Mongolia Brief May 21, 2014 Part II



Foreign Minister Meets Swedish Ambassador

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Foreign Affairs L.Bold Tuesday received Mr Lars Freden, the Concurrent Non-Resident Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Mongolia Tuesday.

Mr Bold emphasized the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations establishment, and expressed a satisfaction with an intensive development of the bilateral relations and cooperation. He also affirmed that the Royal family members of the Kingdom of Sweden have been invited to Mongolia, and then shared views with the Ambassador on the cooperation in politics, economy, energy and mining sectors.
The sides also exchanged views on setting up an intergovernmental commission with a purpose of widening the cooperation, and said it must have concrete directions.


Minister of Economic Development Submits Bills

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Economic Development N.Batbayar Tuesday submitted to the Speaker Z.Enkhbold bills on ratifying two credit agreements for a programme on higher education and for a nutrition project, and one financing agreement for developing ger areas.
A middle-term programme for the Mongolia-Japan strategic partnership, approved during the official visit of the Mongolian Premier to Japan, reflects an implementation of a project on higher education of engineering and technology. Accordingly, this project will be realized with a soft-loan from the Japanese side.
The credit and financing agreements for the “Nutrition and social welfare project: Additional financing” and for the programme on developing ger areas and investment promotion must be ratified by parliament because they are considered as documents on the credit from foreign country and international organization by the law on international deals, Batbayar said.


N.Batbayar: Law on Purchasing Products and Services Must Be Amended

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Economic Development N.Batbayar Tuesday submitted to parliament a draft new wording of the law on purchasing products, works and services. "This should be urgently discussed," he emphasized.
The economic growth of Mongolia is increasing recent years thanks to a boost in the mining sector, but projects financed by the state budget are not being implemented on time, showing thus less effectiveness under the current tender system. It causes troubles in implementation of a development policy, "so the current law on purchasing products, works and services with capitals of state and localities budgets must be altered," the Minister said.
One of the main objectives of the new wording is to abolish a delay in any project, program or measure, Batbayar added.


Ulaanbaatar Mayor Works at ‘11 11’ Center

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ During his interview given to the Cabinet’s "11 11" center on Wednesday, Ulaanbaatar Mayor informed the city people on some actions.
In the city, he said, people can own now lands in 52 areas, according to the City General Planning dating February 2013. Today, 93 thousand out of 1.3 million people living in the city have been given lands in the territories of Ulaanbaatar. In order to avoid any burdens, software for land ownership application has become available for the remaining 40 thousand, but applicants must be registered as Ulaanbaatar residents earlier than the date of a relevant decision to allot lands, he said.
This year, projects on waste treatment, road building and crossroad extension will be implemented under the city’s planned budget of 230 billion togrog, said the Governor, referring a road building project to take place north of the Bogd Khan Mountain, and the Yarmag road paving project in western Ulaanbaatar. Yarmag road paving is expected to be completed before the Naadam festival (July 11), facilitating travels from the city to the horse race areas.
The City Mayor also talked about ongoing projects in urban areas, which include sidewalks building and extending, increasing green facilities and planning of tour areas by the Tuul River. The ger (national dwelling) re-planning is continuing persistent with the plans, he noted. Proper infrastructural development will reach every corner of the city by 2030, with 80-100 thousand apartments to shelter the city residents.
Reforms will begin in the urban public transports this fall, he said. The city buses will not be allowed to carry more than ten standing passengers.


