Mongolia Brief July 8, 2014 Part I
Official
Visit of Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Begins with Welcoming
Ceremony at Chinggis Square
July 8
(infomongolia.com) Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Djoomart Otorbaev
is paying an official visit to Mongolia on July 08-12, 2014.
Today on July
08, Prime Minister of Mongolia, Mr. Norov ALTANKHUYAG welcomed his counterpart
of Kyrgyzstan at the Central Square and after bowing to the Chinggis Monument,
Premier Dj.Otorbaev left a note on the Book of Guest.
During his
visit, the Kyrgyz Prime Minister will hold official talks with Premier N.Altankhuyag,
pay courtesy calls on President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj and Parliament Speaker
Z.Enkhbold and visit to the Khyargas Lake in Uvs Aimag.
Moreover, the
Kyrgyz delegation led by Premier Djoomart Otorbaev is invited to participate in
the 2014 National Naadam Festival as Distinguished Guests.
Related:
Kyrgyzstan
Premier to start visit here – Montsame,
July 8
Mongolia
to be involved in New Colombo Plan
Ulaanbaatar,
July 8 (MONTSAME) An invitation has been sent to Mongolia by the Foreign
Minister of Australia Julie Bishop to officially involve our country in the New
Colombo Plan implemented by the government of Australia.
A proposal on
this involvement was put forward by Mongolia’s Foreign Minister L.Bold during
his visit to the country in March.
Officially
launched in December of 2013, the New Colombo Plan offers Australian
undergraduates new opportunities for prestigious scholarships and grants for
study and internships/mentorships in the Indo Pacific region. By this
programme, Australian students are involved in short- and long-term trainings,
and it is being successfully realized in Japan, Indonesia and Singapore.
In conjunction
with the programme, Mongolia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working for
involving Mongolia in the Work and Holiday visa classification of Australia so
as to let Mongolians aged 18-30 be allowed to travel Australia for up to 12
months, of which four months are spent for training or job. Main
criterion is the mutual equality. Mongolia does not have yet any legal
regulation for allowing foreigners to simultaneously work and have training
within its territory for up to 12 months, so some times shall be taken to do
official talks on the matter.
Survey
shows corruption levels are still high
July 7
(Mongolian Economy) Business people who are satisfied with the general business
environment decreased to 12.4 percent from 27.2 percent since 2012 in Mongolia.
As a part of
the Strengthening Transparency and Governance in Mongolia (STAGE) project, the
Asia Foundation and the Sant Maral Foundation released a fourth Study of
Private Perceptions of Corruption (STOPP). This study was released to combat
the nation’s corruption problem by instigating good governance and increasing
transparency within society. This project is currently funded by the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID), an organization that
wishes to expand democratic governance while promoting a system of checks and
balances.
The first study
in the STOPP series was published in December of 2012. The main focus of these
studies examined the effects of corruption and bad governance in Mongolian
society as conflicts of interest are rampant. The fourth survey that was
released earlier today interviewed 330 senior-level managers of Mongolian
businesses in April of this year in an attempt to provide a bigger picture of
corruption levels.
These surveys
hope to establish awareness for the need to increase transparency and
accountability of the Mongolian Government as well as to receive proactive
action from Mongolian companies. It was also shown that taxes are considered to
be the major obstacle in terms of establishing business practices. On the
bright side, the number of companies with established written policies against
corruption rose to 17 percent from 9.7 percent since 2012.
There are many
obstacles in the way of practicing good governance. While taxes represent the
biggest obstacle – at 52.4 percent as of April 14 of this year – other obstacles
also presented a huge problem. They include, but are not limited to, obtaining
and renewing licenses and permissions, access to credit, strong competition
from other companies, low level of professionalism, and the conditions of the
labor market making up 27.3 percent, 27.0 percent, 26.7 percent, 16.7 percent,
and 14.2 percent respectively.
It is also
important to note that in all four surveys, many believe that the level of
corruption is much higher in the public sector than it is in the private sector.
As of April 2014, 43.9 percent of participants believe that there was a lot of
corruption in the public sector, compared to 0.6 percent who believed that
there is no corruption. The private sector, on the other hand, showed that 6
percent believed there was a lot of corruption and 24 percent believed that
there is no corruption.
The survey also
shows that compared to December 2012, when 43.0 percent of participants said
that public sector corruption affected their businesses, the number rose in
April 2014 to 47.6 percent. The majority surveyed that existing laws are hardly
effective at making the business environment transparent and non-corrupt, with
a percentage of 40.9 percent. This number is high compared to the 2.1 percent
who believe the existing laws are very effective. Similar results are presented
when participants were asked how effective the steps the Government is taking
to eradicate overall corruption in Mongolia and how often the Government
punished corrupted officials.
Multiple
sectors are vulnerable to corruption. The most recent release of the survey
unveiled that government services are the most susceptible at 68.8 percent.
Construction and mining follow close behind at 57.0 percent and 48.2 percent
respectively. Companies in other private services and manufacturing are judged
to be the least likely to encounter corruption in their course of work.
