Mongolia Brief October 8, 2014
“Transparent
Ulaanbaatar” adopts declaration
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) A "Transparent Ulaanbaatar" international
anti-corruption forum adopted the "Ulaanbaatar Declaration on
anti-corruption" on Tuesday here.
The first forum
ran October 6-7 at initiative of the UB city Mayor with a participation of 258
representatives of 18 countries. The city administration considers the above
document as a step toward achieving a goal to become a corruption-free city in
the region and in the world.
One of the key
lectors of the forum Larry Diamond, a professor of Stanford University said the
Mayor's bravely voicing against the corruption and studying experiences of
many countries is not only a new initiative but also a new political
phenomenon. "Two-day forum cannot eliminate the corruption, but an
experiences sharing and the Declaration adopting were crucial solutions,"
he added.
A president of
the co-host the International Republican institute Thomas Garrett thanked the
representatives of civil societies for their active participation in the forum.
“This is one of the reasons of our co-hosting this event, because cooperation
with civil societies is an important approach in the anti-corruption
fight," he said. The institute implements such projects in over hundred
countries, and "we will closely cooperate with Ulaanbaatar in the
future," he said.
Permanent
Representative O.Och delivers speech
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) Mongolia appreciates efforts of the United Nations to
tackle challenges and difficulties the international community faces and
considers that there are achievements in designing the UN’s long-term goals.
It was said by
Mr O.Och, the Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the UN, at a general
meeting on Tuesday for discussing reports of the UN Secretary-General at the
69th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, USA. "Mongolia also
highly evaluates opinions of the UN Secretary-General about an importance of
national governments’ endeavour to intensify the realization of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) as well as efforts and works of the General Assembly’s
working group," he went on.
Underlining an
importance of reflecting human rights and justice matters in the MDGs, Mr Och
introduced to the gathered Mongolia's state policy and actions on the issues.
He applauded efforts of the UN to ease disasters and conflicts in Syria, the
Republic of Central Africa, Mali, South Sudan and Ukraine, saying the UN
peacekeeping operations still keep their vital role in protecting against
battles, conflicts and crimes caused by terrorist groups, in preventing these
crimes, and in taking intermediate actions.
Mr Och also
expressed a hope that UN members will back draft resolutions formulated by
Mongolia on its nuclear weapon-free status and on education for literacy, which
will be discussed by the 69th session.
Parliament
adopts drafts on changes in government
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) A plenary meeting of the autumn parliamentary session on
Tuesday evening approved amendments to laws on government structure and on
government composition.
After having
considered some controversial matters, a majority of MPs (74%) passes the draft
amendments to these laws and to the draft resolution of parliament on altering
the parliamentary resolution appendix on approving the structure of state
administrative bodies.
Accordingly,
six Ministries merged into three, others remained as they are. The government
for reforms will have 13 Ministries--of Environment and Green Development;
Defense; Education and Sciences; Foreign Relations and Economic Cooperation;
Finance; Justice; Road, Transportation, Construction and Urban Development;
Culture, Sport and Tourism; Mining and Energy; Labour; Population Development
and Social Welfare; Industry and Agriculture; and of Health.
The altered
laws and resolutions will come into force when new Ministers will be appointed.
antidoping.mn
web site launched
October 8
(news.mn) For the first time, an official launch of the antidoping.mn web site
has been announced during a press conference on Tuesday at the Ministry of
Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Since 1972, the
practice of doping in sports was first discovery in Mongolia. Since then, over
30 athletes have failed doping tests in both national and international
competitions. In 2007, Mongolia was ratified into the UNESCO International
Convention against Doping in Sports
Since this
ratification, Mongolia became eligible to apply to the UNESCO Voluntary Fund
for grants for anti-doping activities. UNESCO has granted Mongolia 12,600 USD
of financial assistance for anti-doping projects for the years of 2014-2015.
The website will include information, events and education against doping in
sports for Mongolia.
Legislature
passes government restructuring bill
October 8
(news.mn) On Tuesday`s parliamentary session meeting, final discussions were
made on drafting bills which would add amendments to the laws of Mongolia
concerning governing laws and state structure.
Head of the
Standing Committee on State Structure, A.Bekei introduced SC’s stance on the
bill. On Tuesday evening, final discussions were made at the plenary
council meeting. Those in attendance of the meeting passed the bill to make
amendments to the law of Mongolia on Government and Law on Government structure
with a 73.9 percent approval rate, 51 out of 69 MPs.
