Mongolia Brief June 13, 2014 Part II
Stock exchange weekly review
Ulaanbaatar,
June 15 (MONTSAME) Five stock trades were held at Mongolia's Stock Exchange
June 9-13, 2014.
In overall, 13
million 319 thousand and 056 shares were sold of 39 joint-stock companies
totaling MNT three billion 050 million 434 thousand and 907.60.
"Silikat”
/13 million 289 thousand and 393 units/, "Khokh gan” /5,485 units/,
"Moninjbar” /5,000 units/, "Hermes center” /3,670 units/ and
"Mongolia Telecom" /3,000 units/ were the most actively traded in
terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value--"Silikat” (MNT two
billion 990 million 113 thousand and 425), "Gobi” (MNT 17 million 115
thousand and 855), "Sharyn gol" /MNT six million and 953 thousand/,
"Talkh chikher" /MNT six million 372 thousand and 300/ and
"APU" (MNT six million 153 thousand and 560).
Custom officers seize ‘Ice’ at Zamiin-Uud
June 15 (UB
Post) Customs officers at Zamiin-Uud, working under the Customs General
Administration, discovered strange luggage belonging to a Mongolian citizen
attempting to cross the Mongolian border on June 6. An x-ray revealed the
presence of drugs and drug related paraphernalia.
The luggage was
inspected right away by a drug detection dog. The inspection uncovered three
small crystalline objects, a glass pipe and tube, and a small scale. The
customs laboratory in Zamiin-Uud analyzed the crystalline objects and
determined they were methamphetamines.
Methamphetamine
is an extremely addictive stimulant that is chemically similar to amphetamine.
It often takes the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline
powder.
Asian Science Park Association leaders to meet in Mongolia
June 15 (UB
Post) The ninth assembly of Asian Science Park Association leaders will take
place in Ulaanbaatar from June 19 to 21. The meeting is being organized by the
Asian Science Park Association (ASPA) at the Mongolian National Information
Technology Park. The National Information Technology Park joined the
association in 2012.
Some 30
representatives of Japan, South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam will be participating
in this meeting which has two variations: an ASPA leaders’meeting and a
business meeting. From Mongolia, 10 governmental and non-governmental
organizations, as well as over 30 representatives from universities, will
participate. At the ASPA leaders meeting, a presentation and discussion session
themed “Best Practices of Asian Science Parks” will be held where members of
the ASPA will share their experience and countermeasures for establishing
science parks, and discuss the challenges in establishing science parks in
Mongolia.
Representatives
of leading Asian companies specializing in electronics, technology, vehicles
and the IT sector will be participating and discussing opportunities for
further cooperation during the ASPA’s business meeting.
Visit by Kyrgyz parliamentary officials
June 15 (UB
Post) Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Mongolia D.Terbishdagva received his
counterpart from Kyrgyzstan, First Vice Prime Minister Tayirbek Sarpashev.
At the meeting
D.Terbishdagva thanked Sarpashev for visiting Mongolia and emphasized the
opportunities to improve and develop bilateral cooperation in the economy,
agriculture, industry, tourism and trade sectors.
Sarpashev noted
it has been over 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations
between Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, and mentioned that the two country’s relations
are activating in many fields.
The Kyrgyz
government delegation visited Mongolia from June 9 through 11 to learn from the
experience of collecting biometric data.
Prime Minister returns from ILO Conference in Geneva
June 15 (UB
Post) Prime Minister of Mongolia N.Altankhuyag returned to Mongolia yesterday after
delivering a speech at the 103rd Session of the International Labor Conference
under the theme “Successful Development-Labor 2014”, in Geneva, Switzerland.
During the
working visit to Geneva, N.Altankhuyag attended meetings introducing the
“Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprise” and “Skills for Trade and
Economic Diversification” projects implemented by the International Labor
Organization (ILO), and shared his views regarding Mongolia’s participation.
N.Altankhuyag
also held a meeting with the Director General of the ILO, Guy Ryder, where he
emphasized the support of the ILO in implementing innovative economic and
social policy in Mongolia, noting its contributions towards changing and
developing the legal grounds for labor relations, as well as making reforms in
wages and the social welfare system, and pointed out the benefits of programs
and projects carried out with the support of the ILO to strengthen specialized
inspection in labor and promote the transition from an unofficial to an official
economy.
