Mongolia Brief April 21, 2014
Open
Day of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Held
Ulaanbaatar,
April 20 (MONTSAME) An open day measure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took
place Saturday on central square of Ulaanbaatar to propagandize activities of
the Ministry to the public.
The Minister of
Foreign Affairs Mr L.Bold delivered an opening speech. During the event, the
Ministry’s units, the Embassies of France, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Laos,
Kuwait and China introduced to the public their activities, and gave responses
on related services.
In addition,
the Consular Department of the Ministry gave to people some recommendation
during visiting abroad, and rendered to them notary services. It also connected
online some people with their relatives residing in Beijing, Seoul, Bangkok and
Hong Kong.
Apart of the
consular service, the Ministry’s central archive mounted an exhibition, and the
diplomatic protocol service made a presentation and information on its works.
Participated in
the event, the Mongolia’s National Commission of the UNESCO organized a small
concert of Morin Khuur and long song which are registered in the UNESCO
Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Prime
Minister of Mongolia Sends Condolences over Passenger Ferry Accident
April 21
(infomongolia.com) On April 18, 2014, the Prime Minister of Mongolia Mr. Norov
ALTANKHUYAG has extended his condolences to the Prime Minister of the Republic
of Korea, Mr. Jung Hong-won over the passenger ferry accident.
In his
telegram, Premier N.Altankhuyag noted, “On behalf of the Government, the people
of Mongolia and on my own, please convey our deep condolences to the family
members, relatives and the Korean people who were affected by the deadly ferry
accident”.
The South
Korean ferry MV Sewol capsized on April 16, 2014. It was carrying 476 people on
board when the disaster struck, mostly secondary school students from Danwon
High School, who were travelling from Incheon to Jeju.
According to
the latest reports, sixty-four people are known to have died and 238 are
missing, presumed dead, in the sinking of the Sewol ferry.
Related:
Premier
Expresses Condolences to S. Korean Counterpart – Montsame, April 21
Prime Minister sends
condolences to South Korea for tragic ferry accident – news.mn, April 21
Ch.Saikhanbileg
Submits Draft Resolution of Parliament
Ulaanbaatar,
April 20 (MONTSAME) On Friday, head of the Cabinet Secretariat for Government
Ch.Saikhanbileg submitted to the Speaker a draft resolution of parliament on
some measures of intensifying the economy in order to urgently discuss it at
the spring session of parliament.
A soar of
currency rates against Togrog is badly affecting purchasing capability of people,
so it is required to keep a sustainable and high growth of the national economy
by stabilizing currency rates and reducing the inflation rate, Saikhanbileg
said.
Worked out
based on the law on the State Great Khural, the draft resolution reflects 23 measures
for intensifying the economy and to ensure the financial stability within the
country that should be approved by the parliamentary spring session, he said.
Oyu
Tolgoi Donates Vehicles to Omnogobi Soums
Ulaanbaatar,
April 20 (MONTSAME) Oyu Tolgoi LLC’s website Friday reported that it has
donated ten second-hand Land Cruisers to Khanbogd, Manlai, Bayan Ovoo and
Dalanzadgad soums of Omnogobi aimag.
Three vehicles
were donated to the Khanbogd hospital and two to the soum’s kindergarten, while
one vehicle each was given to the kindergarten, hospital and secondary school
in Manlai and Bayan Ovoo soums, and one vehicle was donated to the illness
center in Dalanzadgad soum.
These vehicles
were previously used at the Oyu Tolgoi mine and were donated to support the
relevant soums in bringing education and health services closer to the
inhabitants of the Gobi.
MWF
and Khan Bank Foundation Cooperation Has Great Success
Ulaanbaatar,
April 20 (MONTSAME) The Donation Box campaign conducted in mutual cooperation
between Khan Bank Foundation, and the Mongolian Women’s Fund (MWF) has been
summarized at the Central Office of the bank.
The news was
published Friday on the commercial bank’s website.
The Bank
announced that approximately MNT 5.3 million was donated via donation boxes
located in 25 branches of Khan Bank in Ulaanbaatar in 2013.
Through the
donations collected in 2013, the campaign funded the Bend Over Backwards
project and enrolled 10 mothers of 10 khoroos of Chingeltei district in
Ulaanbaatar, who have disabled children, in a course for manufacturing products
using secondary raw materials and increased their home income by 45-50%.
Since 2005, the
bank has been expending the donation box fund on supporting single mothers and
mothers with disabled children and making a real contribution to their lives.
Within the
framework of the donation box campaign, which has been conducted over nine
years, the fund collected from customers and clients reached MNT 16.6 million.
