Mongolia Brief June 3, 2014
Russian Security Council Secretary Visits Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) At an invitation of Mongolia’s National Security Council
secretary Ts.Enkhtuvshin, his counterpart from Russia Nikolai Patrushev is
visiting Mongolia these days.
During his visit
here, the Secretary of the Security Council of Russia will be received by the
President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj, and will hold negotiations with his
counterpart of Mongolia Ts.Enkhtuvshin. After the meeting, Security Council
Secretaries of the two countries will have a press conference to inform the
media on the meeting.
Prior to this,
Mr Patrushev visited to Mongolia in 2009 to discuss the cooperation plans of
the two Security Councils for 2010-2011.
Nikolai
Platonovich Patrushev was Director of the Russian Federal Security Service, the
successor organization to the Committee for State Security (KGB), from 1999 to
2008, and he has been Secretary of the Security Council of Russia since 2008.
Patrushev, a
general in Russia's Army and a PhD in law, had been received a number of
national awards, including Hero of the Russian Federation.
Statistical Office Head Meets with Turkish Counterpart
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) The Mongolian delegation led by S.Mendsaikhan, the Chairman
of the National Statistical Office, visited the Republic of Turkey May 28-30.
Mr Mendsaikhan
and his Turkish counterpart Mr Birol Avdemir, the head of the Statistical
Institute, talked about a realization of actions reflected in a
cooperation memorandum, established between the Statistical Offices in 2013,
and determined further goals.
Noting that
staffers of the statistical offices exchanged experiences in refining labor
force, gender, poverty, population, mining and energy spheres statistics and
improved an information collecting system, Mendsaikhan expressed a willingness
to intensify more the cooperation, especially on central and localities'
levels.
In turn, Mr
Aydemir spoke about structure and operations of his organization and put some
proposals on ways of implementing the memorandum.
During this
meeting, the Mongolian Ambassador to Turkey B.Batkhishig briefed on the
bilateral relations matters.
After this, the
delegation got au fait with statistical offices in Ankara and Istanbul, and in
Nevsiher province, and also visited historical places.
Mongolia Submits Report on Racial Discrimination
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) The Government has submitted to the United Nations (UN) High
Commission on Human Rights a report on implementation of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The report,
sent on May 21, highlights a realization of the recommendations given by of the
UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination after it had reviewed
previous reports of Mongolia, and also an article in the Constitution of
Mongolia that states “No person may be discriminated against on the basis of
ethnic origin, language, race, age, sex, social origin and status, property,
occupation and post, religion, opinion and education. Every person shall be a
subject before the law,” and emphasizes that no complaints regarding racial
discrimination have been received by the National Human Rights Commission and
the Police Authority of Mongolia.
Mongolia joined
the Convention in 1969, and has a responsibility to report its implementation
of the convention to the UN every two years.
Economy Intensifying Council Reports
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) The "Economic Intensifying" council, created at the
Prime Minister, delivered to the cabinet some specific proposals and
recommendations after having consulted them with the Bank of Mongolia (BoM) and
the Union of Banks (UB), seeking solutions to difficulties in credit
services and to reducing actions cost.
The council’s
secretary B.Byambasaikhan said it at its weekly meeting on Monday. He
emphasized that companies will be supported that are not able pay back loans
due to a delay in their business activities, if these recommendations are
realized.
The
governmental support is fruitful for developing of winter greenhouses. The
government backed 15 projects out of 88 offered by people and enterprises, and
even several greenhouses were put into use last week, said A.Choijamts, a
director of the “Winter greenhouse business” project. Some 23 billion togrog
has been allotted from the “Chingis” bonds revenue for the winter greenhouses,
he added.
It has been
planned to build such greenhouses on 20 hectares in the city and on the rest in
localities this year to grow cucumbers, tomato, pepper, salad cabbage and
strawberry. It is projected that the business can replace 20 percent of the
vegetables and fruits imported. Vegetables grown in winter greenhouses already
have been sold at the market, dramatically declining prices of the imported
vegetables, business people said.
