) The regular Cabinet meeting of the Government was held on Monday, January 19 and one of the issues resolved was a new nomination of Mongolia’s envoys to foreign states and United Nations.
Accordingly, it was introduced to promote the following individuals and submit the names to the President of Mongolia for an approval.
Mr. Lodoidamba GALBADRAKH as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Lao People's Democratic Republic , succeeding Ambassador Mr. T.Janabazar,
Mr. Tumur LKHAGVADORJ as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Singapore, succeeding Ambassador B.Delgermaa,
Mr. Tsedendamba BATBAYAR as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Cuba, succeeding Ambassador O.Davaasambuu,
Mr. Gonchig GANBOLD as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of India, succeeding Ambassador S.Bayaraa,
Mr. Chuluun BAYARMUNKH as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Arab Republic of Egypt, succeeding Ambassador B.Odonjil,
Mr. Batlai CHULUUNKHUU as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Commonwealth of Australia, succeeding Ambassador R.Bold,
Mr. Nemekh BATAA as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Poland , succeeding Ambassador A.Ganbaatar,
Mr. Tumurkhuleg TUGSBILGUUN as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Kingdom of Thailand, succeeding Ambassador Ch.Battumur,
Mr. Sukhee SUKHBOLD as the Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the United Nations, succeeding Ambassador O.Och.
Related:
Cabinet Wants to Nominate AmbassadorsMontsame, January 20

Parliamentarian Meets Delegates of Labour Ministry and ILO
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) Head of the parliamentary Standing committee on social policy, education, culture and science D.Battsogt Tuesday received officials of the Ministry of Labour and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Present at the meeting were Tim de Meyer, director of the ILO bureaus in charge of Mongolia and China’s affairs; David Tajman, Mooney Prudence Judit, international consultants to the ILO; J.Batkhuyag, the Vice Minister of Labour; and other officials.
Mr Meyer said that the ILO is rendering technical assistance to Mongolia for an alteration of the labour law from 2010 in accordance with official request from the Ministry of Labour. The ILO has fully supported the reforming of the law with participation of the Labour Ministry, the Mongolian Trade Unions (MTU) and Mongolia’s Union of Employers (MUE). Now, the ILO is giving advice and recommendations to Mongolia about being open to countries, harmonizing the labour environment with the market condition, ensuring essential rights at job places for employees, he said.
Mentioning that a process of the law’s alteration has been continuing for a long time, the Vice Minister Batkhuyag said the Ministry is working out relevant bill in accordance with the related documents, hoping that the Standing committee will back it.
Mr Battsogt thanked the ILO for the technical assistance and said the Standing committee is ready to back the draft law if it is submitted to parliament.

Cabinet Meeting in Brief
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) Matters which the cabinet resolved on its meeting Tuesday included the lessening of vacant advisors to the Prime Minister from seven to four. This was in frames of the direction to refine compositions and structures of state bodies, to eliminate duplications of responsibilities, and decreasing the vacancies of advisors who are paid under the State Budget.
- Draft concepts of renewed version of law on State Service, a draft law on Salary, Benefit, Aid and Social Security of State Servants, and of a draft law on Performance and Productivity of State Bodies was discussed and approved. A head of the Cabinet Secretariat S.Bayartsogt was obligated to prepare the above drafts for a review by the cabinet.
- The Minister of Mining R.Jigjid presented to the Cabinet the results of geological researches funded by the State Budget and further activities to be conducted in the mining sector. After this, Mr Jigjid was obligated to prepare an issue of forming a National Geological Office, in light of freeing the general exploration areas from State Special Use and their geological landscape design with graduated scale of 1:50000, of determining the geographic coordinates of the researched areas for exploration, and of refining of the composition and management of geological sphere.
- The cabinet resolved to withdraw the draft law on State and Local Financed Purchasing of Products and Services, initiated and submitted to parliament last May.
- A draft law on Development and Submission of Draft Regulations and Law Implementations and draft amendments to other laws regarding the new draft law are to be submitted to parliament after reflecting the comments made by the Cabinet members.
- Added in the List of Special Objects under Police Protection were the building of Mongolian National Public Television and Radio, Studio of the Television and Radio, and the broadcasting facility in Khonkhor.
- Mr D.Tsogtbaatar was freed from the position of a director of the Committee of State Property, and was replaced by Ts.Nanzaddorj.

Draft Amendment to Law on Budget Stability Adopted
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) A plenary meeting of the parliamentary session on Tuesday adopted a draft amendment to the law on budget stability after running its final discussion.
Majority of the MPs (90.2%) backed to adopt the draft amendment. Accordingly, the debt ceiling of Mongolia will not exceed an equivalent of 58.3% of the national GDP, thus the cabinet is obliged to maintain the figure of the debt in this number.
The same day, the plenary meeting adopted the frameworks of the 2015 state master budget; a draft amendment to the law on a clarification of the 2016-2017 budget; and a draft amendment to the law on the budget after running their final discussions.
As scheduled, Standing committees will run the second discussion of a clarification of the 2015 budget.