At that time,
MP D.Erdenebat proposed additional amendments related to heavy equipment
industries concerning the Ministry of Mining and Energy to be approved by the
majority of MP’s. Also to be noted, MP R.Gonchigdorj`s proposal of compliance
with the implementation of laws on their day of ratification was approved by
the Standing Committee members`.
Recycling
Plant in Ulaanbaatar to Process Construction Waste to Be Operational in May
2015
October 8
(infomongolia.com) On October 03, 2014, a groundbreaking ceremony to build a
recycling plant to process construction waste was held at the landfill site
namely Naran in Ulaanbaatar.
This plant will
be constructed with 100% of investment from South Korea and at the ceremony the
UB Administration headed by General Manager B.Badral and Korean delegates from
relevant organizations working on environmental were also present.
The plant with
capacity to crush 1,500-2,000 tons of construction waste up to 5 mm and
following washing and milling procedures, the basic raw materials will be extracted
up to 0.7 mm. After which, the ready raw materials will be mixed with cleaned
ash and other substances to produce the end product for road side curbs,
paving, bricks and other purposes.
According to
officials, the plant will be operational in May 2015 and it estimates to
recycle 61,084 tons of construction waste in winter period and 127,428 tons of
waste in summer to ensure a healthy and safe environment.
Mongolian
Students Granted with Free Studies in Armenia
October 8
(infomongolia.com) A non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Republic of Armenia to Mongolia, Mr. Armen Sargsyan is paying an
official visit to Mongolian on October 05-09, 2014.
During his
visit in Ulaanbaatar, Ambassador A.Sargsyan held a bilateral meeting with authorities
of the Ministry of Education and Science headed by Deputy Minister B.Urgamaltsetseg.
At the meeting, Ambassador announced that the Government of Armenia pledges to
provide scholarships for six students from Mongolia to study in Armenia. Also,
parties exchanged views on boosting Mongolian-Armenian friendly relations in
particular in the development of educational and sciences collaboration.
Related:
Mongolians
to study in Armenia – Montsame,
October 8
Parliament
of Mongolia Ratifies to Restructure Cabinet Diminishing Government Ministries from
Current 16 to 13
October 8
(infomongolia.com) At the Plenary Session of the State Great Khural
(Parliament) held on October 07, 2014, the final discussion on amendments to
the Law on Government to restructure the Cabinet submitted by Prime Minister
N.Altankhuyag was revised and approved with 73.9 % of votes.
Some 51 members
out of 68 parliamentarians attended have agreed to diminish the Government
Ministries from current 16 to 13 with 11 Regulatory Agencies and 19 Implementing
Agencies, whereas 6 Ministries will be merged into 3 Ministries and in addition,
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be renamed as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Economic Cooperation.
According to new regulation, the following
13 Ministries of Mongolia will be acting:
1. Ministry of
Finance (merged from Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economic Development);
2. Ministry of
Mining and Energy (merged from Ministry of Mining and the Ministry of Energy);
3. Ministry of
Roads, Transportation, Construction and Urban Development (merged from Ministry
of Construction & Urban Development and the Ministry Roads &
Transportation);
4. Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation;
5. Ministry of
Environment and Green Development;
6. Ministry of
Justice;
7. Ministry of
Defense;
8. Ministry of
Culture, Sports and Tourism;
9. Ministry of
Industry and Agriculture;
10. Ministry of
Labor;
11. Ministry of
Population Development and Social Protection;
12. Ministry of
Education and Science;
13. Ministry of
Health;
Moreover, the
newly amended law will enter into force as soon as Cabinet members or newly
promoted Ministers will be approved by the Parliament.
Days
of Russian-Mongolian Friendship and Cooperation to Be Continued until End of
November 2014
October 8
(infomongolia.com) On October 06, 2014, an inaugural ceremony for the Days of
Russian-Mongolian Friendship and Cooperation was held at the Russian Centre of
Science and Culture (RCSC) in Ulaanbaatar.
In the scope of
the Days, many events and measures are being hosted to continue the end of
November 2014, and as part of the programs “Russian Language Days” promotional
events with aims to bring the cooperation in educational sector into a new
level will be held throughout October organized by the Embassy of the Russian Federation
in Ulaanbaatar in association with the RCSC.
