Mongolia Brief December 2, 2014



P.Tsagaan Meets Founder of Oxford Business Group
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTRSAME) Head of the Presidential Office Mr P.Tsagaan Monday received Andrew Jeffreys, a founder and chief executive officer of the Oxford Business Group (OBG).

The parties discussed Mongolia's political and economic situation and exchanged views on interviews and other news pieces that will be published in the 2014 Report of the OBG.
Founded in 1994 Group is running activities in 33 countries; since 2010 it started publishing reports on Mongolia's macro economy. The Group has issues reports on 17 fields such as Mongolia’s mining, banking, finance, infrastructure and macro economy.

WB Sustainable Livelihoods Project to Be Considered
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) The Speaker of Mongolia's parliament Z.Enkhbold received on December 1 the Country manager of the World Bank for Mongolia Jim Anderson.
While focusing on projects the WB is ready to launch here, Mr Anderson said the methodologies and mechanisms introduced during the First and Second Sustainable Livelihoods projects will be adapted in the scope of the implementation of the project’s third phase. The Third Sustainable Livelihoods, costing USD 23.5 million, aims to promote the implementation of the Law on budget, to give technical support for building a capacity of required staff, to asses and analyze activities of Community Development Funds, and to encourage good performance through allocating budgets.
As for E-Health, he went on, the project’s implementation cost stands at USD 19.5 million. The main objectives of this project are to build an Internet database for health to improve a usefulness and consistency of the health information, to refine a sufficiency of medical care and health services by developing a local information network on patients.
About the Smart Governance project Mr Anderson said it would be costing USD 19.4 million and will aim at promoting the Government initiative on building smart governance and at improving transparency in the governance by use of information technology.
Education Quality Reform project’s estimated cost is USD 30 million, it supposed to better a quality and outcome of the Mongolian language and mathematics classes and to improve primary education quality by strengthening an effective planning of study programmes, said Mr Anderson. 
In response, the Speaker promised to have the Third Sustainable Livelihoods Project discussed by related Standing Committees and to work on enabling the projects drawing rights. As for the three other projects, Mr Enkhbold suggested discussing them after a formation of a new Cabinet.
After this meeting, the WB Country manager was received by a head of Standing Committee on social policy, education, culture and sciences D.Battsogt MP to seek his support for the projects. 

Head of Judicial General Council Visits Turkey
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) A delegation led by the Executive Commissioner of the Judicial General Council of Mongolia Prof. N.Lundendorj  is visiting the Republic of Turkey to get acquainted with the innovation in judiciary.
Mr Lundendorj has met with Metin Yandyrmaz, a vice president of the Turkish Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors. They introduced to each other their organizations and touched upon matters such as a cooperation development and information exchange.
After this meeting, the delegation visited the Turkish justice Academy to sign the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Judicial General Council of Mongolia and this Academy. In accordance with the Memorandum, the sides will involve 40 Mongolian judges in trainings in the Academy, jointly realize programs, share academic research findings, and render technical assistance to each other.
Present at the meetings was also the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Turkey B.Batkhishig. 

Specialized Inspection Cancelled Until New Law Approval
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) The Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg Monday gave some obligations to D.Batmonkh, a head of the General Agency for Specialized Inspection (GASI), and to B.Ariunsan, a head of the General Taxation Office (GTO).
The PM said the economic situation will improve if the government backs the private sector, enterprises and companies by a specific policy, mentioning that leaders of the private sector asked him to provide them with nice conditions for running business and to reduce state bodies' pressure. "Imposing fines upon them is not a good idea," he said and ordered the GASI and GTO heads to temporarily stop any inspections in companies and entities until parliament adopts a new law on the inspection. "If it is adopted, Mongolia will get a crisis-based monitoring system," he said and reminded that it is better to involve inspectors in re-trainings.
Due to the economic difficulties, an expected size of tax revenue will go down, and to minimize it, no pressure must be put on the private sector, the Premier stressed again.
The GTO head B.Ariunsan was told to accept tax statements through the E-methods in conjunction with transferring into the E-tax collecting system. Other obligations given him were to stop the paper-based collection of tax statements and to change a system of encouraging tax inspectors.    

