Mongolia Brief May 9, 2014 Part II
J.Batzandan
MP turns 40
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) The Speaker of the State Great Khural Z.Enkhbold Friday
received J.Batzandan MP to pay tribute to him on his 40th birthday.
During the
reception, the Speaker handed to J.Batzandan MP a silver bowl with a silk blue
scarf, and wished him the best for his birthday.
Mr Batzandan
graduated from the secondary school in Sukhbaatar aimag in 1992, the School of
Laws at the Mongolian State University (MSU) in 1992-1993, and the University
of Miskolc of Hungary in 1999 majoring in political science and laws. He has
defended PhD degree in laws.
He was elected
as a parliamentarian by the 6th parliamentary election of Mongolia in 2012.
Stock
exchange news for May 9
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades held Friday, a total of 23
thousand and 783 shares of 16 JSCs were traded costing MNT 13 million 895
thousand and 149.00.
"Genco
tour bureau" /18 thousand and 730 units/, "Remikon" /2,909
units/, "Hai Bi Oil" /504 units/, "Gutal" /500 units/ and
"Shivee ovoo" /375 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of
trading volume, in terms of trading value--"Gutal” (MNT five million and
545 thousand), "Shivee ovoo" (MNT two million 144 thousand and 100),
"Genco tour bureau" (MNT one million 575 thousand and 760),
"APU" (MNT one million 343 thousand and 070) and "Material
impex" (MNT one million 087 thousand and 600).
The total
market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 588 billion 773 million 762
thousand and 509. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 15,413.79, decreasing by MNT
86.88 or 0.56% against the previous day.
Mongolian
linguist studies phangs-pa script
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) A linguist at the Sciences Academy R.Otgonbaatar has managed
to interpret some words in phangs-pa script for the first time in
Mongolia.
The linguist
explained results of his studies of phangs-pa script during an event held in
the Children Palace on Friday. This interpretation has been regarded as a great
success by academicians.
The 'Phags-pa
script was an alphabet designed by the Tibetan Lama Zhogoin Qoigyai Pagba for
Yuan emperor Kublai Khan, as a unified script for the literary languages of the
Yuan Dynasty.
Widespread use
was limited to about a hundred years during the Yuan Dynasty, and it fell out
of use with the advent of the Ming Dynasty. The documentation of its use
provides clues about the changes in Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian, and
neighboring languages during the Yuan era.
The
Uyghur-based Mongolian alphabet is not a perfect fit for Middle Mongolian, and
it would be impractical to extend it to a language with a very different
phonology like Chinese. Therefore, during the Yuan Dynasty (circa 1269),
Kublai Khan asked ´Phags-pa to design a new alphabet for use by the whole
empire. ´Phags-pa extended his native Tibetan script (an Indic script) to
encompass Mongol and Chinese, evidently Central Plains standard. The resulting
38 letters have been known by several descriptive names, such as "square
script" based on their shape, but today are primarily known as the 'Phags-pa
alphabet.
Despite its
origin, the script was written vertically like the previous Mongolian scripts.
It did not receive wide acceptance and fell into disuse with the collapse of
the Yuan dynasty in 1368. After this it was mainly used as a phonetic gloss for
Mongolians learning Chinese characters. It was also used as one of the scripts
on Tibetan currency in the twentieth century, as script for Tibetan seal
inscriptions from the Middle Ages up to the 20th century and for inscriptions
on the entrance doors of Tibetan monasteries.
Nat’l
Olympiad for informatics concluded
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) The 28th national Olympiad for informatics among secondary
school pupils and teachers took place May 7-9 in the School of Information
Communication Technology at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology
(MUST).
Co-sponsored by
the Skytel Group and the “Agriculture Exchange” LLC, this year’s Olympiad was
attended by 37 teachers and 34 pupils. They competed in the contest by solving
six problems with maximum 600 points.
As the result,
an 11th grade pupil from the city’s laboratory #1 school B.Erdene won a gol
medal in the division of pupils, collecting 380 points. He was followed by
B.Javkhlan from the #1 school and Ts.Bat-Orgil from Khovsgol aimag-based
“Delgermoron” school, who won silver medals. Bronze medals went to three pupils
from the “Shine Mongol” and Mongolia-Turkish joint school.