Mongolia at “Development Goals Beyond 2015” discussion
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) The permanent representative of Mongolia to the UN Mr O.Och addressed the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Dialogue to discuss the Development Goals beyond 2015 to express Mongolia’s position.
Mr Och emphasized that these goals must be based on the lessons and achievements obtained by the implementation of Millenium Development Goals. He noted that the MDGs have been of high importance in defining a scope of international cooperation for development.
The unique needs of landlocked countries should be reflected in this important document, he stressed. Mr Och also noted that Mongolia has initiated the UN resolution on Partnership for Development, and expressed a hope that this Partnership which has one billion members will be a key partner in developing these goals.

Pope Francis Greets Mongolian President
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) His Holiness Pope Francis has sent a greeting to the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj through an airline communication while he was flying over Mongolian territories during a trip from the Philippines. In his greeting, His Holiness said he had sent praying to the President and Mongolian people, and wished the best for a development and peace of Mongolia.

Renewable Energy National Forum Approaches
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) The national forum on Renewable Energy will take place on January 23 at Corporate Convention Center, for purposes of refining the business environment for those who run business in renewable energy sphere and of increasing the green energy consumption in Mongolia.
This forum will address pressing issues in the sphere and further required measures. The Ministry of Energy and the National Center for Renewable Energy will be cooperating with the organizers.
The participants are supposed to determine the activities to be conducted in 2015-2016 regarding renewable energy matters and to submit those to the Government for reflection in its action plans.

Another Month Sees Positive Trade Balance
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) As of December of 2014, the cumulative balance amounted to USD 537.9 million. It shows an increase of 125.8 percent of USD 2,626.7 million against the same period of the previous year.
By the reporting period, the total exports increased by 35.3 percent, and imports decreased by 17.6 percent against the same period of 2013, thus showing such an increase in the trade balance.
The value of the three-month moving average of the difference of annual growth rates of exports and imports has been decreasing in the recent years. However it started to increase from the beginning of 2014.

Stock Exchange News for January 20
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, January 20 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Tuesday, a total of 8,343 units of 22 JSCs were traded costing MNT 317 million 137 thousand and 783.
"State Department Store” /2,650 units/, “Gutal” /650 units/, “Arig gal” /500 units/, “Sor” /350 units/ and "APU” /223 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were "Gutal” (MNT six million and 175 thousand), "State Department Store” (MNT one million 496 thousand and 320), “Arig gal” (MNT one million and 175 thousand), “APU” (MNT 825 thousand and 756) and "Ulaanbaatar khivs” (MNT 740 thousand).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 398 billion 346 million 368 thousand and 646. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 14,426.63, decreasing 177.36 units or 1.21% against the previous day.

First Smart Collection Point Launched in Chingeltei District to Improve Waste Collection And Recycling
January 20 (infomongolia.com) The Ulaanbaatar City Municipality, the Governor's Office of Chingeltei District, The Asia Foundation, and the 16th Khoroo of the District launched the first of two smart collection points to improve waste collection and recycling on January 19, 2015.
The first smart collection point located in the 16th Khoroo of Chingeltei District is established as a part of a Model Khoroo Solid Waste Management pilot initiative under the Improving Urban Services in the Ger Areas of Ulaanbaatar City project.
The project is implemented jointly by the Ulaanbaatar City Municipality and The Asia Foundation, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Australia.
Ulaanbaatar is one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities and more than half ofUlaanbaatar’s residents live in Ger districts, many of whom do not have access to basic public services such as water supply, sewerage systems, waste management systems and central heating. This user-friendly smart collection point will provide Ger district residents in areas inaccessible to garbage collection vehicles with improved collection services, support waste sorting and recycling activities, and reduce illegal garbage dumping in public spaces. Local residents will now also have convenient access to 24-hour waste disposal, including an onsite waste recycling collection center which will purchase recycling materials from residents.
The Model Khoroo Solid Waste Management initiative aims to improve waste management in 6 Khoroos in the 6 central districts to enhance the living environment of Ger area residents and resolve waste related issues. The initiative aims to implement effective Ger area solid waste management at the khoroo level and strengthen effective cooperation between Ger district residents, city municipality authorities, and solid waste collection companies. Implementing innovative waste management practices in the Model Khoroos will inform sustainable and comprehensive Ger area policy level changes. Within the framework of this project, the second smart collection point is planned for the 13th Khoroo of Khan-Uul District.
Under the Project, the Asia Foundation has cooperated with Ulaanbaatar City to improve the accessibility and availability of public services to Ger district residents through the Improving Urban Services in the Ger Areas of Ulaanbaatar City project since December 2012. Under this partnership, the Foundation has successfully managed and implemented community mapping in 87 Khoroos in ger districts with the help of citizen participation though a joint effort by the Mayor’s Office.
Related:

