Mongolia Brief July 2, 2014 Part II
Ambassador of Mongolia to Switzerland, V.Purevdorj Accredited by President D.Burkhalter
July 2
(infomongolia.com) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to
the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Vaanchig PUREVDORJ has presented a Letter of
Credence to the President of Switzerland Mr. Didier Burkhalter on July 01,
2014.
Newly
accredited Ambassador V.Purevdorj, who is a Permanent Representative of Mongolia
to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva, was promoted
by the Government of Mongolia in October 2013.
Following the
credential handing ceremony, Ambassador V.Purevdorj conveyed warm greetings of
the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj to the State Head of the Swiss
Confederation and after the sides shared views on issues of bilateral relations
and cooperation. Ambassador V.Purevdorj noted that Mongolia and Switzerland
have been developing closer ties over the last 50 years since the establishment
of diplomatic relations, especially since the beginning of democratic
transformations in Mongolia.
Ambassador also
expressed Mongolia’s thankful to Switzerland for implementing projects and
programs through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which
are conducive to priority development guidelines of Mongolia of advancing
democracy, developing agricultural industry, promoting rural development,
protecting environment and developing vocational education.
Mentioning that
the two countries maintain closer collaboration within UN and other
international organizations, Ambassador V.Purevdorj congratulated Switzerland
on chairing OSCE this year.
President
D.Burkhalter said this year the sides are marking the 50th anniversary of
diplomatic relations, which was established on May 22, 1964 and the 10th
anniversary of SDC in Mongolia and highlighted a great potential for deepening
bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
At the
credential handing ceremony, the Federal Chancellor of Switzerland Mrs. Corina
Casanova and other officials from the President Office and Foreign Ministry of
Switzerland as well as staff of Mongolian Embassy in Zurich.
“Creative Mongolian” Fair and Trade Welcome 2014 Naadam Festival with National Manufacturing
July 2
(infomongolia.com) In the frameworks of Government Action Plan, the "Job
and Income Provided Mongolian" Program is being implemented and in this
regard, welcoming the 2014 National Naadam Festival, the Ministry of Labor is
organizing "Creative Mongolian" fair and trade at the Misheel Expo
Center on July 04-07, 2014.
The objective
of the fair is to promote and support national manufactures by introducing
their products in the market, encourage and increase an opportunity of competitiveness.
The “Creative
Mongolian” fair and trade will be classified in the following categories:
- Traditional
hats, belts
- Deel, jackets
- Boots,
handbags and leather goods
- Decorating
and handcrafts
- Wool and
cashmere outfits
- Gifts and
souvenirs
- Food and
services
Biggest Live Music Festival “Playtime” to Take Place on July 19-20, 2014
July 2
(infomongolia.com) The biggest live music festival, "Playtime 2014",
will be organized over the weekend of July 19-20 at the banks of the Tuul River
adjacent to the "Mongol Shiltgeen" (Hotel Mongolia) in Gachuurt
village, which is about 20 km from center of Ulaanbaatar.
This is the
13th edition organized by Hi-Fi Music Records and is themed under “Friendly
Ulaanbaatar Starts From Us” motto, where over 40 Mongolian bands and singers,
along with guest bands from Russia, Japan and the United Kingdom will be participating.
Moreover, from
this year, organizers are offering a VIP Zone, where fans will be provided with
opportunity not only to listen to live music but also to meet their favorite bands,
DJs and singers in a friendly atmosphere.
The festival
will be taking place in three different stages simultaneously for two days and
viewers can bring their tents to stay overnights or order rooms or Mongol Gers at
the “Mongol Shiltgeen”, besides food and beverage stalls, mobile ATM, cold beer
tent, and emergency care unit will be also provided.
Ticket for a
single day performance costs 30,000 MNT (Tugrug) and for both days is 45,000
MNT if you order before July 09 and onwards ticket raised up to 60,000 MNT for
a two-day festival, and the VIP Zone ticket is 100,000 MNT, which are available
to order at 1900-1199 with a free delivery service.
The first day
festival starts from 10 o’clock in the morning until 03:00 am, on the second
day or July 20, live music will be played until 11:00 pm and the following
bands, singers and DJs will be participating.
Central Stage:
Guest bands are Mumiy Troll (Russian rock group), Envy (Japanese rock band) and
Wow Bat (British band) and Mongolian bands are Shugam, Aadar, Orshikhui, One
Way, The Compass, The Colors, Lego, Vatame, Tsonkhon Deer Suusan Yalaa, The
Lemons, White Shadow, Motorway, Silent Scream, Berd, Jokers Wild, Marquis On
The Radio, Rec On, Nisvanis, Mohanik and singers Choijoo, Kush & Oyuka and
Solongo.