“Hours of Great Construction” Weekly Meeting Runs
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) Aimed at repairing cross roads, running new roads and
improving a capacity of the city's roads, the "Street" project
consists of three sub-projects--“City center”, “Ger areas” that renovate
engineering infrastructure in ger (national dwelling) areas, and “Highway”.
This was said
by the project manager B.Batbold at the “Hours of great constructions” weekly
meeting on Monday. In 2013, 50 billion togrog weres pent for repairing 18
crossroads, the Chingis Avenue and Mongolian Naadam complex at “Khui Doloon
Khudag” horse race arena, Batbold went on. This year, 12 crossroads are
awaiting the renovation, he added.
In frames of
the “Highway” sub-project, feasibility studies and environmental impact
evaluation have been performed for constructions for the “Tuul” and “Selbe”
highways. Contracts are expected to be established with executing companies on
June 16, Batbold said.
Academy of Sciences and Bonn University to Cooperate
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) In frames of Mongolia-Germany cooperation in science,
Mongolia's Academy of Sciences and the University of Bonn of Germany have
agreed to continue cooperation in Kharkhorin expedition works until 2019.
On Monday, a
cooperation document was inked by D.Regdel, a vice president of the Academy,
and by Mr Yang Bemmann, a director of the university's Institute of Prehistory
and Early History Archaeology.
Under auspices
of the Presidents of Mongolia and Germany, the academy and the institute have
been cooperating since 1999, successfully researching Kharkhorin city, an
ancient capital of Mongolia, and its outskirts, and sending our young
archeologists to Germany for studies.
"Men Health and Aging" Conference Held Here
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) The ninth Japan-ASEAN Conference on "Men’s Health and
Aging" ran in Ulaanbaatar May 30-June 1.
The gathered
noted that medical specialists have been paying more attention to the men
health and aging issues, and shared views on matters regarding the Asian men’s
health, aging society, urology, androgen and sexual function, hypogonadism and
cardiovascular/kidney functions, sexual dysfunction and alternative medicine.
The event was
attended by 53 doctors from USA, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, S.Korea, Thailand,
Indonesia, Malaysia, together with medical staffers from Ulaanbaatar and
provinces.
The conference
was organized under collaboration of various Mongolian health organizations
such as Health Ministry, Health Development Center, Society for Sexual
Medicine, National Gerontology Center, Medical Sciences University, Kidney
Surgery Society, together with International Society for Sexual Medicine and
Asia Pacific Society for Sexual Medicine.
Mongolian to Fight for Gold
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) Mongolian B.Chinzorig (64kg) will come to the ring Tuesday to
compete for a gold medal of the World Military Boxing Championship in Almaty,
Kazakhstan.
At the silver
medal match on Monday, he defeated Abdelhak Aatakni from Morocco with a score
margin of 2:1. For the gold, Chinzorig will fight against Shili Alaa from
Tunisia, who defeated Eldos Sarkulov of Kazakhstan at the semifinal on Monday.
The same day,
the Mongolian N.Togstsogt lost to Fahem Hammachi of Algeria in the 56kg
semifinal match, thus bagging a bronze medal.
The 55th world
boxing championship of International Military Sports Consul (CISM) has been
taking place in Almaty with a participation of best boxers of 22 countries such
as Columbia, France, Sri Lanka, Brazil, South Korea, Algeria, Morocco, Germany,
Mongolia, Italy, China, Russia, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates,
Georgia, Iraq and Nigeria.
The tournament
will end on Tuesday with final matches.
100 Day Stimulus Plan: 21st day
June 3
(Mongolian Economy) The 100 Day Stimulus Plan has gone underway, reaching its
third week in planning and consulting. Every Monday, the Economy Council
manages meetings to discuss certain facets of the stimulus plan. This week’s
topic revolved around financial services, more specifically, loans from banks.
Working in joint collaboration with the Mongol Bank and the Mongolian Banking
Association, representatives spent time going over the difficulties of
receiving loans from banks as well as possible improvements regarding the loan
process.