Many of these
participants agreed that net income would increase if the extent of government
corruption was to be reduced. In the construction sector, 72.5 percent of
partakers believed this would be the case in addition to 54.1 percent in the
manufacturing sector, 45.6 percent in the trade sector, and 48.2 percent in the
services sector. They also noted that a majority of members, ranging from 71.5
percent in December 2012 to 72.7 percent in April 2014, stated their company
has not taken any steps to combat fraud or corruption. This is also consistent
with 81.8 percent of participants in December 2012 and 89.1 percent in April
2014 who said they never reported a case of corruption.
This study of
private perceptions of corruption clearly shows that fraud and corruption is
rampant within all sectors, especially in government services. These numbers
help create awareness of corruption issues that the Government needs to tackle
in order to effectively promote transparency, good governance and
accountability. Numbers remained consistent, if not more severe, over the past
four surveys beginning in December 2012, marking the rigorousness of dishonesty
found within Mongolia’s developing economy.
Student-Police
Guides Tourists during 2014 National Naadam Festival and Tourist Season
July 8
(infomongolia.com) The City Council in collaboration with UB Tourism Board,
Metropolitan Police and Mongolian Students Union are implementing "Tourist
Guide-Police" program during the 2014 National Naadam Festival and tourist
season.
The
Student-Police is obliged to guide tourists and provide necessary assistance, besides
prevent attacks on tourists, and in case of any violations relevant to
tourists, they have to solve problems immediately.
Students were
selected based on their foreign language knowledge and were taught with skills
on proper handling in urgent situation like first-aid assistance, advise tourists
with basic knowledge on law, etiquette, psychology as well as self-defense classes.
Currently, 44 students are involved in the program.
The
student-police will be employed and paid depending on how many hours worked, in
other words, it is planned to employ at least 4 hours a day and 88 hours per
month and 3,500 MNT (Tugrug) per hour. Consequently, a student may earn at
least 308,000 MNT per month and during tourist season or months of July, August
and September, they will be rewarded with minimum of 924,000 MNT. The necessary
fund for this program is allocated from the City Council budget.
Mongolian
National Football Team to Compete for 2015 East Asian Cup
July 9
(infomongolia.com) Mongolian national football team is to participate in the
preliminary regional competitions for the 2015 East Asian Cup, the football
championship of East Asia, which will be held at the National Training Center
of Guam on July 21-27, 2014.
The 2015 EAFF
East Asian Cup is the 6th edition of this regional competition and will be held
in China in 2015.
The composition
of Mongolian national team is released, notably, Mongolia’s first legionnaire
A.Murun, who was practicing in Thailand, has already arrived in UB and now he
is on training with his team. Moreover, Mongolian Team is coached by an experienced
trainer from Serbia, Vojislav Brazulik.
Mongolian national football team
Goal-keeper:
1. B.Ariunbold
(Erchim FC)
2. B.Batmagnai
(Ulaanbaataryn Unaganuud FC)
Defender:
1.
B.Garidmagnai (Selenge Press FC)
2.
Ts.Enkhjargal (Erchim FC)
3.
B.Munguntulga (Selenge Press FC)
4.
D.Lkhumbengarav (Khoromkhon FC)
5. G.Bilguun
(Echim FC)
Midfielder:
1. A.Chinzorig
(Ulaanbaatar FC)
2.
O.Bayarjargal (Ulaanbaatar FC)
3. B.Dashnyam
(Ulaanbaatar FC)
4. M.Tuguldur
(Erchim FC)
5. P.Altantulga
(Ulaanbaataryn Unaganuud FC)
6.
Kh.Tsend-Ayush (Khoromkhon FC)
7. A.Murun
(Krabi FC, Thailand)
Forwarder:
1. S.Gal-Erdene
(Echim FC)
2. N.Naranbold
(Khoromkhon FC)
3. A.Tsolmon
(Continental FC)
In the
Preliminary Round 1, Mongolia will compete against teams of Guam, Macau and
Northern Mariana Islands and if win to advance in the Preliminary Round 2
against Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and North Korea, afterwards to compete in the
Final Competition against the team of PR of China, Japan and South Korea.
Mongolian
national football team will departure for Guam on July 18 after the FIFA World
Cup that is taking place in Brazil, where the Semifinals (Brazil vs. Germany
and Netherlands vs. Argentina) are starting tonight by UB time (04:00 am, July
09).
Deputy
PM meets Chinese Inner Mongolian delegation
Ulaanbaatar,
July 8 (MONTSAME) Deputy Prime Minister D.Terbishdagva 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 Deputy PM
highlighted a significance of the Chinese Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in
the Mongolia-China collaboration, and regarded this visit as a great impetus to
this cooperation and to the ties between Mongolia and the Region.
He noted an
importance of the cooperation in establishing a trans-border industrial and
free trade zone and in attracting investments to not only the mining but also
to the industry and tourism. He thanked the delegation for supporting the
establishment of a Consulate-General of Mongolia in Chinese Hohhot, and asked
to solve the land issues in a near time.
