Mongolia Brief April 22, 2014



Discussion on Legal Reform for Combating Family Violence to Run
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) A discussion themed “Legal reform for combating against family violence” will be held on Tuesday in the State House in frames of a project on supporting women parliamentarians, which is being implemented by the Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

A member of parliament L.Erdenechimeg will make the opening remarks at the discussion. It will be followed by a report titled “Impact of women’s matters on my political career” by Ms Mary Collins, a member of parliament and former Minister of Canada; “Legal reform for combating domestic violence” by D.Enkhjargal, director of the National Center against Violence (NCAV); and “Victims of family violence, and its protection” by G.Oyunbold, a department head of the Ministry of Justice.
Other reports will be delivered by L.Erdenechimeg MP; and D.Enkhjargal.   


Mongolia to Attend Meeting on Asian Highway Transport Route
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) Mongolian representatives are to attend the First Consultation Meeting on Legal Instrument for Operationalization of Asian Highway Transport Route on April 22-23 in Beijing, China.
The meeting is organized by Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Transport Division and East and North-East Asia (ENEA) Office, as a part of its efforts to formulate and implement transport facilitation measures, as well as to promote cross-border and transit transport among member States, and is attended by China, Mongolia and Russian Federation.
At the meeting, the sides are expected to discuss the trilateral legal instrument on transit transport by road with the purpose of promoting the development of transit potential of the three countries through piloting. By focusing on a particular route with overall direction of Asian Highway Route Number 4, the exact transport route and key issues for the trilateral legal instrument on transit transport will also be discussed.
Formulating and implementing transport facilitation measures and promoting cross-border and transit transport among member States have been an area of effort by ESCAP.


Mongolia Celebrates Earth Day
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) Mongolia is celebrating the Earth Day on April 22, together with world nations to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
One of many activities planned in this regard is a lecture on soil contamination in Mongolia by O.Batkhishig, specialist at Geology Institute of Sciences Academy of Mongolia. The lecture will be delivered at the city library named after writer D.Natsagdorj at 2 pm. “Generally, metal pollution was not a serious problem in Ulaanbaatar and there was no significant evidence of infiltration of metal solutions into subsoil (at a depth of 30 cm). However, it was recently found that the arsenic concentration in the soil was higher than the guideline value and the lead content in some samples was higher than normal,” says a study jointly conducted by Batjargal T., Otgonjargal E., Baek K., and Yang JS in 2010. “The source of arsenic pollution appears to be the coal combustion in three power plants in the city. The sources of the increase in lead pollution might be the remarkable increase in the number of used vehicles and the increase in the use of leaded fuel in the last few years,” it says.
Another event planned is a tree decoration activity to be organized by JCI Eco organization. Young employees of the organization will launch their eco project aimed at increased public awareness on ecological tendencies on April 22 – Earth Day.
Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and celebrated in more than 192 countries each year.
In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be celebrated on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.
Like Earth Days of the past, Earth Day 2014 will focus on the unique environmental challenges of our time. As the world’s population migrates to cities, and as the bleak reality of climate change becomes increasingly clear, the need to create sustainable communities is more important than ever. Earth Day 2014 will seek to do just that through its global theme: Green Cities. With smart investments in sustainable technology, forward-thinking public policy, and an educated and active public, we can transform our cities and forge a sustainable future. Nothing is more powerful than the collective action of a billion people.


Hong Kong Men’s and Taiwan Women’s Teams Win 2014 International Handball Federation Trophy Tournament Held in Ulaanbaatar
April 22 (infomongolia.com) Mongolia successfully hosted the 2014 International Handball Federation Trophy Tournament in its capital city of Ulaanbaatar at the Buyant-Ukhaa Sports Complex on April 15-19, 2014.
This was the first event organized by Mongolian Handball Federation in its home field in collaboration with International Handball Federation, where six teams representing Hong Kong (SAR of China), Macau (SAR of China), North Korea (DPRK), Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Vietnam (Viet Nam) and Mongolia have participated.
In the Men’s category U20, five teams have competed including Mongolia, Vietnam, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan, where the Team of Hong Kong achieved consecutive four wins with 8 points won the Tournament Trophy. In the second place stood the Team of Taiwan followed by Vietnam, Macau and Mongolia.
In the Women’s category U19, five teams have also competed including Mongolia, Vietnam, North Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, where the Team of Taiwan with 8 points won the Gold medal and Silver and Bronze medals were grabbed by teams of North Korea and Vietnam, fourth and fifth places stood Hong Kong and Mongolia.
However, Mongolian handball team stood in the fifth place in both Men’s and Women’s categories, but athletes and coaches were not upset and said by hosting such tournament was very helpful gaining more experiences and were encouraged to develop this sport in Mongolia.