The MWF has expressed their deepest appreciation and handed Honorary
Certificate to the employees of the branches who set the box at their branches
and helped in the campaign.
New
Wording of Law on Family to Be Submitted to Parliament
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) The Cabinet meeting on last Saturday agreed to submit a new
wording of the law on family to the parliament.
At the meeting,
Cabinet Secretariat Chief Ch.Saikhanbileg delivered a briefing on March
activities of the Cabinet. This March, the Cabinet discussed 71 issues and got
informed on 21 issues at their four meetings. During that time, it issued 33
resolutions.
At the meeting,
the Cabinet also agreed to submit a draft law on conflict together with
relevant drafts to the parliament.
Economic
Development Minister to Inform on Concession Projects
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) At the ‘Hours of Up-building’ meeting of the Government on
Monday, Economic Development N.Batbayar is expected to deliver introduction on
projects planned to be carried out under concession agreements with the
Government this year.
The meeting is
planned to kickoff at 3 pm. Ministries and affiliated agencies report their
annual actions and plans at this so-called ‘Hours of Up-building’ meeting.
Foreign
Minister L.Bold Conveys Letter to His French Counterpart
April 21 (infomongolia.com)
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Mr. Luvsanvandan BOLD received in his
office Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to
Mongolia, Mr. Yves Delaunay on April 18, 2014.
During the
meeting, Minister L.Bold handed over an original copy of letter addressed to
the Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in connection with forming a new Government
of France.
Foreign
Minister L.Bold expressed his satisfaction with the intensive development of
Mongolia-France relations in the political and economic spheres, and with the
upcoming launching of Ulaanbaatar-Paris direct flight from June 06, 2014.
Moreover,
parties touched upon issues concerning the stimulation of bilateral cooperation
in the tourism and educational sectors and increase in academic exchanges.
Related:
Foreign Affairs Minister met
French Ambassador – news.mn,
April 21
NewsWire
Highlights
April 21
(Mongolian Economy) MONGOLIA COUNTS COST OF MINE DELAY AS RIO TINTO DEADLINE PASSES
A dispute
between the Mongolian government and its biggest foreign investor over the
expansion of one of the world’s largest copper mines has added to concerns over
the country’s faltering economy.
A financing
deadline to expand the vast Oyu Tolgoi copper project passed last week without
an agreement between developer Rio Tinto PLC and the government. The expansion
is seen as crucial to Rio’s plans, but the Anglo-Australian mining company
missed a deadline to secure USD 4.2 billion in project financing from banks for
the project as discussions continued with the Mongolian government over how to
divide the revenues.
Mongolia needs
the revenues to fund spending commitments made in the first flush of optimism
of a mining-based windfall for the landlocked nation’s nearly three million
people. But expansion of the mine, which began producing copper in 2013 and
which could eventually generate one-third of the country’s gross domestic
product, is now not likely until 2015. Few believe the mine expansion will not
happen, although it could be developed on a reduced scale.
An agreement on
the mine “would be a wonderful signal, but there has got to be a lot more than
that,” said Jim Dwyer, head of the Business Council of Mongolia, which promotes
trade and investment in the country. In 2013, parliament passed a law to treat
foreign and domestic investors the same. But foreigners remain concerned by
Mongolia’s history of sudden regulatory changes and corruption probes that have
sometimes ensnared foreign projects or citizens.
Much will
depend on the spring parliamentary session, which began on Monday, when the
government’s approach to Oyu Tolgoi will be debated. The weak currency and drop
in Mongolian stock prices has had some benefits. Two Japanese banks have set up
shop in Ulaanbaatar while work has begun on the first power plant in the
capital to be built since the 1980s.
“In 2010-2011,
lots of people said values were too high,” said Howard Lambert, chief
representative of ING Bank in Mongolia. “Now we are starting to see those
people come back.”
Source: Financial Times
CHINA’S
SHENHUA TO INVEST IN CROSS-BORDER RAIL LINK FROM MONGOLIA
Shenhua Group,
China’s top coal producer, will form a joint venture with partners in Mongolia
to build a cross-border rail link that will help ship coal to China, the
company confirmed on Wednesday.
The deal marks
a change in attitude in Mongolia, which has long sought to keep its powerful
neighbor at arm’s length amid fears about China’s political and economic
hegemony in the region. China buys more than 90 percent of Mongolia’s exports
and has sought big stakes in the country’s strategic assets. A signing ceremony
for the new rail joint venture was held in Ulaanbaatar on Monday.