He also noted
an interest in cooperating and experience-sharing with the Autonomous Region,
particularly in developing traditional medicine, and advised that regular
meetings should be held between the border checkpoints administrations of the
two countries.
Mr Wang thanked
the Deputy PM for receiving them and noted the importance of boosting the
cooperation not only in the economics but also in the humanities. He also
stressed a significance of implementing long- and mid-term programs signed amid
reciprocal high level visits between the two sides. He promised to study
proposals the Deputy PM made at this meeting and emphasized that great
achievements will be reached after joint efforts.
Delegation
of Chinese Inner Mongolia visits school
Ulaanbaatar,
July 8 (MONTSAME) The visiting 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, legged Monday the #102 secondary school
in Bayanzurkh district of Ulaanbaatar.
The guests were
given a concert staged by pupils and teachers. Present at the event were also
Mr Wang Xiaolong, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to
Mongolia; Ts.Narantungalag, a head of the External Relations Section of the
Parliamentary Office; and others.
The school, put
into use in 2007, has 640 pupils, 78 teachers and 20 workers.
State
prizes awarded
Ulaanbaatar,
July 8 (MONTSAME) On occasion of the 808th anniversary of the Great Mongol
Empire and the 93rd anniversary of the People’s Revolution of Mongolia, some
foremost people who have fruitfully worked in the energy sector have been
awarded the state prizes pursuant to a decree of the President.
The prizes were
granted Tuesday by M.Sonompil MP, the Minister of Energy.
The Red Flag
Order of Labour Merit was bestowed upon R.Khaidav, an executive director of the
Ulaanbaatar Thermal Network state-run company; Z.Sanjaa, a retired worker of
the “Ulaanbaatar Electricity Delivery Network” state-run company; B.Chinbat, a
plumber at the “Ulaanbaatar Electricity Delivery Network” company; and
L.Enkhbaatar, an audit officer at the Ulaanbaatar Thermal Network company.
The Polar Star
Order went to P.Boldbaatar, an electricity mechanism office head of the
Ulaanbaatar Thermal Network company, and to other 13 people.
PM
welcomes Kyrgyz counterpart
Ulaanbaatar,
July 8 (MONTSAME) The Prime Minister of Mongolia Mr N.Altankhuyag Tuesday
welcomed and greeted Mr Djoomart Otorbaev, the Head of Kyrgyzstan's executive
power, on the Square of Chingis Khaan in Ulaanbaatar.
The two
dignitaries paid a tribute to the Monument of Chingis Khaan, then Kyrgyzstan
Premier wrote his signature on the Book of Honoured Guests in the Ceremonial
Hall of the State House. After this, the two Premiers began official
talks.
Visit
of Chinese Inner Mongolian delegation ends
Ulaanbaatar,
July 8 (MONTSAME) The visit ended on Tuesday of a chairman of the Standing
committee of the People’s Congress and Party Secretary of Inner Mongolian Autonomous
Region of China Wang Jun and accompanying him officials.
In frames of
the visit, the delegation got acquainted with the Parliamentary Office,
National Park, secondary school in Bayanzurkh district, and Bogd Khaan
Museum.
In the VIP hall
of the “Chingis Khaan” international airport, the delegation was seen off by
L.Bold, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; D.Arvin MP; Wang Xiaolong, the
Ambassador of China to Mongolia; and Ts.Narantungalag, a head of the External
Relations Section of the Parliamentary Office.
Mongolia
and Italy to Broaden Cooperation in Defense Sector
July 8
(infomongolia.com) A delegation from the Ministry of Defense of the Italian
Republic led by Secretary General of Defense/National Armaments Director,
Lieutenant General Enzo Stefanini is conducting a working visit to Mongolia on
July 06-08, 2014.
In the
frameworks of the visit, the Secretaries General of the Defense Ministries of Italy
and Mongolia, Lieutenant General Enzo Stefanini and Major General Zagdsuren BOLDBAATAR
have held a meeting discussing bilateral ties between the Ministries and
exchanging views on current cooperation and further measures to carry out.
During the
meeting, parties agreed that although the bilateral relations between the sectors
had been established in 1997 by appointing reciprocal Defense Attaches, current
collaboration has been almost stopped; nevertheless, this visit with a large
delegation plays an important role to boost.
Moreover, the
two Secretaries exchanged opinions to further broaden Mongolia-Italy defense
industry cooperation, particularly, in peace support operations, military
training and defense industrial sector as well as potentiality to be expanded
in the regular high-level and mid-level official visits between the two
Ministries of Defense.
Also,
Lieutenant General Enzo Stefanini held a meeting with the Vice Chairman of the
General Headquarters of Mongolian Armed Forces, Major General B.Bayarmagnai.
Afterwards, Italian delegates visited the Military Training Center of Mongolian
Armed Forces or so-called Five Hills Training Center in Tuv Aimag and got
acquainted with activity of Military Unit No.084.
Related:
Mongolia
and Italy to broaden defense cooperation – Montsame, July 8
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