“Mongolia Skills 2014” Competition Starts
April 22 (infomongolia.com) The Ministry of Labor is organizing "Mongolia Skills 2014" competition started from April 21, 2014 that aims to introduce and compete Mongolian workers' skill on the world stage.
The Ministry deems by hosting such event, Mongolia would enable not only to import foreign workforces, but also to export its qualified workers.
The competition involves students form over 30 professional and vocational training centers of municipalities and provincial regions, who are competing in 7 skills such as masonry, tile, weld, electrical, carpentry, cook and lathe as the first level of competition to take place until April 30, 2014.
Winners of the first five places are eligible to compete in the second level, which is to start from May 01, 2014 and winners of the “Mongolia Skills 2014” will be participating in the biennial World Skills competition in São Paulo, Brazil in 2015.


Mongolian Drama Theater Artists to Participate in Masan International Theatre Festival 2014
April 22 (infomongolia.com) Mongolian artists of the State Academic Drama Theater are to participate in the annual Masan International Theatre Festival to take place in Gyeongsan Province, South Korea.
Mongolian artistic troupe of six personnel will be performing the “Tales of Cuckoo Bird” by Frontier Cultural Servant (FCS) B.Bolormaa, FCS D.Gantsetseg, FCS A.Altantur and young artists B.Odonchimeg, G.Altansukh and A.Chinguun. 
This is the 26th edition and theatres from 14 nations will be staging their best pieces reflects its national lifestyle, and Mongolian troupe will be participating from April 26 to May 01, 2014.
Before, some artists from State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet had also participated in the Masan International Theatre Festival in 2011, where Mongolian artists performed the re-composed spectacle "Silent Night" written by the famous Mongolian writer B.Lkhagvasuren.


Foreign Minister L.Bold to Conduct Official Visit to Sweden and Attend Mongolia-Sweden Business Meeting
April 22 (infomongolia.com) Mongolia and the Kingdom of Sweden are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations that marks on June 30, 2014.
In the frameworks, Foreign Minister of Mongolia Luvsanvandan BOLD is to conduct an official visit to Sweden on May 24-31, 2014. In the scope of this official visit, Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry is organizing a business travel to Stockholm, Helsinki and Berlin cities, moreover to host Mongolia-Sweden business meeting on May 26, 2014.


Soums to Receive Five Billion Togrog for Reform Work
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME)A worth of five billion togrog construction works will run in Bogd soum of Ovorkhangai province within this year.
On Monday, a member of the Parliament G.Batkhuu handed over the certification to the governor of the soum Myagmarsuren.
This is a part of “Soum's Center Reform” program which has been reflected in the action plan for 2012-2016 of the Government for Reforms.


President Elbegdorj Returns Home from Japan
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj arrived in Ulaanbaatar on Monday, after undergoing a successful spine surgery at Tokyo University in Japan.
While being in Japan, President Ts.Elbegdorj had a meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at which the latter promised implementing major-scale projects in Mongolia to support economic development of the nation, as well as granting a soft loan of 7.5 billion yen in engineering training of Mongolian youth. At the meeting, the parties also reached an agreement to establish a 200-bed hospital equipped with up-to-date equipment in Mongolia under an irrevocable aid of the Japanese Government.


Batkhuu MP Gives Interview to United World
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) A member of the Parliament G.Batkhuu has recently given an interview to the United World news agency.
The interview mainly focused on the matters relating to Mongolia's cooperation and ties with USA, its infrastructure and transit transportation development, and government policies on mining and investment environment.
The news agency cooperates with USA Today daily newspaper, which has more than 1.2 million regular readers through New-York, Washington and Los Angeles cities, and it has been working on a special edition about Mongolia to give factual information on the nation to US investors and to contribute in bilateral economic and business relations.


Mongolian Delegation Visits Vietnam
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) A Mongolian delegation, led by the Deputy Head of Department of Light Industry Policy Enforcement of Mongolian Ministry of Agriculture and Industry S.Regzedmaa, made a working visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on April 10-17.
 In frames of the visit, our delegates visited the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association /VITAS/, the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group /Vinatex/, the Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association /Lefaso/, the Saigon Trading Group, and "Binh Duong" industrial park.
During the visit, a Mongolia-Vietnam business seminar was co-organized in Ho Chi Minh city by the Mongolian Ministry of Industry and Agriculture, the Embassy of Mongolia in Hanoi, and the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. At the action, Mongolian delegates introduced sample of domestic goods to Vietnamese business people.


