Mongolia Brief June 6, 2014 Part III
‘Open Purchase’ hosted today
June 8 (UB
Post) In the framework of the 100 day effort to intensity the economy, the
State Procurement Office and City Procurement Office will host an “Open
Purchase” event at Chinggis Square today.
During the
event, the progress and results of state-funded projects conducted in 2013 and
2014, state policy and the revised steps for purchasing being introduced by
professional organizations, will be reported to the public.
The event gives
tender bid participants the opportunity to consult with professional
organizations, an updated handbook, information about investment projects being
implemented in rural areas, registration for new A3 training at a 50 percent
discount, access to classification codes to participate in online bid, and it
will provide advice from the General Department of Taxation and the Agency for
Fair Competition and Consumer Rights.
According to
the City Procurement Office, the public will be able to get information about
purchasing activity and gain access to the purchasing list of participating
companies and investment projects being implemented in districts and micro
districts.
Mongolia hosts workshop for landlocked developing countries
June 8 (UB
Post) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, in cooperation with the
Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked
Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), hosted a
high-level international workshop on “WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation:
Implications for LLDCs” in Ulaanbaatar, on June 2 and 3.
According to
the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Mongolia, the meeting reviewed the progress
made in improving trade facilitation and capacity-building in the fields of
trade facilitation and trade negotiations in LLDCs, examined the major achievements
and constraints experienced, and identified the opportunities presented, with a
view to further advance the goal of fully integrating LLDCs into the
multilateral trading system.
The main
objective of the meeting, attended by over 100 delegates representing the
Government of Mongolia, landlocked developing countries, partners, transit
countries and international organizations, was to provide LLDCs with a better
understanding of the provisions in the Trade Facilitation Agreement and its
consequences for LLDCs, and to equip them with the necessary knowledge for
designing LLDC country or group positions on trade facilitation and action
plans for implementation; implementing the commitments resulting from the trade
facilitation agreement, including financing, capacity-building and technical
assistance provisions and how to effectively take advantage of the trade
facilitation provisions available to them.
The event was
also important for introducing the International Think Tank for LLDCs, the
first international organization to be set up in Mongolia, and its research
papers and compiled background documents for future research on identifying the
challenges and barriers LLDCs face and listening to their positions.
Ambassador of Turkey visits Khentii Province
June 8 (UB
Post) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from Turkey to Mongolia
Murat Karagoz visited Khentii Province from May 30 through June 1, leading a
group of representatives to attend economic and cultural meetings and events.
The Turkish
delegates were welcomed by authorities of Khentii Province’s Dadal,
Bayan-Undur, and Umnudelger soums. During the official visit Karagoz was
introduced to the construction and infrastructure projects and programs being
implemented in the province. The Ambassador emphasized that there are wide
opportunities to cooperate in the trade and tourism sectors of Khentii
Province.
Ambassador
Karagoz stated the importance for Republic of Turkey of maintaining friendly
relationships and cooperation at both the rural and provincial levels. He also
expressed his gratitude for visiting the birth place of Chinggis Khaan. He
noted that Khentii Province has a rich population, with Khalkhas, Buriyats and
Kazakhs.
A festival was
organized for the Ambassador’s visit, where the Ambassador tried on Mongolian
national clothing (deel) and awarded the winners of horse racing, wrestling and
archery competitions – the three manly games.
The Attaché of
Commerce of the Republic of Turkey, Oguz Kuyumcu, and authorities from the
Turkish-Mongolia Business and Industrial Union (TÜMOSİAD) accompanied the
Ambassador on his second visit to the countryside. He visited Bayan-Ulgii
Province last March on an official trip.
Japan to issue grant-aid for human resource development
June 8 (UB
Post) An agreement between the governments of Mongolia and Japan to carry out
the 242 million JPY “Scholarship program to develop human resources ”project,
to be financed by grant aid from the Japanese government, was signed by Foreign
Affairs Minister of Mongolia L.Bold and Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary from Japan to Mongolia Takenori Shimizu on Wednesday.
In 1999, the
Government of Japan began the “Program to develop human resources” to promote
and support human resources in developing countries. Mongolia joined the
program in 2001. So far, a total of 12 projects have been implemented in
Mongolia, and 277 young Mongolians have enrolled in masters degree programs in
Japanese universities and institutes.
With the goal
to prepare administrative servants with the skills and capacity to make
positive contributions to state policy, the Government of Japan annually grants
scholarships to 18 to 20 Mongolian students to pursue MA degrees in law,
economics, state management, business management, international relations and
information technology in Japan.
MP B.Bat-Erdene sends the President a letter to review granting mineral licenses
June 8 (UB
Post) Member of Parliament B.Bat-Erdene sent President Ts.Elbegdorj a letter
asking him to review the issue of granting minerals exploration and
exploitation licenses stated in the Minerals Law. In his letter, MP
B.Bat-Erdene also stated that draft amendments made to the Minerals Law should
be discussed through the Civil Hall, hearing the views and opinions of scholars
and ordinary citizens.