A Mongolian
government official said the Chinese firm will own 49 percent of the project,
which will involve the construction of a 13-kilometer rail link from the
Chinese border to a terminal where coal is delivered by trucks. Yondon
Manlaibayar, the director general of the department of railways at the Roads
and Transportation Ministry, said a consortium of Mongolian firms, including
state-owned miner Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi and the Hong Kong-listed Mongolian
Mining Corporation, would share the remaining 51 percent.
Mongolia plans
to spend USD 5.2 billion on the expansion and upgrade of its railway network,
and last year hired Samsung C&T to lead construction of a 217-kilometer
route south from the Ukhaa Khudag mine in the South Gobi region towards China.
A route to China would reduce the cost of shipping coal to customers in
China—now largely done by road—and would also improve Mongolia’s access to
China’s ports. But an additional 27 kilometers of rail connecting the Shenhua
line and Samsung C&T’s line will be needed to complete the route. In the
meantime, the temporary drop-off point will be established for trucks to
deliver coal to the
Shenhua joint
venture rail to be carried into China, said Manlaibayar.
“They (the
joint venture partners) don’t want to wait for us to complete the whole line,”
said Manlaibayar.
The Shenhua
joint venture project and the connecting 27 kilometers of line will be built
using China’s rail gauge, while the rest of the line uses the Russian standard,
said Manlaibayar. A station for gauge transference will be built where the
Samsung-led rail line ends, he said. Mongolia’s rail policy requires the use
Russia’s wider gauge standard, but some in the industry worry about the added
costs of having to change standards at the end of the Samsung line.
Source: Reuters
ECONOMY
ENERGY
MINISTRY MAKES AGREEMENTS TO TACKLE LOOMING ENERGY SHORTFALLS
Representatives
of the Energy Ministry and the Development Bank of Mongolia signed an agreement
with contractors Thursday for the expansion of Mongolia’s power generation and
network.
The government
is expected to lead eight projects this year to expand the country’s heat and
electricity capabilities through upgrades to the Amgalan Thermal station, Central
Thermal Plant No. 3 and Central Thermal Plant No. 4.
The Energy
Ministry has made expanding energy capacities to meet growing demand in
Ulaanbaatar its main priority for 2014, in conjunction with the government’s
“Smoke-free Ulaanbaatar” programme that is to see the re-planning of
Ulaanbaatar’s ger districts.
Source: Montsame
ULAANBAATAR
TO MOVE 4,800 FAMILIES FROM GERS TO APARTMENTS
The government
is reportedly expecting 4,800 families from Ulaanbaatar’s ger districts to move
into apartments this year.
Ulaanbaatar has
67 sites in 21 different areas where there are plans to build apartment
buildings. City authorities have selected 16 out of 32 companies that bid to
participate in the construction projects. Some companies taking part in
Ulaanbaatar’s urbanization and ger redevelopment projects have complained of
legal and infrastructure obstacles. Replanning of Ulaanbaatar’s ger districts
is set to continue for 6 years at a cost of MNT 148 billion. Contracts for MNT
53.183 billion for construction have been made and infrastructure works are
underway.
Source: Undesnii Shuudan
UB TO
UPGRADE CAPACITY TO HEAT 50,000 MORE HOMES
The government
has approved financing for the construction of the Songino and MBA power
generation substation, and the Ikh Toiruu electricity transmission lines.
The Development
Bank and the Economic Development Minister Batbayar received approval to
finance 30 to 40 percent of the work to take place for the energy
infrastructure. The power generation and delivery capabilities would allow
50,000 additional families to receive heat from the central thermal energy
grid.
The government
is introducing additional energy and heat infrastructure in the hopes of
reducing pollution in Ulaanbaatar.
Source: Undesnii Shuudan
POLITICS
OT
INCLUDED IN ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION RESOLUTION
The Oyu Tolgoi
copper-gold mine was included in a proposed resolution submitted by Economic
Development Minister Nyamjav Batbayar.
The resolution
would give the order for government to prepare the necessary documents for the
second stage of investment for Oyu Tolgoi, in addition to the relaunch of
exploration, financial support to industrialization, and possibilities for the
exploration of oil, oil shale, and natural gas in protected areas. The proposed
resolution would reportedly give 19 different directives with the purpose of
fostering economic growth and stability during spring session of Parliament.
Source: Cover Mongolia
PARLIAMENT
LAUNCHES SPRING SESSION
The opening of
the 2014 spring session of Parliament was held on 7 April to an audience of
party and foreign delegates.
“Parliament
could not confirm the list of issues to be discussed during the session of
Parliament,” said Parliament Speaker Zandakhuu Enkhbold in his opening address.
“Thus, I expect the first issue to be passed by Parliament to be the list of
issues to be discussed. However 252 bills were suggested to be discussed at the
spring session, but only 52 proposals have been submitted. These proposals that
were submitted need to be arranged due to their socio-economic
importance.”
