Mongolia Brief April 8, 2014



Second Circle of Vocational Training Programme Starts
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) In frames of the “Employed and paid Mongolian” national programme, six thous.417 qualified people were prepared last year, 79% of them have been employed.

This year, five thous.220 workers will be prepared. The graduation ceremony of the indoor training as well as opening of the second circle of the programme ran Monday under a logo “We are making wealth”.
The Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag addressed the event, saying that Mongolians are now can be involved in the vocational training, with a stipend, "which gives a confidence that all will work homeland, not abroad".
One thous.728 people have been registered in the second circle, they are ready to learn after contracts with employers are inked. By the programme, every trainee receives 190 thousand togrog stipend every month and is provided with job uniforms. 


Vice Minister of Defense Meets Swiss Citizen
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) On Monday, the Vice Minister of Defense A.Battor received Ms Anita Fahrni, a Swiss citizen, at her request.
The latter gave the Vice Minister samples of training facilities and books that are provided for athletes of the “Aldar” sports club at the Mongolian Armed Forces.
Ms Fahrni helps our foreign language teachers and students improving their language and teaching skills via study or internships in Switzerland, and fortifies the Mongolia-Switzerland friendly relations.
Present at the meeting were also Colonel D.Monkh-Ochir, a department head of the Ministry of Defense; and Major-General Ya.Choijamts, a rector of the University of Defense.


‘Eureka’ Scientific Conference Kicks Off
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) The annual "Eureka" scientific conference kicked off in the headquarters of the Mongolian Youth Federation on Tuesday.
Some 100 young academicians and students applied to the organizing committee to deliver their presentations in this 21st conference. The conference began Tuesday with a sub-meeting to discuss economic and business matters, which will be followed by a meeting of information technology, of   social sciences and justice on April 9, earth sciences and agriculture – April 10, natural sciences and medicine– April 11. After these sub-meetings, a united conference will run at the State Residence on April 16.


City's Districts Run Landscaping Works
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) Starting April 1, the UB city's districts are running a greening and construction works.
This is a part of the renovation that has been planned within this year. Sukhbaatar district has allotted  990 million togrog for the this landscaping, 460 million is to be issued by Bayangol, 430 billion--by Bayanzurk, 380 billion by Khan-Uul, 330 billion by Chingeltei, and 250 million by Songinokhairkhan district. Other three districts--Nalaikh, Baganuur and Bagakhangai--will receive a total of 120 million togrog. 


Aimag to Build Kindergarten for Its Remote Baga
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) Khovsgol province will erect a new kindergarten in its remote baga /baga-- the smallest administrative unit in the countryside/.
The foundation laying ceremony ran last Sunday. The object is to receive a hundred children. The money required will be issued from state and the locality's funds.
This year, a total of 476 projects are expected to run in this province with a fund of 55.1 billion togrog.


Mongolian Woman Wins Ultramarathon in S.Korea
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) D.Badamkhatan of Mongolia won the 100 km road race of the 13th Jeju International Ultramarathon in South Korea last Saturday.
With this result, she also broke the national record of Mongolia of 9 hours and 16 minutes for 100 km. The Jeju International Ultramarathon was held with three category events of 50km, 100km and 200km on April 5-6.
Mongolian runners who took part in these events arrived in Ulaanbaatar Monday evening.


Darkhan Metallurgical Plant Reports March Performances
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) The Darkhan Metallurgical Plant has reported its performances of the last month to the State Property Committee.
Accordingly, the plant outperformed its monthly plan by 8.2% this March, with 394 thousand 341 m3 of overburden removal, 100 thousand 607 ton of iron ore exploration, and 74 thousand 600 ton of iron ore concentration processing.
Thus plans for all mining activities–overburden removal, exploration and processing--were outperformed by 11.8%-27.5% in the last month, the report says.