Cabinet Permits to Establish Investment Fund in Mongolia
December 2 (infomongolia.com) On December 01, 2014, the first regular Cabinet meeting took place in the Government House and one of the issues resolved was authorizing to establish an Investment Fund.
At the Cabinet meeting held on July 02, 2014 it was noted that the Development Bank of Mongolia was holding negotiations with several international financial institutions to establish the Investment Fund in Mongolia.
As a result, the JP Morgan Bank (JPMorgan Chase & Co) was chosen to collaborate and under the submitted proposal an opportunity to establish the Investment Fund was created.
In this regard, the Board of the Development Bank was entrusted to issue a financial commitment of 100 million USD with aims to implement the first stage of the Fund establishment following negotiations with foreign and local financial institutions.
Moreover, the Ministry of Finance is also allowed to ensure with operation policies and give directions in the establishment of the Investment Fund. 
Related:
Investment Fund to Be EstablishedMontsame, December 2

Mongolia to Host 14 International Sports Events in 2015
December 2 (infomongolia.com) At the Cabinet meeting held on December 01, 2014, it was resolved to host 14 international sports events in Mongolia next year.
In 2014, Government allocated 1.2 billion MNT (Tugrug) to finance 10 international sports competitions organized in Mongolia, where a total of 5,472 athletes, coaches and official representatives have participated and from these sports events, 6.7 billion MNT was collected in the state budget by the means of indirect income.
Increasing the number of international events in 2015, officials deem it is important not only to promote Mongolia, but also the National Team will be provided more joint trainings with proficient foreign athletes as well as to gain more experiences.
The 14 international sports events to be organized in Mongolia in 2015
1. Model Aircraft World Championship
2. Chinggis Khaan 2015 Judo Grand Prix
3. FIDE Women's Grand Prix
4. Asian Individual Deaf Chess Championships
5. Asian Youth Fencing Games
6. “Asian Cup 2015” Football competition
7. Asian Eastern Zonal Men's Volleyball Championship
8. “Mongolia Open 2015” International Tournament for Senior Freestyle and Women Wrestling
9. “Mongolia Open 2015” Speed Skating
10. “Mongolia Open 2015” Soft Tennis
11. “Mongolia Open 2015” Practical Shooting
12. “Ulaanbaatar Marathon 2015”
13. “Mongol Tuurgatan” Traditional Wrestling Tournament
14. International Sports Festival for Seniors
Accordingly, the Cabinet budgeted one billion MNT to finance above events and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ts.Oyungerel is obliged to introduce the report within the fourth quarter.  
Related:

Licenses Required for Hazardous Chemicals
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) The Cabinet accepted in principle a draft amendment to the List of Export- and Import- License Requiring Goods which was adopted in 2002.
Since the effectiveness of this amendment, the handling of all hazardous chemicals including “extremely high hazard” chemicals, except for the substances with permission exemption according to the Code for Export, Import, Cross-border Transport, Production and Trading of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals, will require special licenses.
In a scope of the amendment to the package laws on the environment, the Law on Waste prohibited the import and cross-border transportation of toxic wastes, and allowed waste exports with permission from the central government authority responsible for the environment. The Cabinet considered that it will be suitable to include the toxic waste in the List and to export them with required licenses. 

Intergov’tal Working Group Meeting Approaches
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) The second meeting of the Mongolia-France intergovernmental working group will run this December 8 in Ulaanbaatar.
In view of this, the cabinet meeting on Monday ordered D.Gankhuyag, acting Vice Minister of External Relations and Economic Cooperation, to approve directives the Mongolian side will maintain during this meeting, and to ensure a preparation. As supposed, at this meeting the sides will exchange specific views on the bilateral relations in agriculture, infrastructure, energy, environment and culture spheres. From the French side, the meeting will be chaired by Mr Matthias Fekl, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad during his working visit here. He will also meet with the Mongolia’s Prime Minister, the Minister of External Relations and Economic Cooperation, the Minister of Industry and Agriculture, the Minister of Mining, and the Minister of Energy.
The Mongolia-France intergovernmental working group, established in 2013, has purposes to inform France--one of our Third neighbors--about the Mongolian governmental policy, to activate the bilateral relations, to augment both trade turnover and investments. The group’s first meeting was held in Paris in 2013.  