In conjunction
with educational program, the registration and selection of over 400 Mongolian
students to obtain higher education in Russian Moscow, Saint Petersburg,
Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Irkutsk, Rostov-on–Don, Krasnodar, Omsk and Vladivostok
cities have been accomplished last month and these students are studying under
the Russian Government scholarships beginning from 2014-2015 Academic Year.
UB
Mayor opposes draft budget for 2015
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) The Mayor and the governor of Ulaanbaatar E.Bat-Uul called
Wednesday for immediate discussion among the city administrators to sound his
position over the state draft budget for 2015.
"If this
draft adopted, the city's construction will stagnate," he said.
"Shocked with this unprecedented version of a draft budget", he said
the Premier "has been neglecting the addressing of this issue repeatedly and
has presented such a draft that will stop all the daily works and constructions
of the city".
According to
this draft, he went on, Ulaanbaatar will have to spend its yearly budget of
450-500 billion Togrog for salaries of teachers, health and culture sectors
personnel and routine maintenance. "It is impossible, because Ulaanbaatar
cannot providing some 330 billion for the above costs, it will make the city
go bankrupt,' he stressed.
He also
informed the gathered about his intention to present an official letter
regarding the issue to the Speaker Z.Enkhbold. In case this draft is approved
by parliament, "I will not--for the sake of interests of the UB
people--present the draft to the Citizens Representatives Khural of
Ulaanbaatar", he said.
Speaker
meets International Republican Institute delegation
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) The Speaker of parliament Z.Enkhbold Wednesday received a
delegation led by Mr Thomas E. Garrett, the vice president of the International
Republican Institute (IRI).
He thanked the
delegation for visiting Mongolia and said our parliament has been collaborating
with the IRI for many years and that he hopes these ties will last for a long
time.
Mongolia has
shared its experience in th4e democracy with Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar,
furthermore, Mongolia has been contributing to the regional development, and
will continue sharing its experience with others," he said.
In turn, Mr
Garrett said the IRI has been running activities in Mongolia for many years and
has seen its big achievements in developing the democracy. He added that IRI
also delivers Mongolia's success and experience to "our partner
organizations, and I am confident that our bilateral collaboration will
forward".
Present at the
meeting were B.Boldbaatar, the secretary-general of the Parliamentary Office;
Gretchen Kunze, the IRI Asia division director; Gregg Kastana, an IRI expert.
Founded in
1983, the IRI is a UN-partnered organisation, partially funded by the US House
of Representatives, that conducts international political programs, sometimes
called democratization programs with a special emphasis on promoting women's
involvement in politics. Initially known as the National Republican Institute
for International Affairs, the IRI's stated mission is to "expand freedom
throughout the world". Its activities include teaching and assisting
center-right political party and candidate development in their values, good
governance practices, civil society development, civic education, women’s and
youth leadership development, electoral reform and election monitoring, and
political expression in closed societies.
The IRI has
been cooperating with Mongolia since 1992 in developing the democratic
governance and practice.
MPs
want "better life for leaders of Democratic revolution"
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) A draft resolution on issuing benefits for the very first
leaders of the 1990 Democratic revolution was presented to the Speaker
Z.Enkhbold by Kh.Battulga, D.Ganbat, L.Erdenechimeg and M.Zorigt MPs on
Wednesday.
The State has
been pursuing policies on paying benefits and glorifying the veterans and
figures who fought and contributed in the national revolution of 1911, the
People’s revolution of 1921, the Khalkh river battles of 1939, and the
Liberation war of 1945, noted Battulga," now the time has come to improve
the life of those who formed the Mongolian Democratic Union, were in the
vanguard of the Democratic revolution and saw its results in 1990, the Year of
a white horse".
The history of
the Mongolian Democratic Union is the history of the country’s democracy. Its
25th anniversary is happening this year, "so it is vital to resolve
the social problems of these figures", he said, adding that the draft
resolution has been formed on the basis of the Constitution of Mongolia and the
law on Parliament.
Mongolia
and CERN to cooperate in high energy physics
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) The Government of Mongolia on Monday signed the Agreement
on a development of scientific and technological cooperation in high energy
physics with CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research).
The document
was inked by L.Gantomor, the Minister of Education and Sciences, and by the
head of International Relations of CERN R.Voss.