Small Stage:
Strings, El Cid, The Linked, The Y.O, The Tourists, The Vibes, Tangled Wires,
Return, Sakobs, MonHax, Atlantics, Purgatory Destroyers, Futurama, Amphibian
Sphere, Sunderiya, The Electrics.
Electro Tent:
Hi & Lo - DJ Cnomad, Enkhuul, Show master works - DJ Maara, Deep Music
Freakz - DJ Tulga and Badral, Aural Projects - DJ Enkhmandakh and Ganzorig,
Discotheque - DJ Zoloo and Doc, Smooth Operator - DJ Brown Sugar, Ilgel, Funkymator,
Bodikhuu and Erkhem, D Join Event - DJ Agvaan and Nyamka, Leather Nation - DJ
Peljee, Duk and Моку, Big Up - DJ BD.
United Nations E-Government Survey 2014: Mongolia
July 2
(infomongolia.com) The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United
Nations Secretariat has released the biennial “UN E-Government Survey 2014:
E-Government for the Future We Want”, the only report in the world that
assesses the e-government development status of the 193 United Nations Member
States.
The report
serves as a tool for decision-makers to identify their areas of strength and
challenges in e-government and to guide e-government policies and strategies.
As of
continents, Africa led by Tunisia (ranked 75th globally) followed by Mauritius
(76th) in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), Americas led by the United
States of America (7th) and Canada (11th), Asia by the Republic of Korea (1st)
and Singapore (3rd), Europe by France (4th) and the Netherlands (5th), and
Oceania led by Australia (2nd) and New Zealand (9th).
As of Mongolia,
the country is ranked at the 65th place out of 193 states with EGDI score of
0.55 and compare to 2012 Rank jumped up 11 places from 76th.
Parliament of Mongolia Passes Law on “Glass Account”
July 2
(infomongolia.com) On July 01, 2014, the State Great Khural (Parliament) of
Mongolia made its Spring 2014 Session and approved the Budget Transparency Law
or Law on "Glass Account", initiated and submitted by President
Ts.Elbegdorj.
The Policy and
Action Program of the President of Mongolia for 2013-2017 set forward, inter
alia, a policy objective to establish transparency in accounting and financial
practices of public (budgetary) organizations by introducing a concept of a “glass
account”, a transparent system of reporting on financial transactions of public
organizations. The Decree of the President of Mongolia of September 19, 2012, endorsed
a National Mid and Long Term Policy Paper on Decentralization through Direct
Democracy and Citizen Participation. One of the policy goals of this document was
to develop and adopt the budget transparency law. The Budget Transparency Law
constitutes one of the fundamental legal mechanisms to institute a Smart
Government in Mongolia.
The Budget
Transparency Law, which is now being widely acknowledged by the Mongolian
general public and entering into daily lexicon of Mongolians as simply “A Glass
Account Law”, enables citizens’ control and monitoring of the spending of the taxpayers
money. By publicly reporting the financial decisions and stances on
disbursement and disposal of fiscal funds Mongolia will have established an
effective financial prudence and accountability system. The law will help prevent
corruption, bribery, abuse and misuse of public funds and official position. It
will help build a smarter, more responsible and accountable government.
Mongolia elected as member of CIFs steering council
Ulaanbaatar,
July 2 (MONTSAME) Mongolia has been elected as one of the member states of the
Steering Council of the Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) during the CIFs
Partnership Forum took place June 23-24 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The forum was
organized by the World Bank Group, and it covered areas like knowledge and
learning on low carbon, climate resilient development and a key meeting place
for climate change champions from around the world.
As of present,
the CIFs has collected money of USD 8.8 billion, and the capital is being spent
for low-income and developing countries. The CIFs Partnership Forum decided to
give a non-refundable aid of USD 300 thousand to Mongolia for working out an
investment plan for renewable energy after being involved in the list of
countries to implement projects in frames of the Scaling-Up Renewable Energy
Program (SREP).
Approved in
2009, the SREP is aimed at demonstrating the economic, social and environmental
viability of low carbon development pathways in the energy sector by creating
new economic opportunities and increasing energy access through the use of
renewable energy.
Ambassador to Switzerland presents diplomatic credentials
Ulaanbaatar,
July 2 (MONTSAME) The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia
to the Swiss Confederation Mr V.Purevdorj Tuesday presented his diplomatic credentials
to Mr Didier Burkhalter, the President of Switzerland.
At the meeting
held after the presentation, the Ambassador conveyed a greeting of the
Mongolian President to Mr Burkhalter, and then said he will do all his best to
expand the Mongolia-Switzerland friendly relations and cooperation.
Mr Purevdorj
emphasized that the bilateral relations and cooperation have been intensifying
since the diplomatic relations, especially from the democratic revolution of
Mongolia.
Mentioning that
the content of the bilateral ties is being enriched, the Ambassador underlined
that developmental cooperation projects and programmes implemented by the Swiss
government are significantly contributing to refining upon the democratic
system of Mongolia, developing agriculture and vocational education, supporting
rural development and environment protection, and Mongolia is thankful to
Switzerland for them.