The Economy
Council already conducted extensive analysis and recently submitted advice to
the government and to Mongol Bank on how they can make changes to the loan
process to make it easier for investors to borrow money. Many borrowers run into
problems when they find it difficult to repay debts. With new changes, more
options can be set into place, including an option to renew conditions of the
loan as well as allow for negotiation with the banks.
By giving in
more effort to increase investment in Mongolia, the Investment Law was
successfully passed. What is next on the agenda are the Minerals Law, Debt Law,
and Oil Law. Financial sector representatives are meeting this week to further
discuss the possibilities and difficulties of these laws as well as the
reliance on banks and how Mongolia can increase its investment funds.
In line with
the 100 Day Stimulus Plant, the Mongolian Economic Forum is organizing an
international investor’s forum between June 19 and 21. Currently, over 150
representatives from over 30 different countries will attend to discuss future
steps to take in regards to Mongolian investment. Mongolian companies, such as
Oyu Tolgoi, MAK, Gobi, APU, and Khaan Huns, are going to introduce their
businesses to these investors.
Mongolia carves tourism niche
May 30 (Oxford
Business Group) Efforts to highlight Mongolia’s broad range of attractions are
paying off, with the tourism industry on course to notch up a decade of
sustained growth, a recently published report has concluded.
In its overview
of the Mongolian tourism industry for 2014, the World Travel and Tourism
Council (WTTC) said arrivals, earnings and employment were all on track to rise
over the next 10 years, on the back of significant investment. However,
officials are aware that improved coordination between the public and private
sectors in key areas, such as infrastructural development and marketing, will
also play a part in supporting the industry’s development.
Arrivals on the up
Mongolia’s
tourism sector generated $238m in 2013, according to the WTTC’s report,
directly contributing 2.5% of GDP to the country’s economy. The council expects
overseas arrivals to be a key driver of growth, with numbers forecast to edge
towards 700,000 by 2024, up 50% from an anticipated 456,000 this year.
Tourism’s
overall input into Mongolia’s economy is forecast to ease over the coming
decade on the back of high growth levels anticipated in other sectors. However,
direct revenue should increase by 6.3% annually over the next 10 years to reach
$462m, while the number of jobs available in the industry looks set to rise
from 26,500 in 2013 to 31,000 by 2024.
Figures are
expected to show that Mongolia’s tourism sector attracted $59.6m in capital
investment last year, which is forecast to rise by 7.3% annually over the next
10 years. The industry’s overall share of national investment should remain
steady at 10.5%, the WTTC concluded.
Heads together
While forecasts
for the industry look promising, the government is keen to forge closer links
with the private sector in its bid to better market Mongolia on a global
platform.
The authorities
have traditionally concentrated on highlighting Mongolia’s cultural
attractions, such as its museums and craft activities, while private travel
companies are, instead, targeting a new wave of tourists looking for an “off
the beaten track” destination. Hiking, horse-riding, camping and off-road
vehicle safari tours are among the broader range of activities that operators
are publicising.
Representatives
across the industry are keen to bridge current gaps by working to promote
Mongolia in its entirety. Coordinating efforts will include broader
consultation on infrastructure needs, transport and advertising.
Going global
Mongolia’s
International Travel Mart 2014, which took place at the end of March, generated
noticeably higher levels of interest among tour operators. Organised by the
Mongolian Tourism Association, the event also brought increased regional
representation, with 16 of the country’s 21 aimags, or provinces, opting to
participate.
The decision to
sign up as the official partner country for the major annual travel trade show,
ITB Berlin 2015, next March, should also support the government’s marketing
efforts.
“We regard
tourism as a long-term opportunity that diversifies our economy,” P.
Altangerel, State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
said, commenting on the partnership in early March. “Mongolian companies are
also very keen to actively cooperate with the international tourism industry.”
Tourism
Minister Ts. Oyungerel told OBG that new legislation, which is currently being
drafted, would help protect sites of interest, while also setting the scene for
the government to invest in the sector.
Winter dilemma
He also
acknowledged that other challenges which mark the industry, such as
seasonality, will need addressing. Mongolia’s long and extreme winter has
traditionally restricted the tourism season, making it difficult for operators
to retain a qualified workforce.