As the sides
suppose, the document will give impetus to fundamental researches of high
energy physics and sciences-and-technology development of our country, and will
facilitate our scholars, engineers and technological personnel with a long-term
involvement in the CERN researches.
FM
addresses North America-Mongolia Business Council conference
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia L.Bold has
attended the 17th annual investors' conference of North America–Mongolia
Business Council (NAMBC).
The measure ran
October 7-8 in Ulaanbaatar. He took the floor to highlight the "Third
neighbors" roles in Mongolia's foreign policy, particularly matters on
expanding the economic cooperation with the USA and Canada, to introduce the
results of high level visits, and to answer questions of the gathered. Other
speakers were ex-president P.Ochirbat, the State Great Khural Chairman
Z.Enkhbold, Senior US Commerce Department official and top private sector experts.
This conference
takes place every year in Ulaanbaatar, Washington or Ottawa in rotation. The
organization aims at promoting Mongolia-the USA and Mongolia-Canada trade,
investments and economy cooperation.
G.Batkhuu
MP meets founder of “New Village” movement
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) A parliamentarian and president of the National Union of
Mongolian Bagas and Soums (NUMBS) G.Batkhuu Wednesday received Mr Ha Sa Yong, a
Hero of Labour of the Republic of Korea and founder of the S.Korean "New
Village" movement.
The MP thanked
Mr Yong for visiting Mongolia to share experiences with Mongolian land farmers
and said the NUMBS operates some 300 branches in all localities, "through
which Your life experience is delivered". He noticed a success of the
Mongolia-S.Korea economic forum, organized by the union, "its objectives
are to introduce new technologies of South Korea in Mongolia".
In response, Mr
Yong said he "enthusiastically lets everybody know that he/she has a big
chance and possibility to live happily", and stressed that he wants to
share his experience with the Mongolians, for example, to give advice to
agrarians. Then he proposed collaborating with them.
Mr Batkhuu
granted Mr Yong the NUMBS's prize--the Leadership order.
US
scholar holds meeting with diplomats
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) One of the participants of the “Open Ulaanbaatar-2014”
forum, a US scholar and researcher Larry Diamond Wednesday held a meeting with
diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Diamond
introduced to them an edited by him book "Liberation Technology Social
Media and the Struggle for Democracy", which tells about an impact of IT
and communications on the global democracy process.
Some diplomats
asked Mr Diamond about advantages and opportunities of the social media, new
challenges and other relevant matters.
Mr Diamond
serves as senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International
Studies and at the Hoover Institution. He also works as a director of the
Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law.
L.Khangai
appointed as acting agent of President
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) Pursuant to the decree of the President, the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mr L.Khangai has been appointed the acting
agent of the President of Mongolia.
He will serve
as such on cooperation affairs with the Russian Federation in economy,
infrastructure and investment sectors.
Education
Vice Minister meets Russian Academy of Education head
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) The Russian Academy of Education and Saint Petersburg
State University want to cooperate with Mongolian at all levels of education on
developing of educational-methodical manuals in order to improve skills of
Russian language teachers.
It was said by
Ms L.Verbitskaya, the president of this Academy at a meeting with the Vice
Minister of Education and Science of Mongolia B.Urgamaltsetseg on October 7.
After this she took part in a celebration of the Mongolia-Russia friendship
days.
Bank
of Mongolia hosts SEACEN Course on Assessing Liquidity Risk of Bank
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) The Bank of Mongolia successfully hosted the SEACEN Course
on Assessing Liquidity Risk of a Bank here on this September 29-October
3.
The SEACEN
Course on Assessing Liquidity Risk of a bank was designed to specifically build
capacity of bank supervisors in the application of the liquidity ratios
according to international sound practices and methodologies and strengthen the
understanding of liquidity risk management measures taking into account changing
financial market landscape.
A total of 34
participants representing 15 institutions of 13 countries have been nominated
to participate and six speakers specialized in Liquidity Risk Assessment
representing Australia, United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and Mongolian
Regulatory Authorities and Commercial banks have shared their insights into the
topic mentioned.
Deputy Governor
of the Bank of Mongolia E.Batshugar and an executive director of the SEACEN
Centre Hookyu Rhu have attended the opening and closing ceremonies as the
guests of honors and delivered their remarks.