Oyu Tolgoi announces fourth quarter 2014 production
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, January 20 (Oyu Tolgoi) - Oyu Tolgoi today announced its production report for the fourth quarter of 2014.
Oyu Tolgoi produced 50,300 tonnes of copper and 278,000 ounces of gold in concentrates for the quarter.
Higher ore grades during the quarter led to increased metal production over previous quarters. This was, however, partially offset by reduced processing rates as a result of the concentrator fire in December 2014. Repairs from the fire were completed on 2 January 2015, and the concentrator has returned to full production.
Full year production for 2014 was in line with guidance, at 148,400 tonnes of copper and 589,000 ounces of gold in concentrates. Marketing and logistics improvements throughout 2014, alongside sales momentum in Q4, led to drawdown of inventory to optimised levels.
Andrew Woodley, President and CEO of Oyu Tolgoi, said: “While we are still a young business, completing our first full year of production, we made real progress over the course of 2014. Despite challenges, the team at Oyu Tolgoi delivered a strong performance – meeting our production guidance and achieving strong sales.
“This puts us in a strong position to continue to drive growth and profitability in 2015, and I firmly believe we are on the path to delivering a safe and globally competitive copper business which creates enduring value for all our stakeholders.”
Looking ahead, Oyu Tolgoi is expected to produce 175,000 to 195,000 tonnes of copper, and 600,000 to 700,000 ounces of gold in concentrates in 2015.

Importation of flour on hold until domestic flour quality is determined
January 20 (news.mn) The Prime Minister has received proposals submitted by flour industry representatives and ordered the establishment of a working group to determine the gluten content of unsold domestic wheat and to find out whether these flours meet standards for production.
The Executive Director of the Farmer and Flour Association, Ch.Enkhbayar, said that although this year’s harvest was generous, the quality of flour does not meet standards. He said that domestic factories can produce high quality flour if domestic wheat is mixed with imported Russian wheat with a higher gluten content.
However, President of the Farmer and Flour Association L.Tsandeleg said that there is no need to import additional wheat since there is approximately 40,000 tons of wheat in the inventory of member organizations of the Farmer and Flour Association, 32,000 tons in the Cultivation Promotion Fund, and 72,000 tons of wheat nationwide
Permits for importing 20,000 tons of wheat not only closed the sale of wheat for farmers in 2014, but also closed cultivation conditions in 2015.
The working group will consist of delegates from the State Specialized Agency of Mongolia and the Farmer and Flour Association of Mongolia. 

The Prime Minister's number of advisors to be reduced
January 20 (news.mn) According to yesterday’s government session, it has been decided that the number of Advisors to the Prime Minister will be reduced. 
Within efforts to reduce the expenses of the state budget, the elimination of the duplication of duties, a reduction of the number of advisors receiving salaries from the state budget, and revisions to state structure, it is has been decided to cut the number of advisors to the Prime Minister to four.
The measure is expected to save 140 million MNT per year.

Agreement with London stock exchange extended
January 20 (news.mn) An agreement established between the Mongolian Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange is being extended by three more years without any allocation of additional expenses from the state budget. The two sides will continue to cooperate at a strategic partnership level. 
Activity of the Mongolian Stock Exchange market has been revived since November of last year, and the daily average transaction of monthly trading has reached 700 million MNT. In comparison with June 2014, this amount reflects a five times increase.
The Mongolian Stock Exchange is welcoming the 24th anniversary of its founding with the good news that the faith of international investors is  being revived, which analysts believe will result in a revitalization of the Mongolian capital market.    
Issuing of the new government's first bonds will be launched by Minister of Finance J. Erdenebat. This will be the second trading of Mongolian government bonds in the secondary market in accordance with internationally accepted principles.