The speaker
also said discussions expected to be held during the session would be reviews
for the 2013 financial performance of government and the state budget reports
for 2015, as well as bills to be prioritized by socio-economic importance.
There is also debate expected regarding 272 funded construction projects that
underwent audit and need to be confirmed before funding can resume.
The spring
session of Parliament was noteworthy for the fact that it was attended by party
leaders without seats in parliament, as well as foreign ambassadors and
consuls. Separate caucuses were expected to convene following the opening of
Parliament.
Source: News.mn
By
End of First Quarter of 2014, 132 Million USD Left to Pay off Debt to Chalco,
Says Prime Minister of Mongolia
April 21
(infomongolia.com) On April 18, 2014, following the afternoon plenary session
of the State Great Khural (Parliament), Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag delivered
statement regarding current economic situation of Mongolia.
In his report,
Premier N.Altankhuyag noted, “According International Monetary Fund, Mongolia’s
economy growth tendency is expected to be 12.9% in 2014, compare to last year
it was 11.7%.
The inflation
rate has been decreased a bit y-o-y; by the end of first quarter of 2013,
inflation rate was decreased by 3.6% and by 3.5% in Q1 of 2014. Although
foreign trade turnover declined, the deficit is 9.1 million USD as of the first
three months of 2014, compare to same period of last year it was 395.8 million
USD.
In the Q1 of
2014, coal export was 3.7 million tons, which is estimated at 206.4 million
USD. However, coal export volume increased by 8.7%, but the value declined by
1.4% that caused by world market coal price drop. Contrary, most part of coal
export by “Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi” JSC is being exported to China to cover
Chalco’s debt and as of today, 132 million USD debt is left out of total 350
million USD.
The copper
export increased by 52.9% reaching 214.1 thousand tons and earned 349.2 million
USD, while gold exports reached 2.2 tons or 89.9 million USD, which is
increased by 120% and total export by 110.4%. But exports of iron ore reached
908.6 thousand tons or 81.4 million USD, which is declined volume by 19% and
export has dropped by 35.3%. Exports of crude oil reached 1.6 million barrels
or 157.6 million USD, which is increased by 63.8% or 626.3 thousand barrels,
and the export value reached 63.9 million USD or increased by 68.2% y-o-y.
The State
Budget revenue in the first quarter of 2014 is being interrupted by more than
160 billion MNT. General Department of Taxation has accumulated 401.9 billion
MNT or 119 billion MNT is missing from expected 520.9 billion MNT of revenue.
The Customs General Administration has collected 302.9 billion MNT or missing
59.4 billion MNT”.
President
Ts.Elbegdorj Returns Home with Japanese Modern Hospital
April 21
(infomongolia.com) President of Mongolia Mr. Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ is being under
treatment after spine surgery made in Japan last March and according to a
news.mn reporter, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to
Japan Sodovjamts KHURELBAATAR was interviewed by a phone, where the following
conversation was held on April 19, 2014.
Hello Mr. Ambassador, we would like to be
informed with current physical condition and how does the President feel now?
Hello,
President Ts.Elbegdorj underwent a surgery in the hospital at Tokyo University.
However this type of operation is determined difficult, but fortunately went successfully
and President has been recovering quickly and doctors advised him to return
home after a few days.
Recently, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo
Abe had a meeting with the President behind a lunch table in his Office.
Besides, is President meeting with other authorities?
Yes, he held
several meetings after leaving the hospital.. You know, first meeting was with
Premier Abe, also President Ts.Elbegdorj met with members of Liberal Democratic
Party of the Japan (LDP) including former Minister of State for Abduction Issue,
who is Acting Chairman, Policy Research Council, Mr. Shiozaki Yasuhisa and
Secretary-General, LDP Japan-Mongolia Parliamentary Friendship Association, Mr.
Hayashi Motoo.
During these meetings what issues were
concerned?
During the
meeting with Premier Sh.Abe, parties mentioned Mongolia-Japan relations have
been strengthening and developing at their most top level, where friendly one-to-one
meetings of two leaders have great impacts. As of result, the midterm program
to develop strategic partnership is successfully being implemented following
the reciprocal visits by Shinzo Abe to Mongolia in March 2013 and Mongolia’s
Prime Minister official visit to Tokyo conducted last September.
They also
emphasized that some measures stated in the program should be developed
furthermore. During the latter meeting Premier Abe pledged to carry out several
large projects to support Mongolia’s sustainable development. For instance, he assured
the Government of Japan to grant-in-aid a 200-bed hospital with latest modern
diagnosis and treatment equipment for the people of Mongolia.