Stock
exchange news for October 8
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Wednesday, a total of 15
thousand and 535 shares of 13 JSCs were traded costing MNT 23 million 963
thousand and 670.00.
"Genco
tour bureau” /10 thousand and 120 units/, “APU” /2,100 units/, “Baganuur”
/1,000 units/, “Gobi” /700 units/ and "Mongol shiltgeen” /700 units/ were
the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value
were "APU” (MNT seven million and 875 thousand), "Gobi” (MNT five million
and 670 thousand), “Talkh chikher” (MNT four million 514 thousand and 500),
"Baganuur” (MNT three million and 500 thousand) and "Arig gal” (MNT
one million 087 thousand and 450).
The total
market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 575 billion 272 million 992
thousand and 639. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 15,721.40, increasing 62.31
units or 0.40% against the previous day.
Mongolia
reports for Convention on Biological Diversity
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) Our Ministry of Environment and Green Development together
with scholars and some NGOs presented results of an "AICHI 2020 in
MONGOLIA" also known as Aichi goals) at the 12th meeting of the Conference
of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The meeting has
been running October 6-16 in Pyeongchang county of S.Korea.
The Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Korea
B.Ganbold has attended the event to say that it is a fundamental duty of
humanity to protect the environment--the base of their health and well-being.
Mongolia has been successfully realizing many works for studies and
conservation of biodiversity, and has a capacity to collaborate with others in
this field and to reach sustainable green development through reestablishment
and efficient consumption of resources, he said.
This event is
of great importance as it becomes a platform to present statuses of
implementation of the Convention and planned frameworks, and to claim the need
of further cooperation with donor countries and international financial
organizations for environment.
Photography
exhibition opened for Dilav Khutagt's birthday
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) The 131st birthday of the last Mongolian Khutagt Dilav
happens Wednesday. On the occasion of his date, the "Ulaanbaatar"
museum opened a photography exhibition, organized jointly with "Dilav
Khutagt Jamsranjav" foundation.
The Khalkha
Mongolian last khutagt, a lamaist dignitary was born October 8 of 1883 in
Zasagt Khan, current Zavkhan aimag. He was a tutor of the 14th Dalai Lama when
he stayed in Tibet for three years. The khutagt was assigned for a spy mission
to Inner Mongolia in 1920, later was accused of false political crimes since
everybody who knew his real mission in China was executed. Although he was not
able to return to his homeland, he actively worked for international
recognition of Mongolia’s independence, having become an influence on approval
of Mongolia’s membership to the UN in 1961. The khutagt passed away in 1965 New
York of the USA. He is still remembered by Mongolian people, who erected a
statue for him in the “Stupa of Great Khutagts” in Zavkhan aimag, and solemnly
celebrate his birthday every year.
The staff of
the museum has announced its decision to make the exhibition an annual event.
Sumo
wrestler Tsevegnyam celebrates his record-breaking
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October
8 (MONTSAME) A Mongolian sumo wrestler N.Tsevegnyam celebrated last Sunday his
breaking of a record in professional sumo that has been unbroken for 73 years.
He now owns the
record of the “most career bouts” won by 40-year and older wrestler. In the
professional sumo tournament held this September in Tokyo, the Mongolian sumo
wrestlers achieved many successes that included 31st win by the 69th Grand
champion Hakuho-titled M.Davaajargal, astonishing 13 wins of a young wrestler
Ichinojo-titled A.Ichinnorov, and breaking of the “most career bouts” won by 40
year-old and older wrestler record by Kyokutenho-titled N.Tsevegnyam.
Turkish
film days to be organized
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
October 8 (MONTSAME) An opening ceremony will take place on Thursday at the
“Tengis” cinema to launch Turkish film days here.
During the
event, the screened will be “Night dream of butterfly”, “Winter burrow”
directed by Nuri Bilge Jeilan; and “Sheep”.
Meetings will
be held after every premiere together with creative artists of these films.
This group includes Azize Tan, a director of the Istanbul Foundation of Culture
and Arts and of the Istanbul International Film Festival; Kutlu Ataman, a
director of the “Sheep” film; and another director Martin Fryer.
The
Turkey-Mongolia Union for Businessmen participates in the event as a sponsor.
Ulaanbaatar
roads welcome zipper method for safer lane merging
October 8
(news.mn) The administration of Mongolia will enact a national strategy
providing a plan for traffic safety and security from 2012-2020.