In the
teachers’ contest, a teacher from Bayankhongor province S.Tsagaan won a gold
medal, being followed by teachers from Khovsgol, Uvs and Khovd provinces.
A production
called “My system” made by J.Byamba-Ochir from Khovsgol was selected as the
best creative work.
The winner of
the Olympiad in the teacher’s division S.Tsagaan has been selected as a coach
for the Mongolian team to compete in the 2014 International Informatics
Olympiad that will take place in Taiwan. He is sponsored by the
“Choijoovanchig” foundation.
Our
youths at WCY meet with President of Sri Lanka
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) Mongolian youth delegation is participating in the World
Conference on Youth /WCY/ which is running in Sri Lanka on May 6-10.
The opening
ceremony was held on Tuesday with 1400 youth delegates from 159 countries.
During the
event, our youths met with the President of Sri Lanka Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa and
Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth and conveyed them a
greeting from Mongolian youths.
Apart from
this, a member of delegation team L.Jargaldavaa has become one of seven key
participants at the conference by a result of report contest among a total of
70 best participants.
Our delegation
consists of Kh.Batsaikhan, the president of the Union of Mongolian students,
B.Bayarbaatar, a coordinator at the UN Young Advisory Panel, L.Jargaldavaa, an
advisor member, B.Badamsuren, a specialist of foreign affairs department at the
Ministry of Population Development and Social Welfare and Mr Dustin Barter, a
staffer at the UN Population Fund /UNFPA/.
New
waste manufacturing factory to open soon
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) A South Korean "KOICA" waste manufacturing factory
is planned to open its door in UB city in late of May.
Since becoming
operational, wastes and plastic bags will be classified and re-manufactured in
the factory field.
As of today,
domestic two companies, "TChM" and "San Orgiu", are
operating in this sector in the city and more one factory is expected to be built
within 2016.
Enacoree
leading Spring Open
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) These days, the Sports Central Palace is hosting the annual
Spring Open Volleyball tournament among national men and women clubs.
The second
round first matches will be played between Monti vs Altain Bars, Erchim vs
Tsairt Mineral (women), Erchim vs Sima, Avragch vs Khasu Megastars, and Altain
Bars vs Buyant Ukhaa (men) on May 9. Second and third matches of the second
round are to be played on May 12-13.
Avragch club of
the National Emergency Agency is leading the men’s group with five wins, while
Enacoree club is topping with four wins the five women teams attending the
tournament.
Mongolian
women wrestlers ranked high
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) The International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles
(FILA) has released rankings of top female wrestlers for April of this year.
According to
the rankings, wrestlers of the Mongolia’s national selected women’s team have
been ranked at higher places.
Thanks to
winning a silver medal in the Asian Championships held last month in Kazakhstan
and a gold medal in the Mongolia Open 2014, an international master of sports
B.Shoovdor has been included in the rankings of top wrestlers for the first
time. She was ranked 15th in 58kg weight category.
An
international master of sports E.Sumya was ranked 5th in the 53 kg category; a
State Honored Sportswoman S.Battsetseg (63 kg) and IMS Sh.Tumentsetseg (69
kg)--5th; S.Tserenchimed (60 kg)--7th; B.Odonchimeg--9th; and other six
wrestlers were ranked in 10-16th places.
B.Monkhzaya
wins Shandong half-marathon
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) An athlete from Dornod aimag B.Monkhzaya won a gold medal in
the Shandong international half-marathon held Thursday in Shandong province,
China.
The Shandong
marathon is considered by the IAAF as “A” class competitions, and this year’s
marathon competitions attracted 300 runners from 59 countries.
The Mongolian
runner Monkhzaya covered the way in one hour 14 minutes and 48 seconds, and
broke the national record of Mongolia in the women’s half-marathon. Now, she is
studying in the National Institute of Physical Culture, and is belonged to the
“Aldar” sports club.