During the
meeting President Ts.Elbegdorj expressed thanks that Japanese Government
accepted Mongolia’s request to build a modern hospital in Ulaanbaatar that
would deliver the good-quality services of Japanese hospitals to ordinary
Mongolian citizens.
Besides, a team
of Japanese cardio and oral & maxillofacial surgeons are to visit Mongolia
under the auspices of the President of Mongolia and stay for a long term period
to conduct surgery and examinations not only in Ulaanbaatar, but also in
provincial regions.
Mongolian
Consul General in Istanbul takes office
April 21
(news.mn) The Consul General of Mongolia to Istanbul E.Munkh-Ochir assumed his
office at a ceremony in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey on Friday,
April 18th.
Ambassador
Mehmet Samsar, the Director General for Consular Affairs of the Turkish
Ministry of Foreign, presented the consular patent and wished success in the
Consul General`s mission saying that he believes the cooperation would be
effective. With the conclusion of the ceremony, parties had talks over consular
relations between the two countries.
The Consul
General of Mongolia in Istanbul has now taken his office officially.
At the
ceremonial meeting, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to
Turkey B.Batkhishig was present to have talks over preparations for the
official visit of Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to Mongolia,
and the Consultative meeting between Mongolia and Turkey that is scheduled in
Ulaanbaatar.
Both parties
stated the great significance of visa free travel that became effective form
April 11th 2014, in strengthening direct links between the people of the two
countries, and extending cooperation in trade, business, tourism, education,
culture and science. The visa free travel conditions state that visitors can
travel up to 30 days in any 180-day period for both travelers of Mongolia and
Turkey.
Now over 1500
out of the 2200 Mongolians residing in Turkey stay only in Istanbul. Before
establishing the Consulate General of Mongolia in Istanbul, Mr. Fahrettin Amir
Arman was making efforts to protect the rights of Mongolians living in
Istanbul.
Related:
Consulate
General in Istanbul Becomes Operational – Montsame, April 21
Mongolia
to Cooperate with Kyrgyz Republic
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) During the visit to Kyrgyz Republic /KR/, the delegation of
the Main Intelligence Directorate of Mongolia led by Director B. Ariunsan met
with Mr Djoomart Otorbaev, the Prime Minister of KR, last Friday, reported on
kabar.kg website, same day.
Mongolian
delegation paid a visit to the country in order to establish official relations
with the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) of this country.
The Prime
Minister thanked representatives of the Mongolian delegation for the visit and
expressed hope that cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia will be
actively developed in different directions.
"For us,
your country is the most effective example of how to achieve results in
improving the quality of life of population. We are interested in enhancing
cooperation and exchange of experience, improvement of the electoral process
with the use of modern technology, the management of the mining sector and
other sectors of the economy and social life," said Djoomart.
In turn, a director
B.Ariusan informed the Kyrgyz Prime Minister that the delegation met yesterday
with leaders of the National Security Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic and
invited them to Mongolia to share experiences.
Rule
of HDF for Children Altered
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) At its meeting on Saturday, the cabinet amended the rule of
granting money to children from the Human Development Fund (HDF).
The previous
year, 960 thousand and 287 children received monthly allowance given from the
HDF after the Ministry of Population Development and Social Welfare has paid
big attention to this matter, but 2,100 infants who were born in December of
2013 were left no cash although their application materials went to the related
welfare section.
The Ministry
explained that those children born in December of 2013 cannot have the cash
allowance due to taking some time for transferring their materials and
information to the social welfare organization as well as the money to the
state fund and commercial banks.
In accordance
with the altered rule, the applicants will receive the money from the next
year’s budget despite a completion of transmitting of the money.
Mongolia
and Kingdom of Thailand Run Its First Consultative Meeting in Bangkok
April 21
(infomongolia.com) On April 20, 2014, the Foreign Ministries of Mongolia and
the Kingdom of Thailand held its first consultative meeting in Bangkok city,
where Mongolian part was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs D.Gankhuyag
and the other part by Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry of Thailand
Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
The meeting
focused on the development of Mongolia-Thailand relations and cooperation in
the areas of politics, economy, trade, tourism and health as well as in the
humanitarian spheres, on regional and international issues of mutual concern,
and on activities for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia the Kingdom of Thailand.
The parties
highlighted an importance of frequent reciprocal top and high-level visits and
the successful implementation of agreements reached during the visit of Prime
Minister of Thailand Yingluck Shinawatra to Mongolia in April 2013.
Related:
Mongolia-Thailand
Consultative Meeting Held – Montsame,
April 21
Health
Ministry Runs Discussion on Clear Environment
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) Last Friday, a discussion-meeting themed “Clear
environment- Ulaanbaatar” ran at the initiation of the Ministry of Health.