Uvurkhangai hosts Human Rights open days
April 8 (news.mn) The National Human Rights Commission team is conducting a Human Rights Open Days in Arvaikheer sum in Uvurkhangai province between April 7th and 11th. 
In accordance with the Law on the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, human rights open days have been conducted by the National Human Rights Commission in 21 provinces in Mongolia.
This time the National Human Rights Commission team is conducting the event along with the Governor`s Office of Uvurkhangai province with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uvurkhangai province. 
For the human rights open days, the National Human Rights Commission team is holding discussions with province authorities and conducting human rights trainings under the theme of "Human rights based approached in public services" for local administrative officials. 
The team will see Provincial Court Decision Enforcement Office, sobering house, detention center, and also the military division to ensure that human rights are practiced, and they will conduct monitoring and analysis decisions by local governor and Local Residents` Representatives Khural on the past two years. 
During the human rights open days in Uvurkhangai province, civil complaints and suggestions for human rights issues will be received and considered and given legal information if necessary.
Related:


Heritage of Steppe Horsemen Warriors opens
April 8 (news.mn) Heritage of Steppe Horsemen Warriors, an exhibition is currently open at National Museum of Mongolia at 11:20 pm today April 8th celebrating the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Federal Republic of Germany. 
The exhibition will be open for public until June 9th. 
At the opening ceremony for the exhibition, Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Ts.Oyungerel, Foreign Affairs Minister L.Bold, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Mongolia Gerhard Thiedemann, Academician B. Enkhtuvshin, President of Mongolian Academy of Sciences were present. 
In the exhibition approximately 170 priceless archeological finds including ancient Turk warriors` metal stirrups, wooden saddles, saddle girths, felt hats and silk deels belonging to the Kitan Empire will be displayed. 
These archeological finds were discovered by archeologists of the Institute of Archaeology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences between 2005 and 2010. They were analyzed and restored  in the Landes museum in Bonn and fortified in Offenbach in Germany for three years before being returned to home to Mongolia on January 25th. 


World Allergy Week
April 8 (news.mn) The World Allergy Organization (WAO) marks World Allergy Week from 7th to 13th April, 2014 to address the topic of “Anaphylaxis – When Allergies Can Be Severe and Fatal,” and are calling for education, preparation, and resources for the treatment and prevention of anaphylaxis as the spring allergy season comes. Currently 95 national member societies have joined the World Allergy Week. To increase awareness of anaphylaxis during World Allergy Week 2014, many of the national WAO Member Societies will organize local events and programs around anaphylaxis that specifically affect their communities.
This is the third year that Mongolia marks the World Allergy Week. During the World Allergy Week information about how to be aware of possible symptoms will be provided by media and special training for medical specialists on how to help people to prevent anaphylaxis and how to provide emergency assistance will be given.


Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi will export 11 million tons of
April 8 (business-mongolia.com) Government planned to collect MNT1.4 trillion or USD800 million approximately from the mining industry in terms of taxes in 2014, 43% from coal, 27% from copper concentrate, and 13% from gold respectively. This accounts 12% of the budget income. It is deemed impossible to collect the planned coal revenue. Last year, it planned that coal export will reach 34 million tons, however the reality was only 18 million tons. Again, the plan in 2014 is 31.4 million tons.
First quarter of this year revealed that only 3.6 million tons have been exported. This revenue is around USD45 million. The decrease is five folds comparing to 2012. The coal price assumption is USD81-115 per ton. It was assumed that Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC would export 11 million tons this year out planned 31.4 million tons. Unfortunately, ETT JSC is shipping the owed coal to Chalco. At this pace, ETT JSC will pay-off the Chalco debt in June, 2014.