According to
the strategy, speed limits for motor vehicles on city roads will be decreased
to as slow as 30 km/h in 2015, and 45 km/h in 2020.
In the cases
where two lanes are reduced to one, the lane being reduced has to let cars
merge appropriately. If done suddenly this can sometimes lead to
unexpected and dangerous lane switching causing serious accidents and road
rage. In such situations some countries have implemented a strategy called the
zipper method to merge traffic safely. The zipper method is a way of reducing
traffic down to one lane safer.
The Ministry of
Roads and Transportation has collected votes from relevant state agencies and
ministries for a resolution to reduce traffic congestion and increase flow.
This draft will propose the zipper method merging strategy on city roads to
reduce heavy traffic jams and increase traffic flow. The drafted resolution
will be introduced to the government for approval.
A
ban on feeding pigeons
October 8
(news.mn) Concerns about the rates of infectious disease on the rise has
resulted in a proposed ban on feeding pigeons by hand, due to their large
populations at Gandantegchinlen monastery.
Experts have
emphasized birds are high-risk transmitters of viruses and bacteria of
infectious diseases.
The Specialized
Inspection Agency’s ban of selling seeds and feeding pigeons by hand at the
monastery would help prevent children from contracting respiratory and
contagious diseases from the pigeons.
Legislature
passes government restructuring bill
October 8
(news.mn) On Tuesday`s parliamentary session meeting, final discussions were
made on drafting bills which would add amendments to the laws of Mongolia
concerning governing laws and state structure.
Head of the
Standing Committee on State Structure, A.Bekei introduced SC’s stance on the
bill. On Tuesday evening, final discussions were made at the plenary
council meeting. Those in attendance of the meeting passed the bill to make
amendments to the law of Mongolia on Government and Law on Government structure
with a 73.9 percent approval rate, 51 out of 69 MPs.
At that time,
MP D.Erdenebat proposed additional amendments related to heavy equipment
industries concerning the Ministry of Mining and Energy to be approved by the
majority of MP’s. Also to be noted, MP R.Gonchigdorj`s proposal of compliance
with the implementation of laws on their day of ratification was approved by
the Standing Committee members`.
World
Bank Update for Asia and Mongolia
October 8
(Mongolian Economy) In its biannual report, the World Bank found the developing
East Asia Pacific—in which Mongolia is included—to be the fastest growing
region in the world.
Although the
growth of countries in East Asia Pacific, excluding China, is projected to slow
to 4.8 percent this year, it will accelerate to 5.3 percent in 2015. The World
Bank forecasts a fast recovery of growth, as high-income economies mend from
the global recession and increase their demand for exports from the region.
With a rise in exports accompanied by positive domestic economic adjustments,
the report states that “how each country benefits from the global recovery will
depend on their investment and export environment.” Yet countries in the region
remain vulnerable to global recovery instabilities, and a potential slowdown in
China’s economic activity could severely hurt commodity exporters like
Mongolia.
To expand
export competitiveness and reduce risks stemming from a loose monetary policy,
the World Bank recommends Mongolia reduce its fiscal deficit and tighten its
monetary policy. “The best way for countries in the region to deal with these
risks is to address vulnerabilities caused by past financial and fiscal
policies, and complement these measures with structural reforms to enhance
export competitiveness,” said Sudhir Shetty, Chief Economist of the World
Bank’s East Asia and Pacific Region.
The report
concludes that “In the long run, we encourage countries to carry out structural
reforms needed to boost their export competitiveness and maximize the benefits
from the global recovery. Key reforms include infrastructure investment,
logistics, and the liberalization of services and foreign direct investment.”
On Mongolia
Although the
Mongolian economy has great potential in the long-term—due to the country’s
vast natural resources—there are still many alarming challenges that it must
confront today. After several years of double-digit performance, Mongolia’s
economic growth dropped alarmingly from 14.4 percent in H2 2013 to 5.3 percent
in H1 2014. The final projection for 2014 is 6.3 percent growth, down from the
9,5 percent projected by the World Bank in its April 2014 update. The October
2014 report concludes the drop in growth is the result of years of accumulation
of flawed policy measures. Despite the slowdown, Mongolia, at 6.3 percent, will
still maintain above-average growth compared to the rest of the region.