Co-organizers
were the National Center of Public Health, the City Mayor's Office and the
Specialized Inspection Agency of the city.
At the meeting,
the Minister Udval delivered a speech and lectures were given under topics of
“New trash management introduction in the UB city”, “UB city soil pollution and
reduction ways” and “Soil pollution level of the UB city” then ran a discussion
among gathered.
Bayankhongor
Governor to Attend Central Asia Forum
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) A delegation from China’s Gansu is visiting south-western
Bayankhongor province these days.
The delegation
met with Province Governor D.Jargalsaikhan on Sunday and presented him an
invitation for a ‘China-Central Asia cooperation forum’ to take place in Lanzhou
city, the largest city of Gansu Province in Northwest China. The delegation is
expected to hold a series of meeting with the local administration during their
two-day visit in Bayankhongor province.
Gansu is a
province of the People's Republic of China, located in the northwest of the
country. It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders
Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the
west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east. The Yellow River passes
through the southern part of the province. Gansu has a population of 26 million
(2009). The capital is Lanzhou, located in the southeast part of the province.
Hide
Bonus Money to Be Granted This Month
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) This year, the Government is to allocate 20 billion togrog
to herders as hide bonus money.
The Government
was planning to place the boney money by April 1 in bank accounts of herders
who have sold animal skins to domestic enterprises and are able to certify the
sale with relevant documents. The animal protection foundation has informed
that the bonus money will be placed in bank accounts of herders within this
month.
Some 60
thousand herders have applied for the incentive to receive 15 thousand togrog
per a rawhide of caw or horse, and three thousand togrog per a rawhide of sheep
or goat.
Program
Developed to Grant Herders Housing Loans
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) The Ministry of Industry and Agriculture has developed a
‘housing for herders’ program to improve living environment of herders.
This program
aims at secure incomes of herder families and thereby involvement of herders in
housing program of the Government, say officers. Under the ‘Housing for
Herders’ program, accounts will be created for herders to collect incomes from
raw materials sale, thus meeting requirements of a housing loan program in a
commercial bank. The program is expected to be carried out within 5-15 years,
and needs 910 billion togrog according to estimation by the Ministry.
Today, there
are some 146 herder families in Mongolia, with 61% of them being in possession
of 200-1,000 animals to earn annual incomes of MNT 4.8 million – MNT 51.6
million from the animals, a study of the Ministry reveals.
MNCCI
to Organize Business Tour to Europe
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Monday announced that it will organize a business tour to Sweden, Finland and
Germany.
The tour will
take place in conjunction with a forthcoming official visit of the Minister of
Foreign Affairs to Sweden to be paid on May 24-31 in frames of the
40th anniversary of the Mongolia-Sweden diplomatic relations.
Within the
event that will run May 24-31, a meeting will be held between Mongolian and
Swedish businessmen, and presentation tours will run to Stockholm, Helsinki and
Berlin cities.
Mongolia
to Import Grain Seeds of 20 Thousand Ton
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) An estimation says Mongolia needs 48 thousand ton of grain
seeds for sowing this spring.
As today,
enterprises and individual farmers have a total reserve of 26.8 thousand ton
grain seeds, and the Agricultural Support Fund has 1.2 thousand ton of seeds.
The remaining 20 thousand ton of seeds is expected to be imported from the
Republic of Buryatia, Russia, and 6.8 thousand ton of which then to be supplied
to the Agricultural Support Fund, while 13.2 thousand ton seeds are expected to
be allocated to enterprises and individuals.
The Ministry of
Agriculture has established an agreement to import 6.8 thousand ton of seed
from Russia’s Buryatia. The first freights of seeds from Buryatia have arrived
in Hotol of northern Selenge province.
The Ministry
has also announced a tender to supply 11 types of onion bulbs with price of 120
million togrog. Under ‘Mongolian potato’ program, 125 thousand seed potatoes
free of virus are being produced to be supplied for spring sowing, the Ministry
says.
Teachers
to Share Experience in South Korea
Ulaanbaatar
/MONTSAME/ Some 20 teachers received last week ratification documents to be
involved in a teacher-exchanging programme in the Republic of Korea.
In accordance
with the programme, the 25 teachers from Ulaanbaatar city and Arkhangai,
Bulgan, Gobisumber, Dundgobi, Zavkhan, Orkhon, Tov, Uvs and Khovd aimags will
work in schools in South Korea for three months in order to exchange experience
with their Korean counterparts and will get acquainted with culture and
development of the country.
