Mongolia Brief July 7, 2014 Part II
Czech
parliamentary delegation arrives
Ulaanbaatar,
July 6 (MONTSAME) A delegation led by Mr Petr Gazdik, a deputy chairman of the
Chamber of Deputies (lower house) of the Czech parliament, arrived Sunday in
Mongolia to pay an official visit.
On the “Chingis
Khaan” international airport, the delegation was welcomed by J.Batsuuri MP, a
head of the Mongolia-Czech inter-parliamentary groups. Mr Batsuuri wished the
delegation to have great time here and then exchanged views with them on
woks to be done in frames of the visit.
Within the
visit, the delegation will be received by Z.Enkhbold, the Chairman of the State
Great Khural. They will also visit the “Khustain Nuruu” natural park in Tov
aimag, get au fait with implementation of a project on repairing facilities
that provide Ulaanbaatar with water resources.
The guests also
will leg a thermal power station in Erdenet city and national vocational
training center to see a project on agricultural training and a scientific and
training institute of plants and land farming in Darkhan city.
Delegation
of China’s Inner Mongolia comes
Ulaanbaatar,
July 6 (MONTSAME) A delegation headed by Mr Wang Jun, a chairman of the
Standing committee of the People’s Congress and Party Secretary of Inner
Mongolian Autonomous Region of China, arrived Sunday in Mongolia.
The delegation
was welcomed by Ms D.Arvin MP, a member of the Mongolia-China
inter-parliamentary group, Mr Wang Xiaolong, the Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to Mongolia, also by
Ts.Narantungalag, a head of the External Relations Section of the Parliamentary
Office of Mongolia. Ms Arvin wished the guests a nice time here and discussed
with them the visit's works.
The delegation
will be received by Z.Enkhbold, the Chairman of the State Great Khural (parliament);
by N.Altankhuyag, the Prime Minister; also by R.Gonchigdorj, a Vice Speaker,
and by D.Terbishdagva, the Deputy Premier and head of the Mongolia-China
intergovernmental commission.
Standing
committee head meets delegation of Chinese Taipei
Ulaanbaatar,
July 6 (MONTSAME) Head of the parliamentary Standing committee on social
policy, education, culture and science D.Battsogt Friday received Cheng Ming, a
director of the National Development Institute (NDI) at the National Taiwan
University (NTU); Shien Ming Yang, director of the University of Law at the
NTU; and the university’s teachers and students.
The NDI
director Mr Cheng thanked the Standing committee head for the audience and said
they visit Mongolia for the first time. Mongolia and Chinese Taipei
entered into democratic system almost at the same time, and Cheng hopes his
visit would contribute to the development of the ties and cooperation between
Mongolia and the Chinese Taipei.
Mr Battsogt
emphasized that these ties have been boosting and noted that the sides can cooperate
in the agricultural and land farming sectors. Then he spoke about a structure
of the State Great Khural (parliament) and answered to the guests' questions.
The delegation
visited Mongolia with aims to fortify the collaboration with the Mongolian State
University.
Speaker
meets Chinese Inner Mongolian delegation
Ulaanbaatar,
July 7 (MONTSAME) Parliament Speaker Z.Enkhbold met Monday with a delegation
led by Mr Wang Jun, a chairman of the Standing committee of the People’s
Congress and Party Secretary of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of China.
Visiting “the
neighbor to strengthen the cooperation”, Mr Wang expressed a confidence in
enhancing collaboration between the Mongolian parliament and the People’s
Congress of Chinese Inner Mongolia.
After
highlighting the good neighbor relations between neighboring provinces of the
two countries, Mr Enkhbold spoke about successful implementation of a
mine-mouth coal liquefaction project, which has a great importance in reducing
the air pollution in Ulaanbaatar. He noted that the Chinese Inner Mongolia has
vast experiences in this sector, which, he hopes, will be generously shared
with Mongolia.
Mr Enkhbold
also mentioned that the transport industry has become one of leading
cooperation fields between Mongolia and China, and hoped that ongoing
reconstruction efforts in Zamyn-Uud port will bring a significant impetus to
the commercial and economic relationship between the two countries.
Recalling talks
about establishment of a bicycle assembly factory in Sukhbaatar province in
cooperation with Xilingol League of the Inner Mongolia, he promised a support
from the Mongolian parliament to this project.