Government of Mongolia Approves Quotas for Hunting and Trapping Wild Animals in 2015
December 2 (infomongolia.com) At the Cabinet meeting held on December 01, 2014, the Government of Mongolia approved the quotas for hunting and trapping wild animals in 2015.
In 2015, 40 hunting regions in 15 Aimags of Mongolia were included in the hunting management plan to hunt or trap wild animals for special purposes. Accordingly, special permits will be allocated to hunt a total of 40 Ugalz (male wild sheep and female species called - Argali), 60 mountain goats (Ibex - Yangir), 15 red deer, 20 wolves, 10 roe deer, and 10 wild boars in 2015.
It is estimated to collect 2.1 billion MNT (Tugrug) as Hunting Reserve Use Fee that will be budgeted into local administrations and at least the 50% of total income is obliged to spend for the protection and reproduction of animals.
As of today, there are 58 hunting regions in Mongolia, where 11 entities, 2 nature protection unions, 10 cooperatives and 6 local NGOs are registered responsible to implement hunting management plan.
In recent studies, the number of wild animals shows an increased tendency and more than 6,000 Ugalz and Argali as well as approximately 12,000 Yangir are counted today. 
Related:

CRCC Expresses Its Interest to Develop Ulaanbaatar
December 2 (infomongolia.com) On December 02, 2014, Chairman of Ulaanbaatar City Citizens' Representatives Khural (City Council) D.Battulga received a delegation from China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) headed by Vice President Hu Fan.
At the meeting, the CRCC delegates expressed its interest to invest and participate in the development of Ulaanbaatar, after which parties signed a Memorandum of cooperation to construct road and bridge under Concession Agreement.
The CRCC is the second largest state-owned construction enterprise in China and under the Agreement, a 17.5 km road work between Bayanzurkh and Nalaikh Districts will be executed; besides, 3.4 km road will be constructed from “Uliastai” intersection to Bayanzurkh Road Post and a 228 m bridge is also included. Moreover, the CRCC authorities also expressed its willingness to participate in the construction of apartments in Ulaanbaatar. 
Related:

"Doing Business in Mongolia" Meeting Runs in London
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) Such a meeting was held last week in the headquarters of the Anglo American Company in London of the United Kingdom.
Organized by the Mongolia-Britain Chamber of Commerce, the meeting brought together 100 people such N.Tulga, the Ambassador of Mongolia to the UK; diplomats; authorities of British enterprises, members of the Mongolians’ Association in the UK.
Reports were given on Mongolia’s present politics, economy, investments, business environment and opportunities by Graeme Hancock; George Hunt, a business development manager of the Sunderland University; Ch.Erdenedalai, a Chevening scholarship student and independent researcher; Association of British Mining Equipment Companies, a member of the Association of British Mining Equipment Companies; and Carsten Livermore, a former member of parliament of Australia.
Mr Hancock noted that difficulties are facing investors due to "unstable condition of legal environment and poor maintenance of laws although it is easy to found enterprises with foreign investments". He said the Anglo America Company is focusing on obtaining information about Mongolian mining industry and business environment, on setting up ties with the government, business and civil society representatives, on designing future opportunities, on evaluating projects on copper exploration and on ensuring a preparation for applying for exploration special license.
"Mongolia needs high quality education, and investments have been increasing to this sector," said George Hunt. Presently, two Mongolian students are studying in the Sunderland University, this university plans to training five students next year. The UK earns 17 billion pound sterling from the education industry and trains 300 thousand foreign students a year, he added.
Erdenedalai spoke about how he sees nowadays political and economic situation in Mongolia. He said the governmental stability is important in ensuring of normal conditions for economy and that the reasons of current economic downturn must be compared to the conditions of 2008-2009.
Despite a slower economic growth of Mongolia and decrease in foreign investments, there are big opportunities to launch business in Mongolia, to make investments and to boost win-win cooperation.  