“Khaan Quest” Int’l Military Exercises to Widen
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) A meeting was held last week for ensuring final stage preparation for the upcoming “Khaan Quest 2014” international military exercises for peacekeeping operations.
This meeting gathered 58 military officers from the Planning Group of the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF), the Defense Attache Service at the US Embassy in Mongolia and from China, Canada, South Korea and the Czech Republic.
A section chief of the MAF Colonel J.Molorbold reported that this year’s “Khaan Quest” military exercises will take place from June 20 through July 1 on the “Five Hills” military field under four basic parts--command-staff exercise, field exercises of platoons, hospital-humanitarian and engineering cooperation.
As of a preliminary statement, 20 countries have reported to participate in the international exercises. China and the Czech Republic will take part in the exercises for the first time, Colonel Molorbold highlighted.
The field exercises of platoons will mainly focus on water patrol, methods of surviving and will introduce a new kind of training on easing riots, he said. The hospital-humanitarian operations will run in the “Tolgoit” place, Songinokhairkhan district, whereas repair-engineering operations will take place in some kindergartens and schools of Songinokhairkhan and Bayangol districts, he went on.      


Development of Khitan Studies Discussed
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) A scientific conference called “Legacy of Khitan” was held last Friday at an initiative of the medieval archeological research sector of the Archeological Institute at the Academy of Sciences (AS).
Main objectives of the conference are to intensify the research works on Khitan studies, to bring it into an international volume and to determine a further tendency of the studies.
16 reports were delivered at the conference by scholars and researchers from the Archeological Institute, the Institute of Historical Sciences, the Mongolian National Museum, the Mongolian State University, the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the University of Culture and Arts.
A manager of the medieval archeological research sector A.Enkhtor gave a key report, introducing a present level of the Khitan studies in Mongolia, and analyzing its tendency. Following it, reports on religion and mythology of Khitan Empire were given by Dr B.Badma-Oyu; L.Monkhbayar; and Dr A.Enkhbat, a teacher at the MUST. Other reports about a script of Khitan, administrative units, architecture and Mongol aimags of the Empire were delivered as well.
As of present, the Khitan studies have gained some achievements thanks to archeological researches conducted together with both domestic and foreign scholars.


Zaisan Memorial to Be Renovated
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) Ahead of the 75thanniversary of victory in the Khalkh River battles, Ulaanbaatar Railway joint venture is planning to renovate the Zaisan memorial that honors Soviet soldiers killed in the World War II.
According to a work schedule of Ulaanbaatar Railway, the renovation will begin in near time to be completed by May 6, before the Victory Day or May 9 that marks the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second World War. Wreaths will be laid at the repaired memorial that day.
Ulaanbaatar Railway joint venture is also planning to promote joint military field exercises of Mongolian and Russian armed forces, as well as to support film making about Khalkh River battles, said I.A.Dombrovskiy, first deputy chair of Ulaanbaatar Railway.
The Zaisan Memorial is a memorial south of the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar that honors Soviet soldiers killed in World War II. Located on a hill south of the city, the memorial features a circular memorial painting that depicts scenes of friendship between the peoples of the USSR and Mongolia. The mural depicts scenes such as Soviet support for Mongolia's independence declaration in 1921, the defeat of the Japanese Kwantung Army by the Soviets at Khalhkin Gol on the Mongolian border in 1939, victory over Nazi Germany and peacetime achievements such as Soviet space flights.
Zaisan is a popular meeting point for school outings and graduation festivities.


Over 400 Reconcilers Trained
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) The Reconcilers Council has trained 407 reconcilers in its trainings thus far.
The council also has developed relevant regulation and rules to facilitate reconciliation activities, since its establishment with five employees under the Judicial General Council, following approval of a law on reconciliation. Today, a total of 42 reconcilers work at 33 primary courts, and 365 part-time intermediaries have been rendering in reconciliation services since this February 4.


International Handball Tournament Successfully Ends in Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) Ulaanbaatar successfully hosted the 2014 International Handball Federation Trophy tournament in its Buyant Ukhaa sports complex on April 15-19.
The tournament was attended by ten teams of men and women from six countries such as host Mongolia, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, China’s Macau, Hong Kong, and North Korea.
Mongolian teams finished the tournament fifth in men’s and women’s categories, while the men’s team of Hong Kong and the women’s team of Chinese Taipei reached championship trophies. Despite being placed last at each category, team members of Mongolia are contented with experiences earned at this successfully organized tournament.


Training Launched on Sport Event Management
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) A two-day training on sport event management began in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday.
The event is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, together with the Asian Association for Sports Management. It is attended by representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations and universities of Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Philippines and Malaysia.



Mining Exploration Licenses Accounted at 1,577
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) According to statistics issued by the Minerals Authority, there are a total of 2,886 mineral licenses effective in Mongolia, with 1,309 of them have been issued for mineral exploitation, and the remaining 1,577 are for exploration.
Mineral exploitation and exploration have been allowed in 13 million ha or 8.3% of all territories. Mineral licenses have been granted for gold (29.1%), building materials (17.3%), coal (14.5%), fluor spar (10.1%) and iron ore (3.5%). The biggest territories are allowed for gold and coal mining. There are 130 joint ventures and 291 foreign-invested companies that hold mineral licenses effective in Mongolia.