At the meeting,
the Prime Minister explained that the activities to build socially elaborate
three-party relations, sort out the economy, attract foreign investment,
increase the efficiency of the work force, invest the results of mining sector
growth fairly for the country’s development, and to provide the work force with
the means to obtain demanded skill sets have become challenging issues for
Mongolia. Furthermore, he expressed Mongolia’s interest in collaborating with
the ILO to support and improve SMEs in Mongolia.
The
International Labor Organization (ILO) gives an equal voice to workers,
employers and governments to ensure that the views of the social partners are
closely reflected in labor standards and in shaping policies and programs. The
organization organizes annual conferences and invites leaders of countries who
are working successfully in the field of labor and asks them to share their
experiences with other countries.
Union of Mongolian Manufacturing and Business established in Istanbul
June 15 (UB
Post) At the initiation of some businesspeople and entrepreneurs in Turkey, a
union of Mongolian manufacturers and businesses has been formed in Istanbul,
according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Mongolia. Established to develop
and activate economic and trade relations between Mongolia and Turkey, the
Union of Mongolian Manufacturing and Business embraces 70 members and has
formed a branch in Mongolia as well.
Leaders of the
union, led by its president Ismail Duru, visited the Mongolian embassy in
Ankara on June 11, and discussed cooperation opportunities with Mongolian
officials.
Ambassador from
Mongolia to Turkey B.Batkhishig congratulated the delegates on the
establishment of the union and advised union representatives to collaborate
with Mongolia in the construction of apartments, roads, bridges, and in
producing and processing leather products, expanding the tourism infrastructure
of Mongolia, as well as selling Mongolian wool and cashmere products in the
large malls of Turkey.
National film industry in need of more investment
June 15 (UB
Post) The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism organized a discussion on
pressing problems facing the Mongolian film industry to come up with possible
solutions with the Standing Committee on Social Policy, Education, Culture and
Science this week.
The attendees
raised the necessity to improve film industry policies and highlighted that
this sector is in need of more investment sources that are able to meet current
demands of the industry’s costs.
Officials
agreed that establishing a Film Industry Fund for drawing certain amount of
money from incomes of national films to financing the sector might be one
possible solution for the issue.
The state
budget provides a certain amount of financing for the film sector every year, which
is worth one third of the costs required for the industry, according to film
industry representatives.
Ulaanbaatar relocates households to build schools and daycares
June 15 (UB
Post) Families in ten areas in Ulaanbaatar are to be relocated for the
construction of 16 elementary schools and daycares as part of the city’s
economic and social plan for 2014.
The city budget
has provided a total of 35.2 billion MNT for the constructions.
As of Thursday,
households in seven of the areas were relocated, according to city officials.
The Ulaanbaatar
City Procurement Office is currently processing bids for the construction of
schools and daycares.
National manufacturers to produce wheelchairs from July
June 15 (UB
Post) Nickel Ganbaa LLC and Tugeemel Khugjil NGO have jointly produced a
prototype wheelchair with the help of a Japanese company with 30 years of
experience. The company plans to domestically manufacture wheelchairs starting
July.
The wheelchairs
will be produced through orders submitted by requesters and will be customized
for the individual needs of the patient.
Wheelchairs
currently in use in Mongolia are usually for hospital patients who have injured
their legs, while physically challenged people must use custom wheelchairs that
address their needs.
Wheelchairs for
the disabled are typically lighter, not more than four kilograms, than those
used by patients with temporary leg injuries, which are typically ten
kilograms, reported Tugeemel Khugjil NGO manager Ts.Lkhamjav.
“People in
Mongolia have no choice but to choose from a very limited variety of
wheelchairs as no national factory produces wheelchairs. Using unspecified
wheelchairs can result in bone deterioration after prolonged use,” he added.
Imported
wheelchairs costs on average from 150,000 MNT to 200,000 MNT in Mongolia, while
custom wheelchairs costs a minimum of 6,000 USD.
Prices for the
domestically manufactured custom wheelchairs will be announced shortly before
July when it commences production, said the manufacturers.