Swimmers to Participate in FINA World Swimming Championship
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) Last week, Mongolian swimmers left for Qatar to compete in the 2014 FINA World Swimming Championship (25 m) to run on December 3-7 in Doha city.
The Mongolian team has B.Dolgoon, Ts.Mongonsor--both from the "Khangarid" sports club, and G.Zandanbal from the city’s Songinokhairkhan district.
This year’s Championship is expected to gather one thous.100 swimmers from 171 countries.

Boxers to Compete Abroad
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) Boxers of the national men team will take part in international competitions abroad.
Some will compete in the Men Boxing World Cup among oil producing countries to be held December 3-8 in Khanty-Mansiysk of Russia. A coach N.Monkhsaikhan IMS will head G.Gan-Erdene (49 kg), A.Davaadalai (56 kg), M.Batkhuu (60 kg), U.Monkh-Erdene (64 kg), Z.Enkhzorig (69 kg) and B.Sodgerel (75 kg). B.Atarbayar IMS has been included in the judges’ panel.
Others will participate in the 2014 Cottbus Cup which will run November 5-7 in Cottbus of Germany. These events will also attract boxers from Germany, Austria and Israel. Mongolia is to be represented by E.Iderkhuu (56 kg), Ts.Otgon-Erdene (56 kg), B.Tuvshinbat (69 kg), N.Shinebayar (75 kg) and Sh.Batbaatar (91 kg).  

Our World Champions Lead IJF Rankings
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) The International Judo Federation (IJF) Monday issued the latest update of the world’s top judokas in all male and female weight categories.
World champions Mongolians G.Boldbaatar and M.Urantsetseg have topped the lightest categories of men and women divisions. International master of sports G.Boldbaatar has collected 2,636 points, whereas a State Honored Sportswoman M.Urantsetseg--3,180 points, followed by a Brazilian Sarah Menesez (1,856 points).
In the second lightest category for men division (66 kg), international master of sports D.Tomorkhuleg is the 4th with 1,708 points. This category is led by a Japanese Masashi Ebinuma with 1,800 points. Two Olympic medalists Mongolians Kh.Tsagaanbaatar and S.Nyam-Ochir are the sixth and the eighth, respectively, in the men 73kg. An Olympic champion Mongolian N.Tuvshinbayar is the 11th in the men -100 kg division.
An international master of sports Mongolian A.Tsolmon (1,062 points) is the 10th in the women 52 kg; D.Sumya (women 57 kg)--is the ninth, and Ts.Naranjargal (women’s -70 kg)--the 14th.  

Miss World Mongolia Included in Top 20
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) A beauty representing Mongolia to the Miss World 2014 T.Battsetseg was officially included in the Top-20 among the total 120 contestants on November 29.
This day, the Spectacular Dress, the Top Model, and the Spectacular Swimwear awards’ contests were organized. Judges of Miss World 2014 selected 20 Best Beauties as follows: Mongolia, Hungary, India, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Australia, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominican Republic, South Sudan, France, Namibia, Scotland, Turkey, Russia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Croatia, South Africa and China. 

Overcrowded district hospital sets up 75 beds in hallways
December 2 (news.mn) Songinokhairkhan District Hospital has set up 75 folding beds in their hallways as they have run out of beds for infants requiring hospital stays.
The hospital has 286 infants requiring hospitalization, but only 165 beds. One third of the infants were sent from the Bayangol District. The infants, who come from 19 khoroos in Bayangol District, are being served by the Songinokhairkhan District Hospital as Bayangol District is without one.
Songinokhairkhan District Hospital's Chief Physician B.Galsantseden said, "The hospital has an overwhelmingly high workload due to high birthrates in recent years. Medical specialists and staff work hard to prevent infant mortality. There is a high demand for children's hospitals in the city."