The
teacher-exchanging programme started from the year 2012 under cooperation
between the countries’ Ministries of education, and 180 teachers have been
involved in the programme so far.
Nat'l
Center for Maternal and Child Health Gets Apparatus
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) The National Center for Maternal and Child Health has
acquired a total of 2.4 billion togrog worth of diagnostic apparatus of
Electrocardiography /ECG/.
Recently, this
six-storey center has created research centers for blood disorder and cancer in
its fourth and fifth floors and planning to open computer diagnosis and
tomography, operating rooms, and intensive care center for infants in the first
and second floors.
Providing with
the latest hi-techs, patients are now possible to get all kinds of diagnostic
service from this national center.
‘11
11’ Center Reports
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) Last week, the '11 11' Center of the Government was
accessed by 1,092 people.
Many complained
about services denial at some commercial banks and public organizations to
those with inquiry cards from government service machines. Responding to this
issue, the State Registration Authority said that they forwarded an official
request to solve this problem to those institutions denying rendering due
services.
About land
acquisition and ownership, 73 people accessed to the Center, which informed
them on land ownership actions that has postponed due to uncompleted general
plan development, and directed them to umch.ub.gov.mn website where they can
apply for land acquisition.
Children’s
Choir Marks 10th Anniversary
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) The celebrated choir of World Vision Mongolia is making its
ten year mark, with approximately 100 children who unlocked their talents
through music, with several of the members now studying at prestigious art
colleges and universities in Mongolia.
According to an
article with name of “Ten wonderful years of Children of Blue Sky” published at
wvi.org/Mongolia - World Vision Mongolia’s website on Sunday, in just ten
years, the lives of hundred orphans, underprivileged children were transformed
with charms of music.
A decade ago
“Children of Blue Sky” choir was born to develop and nurture the children
through music and singing provided the children with an opportunity not just to
discover their talent and potential but to rise above their circumstances.
Today, the celebrated choir of World Vision Mongolia is making its ten year
mark, with approximately 100 children who unlocked their talents through music,
with several of the members now studying at prestigious art colleges and
universities in Mongolia. In just ten years, the lives of hundred orphans,
underprivileged children were transformed with charms of music.
The acclaimed
choir’s anniversary concert was held at the Russian Cultural Center, with many
high profile guests in the audience including Ministry of Population
Development and Social Welfare Secretary General Mrs. Otgonjargal.B, Director
of National Authority for Children Mrs. Narantuya.I, and Director of Family and
Child Development Agency of Capital City Mrs. Baigali.Ya, as well as State
Honored Artist B.Zangad and “Exemplary Music Orchestra” of Armed Forces
performed with the choir and celebrated their accomplishments.
The rising
stars born from the choir came to encourage their younger brothers and sisters
in the choir, including former lead singers of the choir N. Unudelger, T.
Amarbayasgalan, N. Enkh-Amgalan, B. Nyamdash who have participated in the
national competition “Universe best songs” and placed to top 25, and 15. Moreover,
nine original members of the choir were awarded the medal for “Best Youth” by
the Mongolian Youth Federation for their talent, academic and extracurricular
achievements during the concert. These members of the choir exhibited
extraordinary strengths of overcoming the challenges of poverty and neglect
through music and dance.
This talented
group of children has won many achievements in the past; including: in 2005
“The Best of the Best” from the “Golden Fall” professional art celebration, and
the Grand Prix from the children’s choir celebration organized in Korea.
Furthermore, part of the group has had many duets with famous local as well as
international artists, and has performed in the UK, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea,
Hong Kong, India and Japan.
Mongolian to Compete against Muay Thai Three-Time Champion
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) Mongolian N.Bat-Erdene, National Pro Muaythai Champion of
Mongolia for the I-1 Super Fight Belt, is to fight against Yodkumarn from
Thailand on April 28.
This will be
one of super fights in WMC I-1 World Muaythai Grand Prix 2014 to be held in
Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre (Star Hall) on 28 April
2014. Yodkumarn MTP 2004 (Thailand), a.k.a. “Flying Dragon” is three-time
Champion of Northern Thailand and three-time I-1 International Champion.
Muay Thai is a
combat sport from the muay martial arts of Thailand that uses stand-up striking
along with various clinching techniques. This physical and mental discipline
which includes combat on foot is known as "the art of eight limbs"
because it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins
and feet, being associated with a good physical preparation that makes a
full-contact fighter very efficient. Muay Thai became widespread
internationally in the twentieth century, when practitioners defeated notable
practitioners of other martial arts. A professional league is governed by the
World Muay Thai Council.
Mongolian Parathletes Come Fourth in Beijing
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) A Mongolian team of persons with disabilities came fourth
at the second China Open Athletics Championships, 2014 International Paralympic
Committee (IPC) Athletics Grand Prix.