Map for UB micro districts available online
June 15 (UB
Post) The Office of the Ulaanbaatar City Governor (OUCG) has collected
information on 87 micro districts in six districts where apartment towns are
located and is now working to build a same community map for apartment areas,
in cooperation with the Asia Foundation.
A website
(manaikhoroo.mn) featuring a community map of ger areas was launched in English
and Mongolian. The website gives visitors an opportunity to access information
about public services and features of ger areas.
Information of
65 micro districts will be available soon, 55 of which are developed
residential areas and ten are ger districts.
A meeting to
exchange views on the main indicators of the map was held at the meeting hall
of the (OUCG). The governors’ offices of nine districts, head of the residentss
representative office, and specialists in information technology participated
in the meeting. During the meeting, the features of the manaikhoroo.mn were
presented.
By finishing a
map of 152 micro districts, the project’s organizers are hoping that citizen
participation will be reflected in the next five years of investment planning.
Specialists in information technology will host a training session in the
district, named “Making maps using the geographical system” on June 13. The
participants ideas will be explored and reflected in the map, reported the
OUCG.
Fire breaks out at central building of MUST
June 15 (UB
Post) A fire broke out at the central building of the Mongolian University of
Science and Technology (MUST) on Wednesday at 7 pm.
When asked
about the cause N.Burmaa, official of the National Agency Management Agency
said that it was caused by short-circuiting telephone wires on the fourth
floor. She added that the fire fighters extinguished the fire before it could
spread and cause damages.
Economic indicators show increases in consumer price index
June 15 (UB
Post) The National Statistical Office released economic indicators for May 2014
on Wednesday, which showed increases in revenues in many sectors overall.
Last month, the
national consumer price index rose by 1.5 percent from April, and 13.7 percent
over the same period of 2013. The rise was largely influenced by price
increases in food, non-alcoholic beverages, hotel and restaurant services, and
clothing.
Money supply at
the end of May reached 10.23 trillion MNT, with a 0.3 percent hike from the
previous month, according to report from the Central Bank of Mongolia.
At the end of
May 2014, currency issued in circulation reached 863 billion MNT, with a 21
billion MNT increase from the previous month and 3.9 percent increase over the
same period of 2013.
In the first
five months of 2014, 15.8 million shares were traded at 105 billion MNT on the
stock market, while the total equilibrated revenue and grants of the General
Government Budget totaled 2.1 trillion MNT and total expenditure and net
lending of the budget reached 2.2 trillion MNT, representing a deficit of 106
billion MNT in the equilibrated balance of the General Government Budget.
Compared to May
of 2013, tax revenue increased by 83 billion MNT last month and social security
contributions, taxes on goods, services and foreign trade were the main sources
of the increase.
Total
expenditure and net lending of the General Government Budget reached 2.2
trillion MNT and increased by 412 billion MNT compared to May of 2013. This
increase was mainly due to rises in subsidies and transfers, as well as
expenditure on goods, services and interest payments.
As of May,
Mongolia has traded with 115 countries from all over the world and total
foreign trade turnover reached four billion USD, of which one billion USD was
made up mainly from exports and imports.
The foreign
trade balance showed a deficit of 824 million USD in the first five months of
2013, while it was in a deficit of 204 million USD in the first five months of
2014. Total foreign trade turnover increased by 51 million USD. Imports were
down by 336 million USD and exports were up by 284 million USD compared to May
2013.
Mining of
products such as coal, crude oil and copper concentrate increased by 1.6
percent to 88.5 percent, while the production of bakery products, milk,
dumplings, pure water, wood doors and windows, flour, noodles, vacuum windows
and doors, and lumber rose by three percent in the manufacturing sector
compared to May 2013.
Compared to May
2013, the amount of carried freight decreased by 5.6 percent this year as of
May.
The revenue from railway transport in the first five months of 2014 reached 158 billion MNT, reflecting a decrease of 2.1 percent compared to May 2013, while the revenue from air transport decreased to 75 billion MNT, with 2.2 percent over the same period of 2013.
The revenue from railway transport in the first five months of 2014 reached 158 billion MNT, reflecting a decrease of 2.1 percent compared to May 2013, while the revenue from air transport decreased to 75 billion MNT, with 2.2 percent over the same period of 2013.