“Workers need
to know that their job is reliable year-around and not seasonal,” he told OBG.
“This is why investment in winter tourism is essential to help us build
capacity and develop attractive employment options for future leaders in the
sector.”
New
attractions, such as a dinosaur museum set to open in the summer, and improved
travel infrastructure, led by a new international airport which should be
operating by 2016, are signs of Mongolia’s commitment to tourism expansion. A
focus on extending the season will support efforts to drive further growth,
enabling Mongolia to make full use of its abundant resources and develop the
niche markets that are already generating significant interest.
New York City’s Leading Jazz Artists to Stage in UB along with Mongolian Morin Khuur Ensemble
June 3
(infomongolia.com) The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in association
with the "Steppe Jazz" NGO is organizing the "Jazz and Morin
Khuur" performance at the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet,
Ulaanbaatar on June 05, 2014.
This is the 6th
International Festival hosted by “Steppe Jazz” NGO and this time a group from
NYU Jazz Faculty In Residence Ensemble, Combo Nuvo will be costaging to show a
combination of western and nomadic music arts. The Combo Nuvo is an eclectic
improvisational ensemble comprised of some of New York City’s leading jazz
artists and the group includes Dave Schroeder, NYU Jazz Studies Director,
harmonica and woodwinds, Lenny Pickett, woodwinds, Brad Shepik, acoustic
guitar, Rich Shemaria, piano, Mike Richmond, cello and John Hadfield, percussion.
Due to
approaching day, Head of “Steppe Jazz” NGO, N.Ganbat commented, “We will
showcase how would sound Mongolian songs in jazz composition. We used to listen
to long and folk songs with Morin Khuur, but nearly never heard a jazz version
of Mongolian songs, and within this concert we will perform these composites”.
According to
organizers, the tickets would range between 15 and 25 thousand MNT (Tugrug) and
the Combo Nuvo group had already arrived in UB and they will be staging two
nights at UB Jazz Club on June 03-04, 2014.
Asian Development Bank Invests 125 Million USD to Develop Western Regional Road Corridor of Mongolia
June 3
(infomongolia.com) On June 02, 2014, Minister of Economic Development N.Batbayar
and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Robert Schoellhammer have
signed a 125 million USD Loan Agreement, the second phase of the "Western
Regional Road Corridor Development Investment Program".
In the scope of
resolved investment, a 103.9 km road from center of Khovd Aimag to Khashaat
Davaa, 60 km road from Khashaat Davaa to Tolbo Sum of Bayan-Ulgii Aimag, 25.8
km road from Tsagaan Nuur village of Nogoonnuur Sum (Bayan-Ulgii Aimag) to
Ulaanbaishint border port in Tsagaannuur Sum of Bayan-Ulgii Aimag will be
constructed and the total road estimates 189.7 km that aims to develop western
regional road corridor.
The 189.7 km
road to be completed by 2016 is the first stage of the second phase of the
Program and the total road agreed between the Government of Mongolia and the
Asian Development Bank is to construct 743.1 km road from Yarant port located
in Bulgan Sum of Khovd Aimag to Ulaanbaishint border port.
In the scope of
the Project, the ADB will invest 125 million USD under 15-year loan with 5-year
of grace and the road network aims to connect northern and southern neighbors
with a paved road, create linkages with Europe and develop trade across Asia.
The road is therefore significant to the development of the region and
Mongolia.
The 189.7 km
road, which is planned to be completed by 2016 will be accomplished with an
additional two-year guarantee period and the total project is estimated to
finish in 2018, moreover besides the main routes, internal roads and bridges
are also included such as 10 km of repaving sections to allow access to
highway, 4.9 km of repaving in center of Ulgii, and two bridges in Ulgii.
Millennium Road Project
The Millennium
Road project was started in 2000 and is being implemented with a plan to
construct paved roads of 7,546 km long connecting Mongolia’s east to west
horizontally (2,653 km) and five parallel vertical axes from the Russian
Federation to PRC by 2016, and Ulaanbaatar will be connected to all aimag
centers by paved roads, in order to improve transport access of residents
living in rural and suburban areas. Figure 5 shows the Millennium Roads, of
which Route 1 is in the Tranche 2 and 3 Corridor.