In response, Mr
Wang noted the profoundly developing relationship between the peoples of the
two countries in addition to the commercial and economic ties, and said there
is a great opportunity to further enhance the relations and cooperation. He
also expressed a readiness to collaborate in the coal liquefaction and other
projects.
Military
delegation of South Korea visits
Ulaanbaatar,
July 7 (MONTSAME) A delegation headed by Mr Choi Dung-chol, a chair of the
Mobilization Department at South Korea’s Ministry of Defense, is visiting
Mongolia in accordance with an exchange programme.
The annual
exchange programme aims to strengthen the traditional continuation of the
friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries in the defense
sphere.
The State
Secretary of the Defense Ministry Major-General Z.Boldbaatar has received the
S.Korean delegation to discuss several issues.
The delegation
with five servicemen will leg historical sites in Ulaanbaatar, also the Orkhon
Falls, Ogii Lake, the “Tovkhon” and “Erdenezuu” monasteries, the “Kharkhorin”
historical museum, the Statues of Great Mongol Empire and other sites. They
will also visit a herder family to get familiarized with a Mongolian
traditional lifestyle, will ride horses and camel and enjoy fishing.
The delegates
said they are happy to be here, "and this coincides with the Naadam
festival".
The visit will
continue until July 11.
Military
titles awarded
Ulaanbaatar,
July 7 (MONTSAME) On occasion of the 93rd anniversary of the People’s
Revolution of Mongolia, military titles were presented Sunday to some
servicemen at the order of the State Secretary of the Defense Ministry.
According to
rules of awarding military titles, adopted by the law on the government, and to
a decree of the President, the title of Lieutenant-Colonel went to
D.Sodnomdarjaa, an expert at the Defense Ministry, the title of Major--to five
servicemen including Ch.Enkhbayar, an officer for military registration at the
administration of Bulgan aimag, the Senior-Lieutenant title--to four officers.
A title of instructor-sergeant was given to some others as well.
President
receives Germany’s Foreign Minister
Ulaanbaatar,
July 7 (MONTSAME) The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj Monday received Mr
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal
Republic of Germany (FRG), who is paying an official visit here.
Mr Steinmeier
said the Mongolia-Germany relations have been developing successfully in all
spheres, and emphasized that Mongolia’s economy is growing rapidly.
The bilateral
ties have run well since the diplomatic relations were established 40 years
ago, Mr Steinmeier went on. Germany wants to deepen its relations and
cooperation with Mongolia in the economic sector, he stressed and said he is
glad that Mongolia will participate in the 2015 ITB Berlin international
tourism exhibition as official partner.
In response,
the President underlined that Germany greatly helped Mongolia learn the ABC of
the democracy. “Since the 1990 Democratic Revolution, Mongolia has gained
a vast experience in democracy, transmitting to the market economy system, and
now we are sharing this experience with Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar," Mr
Elbegdorj said.
Many Mongolians
studied in Germany many years ago, continuing this tradition, "our
countries have opened a new institute of minerals and technology in Nalaikh
district," he said and underlined an importance of investments in the
education sector.
The German side
promised to pay a great attention to training young Mongolians. Then Mr
Steinmeier said Germany wants to develop the ties and cooperation with Mongolia
in the economy, environment protection, environmentally-friendly technology and
renewable energy sectors.
Speaker
meets Czech delegation
Ulaanbaatar,
July 7 (MONTSAME) Parliament Speaker received in the State House Monday a
delegation led by Mr Petr Gazdik, a deputy chairman of the Chamber of Deputies
(lower house) of the Czech parliament.
After wishing
the delegation a pleasant stay in Mongolia, Mr Z.Enkhbold noted a support from
his parliament to ongoing friendly relationship and active cooperation between
parliaments groups and offices of the two countries. He talked about his visit
to the Czech Republic in 2015, which was initially planned to be paid this
September.
An advanced
collaboration with the EU countries, including Czech Republic, is one of key
missions of Mongolia, Mr Enkhbold said. He expressed an interest in developing
the cooperation in every possible field with the country, which Mongolia
regards as a “Third neighbour’’. He also spoke about the signing of a
partnership and cooperation agreement between Mongolia and the European Union
(EU), which, he hopes, will be ratified by the Czech side in near time.