The Word Bank report; More challenges than triumph
April 8 (Mongolian Economy) Mongolia recorded another period of double-digit growth in 2013 on the back of stronger mineral production led by the start of production in the Oyu Tolgoi mine and the government’s stimulus policy. However, off-budget spending and inflationary pressure will continue to challenge in 2014, according to the East Asia Pacific Economic Update released yesterday by the World Bank. 
Mineral GDP growth picked up to 33.8 percent in the second half of the year from 6.1 percent in the first half, registering 20.7 percent annual growth. Mineral GDP accounted for 18.5 percent of total economic output in 2013. 
Non-mineral GDP growth also remained double digit, buoyed by economic stimulus measures, driven by strong growth in construction (66.5 percent year-on-year) and wholesale and retail (17 percent year-on-year). This growth was bolstered by large off-budget public infrastructure spending through the Development Bank of Mongolia [DBM] (equivalent to 9 to 10 percent of GDP) and subsidised lending programs by the Bank of Mongolia (equivalent to 20 percent of GDP). 
According to the report, the structural budget deficit was kept under the 2 percent ceiling of the Fiscal Stablity Law. However, the portion of capital expenditure ¬– carried out by DBM – remained outside the official budget. 
The Central Bank continued it policy lending programs including the Price Stabilization Program and low-interest-rate mortgage lending, injecting MNT 3.4 billion into commercial banks over the year. Outstanding central bank lending to commercial banks reached 24 percent of GDP at the end of 2013. 
Inflation accelerated since July 2013, reaching 12.4 percent (year-on-year) in December 2013 and 12.3 percent in January 2014. Core inflation – largely reflective of demand-sidepressure – increased to 12.7 percent in December 2013 from 7.7 percent in June, the highest level over the last two years. 
The press release accompanying the report says, developing countries in East Asia will grow by 7.1 percent this year, largely unchanged from 2013, the report says. As a result, East Asia remains the fastest growing region in the world, despite a slowdown from the average growth rate of 8.0 percent from 2009 to 2013.
China’s growth will ease slightly, to 7.6 percent this year from 7.7 percent in 2013. 
“Over the longer term, to keep growth high, developing East Asia should redouble efforts to pursue structural reforms to increase their underlying growth potential and enhance market confidence,” Bert Hofman, Chief Economist of the World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific Region.
Structural reforms will help reduce vulnerabilities and enhance the sustainability of long-term growth. China has already begun a series of reforms in finance, market access, labor mobility and fiscal policy to increase the efficiency of growth and boost domestic demand. Over time, these measures will put the economy on a more stable, inclusive and sustainable footing. Some initiatives that the government has already announced, such as tax reform and lowering barriers to private investment, may also spur short-term growth
Successful reforms in China could bring considerable benefits to trade partners supplying it with agricultural products, consumption goods and modern services. Conversely, spillovers from a disorderly rebalancing in China could hurt regional and global growth, especially in countries, like Mongolia, relying on natural resource exports.
Outlook and Emerging Challenges
The report highlights two main challenges for 2014: 
In 2014, there is a political emphasis on double-digit economic growth likely to result in the expansionary path of 2013. Off-budget spending through the DBM will be the main financing vehicle for many infrastructure projects, bypassing the control of the Fiscal Stability law, likely creating a budget deficit of 7 to 8 percent of GDP on top of the official budget. Monetary policy will also likely remain loose, including the Price Stabilization Program and the politically popular housing mortgage program. 
Economic stimulus relying on external borrowing and liquidity injection will likely add to economic imbalances. The rising cost of imported goods has only been partially reflected in retail process due to the price control of the central bank. The international reserve level of exchange rate will likely remain under continued pressure from the large gap between the current and financial/capital accounts. Economic management at this stage should be to ensure a stable and sustainable growth path, minimising the possibility of a bust and addressing the balance-of-payments situation. The rising balance of payments pressure and inflation and regaining foreign capital inflow requires immediate attention.