Related:
Western
Regional Road Corridor Project to Be Funded $125 Million – Montsame, June 3
Top 10 Albums of Week: May 26 - June 01, 2014
June 3
(infomongolia.com) The "Hi-Fi Records" music chain store releases the
Top 10 best selling albums on weekly basis. Below the chart list of albums led
on May 26 - June 01, 2014.
Top 10 albums of the week: May 26 - June
01, 2014
1. “Mungun
Shunu” (Silver Night) by UBS TV (Top participants of the "Universe Best
Songs" Contests) - 10,000 MNT (Tugrug)
2. “Namuun
Baigali” (Quite Nature) by UBS TV (Top participants of the "Universe Best
Songs" Contests) - 18,000 MNT
3. “The Best
No.1” by Mongolian National Morin Khuur Ensemble - 10,000 MNT
4. “Khuvtsaa
Taichaad Shid” (Toss Your Clothes) by singer D.Bold - 20,000 MNT
5. “Yertunts”
(Universe) by music composer G.Onon - 20,000 MNT
6. “Khamag
Mongol” (All Mongolians) by singer S.Javkhlan; 13,000 MNT
7.
"Geeometry" by rapper Gee - 10,000 MNT
8. “Mongol
Kinony Duunuud” (Songs of Mongolian Movies) by UBS TV (Top participants of the
"Universe Best Songs" Contests) - 18,000 MNT
9. “Minii
Duunuud” (My Songs) by music composer L.Balkhjav - 25,000 MNT
10. "The
Face in the Stars" by singer Choijoo - 20,000 MNT
Landlocked Developing Countries Gather in Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) A high-level international workshop titled "WTO
Agreement on Trade Facilitation: Implications for landlocked developing
countries" started Monday in Ulaanbaatar.
The action has
been co-organized by the government of Mongolia, the International Think Tank
for Landlocked Developing Countries and the UN Office of the High Representative
for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small
Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS). It has gathered delegates of 32
countries, officials and scholars from the WTO, World Customs Organization
(WCO), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD),
International Trade Center, state organizations, NGOs, and a private sector.
Being discussed
from the year 2004, the WTO agreement on trade facilitation reflects many
important clauses for the interests of the landlocked countries. Exempting them
from extra payment for transit transport and liberalizing their customs rules
are the vital parts of the agreement.
On the first
day of the meeting, reports were delivered on developmental criteria for the
landlocked developing nations, on their participation in international
commerce, and on the present situation.
If WTO members
adopt the agreement during a forthcoming meeting of the WTO’s General Council
on July 31, any of the landlocked countries will be able to carry out transit
transport without additional charge, excluding the service fees, within
territories of the WTO states. On the other hand, they will bear a main
responsibility for boosting their infrastructure in order to improve the
freight passing capacity.
At the meeting,
the gathered reached an agreement to enhance their economic development.
The
international workshop will continue until Tuesday.
Naadam Organizing Committee Meets
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) At its meeting on Tuesday, the Organizing Committee of
National Great Festival Naadam and members of the sub-committee discussed plans
and a draft budget for the celebration.
With nine
sub-committees and one working group with 177 members, the committee plans to
do 285 types of work and services during the Naadam Festival on occasion of the
808th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire and 93rd anniversary of the
People’s Revolution.
The committee
intends to run the celebration with a budget not be higher of the previous
year’s. The amount will be introduced to the cabinet at its meeting on
Saturday, said a head of the finance and state fund section of the municipality
E.Gankhuu.
GPS was
presented by Ts.Jadambaa, a head of the Information Technology and Post and
Communication Agency, to provide people with opportunities to watch horse-race
of the Naadam festival through mobile phones and Internet.
Deputy PM and
chief of the organizing committee D.Terbishdagva said the committee will get au
fait with the preparation on the Central Stadium and in a “Khui Doloon Khudag”
horse-race field before the cabinet's meeting.