Press conference scheduled for the 10th anniversary of News Agency
December 2 (news.mn) News Agency will hold a press conference on its 10 anniversary today at 2:00 p.m., at Best Western Premier Tuushin.
During the press conference, the “Welcome to News Workshop” online photo exhibition will be on display, and the News Forum and News Hit award ceremonies will take place.
News Hit recognizes popular figures followed most by news.mn readers according to website analytics and digital statistics.
Figures who nominated for the News Hit award are popular columnists B.Baabar, B.Tsenddoo, and B.Ganchimeg; President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj; MPs Kh.Battulga and Ts.Nyamdorj; former president of Mongolia N.Enkhbayr; former PM of Mongolia S.Bayar; Ulaanbaatar City Mayor E.Bat-Uul; politicians Kh.Temuujin, D.Oyunkhorol, D.Arvin, and S.Oyun; economists D.Jargalsaikhan, B.Lkhagvajav, and S.Demberel; Olympic champion N.Tuvshinbayar; singer of Kharanga Kh.Lkhagvasuren; singer L.Bold; and top model E.Odgerel.

Wall of Honor build for cosmonaut M.Ganzorig
December 2 (news.mn) On the occasion of Scientists' Day in Mongolia, on Monday a Wall of Honor was built for cosmonaut of Mongolia, Labor Hero, and Merit Figure of Science, Professor M.Ganzorig, PhD, at the Space and Stars Palace of Research Center for Astronomy and Geophysics.
The ceremony for the unveiling of the Wall of Honor was attended by officials of the Ministry of Education and Science, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Research Center for Astronomy and Geophysics, Institute of Informatics, and Space-81 NGO.
This wall is dedicated to teaching the public the history of how Mongolian cosmonauts prepared for space missions, and the story of their lives, practices and accomplishments.
The Wall of Honor displays rare historical photos of the first Mongolian cosmonaut to spend three years preparing for the Intercosmos joint space mission with Russian cosmonauts, efforts by cosmonauts to develop science in Mongolia, and photos of M.Ganzorig with important figures in international aeronautics, and photos of Mongolia taken from space.

Presidential Office Chief P.Tsagaan Meets with CEO of Oxford Business Group Andrew Jeffreys
December 2 (infomongolia.com) On December 01, 2014, Chief of Staff of the Office of the President of Mongolia, P.Tsagaan received in his office the Founder and CEO of Oxford Business Group (OBG), Andrew Jeffreys.
During the meeting, the sides discussed current political and economic situation in Mongolia and exchanged views on interviews and other materials to be included in the 2014 Report for Mongolia by the OBG.
Oxford Business Group is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, transport, industry and telecoms. OBG produces an authoritative series of annual country reports across 33 countries in 17 sectors and the annual report for Mongolia has been published since 2010.

Peacekeepers awarded state prizes
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) A ceremony took place Tuesday at the General Headquarters of Mongolian Armed Forces (GHMAF) to grant state prizes to military officers and troops who have served in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan.
Pursuant to the decree of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces Ts.Elbegdorj, the Order of Military Merit was bestowed upon Colonel D.Olziibayar, the commander of the military contingent; the Honored Medal of Military--upon Major L.Tseregbayar.
The Medal for Peace went to 48 servicemen, whereas the Medal for Peace in Afghanistan--to 38 servicemen, and the Medal for Peace in Afghanistan-2--to 49 servicemen.
Present at the ceremony were Lieutenant-General Ts.Byambajav, a Head of the GHMAF; authorities of the GHMAF and the Defense Ministry; military personnel and their families. 

Stock Exchange news for December 2
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 2 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Tuesday, a total of 35 thousand and 146 units of 20 JSCs were traded costing MNT two million 594 million 717 thousand and 303.00.
"Hai Bi Oil” /5,060 units/, “State Department Store” /952 units/, “Mongolia Development” /627 units/, “Aduunchuluun” /504 units/ and "Genco tour bureau” /251 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were "Hai Bi Oil” (MNT two million 783 million and 175), "Mongeo” (MNT 921 thousand and 200), “Aduunchuluun” (MNT 783 thousand and 432), “Gazar suljmel” (MNT 560 thousand and 400) and "Shivee ovoo” (MNT 551 thousand and 375).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 460 billion 099 million 168 thousand and 316. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 14,945.34, decreasing 56.57 units or 0.38% against the previous day.

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