Mongolia Brief September 18, 2014 Part III
Stock
exchange news for September 18
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
September 18 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Thursday, a total of
2,054 shares of nine JSCs were traded costing MNT four million 505 thousand and
023.00.
"Mongolia
Telecom” /1,050 units/, “Sor” /290 units/, “APU” /250/, “State Department
Store” /177 units/ and "Mogoin gol” /104 units/ were the most actively traded
in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were "Mongolia
Telecom” (MNT one million and 365 thousand), "Mogoin gol (MNT one million
and 144 thousand), “APU” (MNT 915 thousand), "Sor” (MNT 622 thousand and
960) and "Makh impex” (MNT 293 thousand and 250).
The total
market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 617 billion 534 million 331
thousand and 759. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 16,116.23, decreasing 9.78 units
or 0.06% against the previous day.
Minister
meets doctors on Infant Health matters
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
September 18 (MONTSAME) Minister of Health N.Udval received Thursday Swiss
pediatricians Raul Schmidt and Thomas Bauman. The sides discussed the results
of Mongolia-Swiss joint project called “Preventive treatment and earlier
diagnosis of hip joint hypogenesis of infants”.
The project
launched in 2008 at the National Health Center for Mother and Infant (NHCMI).
In the first
stage of the project, the center was provided with ultra-sound apparatuses,
medical utilities and equipment, and trainings were held for the medical staff
in 2010-2011. Also 8544 infants born at the center, had the chance to have ultra-sound
examinations of hip joints, within one or two days after their births. The
pediatricians of the maternity center have been executing the examination and
sending the examination results to the Swiss doctors for reaffirmation, and
collaborated throughout the diagnostic processes.
Currently seven
aimags (provinces) of Mongolia’s western region are considered as targeted
areas of the project, some 200 pediatricians and 20 consulting doctors have
been trained in a scope of the project, and the hospitals of the aimags have
been facilitated with required equipment.
The results of
the project’s first stage show that the hip-joint hypogenesis among infants is
not a rare phenomenon in Mongolia. And the infant disorders can now be
diagnosed by the trained pediatricians of maternal centers.
The second
stage of the project launched in 2014 when the Ministry of Health adopted
“Nation-wide programme of Infant Examination” to be realized in first, second
and third maternal centers of Ulaanbaatar, and in all 21 aimags.
The
pediatricians from Switzerland have visited Bayankhongor aimag, and have held
trainings for the doctors and organized facilitation for the maternal center.
It is necessary to develop assessment mechanisms for the project implementation
and attempts to hold trainings in other aimags where the project actions could
not reach, they noted.
The
Health Minister thanked the doctors for the project they started, which have
expanded into a nation-wide programme, added that infant examination programme
will be kept in the “Earlier diagnosis of infectious diseases programme” to run
in 2015, with the Government funding.
In recognition
of their valuable contribution to health of Mongolia, especially in health of
infants, Dr. Schmidt and Dr. Bauman have received the medals of honor from the
Ministry.
About
wrestlers, archers and athletes to compete in AG for Mongolia
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
September 18 (MONTSAME) In times of approaching of the 17th Asian Games opening
in Incheon, the national federations for some sports have announced names of
athletes to compete in the Asian Games for Mongolia.
In accordance
with a decision of the Mongolia’s Freestyle Wrestling Federation, 12 wrestlers
will compete in the freestyle and Greco-Roman events of the AG. Thus, the
national team has comprised B.Nomin (men’s freestyle 57 kg), T.Tuvshintulga (61
kg), B.Batmagnai, D.Gombodorj (74 kg), P.Osokhbayar (86 kg), D.Khuderbulga (97
kg), J.Chuluunbat (125 kg), E.Narangerel (women’s 48 kg), S.Byambatseren (55
kg), S.Tserenchimed (63 kg), O.Burmaa (75 kg) and P.Erdenebileg (men’s
Greco-Roman 52 kg).
The wrestling
team is headed by D.Dagvadorj, the president of the Freestyle Wrestling
Federation; and O.Bayanmonkh, the federation’s secretary-general. The wrestlers
are also coached by five coaches. Two Mongolians have been included in the
judges’ panel as well.
The Federation
of Archery Sport of Mongolia selected archers to compete in the AG, and the
national team has included 14 archers.
The men’s team
comprised G.Gan-Erdene, J.Gantogs, G.Myagmardorj, B.Doljinsuren, J.Tulga,
N.Olziikhutag, P.Jamyangombo; the women’s team--A.Enkhtuya, D.Miroslova,
J.Dagiijanchiv, B.Urantungalag, E.Bolormaa, B.Batdulam and O.Buyanjargal.