Judokas
competing in Baku Grand Slam
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) Judokas of the national selected team of Mongolia are competing
in the 2014 Baku Grand Slam tournament which kicked off Friday in Baku,
Azerbaijan.
The tournament
brought together about 250 judokas from 41 countries. The Mongolia’s team
included M.Urantsetseg (women’s 48 kg), A.Tsolmon (57 kg), G.Kherlen (men’s 60
kg), Kh.Tsagaanbaatar (73 kg), S.Nyam-Ochir (81 kg) and N.Tuvshinbayar (-100
kg).
On the first
day of competition, a State Honored Sportswoman M.Urantsetseg has been advanced
to the finals. A.Tsolmon and G.Kherlen did not grab medals.
"First
kiss" musical play to be re-staged
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) Based on a story by the Brothers Grimm, a “First kiss” musical
play is to be re-staged at public request on May 23.
Pop singer and
Merit artist of Buryatia B.Amarkhuu and young singer M.Sonor are the main roles
to give live performances.
Produced by
Russian Buryatia honored Mr Oleg Yumov, the play tells special feelings of pure
love, wish and great friendship.
This play was,
previously, performed on March 8 for the International Women’s Day.
Joint
concert of Mongolia and Switzerland to be performed
Ulaanbaatar,
May 9 (MONTSAME) A joint concert of bands of Mongolia and Switzerland is to be
staged here on May 29-30.
Dedicated to
the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations establishment between Mongolia
and Switzerland, this event will be organized by the Arts Council of Mongolia.
Representing
Mongolia, our ethno jazz band "Arga Bileg" will perform at the
concert.
Mongolia
marks Victory Day
May 9 (news.mn)
Today marks Victory Day, May 9h, celebrating the 69th anniversary of the end of
World War II.
Today,
countries around the world commemorate and show respect to those who devoted
their lives for peace and humanity during World War II.
Mongolians
widely celebrate Victory Day. The President of Mongolia, Ts.Elbegdorj, posted a
tweet on Twitter saying: “Today, it is Victory Day when the Great Patriotic War
finished. Congratulations heroes. This was our victory. The people of
Russia bear more responsibility. Happy Victory.”
Exactly 69
years ago, 61 countries or approximately 80 percent of the world’s population,
were involved in World War II and 110 million people were deployed in armies
across the globe.
Governor of Central Bank N.Zoljargal: Economic difficulty
and crisis are not the same
May 10 (business-mongolia.com)
This is a translation by BM of an
interview with the Governor of the Central Bank of Mongolia N.Zoljargal
appeared on news.mn on 10th of May.
Official USD currency rate reached MNT1800
and currency exchange entities started selling MNT1800 per USD. Despite the
statement by Bank of Mongolia to tame the USD local currency is still depreciating.
What is your comment on this issue?
Spring is the
main season where foreign currencies are used in trades and construction, thus
increases the demand for USD which causes the appreciation of USD. After the
second quarter of the year foreign currency inflow caused by sales of cashmere
causes appreciation of MNT. As for this year, revenues from coal export have
been low. Although the volume of export increased, the price is still very low.
Also, there are difficulties we that some companies cannot receive the revenues
despite their export (Erdenes TT). In addition we are taking measures to
increase sale of gold. During the first quarter of 2014, the currency rate was
MNT1770-1780 per dollar and had 1-2% fluctuation. Therefore, we see the current
appreciation as a seasonal change in currency. Because the trade balance has
been balanced this year for the first time in a decade. It was minus USD300-400
million in the past years. Thus, according to our forecast, there will be no
further appreciation of USD except of course, for the seasonal and temporary
fluctuations. Bank of Mongolia cannot satisfy the foreign currency demand,
therefore, the resolution that is under discussion on how to overcome the
economic difficulties and attract foreign investors and foreign currency flow
is an important factor to ease the situation.
Is it really possible that MNT will not
depreciate further?
Compared to
2009, there aren’t any symptoms of economic crisis. Economic difficulties are
not economic crisis, they are not the same thing. As I mentioned earlier, the
SGK resolution on deciding what to cut and what to decrease is very important.