Independent Parliamentarians Pledge to Resolve Exigent Issues within 2014 Spring Session
April 8 (infomongolia.com) Following the opening ceremony of the 2014 Spring Plenary Session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) held on Monday, April 07, the three parliamentarians elected independently in 2012 Parliament Elections, namely Ts.Davaasuren, Kh.Bolorchuluun and S.Ganbaatar have called a press conference afternoon.
They stated to focus on submitting a bill to eliminate “double coat”, clarification on 2014 State Budget and pay more attention on the amendments to the Petroleum Law. Particularly, the issue on resolving Oyu Tolgoi disputes will not be left, but should consider Mongolia’s core interest.
MP Ts.Davaasuren noted, “At the regular upcoming Cabinet meeting, we will forward the issue on eliminating “double coat”, in other words a parliamentarian should not hold a subsidiary position or high-rank. This is a very complicated issue, thus it will not enough only to change some provisions in the Parliament or Government resolutions, instead we should amend the term “A member of the Parliament can be a member of the Government” that cites in the Constitution.
MP Kh.Bolorchuluun said, “One of the exigent issues to discuss at this Spring Session is the Petroleum Law. The law has overcome many barriers and criteria and the final version was about to discuss at the Cabinet meeting scheduled on January 30, a day before the Tsagaan Sar Holiday, but unfortunately some authorities had postponed to discuss during the Spring Session. But today, some sources reveal this law might be withdrawn by Cabinet itself. On this bill over 20 legislators worked about 6 months and when we consider the laws on natural resources and minerals, some third-part involvement is pretty much to drag. I would say this because of pushes by foreign companies and Mongolian politicians, who work for them trying to freeze the implementation that caused the rumor to withdraw the draft bill on petroleum. Comparatively, the new amendments were made to investors mutually beneficial with assert adequacy”.
MP S.Ganbaatar added, “Another law needed to amend is a citizen’s health insurance. The people of Mongolia pay 200 billion MNT for their health insurance, not to mention whether they receive appropriate service or not, but it is time to create a system enables to monitor where their insurance money were accounted. Therefore, the independent candidates’ representative is plan amend the law within this Spring Session”.


"Travelling in Mongolia" Exhibition by K.K.Flerov Coming Soon at State Darwin Museum, Moscow
April 8 (infomongolia.com) In the scope of the 110th anniversary of the zoologist, paleontologist and artist Konstantin Konstantinovich Flerov (1904-1980), the "Traveling in Mongolia" exhibition will be displaying at the State Darwin Museum in Moscow, Russia from April 26 to June 29, 2014.
The official opening will be held on April 29, where among guests a daughter of late artist, Natalia Konstantinovna Flerova is also invited.
The exhibition "Travelling in Mongolia" is to everyone who has ever been interested in mammoths and dinosaurs, and to explore the wonderful world of nature in numerous expeditions and travels. During his life K.K.Flerov had been in 36 expeditions, but it at this show will be about travel treasury paleontologists made in Mongolia in 1940s.
Mongolia - not only amazingly beautiful country with a wide green plains, red mountains and golden sands of the Gobi desert, but also one of the most attractive places for paleontologists around the world. Here you can find a huge petrified tree trunks and skeletons of extinct Tarbosaurus, Stegosaurus and mastodons.
In 1946, the Paleontological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences conducted the first Soviet-Mongolian joint expedition in Mongolia, in which one of the greatest in the history of science were finds that opened a number of localities of Cretaceous dinosaurs and ancient mammals, of which the vast majority belonged to a new, previously unknown, extinct animals.
Modern wildlife Mongolia is also rich and diverse as prehistoric. Here you can find gazelle, mountain sheep, leopards, Przewalski’s horses, camels and many other animals. Konstantin Flerov wrote numerous paintings for the Darwin Museum, dedicated modern fauna of the region. The exposition will introduce you to the prehistoric and modern animals in Mongolia.