13 runners
including B.Ser-Od, a State Honored Sportsman and long-distance runner will
compete in the athletics events of the Asian Games.
Apart from
Ser-Od, the men’s athletics team has comprised G.Shijirbat (100 m running),
B.Achitbileg (100 m and 200 m), N.Enkhtor (200 m), A.Akyt (400 m and 800 m),
G.Odkhuu (800 m and 1,500 m), N.Monkhbayar (1500 m and 5000 m), B.Dorjpalam
(5,000 m and 10,000 m), Ts.Byambajav (10,000 m), D.Gantulga (marathon); the
women’s team--M.Shinetseteg (800 m and 1,500 m), B.Monkhzaya (5,000 m and
10,000 m), and P.Maamuu (shot put).
Unprecedented
program launched in UB to safeguard drinking water sources
By M. Zoljargal
September 18
(UB Post) Ulaanbaatar City administrators put together the first-ever program
on protecting drinking water for the Mongolian population, with the assistance
of the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO estimates
that 74 possible risks face the nation’s drinking water sources and raised 168
solutions which have been included in the program.
The completed
program was supported by Ulaanbaatar City Council’s (UCC) Commission for
Environment and Ecology and it will be discussed in the regular meeting of the
UCC next Monday.
If approved,
households and businesses located near drinking-water sources (artesian wells
and rivers) will be relocated with the cooperation of land management
authorities; bacteria research will be conducted at several locations; solid
waste disposal sites will be eradicated; and leather and cashmere factories,
which are common sources of river pollution, will be relocated to the outskirts
of the city as part of the program.
Approximately
1.2 million people live in the Tuul River basin area, where 170 artesian wells
are located, while over 20,000 factories and businesses are operating along the
river. Farms covering 400 hectares of land constantly take water from the Tuul
for their irrigation systems, in addition to river water used for 330,000
livestock and three thermal power plants.
Ulaanbaatar
residents use 150,000 to 160,000 cubic meters of drinking water per day, while
offices use another daily 150,000 cubic meters of water from central water
distribution lines. All the drinking water is taken from public and private
wells in ger areas, according to the Office of the Ulaanbaatar City Governor.
Yet, water
demands are increasing day by day, in relation to flourishing industries and a
rising population in the city, while the safety of the 170 primary wells
remains questionable due to widespread illegal construction and gravel mining,
and general human interference.
A lack of water
treatment plants, increasing outdoor toilets and the open disposal of greywater
are all affecting not only water sources, but also soil pollution. The polluted
soil runs into the Tuul River during heavy rain and pollutes the water,
according to many years of study, reported the program coordinators.
Both the
organizers and WHO aim to minimize pollution and prevent threats facing
drinking water sources as soon as possible.
PM
receives ILO’s Asia-Pacific Regional Director
By Ch. Khaliun
September 18
(UB Post) Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag called on representatives led by the
Regional Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for Asia and
the Pacific region, Yoshiteru Uramoto, and exchanged views on opportunities to
implement projects in Mongolia.
The ILO
officials expressed that they can contribute to improving the entrepreneurial
skills of Mongolian SMEs, and regulating employer and employee relations. They
mentioned the possibility of implementing projects in sectors like Mongolian
cashmere and leather processing, agricultural food products processing and
tourism.
During the
ILO’s summit organized in Geneva, Switzerland, in June, N.Altankhuyag attended
the introductory meeting for developing the skills required for diversification
of competitive and responsible industry, economy and trade, and discussed
involving Mongolia in those programs.
The Office of
the Media and Public Relations reports that PM N.Altankhuyag said that
implementing projects on developing SMEs will be important for diversifying the
economy, and Mongolia will support the ILO’s initiatives and cooperate with
trade unions and employer organizations to encourage participation in Mongolia.
Ulaanbaatar
forecasts 2.5 percent GDP increase from tourism by 2030
By M. Zoljargal
September 18
(UB Post) Five percent of state budget to be used for entertainment and sports
events
“Friendly
Ulaanbaatar” project’s consultation took place on Wednesday, which is expected
to elevate tourism in Mongolia and increase Mongolia’s GDP in the long-term.
During the
event, Ulaanbaatar City Governor E.Bat-Uul highlighted, “Ulaanbaatar city will
be able to receive two million tourists per year by 2020 and five million
tourists by 2030, if the Friendly Ulaanbaatar program is properly coordinated.”