Mongolians Learn Environment-Friendly Construction Standards
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) A delegation led by L.Erkhembayar, a green development policy
advisor to the President of Mongolia, has recently participated in a short-term
seminar on green construction standards in the Czech Republic.
In
collaboration with Caritas Czech NGO, the training took place as a part of a
project on "Learning the European Union (EU) experiences on green
constructions" of the EU and Czech Republic Development Cooperation.
Amid the
training, the delegation studied green construction standards and
energy-efficient constructions of the EU and the Czech Republic, visited the
Czech environmental protection foundation, a state-accredited laboratory and a
Technical and Test Institute for Construction.
The delegation
included officers from the Presidential Office, State Great Khural
(parliament), several Ministries and Building Material Producers
Association.
Minister Receives Basketball Players
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Population Development and Social Welfare
S.Erdene MP Tuesday received basketball players who successfully competed in
the 3vs3 Basketball World Schools Championship.
The Minister
congratulated the players on showing a big success and granted them cash prizes
and diplomas of the Mongolian National Basketball Federation.
The title of
foremost worker for physical culture and sports and a governmental diploma were
given to G.Ikhbayar IMS, a coach of the team; to B.Otgonsuren MS; B.Bolormaa
and A.Altan-Ochir, leaders of the teams.
As we informed
before, boys’ and girls’ team for basketball had competed in the 3vs3
Basketball World Schools Championship May 23-25 in Beijing, China. The boys
came to 5th place.
EU and EBRD Launch New Programme for SMEs in Mongolia
June 3 (EBRD) The
European Union (EU) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD) are joining efforts to help Mongolia diversify its economy with a
new €3.8 million programme dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs), launched in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar.
The five-year
project “Support for SME Development in Mongolia” aims to improve the business
environment in which local entrepreneurs operate and help Mongolian SMEs
achieve their growth potential, boosting their role in the country’s economy.
The project is
financed by the EU and implemented by the EBRD, together with Mongolia’s SME
Agency, which launched its operations in 2009.
“This is the
right project at the right time with the right focus,” explains Philip ter
Woort, Head of EBRD Resident Office in Mongolia, adding: “It is important that
the growth of Mongolia’s mining sector is complemented by strong efforts to
diversify the economy and we expect the SME sector to play a leading role
here.”
“Small and
medium-sized tnterprises are essential to the economic success of Mongolia and
its sustainability, as well as for poverty alleviation,” said Minister
Counsellor Johan Cauwenbergh, Head of Operations of the EU Delegation to China
and Mongolia, adding: “I believe that our cooperation and the project we launch
today holds great significance for the economic prosperity of Mongolia. It will
contribute to the wellbeing of the Mongolian people as a whole.”
The project
includes a series of integrated activities aimed at strengthening the capacity
of the SME Agency and promoting reforms that would facilitate SME access to
finance in Mongolia. The new initiative will also focus on developing
business support and consultancy services in Mongolia. In addition, the project
will work with individual companies, helping them to improve their operational
efficiency with support from Mongolian management consulting firms.
Since the
beginning of its operations in Mongolia the EBRD has invested close
to €420 million in various sectors of the country’s economy, mobilizing
additional investment in excess of €700 million from other sources.
Foremost Students Awarded Khan Bank Scholarship
June 2 (Khan
Bank) To enhance educational opportunities for promising Mongolian youth, Khan
Bank Foundation has been running the Khan Bank Scholarship Program since 2007.
This year, Khan Bank Foundation awarded 111 of the most promising students Khan
Bank Scholarship for the 2014-2015 academic years.
111 students
were selected from Ulaanbaatar and 21 aimags and chosen for their outstanding
academic performance, active involvement in social and community activities,
talents, and strong commitment to pursue further education and learning.
The Scholarship
Selection Committees consisted of representatives of Khan Bank, Governor’s
offices in soum, aimag, and Ulaanbaatar districts as well as the community
representatives conducted the selection process in a thoroughly transparent
manner through going soum-aimag-Ulaanbaatar.
Hereby, we are
introducing names of 111 most promising students granted Khan Bank scholarship
for the 2014-2015 academic years.To see the scholarship awardees, please
click here.