Mongolia and China Agrees to Establish “Gashuun Sukhait Railway” Joint Venture
April 8 (infomongolia.com) The Signing Ceremony to establish "Gashuun Sukhait Railway" joint venture company by "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" JSC, "Energy Resources" LLC, "Tavan Tolgoi" JSC representing Mongolia and China Shenhua Energy Company was held at “Elite” Center in Ulaanbaatar on April 07, 2014.
The newly to form company aims to increase Mongolia’s coal export and enhance foreign trade turnover following the approval of the Government resolution issued on March 21, 2014 to connect Gashuun Sukhait port, Umnugovi Aimag, Mongolia and Gants Mod (Ganqimaodu), China with a narrow gauge railway.
The signing ceremony was attended by Executive Director of “Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi” JSC Ya.Batsuuri, Executive Director of “Energy Resources” LLC L.Batsengel, Executive Director of “Tavan Tolgoi” JSC R.Seddorj and Chairman of the Shenhua Overseas Development and Investment Co., Ltd Shao Junjie. 
Also witnessing the action, other authorities from both parties such as Mining Minister D.Gankhuyag, State Secretary at the Ministry of Mining R.Jigjid, State Secretary at the Ministry of Road and Transportation B.Batzaya and Executive Director of “Mongolian Railway” JSC P.Batsaikhan were representing the Government of Mongolia and China Government by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the PR of China to Mongolia Wang Xiaolong and Executive Director of China Shenhua Energy, Ling Wen.
According to document, Mongolian three companies shall own 51% of the joint venture and the rest 49% by China Shenhua Energy, simultaneously to invest and earn by share portions.
Under the management of “Gashuun Sukhait Railway” JSC, contracting companies will construct 18 km of railroad connecting Gashuun Sukhait and Gants Mod ports within 2014 and from 2015 will transport 24-27 million tons of coal to China annually. 
Following the ceremony Executive Director of Shenhua Energy, Ling Wen commented, “By accomplishing this railroad, it enables at least to reduce environment pollution, besides to save transportation costs. On other hand, Mongolia’s coal will be exported to China and the third party for a long-term period. Shenhua will own 49% of the joint venture according Mongolian Law and however it seems a short railroad, but economic value is a lot”.
Executive Director of “Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi” JSC Ya.Batsuuri added, “The total length of new railroad is 18 km, but to freight about 27 million tons of coal annually. Before, we used to transport via Tsagaan Khad and then to border by trucks that estimated 7-8 USD per ton, so from effectiveness of new transportation, it would cost only 2 USD per ton of coal, which means to save and earn more on coal export”.
Executive Director of “Energy Resources” LLC L.Batsengel said, “Shenhua Company constructed 360 km of railroad from Gants Mod (Ganqimaodu) to Bugat (Baotou) and further responsible for freight transportation of 1,400 km to the seaport destination.
Moreover, the new railroad between Gashuun Sukhait and Gants Mod ports is very important by the means of converting into international standard ports”.
Related:
Joint Railway Company EstablishedMontsame, April 8
Gashuun Sukhait Railway Company is establishedbusiness-mongolia.com, April 8


Spring Session's Agenda Approved
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) At its plenary meeting on Tuesday, the parliamentary session adopted a draft resolution of parliament on agenda to be discussed at the spring session.
Head of the Standing committee on state structure A.Bakei introduced to MPs proposals and conclusions of his committee on the agenda.
"It was worked by our committee and was considered at a meeting on March 26 of 2014 in accordance with the law on the State Great Khural," A.Bakei said. He went on that the President of Mongolia proposed five drafts, Standing committees--41, the political parties and coalition at parliament--99, S.Ganbaatar MP alone--10 drafts, and the cabinet--95 drafts.
The agenda also reflects extra 25 drafts which are undergoing discussion, Mr Bakei added.  



Z.Bayanselenge Becomes Faction Deputy Head
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) A parliamentarian Z.Bayanselenge has been appointed deputy chair of the “Justice” coalition at parliament.
This decision was made by the coalition's faction meeting on Monday. Ms Bayanselenge has replaced Ch.Ulaan MP, the Minister of Finance, who asked to free him from this post.