Nepali Delegates Study Mongolian Experience on Fight against Human Trafficking

May 21 (infomongolia.com) Deputy Chairman of Citizenship and Migration General Authority of Mongolia (CMGAM) Myatavdorj MUNKHBAT received delegates from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Labour and Employment of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal in Ulaanbaatar on May 21, 2014.
The Nepali delegates’ visit to Mongolia aims to get familiarized and study Mongolian experience on the fight against human trafficking and exchange opinions on the above topic.
During the visit, guests were introduced with activities of the CMGAM’s Department of Permit and Registration, Department of Monitoring and Buyant-Ukhaa Office at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport.
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Prime Minister to Visit Russia

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) The Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag will head to the Russian Federation on Thursday.
The Premier will take part in international economic forum that will run at initiative of the Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has been invited by the Russian side.
Some sources say the Premier is expected to meet with Mr Putin. The two countries plan to exchange views on building the Russia-China gas pipelines and other five pipes through Mongolian territory, and on the Mongolia-Russia relations.
The Premier's visit will last until May 25.


"Consult Expo-2014" Fair Opens

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) With a financial support of the Business Advisory Service /BAS/ of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development /EBRD/, the “Consult Expo-2014”  fair opened at the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.
This two-day action has been organized by the Institute of Mongolian Management Consultants. It has  brought together 50 private and non-government consulting organizations that offer advisory services in marketing, management, research, human resources, business planning, finance, audit, insurance, investment, IT, engineering and mining.
During the fair, specialized consultants are giving professional service to businessmen and entrepreneurs.
The opening ceremony was attended by Ts.Javsanjav, a deputy director of the Chamber, N.Battogtokh, a head of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Department at the Ministry of Labor, and Mr Matthieu Le Blan, the Permanent Representative of the EBRD in Mongolia.  
The EBRD's Business Advisory Services in Mongolia was established in 2008 with an aim to support small- and medium-sized business people and to connect them to foreign and domestic consultants.


Uvs Province Receives Wheat Grain

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) As a result of earlier-established cooperation memorandum between the provincial administration and the Russian importers, farmers of the northern Uvs province have received two sorts of high quality wheat grain imported from Russia.
The provincial administration spent 110 million togrog from the Province Development Fund to improve the quality of the wheat sown by the locals. The aimag imported 125 ton of wheat grain of so-called Altaisky-70 and Cantigersky-89 sorts to give the farmers.


US Basketball Team to Have Friendly Matches Here

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) In celebration of the 10th anniversary, SBL Khasyn Khulguud, Mongolian basketball club has invited to Mongolia the U.S. Eagles basketball team playing in the US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Division I.
As a pleasant surprise to the Mongolian basketball lovers, USA Eagles are to arrive in Ulaanbaatar on May 23 to have friendly matches with SBL Khasyn Khulguud club May 25, and with the national basketball team of Mongolia on May 26.


Boys’ Basketball Team Defeats Polish Rivals

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) A boys’ team for basketball from the city’s 33rd secondary school has defeated the Polish junior team from Plotzk city at a friendly match on Monday.
The Mongolian team gained more scores at every stage of the match. They are qualified to compete in the friendly match in the Polish school from the junior league championship of Ulaanbaatar which ran from February to April this year.
Meanwhile, a girls’ team from the city’s 87th secondary school lost to the selected team of Plotzk.
Following the friendly matches, a head of the Plotzk-based “Mon-Pol” club granted the “Silver Wolf” and “Bronze Wolf” cups to Mr T.Bayasakh, a deputy governor of Bayanzurkh district, and to directors of the schools.  


Provincial Artists to Perform in Europe

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) Artists of musical drama theatre of Khovsgol province is to tour European countries from May 28.
Aimed to promote Mongolia abroad, this tour has been co-organized by the Mongolia-France cultural center and “Uurdiin Mongol” non-government organization.
The artists are planning their best performances in some 40 European countries within three months. On May 24, they will give this concert at the Trade Union Cultural Palace in the UB city. 