MP B.Bat-Erdene
highlighted that the draft bill to make amendments to the Law on Minerals calls
for the re-issue of minerals licenses terminated by the President of Mongolia,
and does not mention anything about supporting the participation and control of
policy by citizens, local governing bodies and state administrative
organizations in the issuing of the licenses, which conflicts with the stated
meaning and intentions of the draft bill initiated by the President.
He wanted the
President to pay more attention to this issue as the authorities are going to
allow mineral exploitation in national parks and borders, and mines included in
list of the “Law on Prohibition of Minerals Exploitation and Exploration Near
Water Sources, Protected Areas and Forests” will now be identified as strategic
mines.
Wheat planting completed
June 8 (UB
Post) Crop farmers have completed wheat sowing, which will supply next year’s
flour demand, at 315,000 hectares of land.
Flour produced
from harvested wheat last year didn’t meet domestic demands, therefore Mongolia
planted wheat on additional 15,000 hectares of land this spring. A total of
426,400 tons of wheat is expected to be harvested this fall.
Crop farmers
are sowing seed potatoes at 15,500 hectares, vegetables at 8,300 hectares,
livestock fodder at 10,000 hectares and rapeseed at 24,000 hectares of land
nationwide this spring.
Vegetable
sowing is at 70 percent completion as of Wednesday.
Border guards arrest three drug smugglers
June 8 (UB
Post) Zamiin Uud soum border guards arrested three Mongolian citizens at Zamiin
Uud-Erenhot border checkpoint who were smuggling ice and hashish from China to
Mongolia in the morning of June 4.
A large
quantity of illegal drugs were hidden inside the suspects’ vehicle.
The smugglers
are currently under interrogation at the Authority Against Organized Crimes
(AAOC) in Ulaanbaatar.
Drug smuggling
cases have been rising in recent years, reported officials of the Border Guard
Unit 0108.
A case where a
son of an official who works at the General Authority for Border Protection was
caught carrying illegal drugs was exposed last winter, while a tradesman was
caught smuggle illegal drugs to Mongolia recently. The resolutions of the cases
still remain unclear as authorities have yet to release reports on the cases.
According to a
study by the AAOC, cases surrounding drug smuggling, dealing, consuming and
storing have risen by 60 percent this year as of May compared to 2013.
Provincial authorities visit development projects
June 8 (UB
Post) On May 30, provincial authorities conducted an onsite visit to newly
built development projects in provinces to review construction work.
This year, an
Ulias-styled standard district for 400 households is being built in Ulaangom
soum of Uvs Province through a financing from the Local Development Fund. From
six companies that submitted bids for the project, Suvarga Bulan LLC and Tavan
Goliin Shim Cooperative were chosen. Two sided jointly owned boundary fences of
the standard district for 400 households will be sold for 2.5 million MNT,
three sided jointly owned boundary fences for 3.25 million MNT and fences that
aren’t jointly owned will be sold for 3.5 million MNT.
For starters,
two wells will be drilled; electricity and road issues will be resolved;
outdoor toilets will be built inside the fences and a bench outside the fences,
and ten trees will be planted.
Furthermore,
proposal selection for building houses for the first 100 households of ger
district styled private houses for 200 households in Ulaangom soum is underway.
These houses will be built in 60 to 80 square meter areas. As for hardware
engineering, houses will be fully equipped with internal power connections and
water, sewage and heating installations. Buyers can choose to opt for a
floor-heating system. Fences, pedestrian paths and roads for car access will be
built as part of the project.
Provincial
authorities also reviewed the construction work of the stadium for Naadam
Festival.
Aside from
these development works, the Governor’s Office of Ulaangom commenced a green
facility project. The green facilities will be established in nine locations
with around 30 million MNT from the Local Development Fund. Uvs Green Movement
nongovernmental organization was selected to undertake the project and the work
is currently in progress.
Tuberculosis to be diagnosed in under two hours
June 8 (UB
Post) Darkhan-Uul Province Health Center received GeneXpert automated
diagnostic test device, laptop and related tuberculosis software as part of
Mongolia’s central tuberculosis project, with the support of the Global Fund
earlier this week. The equipment were purchased at the total cost of 32 million
MNT.
Minister of
Health N.Udval said that early tuberculosis diagnosis has increased 13 percent
which is a sign that more people are gaining a chance to be treated and cured.
“Previously, it
took 76 days to diagnose tuberculosis, while it is now available in only two
hours with the device,” she added.
The medical
staff that will utilize the equipment will be trained and the equipment will be
installed according to standards at the center by professionals.
Once the device
is fully operational, the province residents will be able to receive diagnosis
for early stages of tuberculosis, HIV, and other illnesses that are caused by
tuberculosis.