Mongolian Officers to Be Given Radiation Dosimeters
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) The Atomic Energy Authority of Mongolia is to give ‘DoseRAE 2’, electronic dosimeters for personal radiation dosage monitoring, to public officers who are exposed to radiation in their jobs.
In late years, a number of such staffers has gone up four times, the authority say, for highly radioactive nuclear technologies have been increasingly used in sectors of geology, mining, medicine, industry, food and agriculture.
The dosimeter will be given to the officers working for public agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency, General Police Department, Intelligence Agency, General Headquarters of Armed Forces, National Oncology Center, State First Clinic, National University of Mongolia, and the National Veterinary Institute.
DoseRAE 2 is a compact, direct-reading and alarming electronic personal radiation detector. It uses a diode and a scintillation crystal to detect X- and gamma radiation, and provides real-time monitoring of personal dose and dose rate. The real-time radiation dose rate monitoring allows immediate reaction in case of radiation occurrences and thus reduces the radiation exposure. By measuring dose equivalent and dose equivalent rate, this radiation detector provides the functions of a dosimeter too. It also measures radiation exposure and exposure rate, which is appropriate for controlling the exposure of emergency responders to photon radiation.


Standing Committee Backs Joining ATS
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) The parliamentary Standing committee on security and foreign policy Tuesday considered that Mongolia needs to join the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS).
A majority of the committee backed this matter "because Mongolia must run at a race of getting common properties of humankind while actively participating in the international relations and cooperation in globalization era".
A presentation about the ATS was made by L.Bold, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively known as the ATS regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth's only continent without a native human population. For the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all of the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude. The treaty, entering into force in 1961 and currently having 50 signatory nations, sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, establishes freedom of scientific investigation and bans military activity on that continent. The treaty was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War. The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat headquarters have been located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, since September 2004.
The main treaty was opened for signature on December 1, 1959, and officially entered into force on June 23, 1961. The original signatories were the 12 countries active in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957–58. The twelve countries had significant interests in Antarctica at the time: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. These countries had established over 50 Antarctic stations for the IGY. The treaty was a diplomatic expression of the operational and scientific cooperation that had been achieved "on the ice".
In 1972-1974, Mongolia had its scientists participated for the first time in international research team on Antarctica. Last years, the Mongolian scholars were conducting researches in Antarctica, being involved in international research group. Their works such as weather forecast and sea water and minerals researches have contributed to estimating of tendencies of global climate changes. If Mongolia joins the ATS, it will be able to send its independent research group to Antarctica and to install there its station.


Mongolia Signs MOU with North Korea
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) A memorandum of understanding on setting up Mongolia-Democratic People's Republic of Korea /DPRK/ friendship joint company between governments was inked in Pyongyang April 2, reported kcna.co.jp website the same day.
Present at the signing ceremony from the N.Korean side were Ri Ryong Nam, the Minister of Foreign Trade who doubles as chairman of the DPRK side to the Inter-governmental Committee for Consultation in Economy, Trade, Science and Technology between the DPRK and Mongolia, also Hwang Min, a vice-minister of Agriculture who is also chairman of the Livestock Management Committee in Sepho Area, and officials concerned. Mongolia was represented by the Minister of Industry and Agriculture Kh.Battulga who is chairman of the Mongolian side to the Inter-governmental Committee for Consultation in Economy, Trade, Science and Technology between the DPRK and Mongolia, and M.Ganbold, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the DPRK, and his Embassy officials.
A MOU was also signed between the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the DPRK and the Ministry of Labor of Mongolia.