The China
Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities organized the 2nd China
Open Athletics Championships in Beijing at their outdoor athletics facilities,
20km from downtown Beijing and 10km from the Beijing Capital International
Airport on April 14-16.
The Mongolian
team grabbed six gold and three silver medals to become the fourth best team
after host China, South Korea and Vietnam. The championships were attended by
athletes from 18 countries.
Mongolia’s Merit Athlete B.Ser-Od Wins Silver Medal in Nagano Marathon 2014
April 21
(infomongolia.com) The 16th Nagano Olympic Commemorative “Nagano Marathon” was
successfully organized in Japan for a total distance of 42.195 km between
Nagano City Athletic Park Nagano Olympic Stadium held on April 20, 2014.
The race was
accredited by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations and AIMS, where
9,535 athletes were registered to take part in the marathon, but only 8,295
racers finished the course.
Notably,
Mongolia’s Merit Athlete B.Ser-Od has participated upon the invitation
representing the Japanese national team and came in the second place with
2:14:04 time.
Final results of 16th Nagano Marathon,
April 20, 2014
Women’s category
1. Alina
Prokopeva (Russia) - 2:30:56
2. Rika
Shintaku (Japan) - 2:36:02
3. Shoko
Shimitsu (Japan) - 2:37:21
Men’s category
1 Sergii Lebid
(Ukraine) -2”13:56
2. Bat-Ochir
SER-OD (Mongolia) - 2:14:04
3. Taiga Ito
(Japan) - 2”15:20
Related:
Mongolian
B.Ser-Od Wins Silver in Nagano – Montsame,
April 21
Our Artists to Participate in Asian Theater Festival
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) Artists of the State Academic Drama Theater are to head the
South Korea to take part in the Asian Theater Festival in April 26.
The competition
is planned to run in Masan city of the S.Korea in April 25 - May 2 with
participants from 14 countries.
Our country
will be represented by a six-artist team and they prepared to stage a concert
named “Legend of Cuckoo Bird” for the festival.
"Urgeeleg" New Movie Screened Here
Ulaanbaatar,
April 21 (MONTSAME) A new movie “Urgeeleg” started to be screened at
"Urgoo-2 "cinema, last Saturday.
This
adventurous movie was co-created by the “Prime Pictures”, “A Group” and “Black
Zebra” productions and starred by artists of the State Academic Drama Theater
G.Erdenebileg, S.Bold-Erdene and Ts.Tserenbold and popular actress D.Navchaa,
and actor B.Amarsaikhan.
Producer is
J.Sengedorj who previously produced “Thief of the Mind” and “Laridma” movies.
The film tells
about foreign workers' lives who are working illegally in Mongolia and 70
percent of cinematography were taken in China.
China for First Time to Participate in "Khaan Quest 2014" Multinational Peacekeeping Exercises in Mongolia
April 21
(infomongolia.com) It was previously informed that the annual "Khaan Quest
2014" multinational peacekeeping exercises were set to take place in
Mongolia from June 20 to July 01, 2014.
So, the final
meeting for "Khaan Quest 2014" was held in Ulaanbaatar on April
14-18, 2014, where 58 military attaches from the Embassies of Canada, People’s
Republic of China, Czech Republic, Republic of Korea and the United States in
Mongolia have attended.
Mongolia was
represented by authorities of General Staff of Mongolian Armed Forces, Ministry
of Defense of Mongolia and the United States by Marine Corps Forces at US
Pacific Command, Alaska National Guard, and Embassy of the United States in
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The "Khaan
Quest 2014" multinational peacekeeping operations are planned to be
organized in four main events such as command-staff exercises, troop-field
exercises, hospital-humanitarian and engineering joint activities.
Last year, 15
nations have participated in the "Khaan Quest 2013", so in 2014
edition, 20 countries have officially submitted their requests to participate
in the field military exercises. In the "Khaan Quest 2014", China for
the first time will send its military forces and a group of medical
professionals, and the NATO member-state, the Czech Republic will send a
platoon of peacekeepers and a group of military instructors.
Moreover,
during the joint practices, with purpose to enhance peacekeepers training,
special courses for survival and patrols on the water will be conducted,
besides a class on suppressing the disorder is included as a new program.
The "Khaan
Quest 2014" multinational field-exercises will be held at Tavan Tolgoi
(Five Hills) training area, the hospital humanitarian joint activities in
Songinokhairkhan District, and the engineering-rehabilitation activities at
some kindergartens and schools in Bayangol and Songinokhairkhan Districts of
Ulaanbaatar.
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