Eight Korean businesses propose opening Mongolian branches
June 15 (UB
Post) The business center of Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in
Mongolia is set to host a meeting on July 3, where delegates of eight Korean
businesses will introduce their operations with plans to open branches in
Mongolia.
The companies,
including Kumho Asiana Group, Postech, Cyber Factory, Jonhun Trade and Yang
Yang Trading, have expressed their interest in releasing their products on the
Mongolian market.
The company
representative will introduce their targeted products, detailed plans and projections
at the meeting.
Ulaanbaatar to host Asian Tug of War Championship
June 15 (UB
Post) The Asian Tug of War Championship 2014 will take place in Ulaanbaatar
from June 14 to 16.
The Asian Tug
of War Championship will be held by the rules of the Tug of War International
Federation in indoor and outdoor categories.
The outdoor
tournament of the Asian Tug of War Championship will take place at Mongol
Shiltgeen, Gachuurt and the indoor tournament will be held at Buyant Ukhaa
Sports Palace.
National Triathlon Championship to be held in Arkhangai Province
June 15 (UB
Post) The National Triathlon Championship 2014 is scheduled to take place in
Ugii Lake of Arkhangai Province on July 19 and 20.
The previous
National Triathlon Championship took place in Ugii Lake of Arkhangai Province.
Mongolian triathletes
will compete in three events; swimming, biking and running.
The National
Triathlon Championship 2014 has been included in the national tournament
programs for 2014, approved by the Ministry for Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Russian Olympic champion to compete at Chinggis Khaan Judo Grand Prix
June 15 (UB
Post) The Chinggis Khan Grand Prix Judo Tournament is scheduled to take place
in Ulaanbaatar from July 4 to 6.
Russian Olympic
champion judoka Tagir Khabulaev will come to Ulaanbaatar to fight at the
Chinggis Khan Grand Prix. The Russian judoka won the Olympic gold medal after
defeating Mongolian Olympic champion N.Tuvshinbayar in the men’s 100 kg
category at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
In addition,
German Olympic bronze medalist Dimitri Peters will compete in the men’s 100 kg
event at the Chinggis Khaan Grand Prix.
Mongolians in Poland hold Naadam Festival
June 15 (UB
Post) The Association for Mongolians in Poland, Mongolian Students Union in
Poland and Mongolian Embassy to Poland jointly organized Mongol Naadam 2014
Festival, among Mongolians living in Poland, in Warsaw on June 7.
During the
Mongol Naadam 2014, traditional competitions including national wrestling and
anklebone shooting games were held. A total of 32 wrestlers competed at the
event and young wrestler B.Temuulen won the event, followed by B.Ochirdogsom.
Over 300
Mongolians living in Warsaw came to see the events. Mongolian folk band
Dunjingarav and talented Mongolian students studying in Warsaw performed folk
songs, morin khuur performances, throat singing performances, dances and
national compositions.
Mongolian badminton team to compete at Asian Junior Exchange Games
June 15 (UB
Post) The Mongolian Badminton Association organized a draft on June 7 for the
upcoming Asian Junior Exchange Games.
Some 30
badminton athletes under the age of 15, from Arkhangai, Orkhon, Dornod and
Darkhan-Uul Provinces, participated in the draft.
Six athletes
won rights to represent Mongolia in the Asian Junior Exchange Games, which will
take place in Tokyo, Japan from August 31 to September 2.
The team includes
B.Munkhbold, U.Bat-Urel, G.Dashnyam, B.Narantsesteg, O.Janchiv and D.Bulgamaa.
The team will compete at the tournament against junior players from 16 Asian
cities such as Bangkok, Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul,
Singapore, Taipei, Yangon, Macau, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Tokyo.
Z.Ganbaatar wins gold and bronze at IPC Shooting World Cup
June 15 (UB
Post) The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Shooting World Cup was held
from June 1 to 7 in Fort Benning, USA.
From Mongolia, Sports
Master Z.Ganbaatar of Avarga club participated in the World Cup and captured a
gold medal.
The Mongolian
shooter competed in the men’s 50 meter pistol category and collected a total of
178.2 points after ten rounds. Before winning the 50 meter pistol, he also won
a bronze medal in the men’s 10 meter pistol category at the tournament with
170.2 points.