Thomas Air LLC Wins Tender in India
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) Mongolia-invested “Thomas Air” LLC has been authorized to participate in great construction works in northern regions of India.
The Mongolian company got the right by winning a four-phase tender which was announced in January this year by the “Survey of India”, the country’s central engineering agency in charge of mapping and surveying, for aerial mapping works. The tender attracted some ten aviation companies from Mongolia, Australia, Canada, France, Indonesia and Spain, and was concluded on April 1.
As winning the tender, the “Thomas Air” is to establish a contract with the Indian side for attending the great construction projects of urban development, railways and highways, namely in southern part of the Himalaya Mountains.
This is the second time the Mongolian company exports products and services abroad. Earlier, the Mongolian Airlines (MIAT) rented its “Boeing” airplane to Bangladesh.
The “Thomas Air” LLC was established in 2011, bringing Swiss made Pilatus PC-6, US-made Maule M-7 together with US-made Air Tractor AT-602, all brand new aircrafts. This type of aircraft can be used not only for mining projects and tourism but also for emergency medical services, natural disasters, rescue operations, wildfire patrols, aero geological survey, election campaigns as well as for other various public services. Even though the company was established on January 2011, Thomas Air LLC has made remarkable achievements for successful aviation project.
Thomas Air LLC has been certified by Mongolian Civil Aviation Authorities (MCAA) with Air Operation Certificate (AOC) in June 2011, and started providing with air services ever since.
The company offers passenger, cargo charter flights, medical evacuation flights, flight school, agricultural crop dusting flights, aerial spray, forestry and graze land, aero tourism, aerial photography flights, search and rescue flights, geological survey flights, and airstrip consulting.


Pedagogical Training for Teachers Runs
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) A training themed “Discovering and developing children talent by using theater methods of pedagogy" to prepare trainer teachers ran here on Monday.
It was co-organized by the “Education service delivery to vulnerable group during financial crisis period” project of the Ministry of Education and Science, a Special Complex Center of Training for Children and Youth under the City Mayor's Office and “Sunrise” association for extracurricular training.
The action attracted 250 participants, including training managers and social workers of 81 state and private secondary schools. They studied this new method used by the European countries and earned “Trainer teacher” certificates.
The training was conducted by six specialists from the Special Complex Center who completed such training in Germany in 2011-2013.


Day of Logistics to Run
Ulaanbaatar, April 8 (MONTSAME) The Mongolian Logistics Association /MLA/ has decided to organize a “Day of Logistics” on April 10.
This event will be held under a cooperation agreement established last year between the MLA and the German Logistics Association during the 30th International Supply Chain Conference.
In frames of the day, our business companies and entrepreneurs will give people all the information related to the logistics.  


Wind-Led Labour Market
April 8 (Mongolian Economy) Human capital is traded like a commodity. The market is in demand for certain skill sets, and experience and know-how add value. This is what is commonly refered to as the labour market.
The labour market in Mongolia is growing. Each year Mongolia sees 37,000 students graduate from universities and another 20,000 complete vocational training. 
The National Statistical Office last reported that the unemployment rate was 7.8 percent in Mongolia. And although there are plenty of job vacancies available, one-third of Mongolian citizens live below the poverty level.
Unemployed or Incapable?
Mongolia’s labour market moves in all directions like the wind. Not long ago everyone was deciding to work for mining companies, but not any longer.
“Students who received the highest points on their admission test choose mining classes,” said D. Enkhbat, head of the Science Technology and Innovation Department at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.
For a long time every industry other than mining was struggling to fill vacancies. A clerk might quit his job to try his hand at operating a bulldozer for a mining company because of the higher wages promised. Meanwhile companies struggled to compete with miners offering high wages to retain staff.
Today construction is seeing a renaissance and last year the sector helped lift up the economy. Now it is construction jobs people want instead of mining.
“After the recent boom in the construction sector we saw an increasing number of young people interested in joining our company. The sector is highly productive and offers a high wage,” said A. Uuganbaatar, a human resources manager at Eco Construction.
However, the human resource pool is not well balanced. Labour is scarce in some industries while others have a surplus. According to M. Chimeddorj, director at Labour Studies Institute, people are often making the wrong choices when choosing their professions.
“When there was the centrally planned economy, nobody could choose their preferred professions,” he said.
“But in these days of the market economy, we can choose our preferred professions and even where we work is our decision. In a much lesser populated country like Mongolia, an over-concentration of the labour force in a single sector is wrong.”
There’s no way to manage the talent pools of in the country without going back to the socialist system where people were assigned professions. That is the cost of free choice. That leaves the Ministry of Labour to seek out new ways of tackling the issue.
“Infrastructure is inadequate. IT infrastructure needs to be developed in order to balance the flow of information,” said D. Battogtokh, deputy director of the Labour Exchange Office.
“The ministry is addressing this. For example, we have successfully implemented a project for establishing an integrated labour market database network,” he said. “Job seekers, educators and employer should exchange their information freely so that the labour market can be healthy and employment rate can grow.”
More than Miners
The mining industry comprises more than 90 percent of Mongolia’s total exports, but only a mere 4 percent of the employment pool, according to research by the Mining Ministry. Mining is expected to grow in the coming decade, but is only expected to total at mere 7 percent of the labour market because of automation at mines. In fact, the Mining Ministry recommended against specialising in the mining industry, despite the expected growth.
According to the Ministry of Mining, employment in agriculture – another economic pillar for the county – is expected to soon contract as well. Although productivity will likely increase labour demand is likely to fall as the industry begins taking advantage of advanced technologies. The current number of employees in agriculture is 370,000, but this is projected to drop to 320,000 after some 10 years.
Clearly, no sector – no matter what kind of growth is expected – is guaranteed to provide jobs.
This is not the fault of young graduates, but rather it is because of poor curricula planning by universities and schools. The Mining Ministry study revealed that the number of students who majored in linguistics far exceeds actual demand. In the coming 10 years, some specialised professions such as processing plant workers are very likely to be in greater demand.