President of Mongolia Pays State Visit to Czech Republic
January 20 (infomongolia.com) The state visit by the President of Mongolia Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ to the Czech Republic has started and the head of state and his accompanying delegation arrived in Prague on January 19, 2015.
President Ts.Elbegdorj was officially welcomed by the President of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman at the First Courtyard of Prague Castle, where the Head of Czech President’s Office Vratislav Mynar, Foreign Minister Martin Tlapa, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Michaela Marksova Tominova and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Mongolia Ivana Grollova were present at the welcoming ceremony.
After, the heads of state Ts.Elbegdorj and M.Zeman held a one-to-one meeting and made a joint press statement.
At the joint statement, President M.Zeman noted, “I would like to note that the Czechoslovakia was the second closest partner country of Mongolia during 1970s after the Soviet Union. But this situation cannot be repeated now, because we cannot push out China from Mongolian market. During the one-to-one meeting with President of Mongolia, we discussed the opportunities of restoration the economic partnership and the most widely available industry in Mongolia’s economy is mining sector. Today, about 80 Czech entities are operating in Mongolia and our side proposed another 40 companies’ name interested to conduct its activities in Mongolia”.
In his remarks, President Ts.Elbegdorj said, “I am glad to pay a state visit to the Czech Republic, the country that has a similar values and the traditional good relations. In 2015, our two countries commemorating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. In this regard, there is a big opportunity to connect business representatives from both sides during the Business Forum to be held these days. Besides the economic cooperation, the relationship between the people of the two countries is the most vital part in the communication. Largest number of Mongolians had been and now working in this country that prove a friendly relationship. During the meeting with the President M.Zeman, we talked about a collaboration issues in social and educational sectors. Moreover, we invited HE Mr. Zeman to conduct a state visit to Mongolia and I am glad that he accepted the invitation. Following this visit, tasks to carry out will be developed and I will be paying a particular attention to the companies willing to invest and entities currently operating in Mongolia”.
On the same day, President of the Czech Senate Mr. Milan Stech and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Mr. Bohuslav Sobotka have paid a courtesy call on the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj. Also, President Ts.Elbegdorj is scheduled to meet Mongolians live and study in the Czech Republic.

President of Czech Senate Pays Courtesy Call on President of Mongolia
January 20 (infomongolia.com) On January 19, 2015, President of the Czech Senate Mr. Milan Stech paid a courtesy call on the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj, who is conducting a state visit to the Czech Republic.
During the meeting, President of the Senate (Upper House of the Parliament) Mr. Milan Stech briefed about the Parliamentary operations that consist of Upper House with 81 Senators and the Lower House (Chamber of Deputies) with 200 Deputies. A third of the senators are elected for 2 years, another third for 4 years and yet another third for 6 years.
During the meeting President Ts.Elbegdorj noted, “This year our two nations are celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The collaboration opportunities seem to be open in economical, educational, mining, infrastructural and many other spheres. I have been accompanied with representatives of private sectors and during the Mongolia-Czech Business Forum to take place tomorrow, we can talk and set up a number of agreements to partner in above sectors mentioned”.
Senate President Milan Stech added, “For me as a Chairman, the inter-parliamentary relations are available to expand.
Reciprocal high-level visits are important to boost any relationship and I deem the visits at the parliamentary level have been stabilized in recent years. Apart of these, we will focus on broadening cooperation in services, education and health sectors.
Promote education is a big investment to improve the livelihood of the population”.

Best Breeds of "Mongol Bankhar" Dog Show 2015
January 20 (infomongolia.com) It was reported that the "Arslan" Kynological Club to organize the "Mongol Bankhar 2015" Dog Show at the hippodrome in Yarmag area , Ulaanbaatar on January 17, 2015.
The event was organized to select and bestow Bankhars in four categories and the best breeds were selected as follows:
1. Tallest bankhar - “Garid” bankhar with withers height of 74 cm owned by Undralsaikhan
2. Heaviest bankhar - “Khasar” bankhar with total weight of 69 kg owned by Sanchir
3. Most hairy bankhar - “Sek” bankhar owned by Dashtsogt
4. Bankhar with heaviest bones - “Khasar” bankhar with chest girth of 100 cm owned by Sanchir

"Project 12" Portrait Photo Exhibition to Take Place in Blue Moon Art Gallery
January 20 (infomongolia.com) The portrait photo exhibition "Project 12" is coming to take place between January 22nd and January 25th in the exhibition hall of the Blue Moon Art Gallery through which the stunning portraits of Mongolian outstanding writers and poets will be displayed by the photopreneur B.Ankhbayar and photographer U.Battaivan under the overall arrangement of the Ulaanbaatar Photo Studio respectively.
Currently, the Ulaanbaatar Photo Studio has been implementing the project so called “Project 12” in terms of increasing the value of most sophisticated representatives from Mongolian culture, art and science sectors by publicly displaying various portrait photo exhibitions for all welcoming visitors’ visual memory attraction to let them picturesque that the cultural sophistication comes from those people with great spiritual endurance and simplicity.
The first phase of the project is going to be held in “Blue Moon” art gallery to introduce real characters of most selective 17 writers and poets of Mongolian literature; then after, the photo art portraits will be posted on the wall at each Hall of Fame of the selective secondary schools of all provinces to make educational contribution to the young generation of Mongolia in a nationwide.
The Ulaanbaatar Photo Studio is targeted to implement step by step portrait photo art projects which aims to yield noteworthy contribution to Mongolia’s educational sector in terms of increasing its’ social responsibility as a flagship photo studio for years to come.

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