S.Sarantsatsralt: Grasses in deep thought
June 15 (UB
Post) While looking for the artist S.Sarantsatsralt, I shamefully did not
notice she was standing right in front of me, facing backwards, wearing a
holographic backpack and her hair in a ponytail. It was no fault of mine that I
mistook her for an insignificant young girl. As I finally recognized and approached
her, she was talking enthusiastically about the “Grass” exhibition at Red Ger
Art Gallery (on view from June 12 to 26) to a group of people and about her
hopes to touch a lot of the audience. She is a renowned Mongolian artist famous
for her unique perspective, and recently won the 44th Da Vinci Diamond Prize of
Modern Art in Great Britain, in 2013.
It was an
exhibition full of strong colors. Grass and flowers so beautiful and realistic
you could almost imagine yourself smelling and running your fingers through
them while you run freely in a meadow of happiness. Some of the names of her
paintings included interesting slices of poetry: “With graceful girls of
lifelong soul mate, such jovial land it is.”
As I was
listening to the background music and looking at the paintings, a feeling of
sadness and nostalgia engulfed me. The grasses seemed to move to the music and
they were too beautiful. I thanked Sarantsatsralt for this feeling. To whoever
buys these beautiful paintings, it is sure that they will give life and beauty
to any place they reside. “Grass” is an exhibition not to miss, it will
introduce you to the beauty of undiscovered land and give you happiness.
After admiring
all of her paintings, I had the chance to ask Sarantsatsralt a few questions
about her artwork, and delve a little more deeply into the creative nature that
sprouted such beautiful imagery.
How did you come up with the idea for this
exhibition?
First, the idea
to bring about this exhibition came while I was listening to the beautiful
songs of the prominent singer Banzragch of 20th century. For instance, the
music playing in the background are the songs that were very renowned and
popular in the 1960s to 70s, “Minii Nutgiin Baraa” and “Altan Shar Zam” for
instance.
The Mongolian
Arts Council organized this event and financial support came from Tseren Tours.
The coincidence of these two offers made me very happy. Thanks to these two
organizations, I was able to show my exhibition to an audience.
What influenced your artwork the most in
“Grass”? What did you aim to illustrate?
I illustrated
wildflowers, domestic animals, landscape and grass on the uninhabited Mongolian
steppe. To show the beautiful parts of Mongolia unnoticed by most people. My
aim is to show our beautiful country.
You have used Mongolian outerwear, the
deel, quite commonly. What does it signify?
I have
signified the deel as our country, Mongolia. Adding to that idea, I added
another element to the exhibition: music. We usually take in a drawing from our
visual perspective, but I added music to combine these two things to fully
convey my message.
What artwork are you most proud of in this
exhibition, and why?
There is no
artwork that I want to distinguish; all of them have their own uniqueness.
Personally, I really enjoyed “View of My
Homeland” and “Just Like Golden Sun & Altai Mountain My Graceful Parents
Are”. Which methods did you use to create them?
I wanted to
create a collage-like painting; the idea of combining canvases of different
shapes exhilarated me. I sandwiched the more realistically drawn canvas between
two paintings which were drawn in a modern art technique.
How would you differentiate your artwork
from other painter’s artworks?
I don’t really
know. I think every artist has their own unique style that comes about due to
his or her experiences in life. So my style came about in much the same way.
How do you start drawing? From your
imagination or from real life?
When I first
have an idea for a painting in my imagination it comes to me with its colors
and shapes ready to put on the canvas, and I do my best to illustrate my
imagination.
What do you do when you first have an idea
for a drawing? Do you first sketch? How is your artwork formed? What is your
approach, or technique, in creating your artworks?
I don’t sketch
my ideas on paper, because I get too carried away with my paintings and all my
work will be on that piece of paper and not on the canvas. If I do a sketch, I
won’t be able to enlarge it on the canvas because it will seem fake. When I
have an idea, I immediately take my oil brush and start working on my canvas.
Do you have any future projects you are
thinking of taking on?
No, I just go
with the flow and when inspiration comes to me, I will illustrate it at that
moment.
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