Pleased to meet
with the Mongolian Speaker, Mr Gazdik thanked him for regarding the Czech
Republic as the “Third neighbor”. After highlighting a support for the
collaboration between Mongolia and the EU, the Czech deputy chairman said Mr
Enkhbold’s visit will coincide with the 55th anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Noting that the program of
this visit includes a tour to learn about projects on a thermal power plant and
on groundwater conservation, Mr Gazdik offered sharing of German experiences in
these sectors.
Mr Enkhbold
expressed a willingness to cooperate in uranium mining, particularly in
introduction of safety standards, with the Czech Republic, which has great
experiences in this sector.
Mr Enkhbold
wished the delegation a successful visit and invited the Chair of the Chamber
of Deputies of the Czech Parliament to pay a visit to Mongolia.
Privatization
of State-Owned Enterprises
July 7
(Mongolian Economy) The Government issued a new policy that will convert
state-owned enterprises into privatized companies. Within the 100 Day Stimulus
Plan, the Government submitted a privatization law of state-owned properties to
parliament for approval.
The State
Property Committee divided 88 enterprises into three categories: 1) Companies
that will not be privatized; 2) Companies that may be privatized; and 3)
Companies that will be privatized. The first category contains 18 businesses
that are considered to be highly responsible for society – mainly belonging to
the mining and energy sectors. The second category consists of 48 companies
which may or may not enter privatization.
The last
category is made up of 22 companies. Of these 22, 13 enterprises are currently
allowed permission to become privatized. The remaining 9 companies will be
shared with state-owned ownership, meaning the Government will see reduced
shares, but will still have holdings. This category of companies is facing a
deficit of MNT 19 billion.
Tickets
for Naadam Festival Available from July 07, 2014
July 7
(infomongolia.com) The 2014 National Naadam Festival, which is starting today
with Uriankhai style archery on July 07, is dedicated to the 2,223rd
Anniversary of the Mongolia's First Statehood, the 808th Anniversary of the
Great Mongol Empire and the 93rd Anniversary of the People's
Revolution.
Since the 1990s
the opening ceremony of the Naadam has been organized by dispatching the “Yesun
Khult Tsagaan Tug” (Nine White Banners) from the Government House to the
Central Stadium, after which the State Head of Mongolia opens the ceremony
followed by a special program of art and cultural performances.
This year’s
official Opening Ceremony will be starting from 11:10 am and State Prize Laureate
D.Sosorbaram is organizing the event as a general conductor. The festival
tickets will cost the same as the previous years and depending on the seat
location, tickets will vary between 16,000, 20,000 and 24,000 MNT (Tugrug).
Also, a ticket for a tourist costs 25 USD and the tickets are sold at the Box
Offices of Central Cultural Palace and Wrestling Palace on July 07-08, 2014.
This year’s
Naadam Festival Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the Central Stadium will be
hosted for the last time, because from next year the Three Games of Men will be
held simultaneously at the Khui Doloon Khudag, where only horse races used to take
place and a big venue for Opening and Closing Ceremonies is under construction
and will be operational for 2015 National Naadam Festival.
Asia
Foundation Releases Its Fourth USAID-Funded Study of Private Perceptions of
Corruption
July 7
(infomongolia.com) On July 07, 2014, the Asia Foundation and the Sant Maral Foundation
(SMF) released the fourth Study of Private Perceptions of Corruption (STOPP) as
part of the Strengthening Transparency and Governance in Mongolia (STAGE)
project at the Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
The project,
funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims
to strengthen democratic governance by building a more transparent and
accountable regulatory and legislative environment while promoting principles
of checks and balances.
Implemented
since December 2012, the STOPP survey has captured data on the experiences of
the business community to find out how corruption debilitates the business
environment. The fourth survey interviewed 330 senior-level managers of
Mongolians businesses in Ulaanbaatar in April 2014. The STOPP surveys are envisioned
to inform critical debates between state actors and the business sector to
promote good governance in their exchanges which in turn will foster the
business enabling environment.
Additionally,
the STOPP survey is complemented by the Foundation’s other survey on perception
and knowledge (SPEAK) which is designed to capture data on perceptions and
knowledge of administrative practices and grand corruption. Together, the
surveys provide a broad picture of the level of corruption in Mongolia.
Director of the
SMF, Mr. L.Sumati told, "Observations of the business environment from
2004 until now shows that for the business community in Mongolia the biggest
obstacle s remaining corruption. Nevertheless, the latest screening from 2012
to 2014 showed a visible progress comparing to previous years. Regretfully,
some indicators are also showing reverse trends from the good start in 2012. It
also overlaps with a very difficult general economic situation in the country.