Khan Bank
Foundation that supports education sector continuously encourages students from
lower income families with outstanding academic performance and motivates them
to pursue higher for the bright future.
Congratulations
to the 111 recipients of Khan Bank Scholarship for the Academic year of
2014-2015.
Flash Mob Competition to Run among Students
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) In celebration of the World Environment Day (June 5), a flash
mob competition will be held among university students this Thursday.
The events will
be a broad platform for public outreach that encourages awareness and action
for the environment. The event will run among university groups consisting of
more than fifty people, best three will be given pecuniary awards totaling nine
million togrog.
Organizers of
the action are the Environment and Green Development Ministry and Mongolian
Students Union.
World
Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5 to raise global awareness to
take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. It
is run by the United Nations Environment Program. The 2014 theme for World
Environment Day will focus on "Small Islands and Climate Change", the
official slogan for the year 2014 is "Raise Your Voice Not the Sea
Level".
National Park to Erect Sport Complex
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) The National park has created a football ground and 2.7
km long cycle way.
This is a first
part of the sport complex that will be erected on 2.7 hectares of the park,
initiated by the Premier N.Altankhuyag. Some five billion togrog for the
construction have been issued by the PM's fund.
The park is also to have basketball and lawn tennis courts and running and skiing facilities.
A tender-winner “Burd” and “Tsagaan zam” companies are working on the construction.
The park is also to have basketball and lawn tennis courts and running and skiing facilities.
A tender-winner “Burd” and “Tsagaan zam” companies are working on the construction.
Composition of Mongolian Teams Announced
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) Compositions of men and women teams competing in the Asian
Junior Wrestling Championship in Ulaanbaatar have been announced.
As the host
nation, Mongolia will be represented in every weight category of the events
that will run in Buyant Ukhaa complex on June 5-8.
The men team
consists of Ts.Mandalsuren (50kg), Z.Zanabazar (55kg), B.Bat-Erdene (60kg),
G.Torbold (66kg), E.Monkg-Erdene (74kg), B.Nyambayar (84kg), N.Bilguun (96kg)
and E.Monkhbaatar (120kg). There also two wrestlers who have won a medal at a
world-level tournament--Zanabazar, a World cadet championship bronze medalist
and Asian cadet championship gold medalist, and Nyambayar, a world youth
championship bronze medalist.
The women team
consists of L.Battogtokh (44 kg), G.Otgonjargal (48kg), B.Monkhtuya (51kg) ,
A.Battsetseg (55kg), S.Tserenchimed (59kg), B.Nyamgerel (63kg), O.Oyungerel
(67kg) and P.Nomin-Erdene (72kg). Almost all wrestlers of this team have medals
from world or Asian cadet/youth championships.
Wrestlers from
fourteen Asian countries--Mongolia, Iran, South Korea, China, North Korea,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan,
India and Japan--will compete for championship titles in three categories of
freestyle men, freestyle women and Greco-Roman in upcoming days.
Chess Players to Compete in Macau
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) Mongolia’s Chess Federation (MChF) has selected players for
the ASEAN Chess Championship that will run this June 4-9 in Macau, China.
The girls’ team
has comprised Amina, Ganchimeg, Otgontsetseg, Altantuya, Tsogzolmaa, the
boys’--Khos-Erdene, Anar, Bayarbaljir. A senior team included D.Serjmyadag IMS,
B.Bayarmaa, Enkhnasan and M.Baasanjav.
In 2009, a
nine-year old girl T.Monkhzul won a gold medal in the ASEAN chess championship.
"Jazz and Morin Khuur" Concert to Be Performed
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) A "Jazz and Morin Khuur" concert is to be staged at
the Opera and Ballet Theatre on June 5.
This
performance is to be co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism
and a “Steppe Jazz” non-government organization /NGO/.
"Combo
Nuvo", a group from Jazz faculty of the New-York University /NYU/, led by
a director of Jazz Studies Mr Dave Schroeder, is to perform together with the
State Morin Khuur Ensemble.