State provides 14 ambulances for Children’s Emergency Medical Center
June 8 (UB
Post) The Office of the Ulaanbaatar City Governor handed over 14 new ambulances
to the city’s Children’s Emergency Medical Center this week. The ambulances
have been purchased through the city budget.
The ambulances
have been purchased as part of Governor E.Bat-Uul’s Ordinance A/1055, issued in
2013, to improve emergency medical services in the city. Especially the
children’s emergency service operates under a very high load with an average of
70 to 80 emergency calls a day.
Mongolia signs on for 125 million USD loan with ADB
June 8 (UB Post)
Minister of Economic Development N.Batbayar on Monday signed a 125 million USD
loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Robert
Schoellhammer to finance the second phase of the Western Regional Road Corridor
Development plan.
The loan is
expected to finance the construction of a 189.7 km road forming a western
corridor. The road project travels from Khovd Province to Khashaat Davaa-Tolbo
soum of Bayan Ulgii Province, and from Nogoonnuur soum of Bayan Ulgii Province
to the Ulaanbaishint border port in Tsagaannuur soum of Bayan Ulgii.
The road
project, which is part of a 743.1 km road project from Yarant port of Khovd
Province to Ulaanbaishint border port, is expected to be complete by 2016.
The 125 million
USD agreement was signed under a 15 year term with a five year grace period.
Mongolian Academy Awards 2014 to be organized on June 13
June 8 (UB
Post) The highest movie awards of the Mongolian National Film Academy, the
Academy Awards, is scheduled to take place at Mongol Shiltgeen on June 13.
Mongolian films
produced and screened between June of 2013 to June 8 of 2014 will compete in
this year’s Academy Awards.
The Mongolian
National Film Academy was founded in 2008 with the purpose to select best
artists, to introduce newly screened works and to register movies, documentary
films and short films in the Mongolian film archive.
This year’s
Academy Awards will award artists and film makers in 18 categories:
• Best picture
• Best male protagonist
• Best supporting actor
• Best female protagonist
• Best supporting actress
• Best director
• Best cameraman
• Best art director
• Best music
• Best song
• Best montage
• Best sound engineer
• Best writer
• Best visual effect
• Best make-up
• Best documentary film
• Best investor
• Best short film
• Best male protagonist
• Best supporting actor
• Best female protagonist
• Best supporting actress
• Best director
• Best cameraman
• Best art director
• Best music
• Best song
• Best montage
• Best sound engineer
• Best writer
• Best visual effect
• Best make-up
• Best documentary film
• Best investor
• Best short film
Dog Exhibition to take place
June 8 (UB
Post) The Mongolian Kynological Federation and Misheel Group announced that
they will jointly organize the Dog Exhibition 2014 for the first time at
Misheel Expo Center on June 7 and 8.
During the
exhibition, dog food and dog accessory sales will be held. Dog breeding centers
and veterinarians will participate in exhibition.
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to hold Open Day
June 8 (UB
Post) The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold its Open Day at the
Chinggis Square on June 8.
Organizations
related to culture, sports and tourism sectors will participate in the event
and residents are able to gain insight into their operations and services.
Mongolian
cultural heritages registered in UNESCO will be introduced at the Open Day, and
fitness and health advices.
Visually impaired students compete in international arts competition
June 8 (UB
Post) The 17th Radost Tvorit international arts competition for visually
impaired children was organized recently.
Children of
School No. 116 for visually impaired children participated in the competition
for the first time.
Students
B.Sumiyabazar, 15, and U.Khongor, 19, have been awarded special prizes.
The
representatives of the Mongolian Embassy to Czech represented the children at
the award ceremony in Prague.
Vice-President
of the Senate of Parliament of Czech Alena Gajduskova and Governor of Zlin
region Misak Stanislav took part in the ceremony.
The competition
was held as one of the events for children within the 54th international Zlin
Film Festival for Children and Youth, held annually from May 30 to June 5 in
the city.
Mongolia wins two gold at International Freestyle Wrestling Open
June 8 (UB
Post) The International Freestyle Wrestling Open Tournament was held in
Yakutsk, Russia.
Twelve
Mongolian wrestlers competed in the tournament under the guidance of coach
O.Purevbaatar.
Mongolian
wrestlers B.Nemekhbayar won a gold medal in the men’s 65 kg contest and
E.Iderkhuu won gold in the men’s 74 kg event.
Mongolian judokas won five medals from Krasnoyarsk
June 8 (UB
Post) The International Judo Tournament for Men took place in Krasnoyarsk,
Russia this month.
Mongolian
judokas captured two gold, a silver and two bronze medals at the International
Judo Tournament.
Judokas from
Russia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan competed in the
tournament.
International
Sports Master D.Altansukh won gold in the 66 kg contest and International
Sports Master B.Janchivdorj won gold in the 100 kg contest. Sports Master
N.Khadbaatar won silver in the 73 kg contest, and International Sports Master
B.Khishigbayar and Sports Master N.Ser-Od won bronze medals.
Link to article
Comments
Post a Comment