The list of
economic challenges Mongolia faces is long. High inflation and prolonged
currency depreciation have led to sharply reduced domestic demand. The decay of
foreign direct investment and insecurity in the investment environment has led
investment to fall 32.4 percent, a key reason economic activity has slowed in
every sector. In addition, low FDI—down a startling 70 percent from a year
ago—has netted a large financing gap in balance-of-payments, which has led to a
drop in the international reserve level. Although the balance-of-payments
pressure is to expected to remain high, the report states, “Expansion of the
bilateral currency swap agreement with the People’s Bank of China to Y 15
billion will likely provide a significant buffer to the declining international
reserves in the near term. However, the current economic situation calls for
structural changes in the focus of economic policies away from growth stimulus
to economic stability in order to avoid a more vulnerable situation.”
The report
recommends an immediate tightening of monetary and fiscal policy to preserve
financial and fiscal soundness and prevent any economic disasters. In addition,
the World Bank insists FDI should be restored, as that would regenerate
investment and create jobs.
Countries such
as Mongolia, “will continue to have the potential to grow at a higher rate—and
faster than other developing regions—if policy makers implement an ambitious
domestic reform agenda, which includes removing barriers to domestic
investment, improving export competitiveness and rationalizing public
spending,” said Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional
Vice President.
Yet the most
troubling revelations of the challenges Mongolia faces today are at the end of
the World Bank’s report on Mongolia. It appears lessons from the recent past
have not been learned, as the flawed “fiscal policy still remains expansionary
despite the expected tightening of the official budget and the smaller
off-budget spending compared with last year. A large amount of capital spending
channeled through the Development Bank of Mongolia (DBM) still remains outside
the official budget, which will push the fiscal deficit, including DBM spending,
to over 7 percent of GDP in 2014. All fiscal spending, including DBM spending,
needs to be consolidated into the budget, and a proper medium-term fiscal
consolidation plan needs to be established to reduce the consolidate structural
fiscal deficit down to the 2 percent limit of the Financial Stability Law in
the coming years.”
USD
13.2 million invested in nuclear energy
By S. Az
October 8
(Mongolian Economy) The joint ‘Technical Cooperation Programme,’ a medium-term
project, will be signed by the government of Mongolia and the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The agreement forms the basis for further short-
and medium-term cooperation in leading sectors in social and economic
development as well as for developing policies in technical cooperation for
nuclear energy.
The progamme
will incorporate government and research organisations that operate in the
health, nuclear and radiation monitoring, food, agriculture, environment,
geo-ecology, nuclear physics, geology, mining, and industrial sectors, while
improving Mongolia’s technological equipment and human resources. The IAEA will
finance the projects.
Mongolia joined
the IAEA in 1973. Since then it has received USD 13.2 million for 63 projects,
implemented in the afore-mentioned sectors.
Puppet
Theatre 2014 Autumn Season
October 8
(infomongolia.com) The Puppet Theatre of Mongolia announces its 66th Autumn
Season, which is to start from this Saturday, October 11, 2014.
In the scope of
the Program, the theatre has released two packages of entertaining for kids
aged between 3 and 7, and for children over 8 years old. Each package includes
three different plays and a ticket for one package costs 5,000 MNT (Tugrug).
Moreover, there
is no difference in ticket prices for a child and an accompanying adult, which
is another surprise presents by the theatre.
Children plays package for Kids:
- “Magic
seven-petal flower” by Katayev V.P
- “Boldoggui
Bor Uvgun” Mongolian folk tale
- “The Tale of
a Silly Mouse” by Samuil Marshak
Children plays package for Children:
- “Daughters of
Mermaid King” by S.Erdenebold and Ts.Khulan
- "The
Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde
- "The
Twelve Months" by Samuil Marshak
Schedule for the children plays:
1. “Magic
Seven-Petal Flower” at 01:00 pm & 03:00 pm on October 11, 12 & 31, 2014
2. “Daughters
of Mermaid King” at 02:00 pm on October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 & 26, 2014
3. “Boldoggui
Bor Uvgun” at 02:00 pm on November 01, 02, 07, 08, 09 & 14, 2014
4. “The Happy
Prince” at 02:00 pm on November 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 & 30, 2014
5. “The Tale of
a Silly Mouse” at 02:00 pm on December 05, 06, 07, 12, 13 & 14, 2014
6. "The
Twelve Months" at 02:00 pm on December 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30, 2014
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