Mongolian Ambassador Meets With MNPRT Artists
Ulaanbaatar, April 22 (MONTSAME) The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the USA B.Altangerel Monday received artists of the Mongolian National Public Radio and Television /MNPRT/.
Artists' team consisted of journalists and producer of the MNPRT and its official website.
The Ambassador B.Altangerel said that the US is the second country where a number of Mongolians live and work and thanked a team for making news, interview, and article about US-based Mongolians and their daily lifestyles, and environment, society and culture of this country. 


Parliament Speaker Pays Respect to Finance Minister’s 60th Jubilee
April 22 (infomongolia.com) On April 22, 2014, Speaker of the State Great Khural (Parliament) Zandaakhuu ENKHBOLD received in his office the Minister of Finance, Parliamentarian Ch.Ulaan on the occasion of the 60th jubilee turned today.
As customary, Speaker offered a blue khadag (silk ribbon) with a silver bowl and expressed best wishes to Finance Minister Chultem ULAAN.
Minister of Finance Ch.Ulaan has been selecting as Parliamentarian for consecutive fifth term since 1996.
Related:
Speaker Pays Tribute to Ch.UlaanMontsame, April 22


Health Expo 2014 to Be Organized at MNCCI Exhibition Hall on April 25-27, 2014
April 22 (infomongolia.com)The Health Council at the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) is organizing "Health Expo 2014" in collaboration with "Mongol Em Impex Concern" LLC at the MNCCI exhibition hall on April 25-27, 2014.
During the event, well-known private hospitals, medical equipment importers, manufacturers and suppliers of medicines and drugs, beauty salons, fitness centers and other relevant organizations running its activities in Mongolia will be participating and introducing its products and services.
Moreover, many other events will be also organized such as free consultations by specialized doctors, diagnosis, drugs fair and discussions on health sector.


Mongolia's New Tax E-Payment System Launches in May 2014
April 22 (infomongolia.com) The General Department of Taxation and the Asia Foundation are partnering in support of select activities from the Department’s Anti-Corruption Action Plan to implement several activities between March 07 and June 30, 2014.
The Foundation through the USAID-funded Strengthening Transparency and Governance in Mongolia (STAGE) project is collaborating with various governmental agencies in their bid to reduce corruption and promote transparency. The partnership will advance the capacity within the taxation authority to provide more efficient and timely tax services and reduce bureaucracy.
The General Department of Taxation introduced the e-tax filing system in early 2014 and, as a result, all Mongolian tax payers are now able to submit tax reports, access tax history, and pay taxes online. This new e-tax system has the potential to increase efficiency and transparency within the taxation department, by reducing face-to-face interactions and bureaucratic red tape. Capacity-building is central to the success of this new system and focusing on the tax department staff will enhance effectiveness and increase the user base of this new system. The Department of Taxation and the Foundation will train 700 tax officials across the country to familiarize them with the new system and enable them to encourage citizens to start using the system.
The partnership will also include organizing sessions with the public to demonstrate and explain the new e-tax system to taxpayers. USAID has also provided on-going support to the General Department of Taxation through its Business Plus Initiative (BPI) project implemented by Chemonics International.
The BPI project assists the Government of Mongolia through the Paying Taxes Reform Working Group. Currently, BPI is implementing a new e-payment system that will allow taxpayers to make electronic tax payments directly from online banking services. The new e-payment system, scheduled to launch next month, will make paying taxes easier, cheaper, and faster.


"Justice" Coalition Member, Parliamentarian D.Battsogt Forwards Letter of Resignation
April 22 (infomongolia.com) On April 22, 2014, Chairman of the Social Policy, Education, Culture and Science’s Standing Committee, Parliamentarian Dogsom BATTSOGT has delivered a Letter of Resignation to the Head of "Justice" Coalition (MPRP - MNDP) in the Parliament N.Battsereg.
In his explanation, D.Battsogt says, “It was not a decision made emotionally. There many dissatisfactory issues are exists. I believe, voters elected me to stand integrity on any issues to face. Hereafter, I will be expressing my opinions on my own will and working on draft proposals under own consideration.”
Parliamentarian D.Battsogt was elected from the 16th Electoral District or Khovd Aimag promoted by "Justice" Coalition (MPRP - MNDP) during the 2012 Parliament Elections.
According to Parliament Law, the Letter will be introduced to the Speaker of the State Great Khural (Parliament) and after revised at the Parliament session whether to submit or not.

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