A head of the
NGO N.Ganbat says that the performance will be unique in terms of combining
jazz with the Mongolian long and folk songs.
The band is an
eclectic improvisational ensemble comprised of some of New York City's leading
jazz artists. The group combines influences ranging from jazz and classical to
blues and world music.
Blue Moon Gallery to Display Exhibition
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) An “Art Photo” exhibition is to be displayed at “Blue Moon”
art gallery June 4-14 in frames of “Hidden manner” project by “Khokh Zew”
artists' group.
The joint
exhibition of photographers, stylists and painters will show over 40 artworks.
It has been also planned to show a performance. The artists intend to discover
hidden characters in everyone's inner world and to express connection between
human being and earth through their works.
Throat Singing Int'l Contest Approaches
Ulaanbaatar,
June 3 (MONTSAME) The third international contest of Throat singing is to run
in a western Khovd province this July 22-23.
Organizers are
the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, administration department of the
province and the Mongolian Throat singing Association.
It aims at
improving professional skills of singers and promoting talented ones.
The throat
singing tradition, known as hoomii, is the best-known musical form of the
Mongols. It is sung differently than traditional vocals. This unique type of
singing involves the production of two distinctively audible pitches at the
same time, including a low pedal note, or drone, derived from the fundamental
frequency of the vocal cord vibrations, and higher melodic notes that result
when the singer's mouth acts as a filter, selecting one note at a time from
among the drone's natural overtone series pitches.
Petroleum Law is delayed
June 3
(Mongolian Economy) It’s back to the drawing board for Mongolia’s anticipated
Petroleum Law, which failed to pass because of a split number of votes.
Yesterday,
parliament members argued that some of the changes made to the law were not
clear, so they were not confident in voting in favour of the law.
Further
alterations will now be made to law in a second attempt to get it passed
through parliament.
According to
Parliament member Kh. Bolorchuluun, the Production Product Dividend Agreement
caused confusion. In the original version of the agreement, the Government was
could own up to approximately 60% of profits. After revisions, the agreement
stated that the Government can own no more than 50% of profits.
Despite the
drastic change in percentages, the agreement failed to show any concrete
numbers, making this section seem unclear. However, the government is able to
decide the exact figures; it will be unfair to investors, making this another
reason as to why the law could not be passed.
Currently,
Mongolia has 348 million tonnes of oil in reserves, placing it 36th out of 98
countries. If Mongolia were to use 30% of its reserves, it would gain USD 70
billion.
5-Year Prohibition Period of Mineral Exploration in Territory of Sayan Mountains of Khuvsgul Aimag, Mongolia Extended for 25 Years
June 3
(infomongolia.com) On May 29, 2014, the irregular 7th meeting of Khuvsgul Aimag
Citizens’ Representative Khural (Aimag Council) was held in Murun city and
following the meeting an important decision to protect its natural resources
was issued.
In detail, the
Aimag Council Resolution No.01 dated from June 01, 2009 that reads as a part of
the Sayan Mountains ranges on the 50th latitude north to the Aimag’s territory
was included as the Khuvsgul Aimag Land For Special Needs and within the 7th
meeting, the expiration of the 5-year period from Resolution No.01 due on June
01, 2014 was extended another 25 years from now.
In the scope of
the extension period, natural resources utilization except for common findings
are prohibited as well as exploration and exploitation of gold and mineral
resources are also prohibited to conduct in this territory.
The Altai
Mountains in the East-Central Asia, where Russia, China, Mongolia and
Kazakhstan come together, and where the Irtysh and Ob Rivers have their headwaters,
are being determined as an important contributor to the global eco system
stabilizations.
Moreover,
Byaran jade stone deposit in Tsagaannuur Sum and Mangush coal deposit in
Ulaan-Uul Sum territories will not be utilized anymore and the 45.8% or
2,657,847.4 ha of total territory of Khuvshul Aimag are included as special
protected area, according to the Resolution.
With unique
landscapes and wildlife, the Sayan Mountains extensions pass through 14 sums of
Khuvsgul Aimag and being tourism destinations of the Aimag.
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