Mongolia’s GDP
is expected to see a 2.5 percent increase if five million tourists visit
Ulaanbaatar and spend approximately five billion MNT per year by 2030,
according to the governor.
Another
objective of the program is to issue five percent of the state budget,
approximately 35 billion MNT, for arts, cultural and sports facilities, and
events in order to attract more tourists.
One billion MNT
was dedicated for such events from the state budget before 2012.
“The Mongolian
economy is in a critical condition due to poor tourism development in our
country. In 2013, around 1,600,000 people went abroad from Mongolia, while only
410,000 tourists and officials visited Mongolia in total. It means we are
losing economic resources to other countries. Friendly Ulaanbaatar program is
designed to bring tourism in Mongolia to a new stage of development in
general,” explained Governor E.Bat-Uul.
The organizers
called on tour agencies, as well as sports and entertainment-based
organizations to improve and form closer cooperation in order to bring out the
best possible results of the program.
The program was based on development programs for Ulaanbaatar through 2020 and 2030, which were approved by Parliament.
The program was based on development programs for Ulaanbaatar through 2020 and 2030, which were approved by Parliament.
The Ulaanbaatar
City Tourism Department and Department of Arts and Culture organized the
consultation, which was attended by more than 600 city officials, tourism
businesses and NGOs.
Minister of
Culture, Sport and Tourism (MCST) Ts.Oyungerel, State Secretary General of the
MCST P.Altangerel, Deputy Governor in charge of social development
Ts.Enkhtsengel and Ulaanbaatar City General Manager B.Badral attended the
consultation and delivered speeches.
The Ulaanbaatar
City Council will discuss the program on September 22, during its regular
meeting, and will deliver its views and suggestions to the coordinators.
MED
partners with JICA to develop state-private sector partnership policy
By B. Mendbayar
September 18
(UB Post) The Ministry of Economic Development organized the “Mongolian
State-Private Sector Partnership, Today and Future” conference in association
with a team of experts from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency
(JICA), on September 16.
Principles of
state-private partnership and the Law on Concession were introduced at the
conference. Over 50 delegates from the Ministry of Economic Development,
private sector, and JICA attended the conference.
Below are opinions from Chief of Innovation
at the State-Private Partnership Department of the Economic Development
Ministry S.Bekhbat and CEO of NTB LLC S.Sainbayar.
S.Bekhbat: Six projects are being
implemented under concession agreements.
The conference
was attended mainly by private sector entrepreneurs. Information about
concession agreements ought to be imparted not only to the state, but also
companies executing projects. This conference was significant for discussing
international and domestic experiences. Currently, six projects are being
implemented under concession agreement. The Law on Concession was approved in
2010. Therefore, projects are being carried out in the framework of a law that
has been in effect for four years. We have learned certain lessons and warnings
throughout these years. So, improving the legal environment and working on
implementation mechanisms and methods are crucial. Prior to the introduction of
concessions, projects were funded by the state budget. But now, companies carry
out projects with their own funds. Once projects are implemented, companies
have two alternatives to see return on their investments: either payment from
the state budget or by charging consumers with fees. This year, the participating
companies were invited to the conference. In general, more so than state
companies, the increased capacity of private sector companies positively
affects the economy.
B.Sainbayar: The first project under a
concession agreement has been successfully implemented.
RDCC LLC is the
owner of a concession on construction of the Nariin Sukhait – Shivee Khuren
road designed for heavy haul trucks. Our company is working as the general
executor. The road has been worked on for three years and will open on September
27. The validity term of the road is 15 years.
This project is
the first project successfully implemented under concession agreement in
Mongolia.
Implementing a
project with state budget funds poses considerable difficulty for the budget
itself.
Concession
agreements may have become an internationally adopted method of implementing
projects because of this. We built a 43.2 kilometer long, 12.4 meter wide and
24 cm thick cement-paved road with a reinforced embankment of 25 cm thick
cement for heavy haul trucks. A total of 110 billion MNT was invested in the
construction work. This investment was funded by Monnis Group and SouthGobi
Sands LLC. Obviously, the investors would earn back their investment from fees
on coal transportation, but coal transportation rates were high at the time the
concession agreement was established. For instance, over 1,000 vehicles a day
used to pass through the southern border at the time. But now, the number has
decreased to 200. So, circumstances became totally different from how we
estimated. Accordingly, if circumstances stay constant, the investors can earn
back their initial investment. So, we are waiting for an increase in coal
transportation. This is a risk a project carried out under concession agreement
faces.
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