First Regional Horse Racing Competition "Dunjingarav 2014" to Take Place on April 13, 2014
April 8 (infomongolia.com) The first biggest spring horse racing competition the "Dunjingarav 2014" was postponed due to foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks occurred in eastern three Aimags since January 2014, which was first scheduled to take place last February 23.
But following an official quarantine release, the Federation of Mongolian Horse Racing Sports and Trainers set a date to organize the event at "Tsagaan Khutul" valley in Tuv Aimag on April 13, 2014.
Traditionally, the “Dunjingarav” regional competition will be held in four age categories - Crossbreed horses, Azarga or Stallion, Ikh Nas (horses over 5 years of age) and Soyolon (five-year old horses).
On the following day, Monday, April 14, the “Khangarid 2014” horse racing competition among Capital City horse breeders will be held in four age categories - Crossbreed horses, Azarga or Stallion, Ikh Nas (horses over 5 years of age) and Soyolon (five year old horses) at same place.


“Gal Undesten” Movement Members’ Sentences Reduced
April 8 (infomongolia.com) On April 08, 2014, the second-level court hearing was held at the Capital City Court for members of "Gal Undesten" movement led by Ts.Munkhbayar, who threatened with firearms and hand grenades demanding to amend urgently some articles in the Law on Prohibiting the Mineral Exploration and Extraction Near Water Sources, Protected Areas and Forests (namely "Long Titled" law) in September 2013.
After the first District-level trial, the movement leaders Ts.Munkhbayar, G.Boldbaatar, D.Tumurbaatar and J.Ganbold have been found guilty and heard 21 years and 6 months sentence respectively. Moreover, M.Munkhbold, who sold them firearms, was given 2-year of imprisonment and other protestors O.Sambuu-Yondon and B.Gantulga were found innocent.
So, at today’s trial, the Capital City Court jury has issued its decision and resolved to reduce the term of imprisonment for each protestor. Accordingly, Ts.Munkhbayar’s sentence was abridged to 7 years, G.Boldbaatar to 6 years and 1 month, D.Tumurbaatar to 10 years and 6 months, J.Ganbold to 1 year and M.Munkhbold to 1 year of imprisonment respectively. Also, the other two protestors’ (O.Sambuu-Yondon and B.Gantulga) decision were remained.
Now, above members have a right to appeal for higher-level or Supreme Court of Mongolia.

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