The President
Mr Burkhalter congratulated Mr Purevdorj on becoming the Ambassador to
Switzerland, and conveyed his greetings to the President Ts.Elbegdorj and to
the Foreign Minister L.Bold. He highly spoke steps and initiatives made by the
current President of Mongolia for fortifying the democratic system.
Noting about
the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations and the 10th
anniversary of the Mongolia-SDC cooperation, Mr Burkhalter expressed his
satisfaction with boosting of the bilateral political and developmental
cooperation. He pointed out the two countries have an opportunity to expand the
commercial and economic cooperation.
ADB to help Mongolia’s small businesses access bank financing
Ulaanbaatar,
July 2 (MONTSAME) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping Mongolia’s
micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) get better access to bank
financing from one of its biggest banks, through a $40 million loan approved
Tuesday, the ADB says.
The loan will
be used to expand the MSME portfolio of Khan Bank to 35% of its total loans by
2020 from 26% in 2013.
“Access to
credit remains one of the most critical obstacles to the development of the
MSME sector in Mongolia,” said Monisha Hermans, an ADB Investment Specialist.
“ADB will help address this gap by making available at Khan Bank more loans and
longer repayment terms.”
MSMEs comprise
98% of all enterprises in Mongolia, with three quarters of them considered as
microenterprises. It is estimated that only 10% of them regularly access
financing through banks, as many banks are focusing their operations on
top-tier and larger companies which are perceived to be less risky.
The growth of
MSMEs is critical to Mongolia as the economy needs to move away from its heavy
reliance on the mineral resource sector and develop other growth industries.
Khan Bank,
established in 1991, is Mongolia’s largest bank in terms of total assets, loans
and deposits. It has a strategic focus on the underserved MSME segment by
offering products such as working capital, trade finance, and capital
expenditure financing through electronic and mobile banking. It also has the
largest branch network in the rural areas.
Khan Bank is
the second Mongolian bank to receive such a loan from ADB. In December 2013,
ADB provided a $30 million loan to XacBank for MSME relending.
Stock exchange news for July 2
Ulaanbaatar,
July 2 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades held Wednesday, a total of 40
thousand and 926 shares of 24 JSCs were traded costing MNT 26 million 745
thousand and 055.00.
"Remikon”
/18 thousand and 479 units/, "Merex" /12 thousand and 080 units/,
"Hermes center” /6,205 units/, "APU” /3,428 units/ and "Silikat”
/200 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms
of trading value--"APU” (MNT 12 million 507 thousand and 330),
"UB-BUK" (MNT three million 998 thousand and 500), "UB hotel”
(MNT two million and 880 thousand), "Remikon” (MNT two million 772
thousand and 180) and "Merex” (MNT one million and 208 thousand).
The total
market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 573 billion 010 million 961
thousand and 008. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 15,360.40, decreasing by MNT
224.40 or 1.44% against the previous day.
NBA Senior Vice president to visit
Ulaanbaatar,
July 2 (MONTSAME) Senior vice president of events for the US National
Basketball Association (NBA) Mr Mark Aronson will pay a visit to Mongolia on
July 10-12 at an invitation of the Mongolia’s Basketball Federation (MBF).
During the
forthcoming visit here, Mr Aronson will attend a basketball festival as an
honoured guest, and plans to see a development of basketball sport in Mongolia
and to learn an opportunity to organize a big sport event in 2015. As serving
as the NBA senior vice president of events, Mr Aronson is responsible for all
events of the NBA organized around the world. He makes vital decisions on
realizing the Basketball Without Borders international programme, and
basketball games of the NBA in Japan, Russia, Mexico and Brazil.
Chinggis Khaan 2014 Grand Prix will take place
July 2
(news.mn) Under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, the Chinggis Khaan
Judo Grand Prix will be taking place at the Buyant–Ukhaa Sports Complex on July
04-06.
In this year`s
edition over 350 judokas from 40 countries such as Russia, Japan, Hungary,
North Korea, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Georgia, USA, Hong Kong, Austria,
Slovakia, Romania, Mozambique, Germany, Czech, Canada, Kazakhstan, Poland,
Philippine, Singapore, Iran, Venezuela, Switzerland, Ukraine, Turkey, Brazil,
China and Portugal.
Mongolian Judo
Association set up an organizing committee of the Chinggis Khaan 2014 Grand
Prix of 10 members including General Prosecutor of Mongolia D.Dorligjav, MP,
President of the Mongolian Judo Association Kh.Battulga, Chief of Staff of the
Office of the President of Mongolia P.Tsagaan and State Secretary of Ministry
of Culture, Sports and Tourism P.Altangerel.
Link
to article
Comments
Post a Comment