Can Bank of Mongolia guarantee that it will
not increase the policy rate?
We are
currently waiting for the SGK’s decision on the resolution, then we will
convene the meeting on policy rate. Policy rate change effects are visible in
the economy after 6 months, you can also say that it the period where there
will be some economic impacts due to change in policy rate. The SGK resolution
touches on issues such as tax and non-tax related supports and relief. All of
these would have positive impact on currency level. Unfortunately, the events
in politics that has been happening for the past 3 months is contracting our
possibilities. Political stability is a major factor to ensure market
stability. In brief, I think that currency level will be stable this year.
Number of MPs insist on holding your
responsible for price instability and currency volatility?
I cannot
comment on the responsibility issues on my self. However, I think Economic
Standing Committee, SGK and the Cabinet should talk openly about the currency
hardships we are facing. From our side, we are delivering necessary
informations to the public in a timely manner. There are many actions to be
taken on increasing foreign currency inflows. Bank of Mongolia is sitting
between two choices whether to increase tax supply which is harmful for the
economy, and contraction policy which will slow our economy down. For the
foreign currency, we can only perform intervention. As scheduled we will
announce the intervention for this spring.
Number of economists are concerned that if
we do not increase the foreign currency inflow, our GDP growth will decline?
Some part of
our local currency is converted from foreign currencies came from outside.
However, when the inflow scarce, it is hard to balance and manage it. Bank of
Mongolia supplied currencies to balance it last year. Specifically, if we are
lacking 6 trillion, 3 trillion would be far than enough. As for this year, we
cut the whole MNT3 trillion. Therefore, we should concentrate more on foreign
investments and increasing revenues of exports.
Number of people perceive the import
replacing 888 project as merely a PR campaign. Do you think that commercial
banks will lend to this projects?
Export
supporting policy demands for weak local currency. There are no two policies on
strong local currency, therefore from the policy prospective it is understood
by both sides. We perceive MNT1800 per USD as a correct rate that balanced our
trade. It is a rate that promotes export and weighs import. I hope that these
projects would get funding. Commercial banks have received the proposals and
looking at the viability of the projects in detail. The eligible projects would
get funded.
There are talks about foreign banks
entering the market, will this help the economy?
We haven’t
received any formal proposals from foreign banks. If we receive proposals, we
must analyse the impacts and make a decision.
Mortgage rate has been decreased by 1 percentage point
May 11
(business-mongolia.com) Last year’s cabinet resolution enabled a mortgage with
annual rate of 8+1% for people who are buying apartments for the first time. It
has been 11 months and out of MNT847.2 billion worth of requests MNT520.1
billion fulfilled as a replacing loan. Also MNT1 trillion mortgage has been
newly issued making it overall 36,905 people to utilize the new rate.
Yesterday, at the cabinet meeting, it was resolved that the mortgage rate would
be fixed at 7% in mortgage policy guidelines.
"Script and Culture 2014" International
Calligraphy
Exhibition Opened in Ulaanbaatar
May 9
(infomongolia.com) On May 09, 2014, the opening of "Script and Culture 2014"
International Calligraphy Exhibition was held at 02:00 pm at the Union of
Mongolian Artists in Ulaanbaatar, which is being organized under the auspices
of the President of Mongolia for consecutive sixth year.
The exhibition
will be running until Wednesday, May 14 and from this year Governing Administration
of Arkhangai Aimag is collaborating and in the frameworks, the same exhibition
will be opened in Tsetserleg city of the Aimag on May 12, 2014. During the event,
Mongolian traditional script calligraphy contest will be also hosted, say organizers.
At this
International Exhibition, 19 representatives from Inner Mongolia, China and Buryat
Republic, Russia are participating, who were welcomed by the Head of the Office
of President P.Tsagaan and Advisor to President R.Bold in the Government House.
Authorities
expressed their gratitude to participants for their contribution, promotion and
development in Mongolian script.
Noteworthy,
this year is marked as the 810th anniversary of Mongolian traditional script as
the state script proclaimed by Great Chinggis Khaan.
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