Mongolia Brief September 5, 2014 Part I
Mongolia
and Russia Sign Agreement on Strategic Partnership for Modernization and
Development of Ulaanbaatar Railway
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar,
September 5 (MONTSAME) In frames of the working visit of the Russian President
Putin to Mongolia, the Ministry of Roads and Transport of Mongolia signed an
agreement on outlining a strategic partnership for the modernization and
development of Ulaanbaatar Railway (UBZD) with the Russian Railways.
The document
was inked by Mr A.Gansukh, the Minister of Roads and Transportation, and by the
president of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin. The main goal of the agreement
is the strategic development of JSC "UBZD" to ensure growth in the
export and transit of goods and strengthen its role in the Eurasian transport
and logistics system.
According to
the document, by March 1 of 2015 the parties will agree to terms of reference
and determine specialized engineering companies to conclude the agreements with
JSC "UBZD" for the preparation of investment feasibility studies,
including market research, financial and legal models, and a feasibility study
on construction projects and the modernization of the railway infrastructure in
Mongolia. Funding will be done by JSC "UBZD", using their own and
borrowed funds.
The main
projects being considered include the centralized modernization and development
of the route Sukhbaatar–Sainshand–Zamyn Uud (1,100 km), including the
electrification and/or construction of a second track; the northbound
construction of the Erdenet–Ovoot railway (545 km) from the perspective of
developing the mining industry of northwestern Mongolia; and a construction of
the Ovoot–Arz sur route (215 km) with access to Russia and contiguity to
Kyzyl–Kuragino.
In the west, a
railway line linking Russia and China through Mongolia to export from Russia to
China, India, Pakistan, and other countries in the region will be developed,
and in the east the possibility of using the Choibalsan–Erentsav railway
section (239 km) from the perspective of transit to Khut–Bichigt is being
considered.
The agreement
also reflects the interest of parties to work with China to build up traffic
from Russia to China in the opposite direction using UBZD, which includes the
development of competitive tariffs and technological conditions for such shipments.
Mongolia
and Rosneft Sign Agreement
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar,
September 5 (MONTSAME) Minister for Education and Science of Mongolia L.
Gantumur and the Rosneft chairman of the management board Igor Sechin signed an
Agreement to arrange training for Mongolians in partner universities of Rosneft.
The ceremony
ran in a presence the two Presidents on September 3 in Ulaanbaatar. Rosneft
will assist an organization of teaching process for the Mongolian citizens
at Russian universities, including expenses for education, migration
formalities, domestic transport, accommodation, food, and scholarship.
The Company had
negotiated this issue with Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas,
Moscow State University, International Institute of Energy Policy and Diplomacy
of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University) of the MFA of
Russia.
Mongolia
and Russia Sign Technical Cooperation Memorandum
By N.Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar,
September 5 (MONTSAME) The Treasury Department of the Ministry of Finance of
Mongolia signed the memorandum of technical cooperation with the Federal
Treasury of the Russian Federation.
The document
was inked by Kh.Gantsogt, the State Secretary of the Ministry, and by the Head
of the Federal Treasury R.Artyukhin. Now the sides are afforded opportunities
to exchange experience in the treasury systems functioning.
P.Tsagaan
Meets Anglo American Group’s Delegation
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
September 5 (MONTSAME) Head of the Presidential Office P.Tsagaan Thursday
received a delegation led by Mr James Harman, a chairman of the Anglo American
Group in charge of business and development affairs.
Mr Harman said
the Anglo American Group wants to invest Mongolian mining sector, and it is now
waiting for the permission from the government.
In response, Mr
Tsagaan appreciated this willingness that coincides with an improvement in the
investment environment in Mongolia. “Any foreign-invested company may be
accepted nicely here and will face less difficulties if it supports national
companies, purchases their products and services and hires the Mongolians,” Mr
Tsagaan emphasized.
Benefits
of Mining Outcome to Be Delivered Equally
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
September 5 (MONTSAME) A cabinet meeting on Thursday discussed a governmental
conclusion to a bill on fund for future, initiated by the President, and
decided to submit relevant proposal to the draft initiator together with
another draft law formulated by the Ministry of Finance.
The President
worked out this bill considering an importance of equally delivering profits
from the mining sector. The draft reflects a principle of equal delivery of the
national profits, recommendations from experts and several countries’
experiences in profit funds.
The cabinet
believes that operating the fund of minerals in proper structure and
organization will create conditions for protecting the national economy against
a price fluctuation of minerals, ensuring a stability of budget, and inheriting
wealth to the next generations.
Development
Bank Audited by Domestic and Int’l Organizations
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
September 5 (MONTSAME) An auditory report and recommendations by
“PricewaterhouseCoopers” LLC, on the 2013 report of Development Bank of
Mongolia have been assessed and are to be submitted to parliament.
Annual reports
of the Development Bank, assessed by National Auditory Agency every year, have
been assessed simultaneously by an international auditory organization in the
last two years.
The bank inked
agreement with “PricewaterhouseCoopers” LLC in 2013, in accordance with 29th
protocol of the board of directors, to have yearly audits on its operational
and financial reports of 2013, 2014, 2015. Pursuant to the agreement, the
company audited the 2013 annual and semiannual financial reports of the bank
and evaluated them as “valid”. The national auditory agency reassured the
evaluation by its approval.