It is evident that urgent measures are necessary to improve the situation in
the private sector".
Scope
- First survey
among private business focused on corruption;
- Administered
for the fourth time in April 2014, the third time in October 2013, the second
time was in May 2013; and first time was in December 2012;
- Encourages
businesses to get proactive in developing solutions to corruption;
- Takes into
account the growing interconnectedness between politics and business;
- Structured
questionnaire used;
Findings
- The percent
of respondents who are satisfied with the general business environment has
declined from 27.2 to 12.4 since 2012;
- The number of
businesses that consider unofficial charges as a major obstacle has declined by
half since 2012;
- Respondents
from the business sector consider taxes to be the major obstacle and the tax
office to be the main institution creating obstacles to doing business;
- The number of
businesses that waste no resources overcoming business obstacles has increased
from 9.7 to 18.5 percent since 2012 (a slight decline, however, from May 2013);
- There is a
significant decline of 10 percentage points - nearly half - since October 2013
in the number of respondents experiencing or observing incidents of corruption
in the previous month;
- The number of
respondents with extensive knowledge of the government’s efforts to combat
corruption has declined by nearly half since October 2013, to 4.2 percent,
while the number with no knowledge has nearly doubled, to 16.4 percent;
- The number of
businesses with a written policy against corruption has increased since 2012,
from 9.7 to 17 percent.
Deputy
Speaker meets Chinese Inner Mongolian delegation
Ulaanbaatar,
July 7 (MONTSAME) Parliament Deputy Speaker R.Gonchigdorj met Monday with a
delegation led by Mr Wang Jun, a chairman of the Standing committee of the
People’s Congress and Party Secretary of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of
China.
After wishing
the delegation a pleasant stay here, Mr Gonchigdorj highlighted a significance
of the Chinese Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in boosting the relationship
and cooperation between Mongolia and China.
In response, Mr
Wang said that a further strengthening of the relationship and cooperation is
the key mission of his visit.
Present at the
meeting were also D.Oyunkhorol and D.Arvin MPs.
PM
receives Party Secretary of Chinese Inner Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar,
July 7 (MONTSAME) The Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag received Monday Mr Wang Jun,
a chairman of the Standing committee of the People’s Congress and Party
Secretary of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of China.
The Premier
said he is glad to meet Mr Wang and stressed a significance of the Chinese
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region's contribution to the relationship and
collaboration between Mongolia and China, and added that this visit will be an
impetus to the further cooperation.
Mr Wang said he
is pleased with the current commercial and economic collaboration and ongoing
projects, which have been advancing with reciprocal high level visits and
meetings, and invited Mr Altankhuyag to the Chinese Inner Mongolia.
Premier
receives Germany’s Foreign Minister
Ulaanbaatar,
July 7 (MONTSAME) The Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag met Monday with Mr
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
Regarding the
visit of Germany government's member to our country as an expression of the
importance the new Federal Cabinet of Germany attaches to Mongolia, Mr Altankhuyag
said his country also gives significance to its relations and cooperation with
the Federal Republic of Germany, "our main partner nation in the European
Union".
The two
countries with their long-lasting and friendly relations have great
opportunities to advance the economic ties, he went on. Mongolia will
support the cooperation particularly in mining and agriculture spheres, is
ready to cooperate in manufacturing high quality bio-products from
pasture-raised animal husbandry and fertilizer-free agronomy, he said.
Under the
tourism industry cooperation, the Germans have been awarded visa-free travel
rights to Mongolia, and the air transport between the two countries has been
regularized, Mr Altankhuyag noted. While participating in the 2015 ITB Berlin
international tourism exhibition as an official partner, Mongolia is planning a
wide range of performances to promote its cultural heritages, he said and, as a
head of a national committee responsible for the preparation for the
exhibition, asked a support from the German side for jointly organizing the
events.
This is the
first visit since a Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Germany visited Mongolia 18
years ago, Mr Steinmeier noted and expressed a willingness to increase a
frequency of high level visits and to stimulate a successful collaboration in
cultural, scientific and archeological development, as well as economic
relations between the two countries.
The third
meeting of an intergovernmental working group of Mongolia and Germany
responsible for cooperation in mining, industry and technology sectors is
scheduled soon to discuss negotiations and initiatives put forward during
official visit of Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel to Mongolia in 2011 and a
state visit of the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj to Germany in 2012.
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