Stock exchange news for May 21

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades held Wednesday, a total of 10 thousand and 547 shares of 22 JSCs were traded costing MNT eight million 609 thousand and 667.00.
"Khokh gan” /2,800 units/, "Genco tour bureau" /1,699 units/, "Nako tulsh" /1,500 units/, "State Department Store" /1,144 units/ and "Merex” /997 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value--"APU” (MNT one million 843 thousand and 313), "Tavan Tolgoi" (MNT one million 190 thousand and 300), "Mogoin gol" (MNT 920 thousand and 160), "Baganuur" (MNT 670 thousand and 870) and "Talkh chikher” (MNT 619 thousand and 500).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 565 billion 225 million 924 thousand and 400. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 15,398.25, decreasing by MNT 8.81 or 0.06% against the previous day.


O.Gundegmaa wins gold medal

Ulaanbaatar, May 21 (MONTSAME) State Honored Sportswoman and Olympic silver medalist O.Gundegmaa won a gold medal at the fourth stage of a rating-setting tournament of Mongolia’s Shooting Sports Federation which concluded Wednesday.
She has captured the medal after collecting 583 points, followed by Ts.Monkhzul IMS (580 points) and T.Bayartsetseg IMS (572 points).
Before this tournament, Gundegmaa had claimed a gold medal in competitions named after the “Shooter” club held this month, showing a good preparation after a long break.
Thanks to winning these medals, Gundegmaa has been qualified to compete in the 51st ISSF World Shooting Championship that will take place September 6-20 in Granada, Spain.


Minister of Mining D.Gankhuyag to Co-Chair Ministry of

Industry and Agriculture of Mongolia

May 21 (infomongolia.com) It was previously reported that the Minister for Industry and Agriculture of Mongolia, M r . Khaltmaa BATTULGA was dismissed from his post of Minister, following the approval issued at the plenary session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) held on May 15, 2014.
On the following day, May 16, Prime Minister of Mongolia N.Altankhuyag issued an Ordinance No.63 to appoint an Acting Minister of Industry and Agriculture according to the Law of Government, based on Articles 21.4, 23.1 and 30.1.
The Ordinance states, a member of the Cabinet and an incumbent Minister of Mining Mr. Davaajav GANKHUYAG is taking all responsibilities and duties of the Minister for Industry and Agriculture of Mongolia.


Fourth Summit of CICA Opens in Shanghai

May 21 (infomongolia.com) The Fourth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is ongoing in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China on May 20-21, 2014.
President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj is attending the meeting of CICA, intergovernmental forum for enhancing cooperation towards promoting peace, security and stability in Asia and the rest of the world.
The first CICA Summit was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan on June 04, 2002, and the 16 nations signed the Almaty Act that focused on enhancing cooperation and partnership through promoting regional peace and security, fighting against illicit drugs and terrorism, extend economic and environmental collaboration and strengthen confidence in humanitarian sector.
CICA now has 24 member states including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cambodia, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam and observers Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Ukraine and USA.
Th e Fourth Summit of the CICA has brought together representatives of over 40 states and international organizations, including heads of state and government of Mongolia, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Iraq and Tajikistan.
President of China Xi Jinping chaired the Summit themed "Strengthening the Trust and Cooperation and Building a Peaceful and Stable New Asia".
Mongolia is working to include “Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on the Northeast Asia Security” initiative to the Declaration of the Fourth Meeting of CICA.


Speech by His Excellency Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia, at Summit on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia

May 21 (president.mn) The city of Shanghai, on May 21st, 2014
Honourable Chairman, Your Excellency Mr. President Xi Jinping,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, I would like to congratulate His Excellency Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, for assuming the honorable Chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, the CICA, and hosting today’s summit.
It is a great pleasure to note that CICA’s international reputation has strengthened, and with the expansion of the scope of its activities, the number of member states is increasing.
CICA has emerged as an important dialogue mechanism for strengthening peace, stability and security in Asia through deepening all-around cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding and confidence among the countries of the region.
I wish to welcome and congratulate the new members - Qatar and Bangladesh for joining the CICA.
Honourable Chairman, Developing relations and cooperation with Asian countries and effective involvement in the regional integration is one of the priorities of Mongolia’s foreign policy.
Mongolia has been endeavoring to contribute to the common cause and efforts of the international community to address and resolve the pressing issues and challenges of the region and the world.
Neighboring with two powers with nuclear weapons, Mongolia declared its territory a nuclear-weapon-free zone over 20 years ago and has been working hard to institutionalize this status as a mechanism.
In September 2012, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have issued a joint declaration recognizing Mongolia’s nuclear-weapon-free status and pledged to respect that status and not to contribute to any act that violate it.
This declaration testifies that Mongolia can effectively and meaningfully contribute to achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world.
To enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the countries of Northeast Asia and in pursuit of long term goals for regional peace and stability, I have proposed an “Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on the Northeast Asia Security” initiative.
Mongolia, as a landlocked developing country, pays a concerted attention in alleviating international trade and transportation.
I thank the landlocked developing countries in Asia for supporting Mongolia’s initiative and signing the Intergovernmental Agreement on establishing an International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries.
Honourable Chairman,
Mongolia has been paying a concerted attention to engaging in mutually beneficial and constructive cooperation with CICA member states, including our immediate neighbors - Russia and China, in trade, investment, infrastructure, transit transportation sectors and other important economic sectors.
I wish to note that as Mongolia’s economy grows and expands, the prospects and opportunities of active cooperation with the countries of Asia and Pacific in mining, energy, infrastructure and other sectors are increasing.
Last year we hosted in Ulaanbaatar the World Economic Forum’s first Strategic Dialogue Roundtable on the Future of Mongolia within the framework of the “Development Scenarios for Mongolia” project implemented in cooperation with the WEF.
I deeply appreciate and thank Turkey for its invaluable contributions and efforts to strengthen the CICA as well as to enhance regional security, promote economic, cultural and environmental cooperation in the past 4 years.
In closing, I would like to reiterate my congratulations to the People’s Republic of China on its assumption of the honorable duty to chair the CICA and wish best of success to its discharge of this important mission.
I reaffirm Mongolia’s commitment and readiness to actively cooperate with CICA, its member states and observer countries for peace, security in Asia, for prosperity and wellbeing of the peoples of our countries.
Thank you.


Mongolians on horseback project begins

May 21 (UB Post) The Mongolians on Horseback project, which aims to travel on horseback across a distance of 8,538 km in six months, through 100 soums of 15 provinces of Mongolia, launched two weeks ago.
Five Mongolian men started their trip from Tsonjinboldog to Umnugovi Province on May 9. Students majoring in geography and tourism at the Mongolian State University of Education, N.Ganzorig, M.Batchuluun and Ts.Davaakhuu, initiated the project.
The three are accompanied by photographer from Photo Pictures Studio Ch.Boldbaatar and cameraman of ETV D.Natsagdoo. A documentary film about the project will be created during the trip.
In addition, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, General Authority for Border Protection, Mongolian Democratic Union, Tumen Khishigten project and G-Mobile are sponsoring the project. Designer Ariunaa Suri made the outfits for the team.
The following is a brief interview with one of the students, N.Ganzorig.
How many horses will you travel with? How will you ensure your safety?
Preparation was huge because our goal is big. We are planning to travel with three horses per person. We have 15 horses in total. We prepared barley flour and dried meat for food.
There is not much water in Umnugovi, Bayankhongor and Khovd provinces. How will you travel across the Gobi?
It is difficult to cross the area on horseback. That is why we will travel close to soums.
How will you pass the taiga of Khuvsgul and Khentii provinces, and the Altai Mountains?
We will change our horses in Bulgan soum of Khovd Province. The Altai Mountains is one of our biggest obstacles. So we will go through soums.
How will you arrange your study during this trip?
Teachers and director of the Mongolian State University of Education have not supported our project. We took a year’s leave from school. There is nothing to regret.
Can you ride a horse?
I was raised in the countryside. I have ridden horses since I was six.

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