The Development
Bank, during its three year operations, had audits from three domestic and
international auditory organizations.
About
Mongolia-German Cooperation in Minerals
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
September 5 (MONTSAME) Authority for Minerals is to co-implement projects with
Federal institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) of Germany.
Acting director
of the Authority D.Uuriintuya and a project- director of BGR Rolf Muff
have signed an agreement on technical cooperation in improving economic
capacity of Mongolian minerals.
The Government
of Germany gives to the project EUR 1.6 million. The minerals-engaged public
and private entities will be provided with reliable and professional
information, assessments of the deposits will be made in order to develop economic
research for minerals’ exploration and exploitation, processing and supplying
the market, as well as to enhance investment in the field. Professional
trainings for staff of the authority and a provision of integrated information
system are to be underway, said D.Uuriintuya.
The projects
will take two years.
Mongolian
judokas prepare for IBSA Judo World Championships
September 5 (news.mn)
The 2014 IBSA Judo World Championships will be held in Colorado Springs,
Colorado in the USA, from September 1-7th. This is the first qualifying event
for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. The world’s top visually impaired judokas
will compete at the state-of-the art U.S. Olympic Training Center.
From Mongolia,
judoka B.Uugankhuu (men's 60 kg), A.Munkhbat (66 kg), A.Davaadagva (73 kg),
D.Ganbat (90 kg), and P.Bolortuya (women's 52 kg) will compete in the 2014 IBSA
Judo World Championships.
The Mongolian
national judo team recently participated in the 2014 Judo World Championships
in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Mongolian judoka G.Boldbaatar (men's 60 kg) seized the
gold medal and the Mongolian national women's team claimed the silver medal.
The women's team ranked second overall with their combined victories.
Working
group on “Talyn Zam” project kicks off
September 5
(business-mongolia.com) This summer, Modern day ‘silk road’ “Talyn Zam” (Steppe
Road) project was initiated by the Government of Mongolia. Mr. Batbayar,
Minister for Economic Development, made introduction of the project, and
Cabinet Meeting made decision to set up working group on the project, headed by
the Minister for Economic Development.
Within the
framework of the “Talyn Zam” project, 997 km long highway, 1100 km long high
voltage electrical line, gas and oil pipeline are planned. As the result of the
project, the Mongolian Government expects increased FDI, construction
throughout the nation and new era in the energy and mining sectors.
The Ministry of
Economic Development has conducted extensive research, according to the point
4.4 of General Plan of Development of the Economy and Society in 2014 “to
create infrastructure facility (railway, highway, oil, gas and energy)
connecting the Russian Federation with People’s Republic of China”. As the
result, “Talyn Zam” initiative was included in the Joint Statement on Profound
Strategic Partnership Relations between Mongolia and China and Mongolian side
continued the dialogue with the Russian officials during the President Putin’s
visit. President Putin warmly accepted the initiative and hinted to continue
the negotiation further.
The Mongolian
Government wants to avail this opportunity to connect the biggest provider of
mineral resource and the biggest consumer and plays active role in realizing
the modern day silk road through Mongolia, which will become the safest and
shortest connection between China and Russia.
Global
Competitiveness Report 2014-2015: Mongolia
September 5
(infomongolia.com) Since its first publication in 2005, the World Economic
Forum launched their new the Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015 that
assesses the competitiveness landscape of 144 economies, providing insight into
the drivers of their productivity and prosperity.
This year’s
Report contains a detailed profile for each of the economies included in the
study, as well as an extensive section of data tables with global rankings
covering over 100 indicators.
The top of the
rankings continues to be dominated by highly advanced Western economies and
several Asian tigers. For the sixth consecutive year Switzerland leads the top
10, and again this year Singapore ranks as the second-most competitive economy
in the world. Overall, the rankings at the top have remained rather stable,
although it is worth noting the significant progress made by the United States,
which climbs to 3rd place this year, and Japan, which rises three ranks to 6th
position, where Mongolia was ranked at the 98th place out 144 economies.
China’s
Foreign Ministry Spokesman States China, Russia and Mongolia Maintain Close
Communication to Host Three-Party Meeting
September 5
(infomongolia.com) At the regular press conference of Foreign Ministry of the
People’s Republic of China held on September 04, 2014, Spokesperson Qin Gang
answered on several questions forwarded by journalists regarding China’s view
on current ongoing regional and international affairs.
The last
question was about recent visits of the heads of state of China and Russia to
Mongolia, whether the three-party top-level meeting would be organized soon and
here is below the question and answer sourced from the press conference.
Q: After President Xi Jinping visited
Mongolia, Russian President V.Putin also went there. Is China concerned that
Mongolia is rebalancing back to Russia?
A: Mongolia is
located between China and Russia. Both China and Russia are Mongolia's
neighbors and partners bonded by mountains and rivers. We hope the development
of Russia-Mongolia relations can be conducive to regional peace and stability.
We are also
willing to work with the two sides to ensure regional stability and
development. During President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Mongolia, China and
Mongolia have reached consensus to hold a meeting of Chinese, Russian and
Mongolian heads of state. At present, the three sides are in close
communication on this.
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