Mongolia Brief December 24, 2014 Part II
National
Consultation of Miners Takes Place
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 24 (MONTSAME) Such consultation is running Wednesday at the Central
Cultural Palace of Trade Unions, themed “Labour Safety and Hygiene”. The
Minister of Mining R.Jigjid gave the opening remarks.
The key lectors
at the event are, B.Nergui, a head of Mining Policy Division of the Ministry,
T.Erdene, senior officer at the Deprtment of Labour Policy Adjustment of the
Ministry of Labour, Kh.Baavgai Ph.D., a head of the Division for Children and
Family Development of the Ministry of Population Development and Social
Welfare, S.Ganbold, the president of the Labour Union of Energy, Geology and
Mining Insutries, D.Khishigtogtokh, a director of a division at Research Center
for Labour Health, and Ts.Erdenebaatar, a deputy executive director of the
Union of Mongolian Employers.
They are presenting
actions taken by the ministry of Mining for ensuring safety and health, issues
of labour interactions within the mines, further actions on such matters, and
concepts reflected in the Safety and Health in Mines Convention (No. 176) by
the International Labour Organization.
About
Last Week's Bestsellers
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
December 24 (MONTSAME) The "Internom" bookstore released Wednesday a
list of ten best-sold books in December 15-21. The list was topped by “Lean In:
Women, Work and Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg, “My Little Pony: Celestia” by
Ball and Mebberson, and “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
They were
followed by “Sorkhugtani” historic novel by B.Sarantuya, “Sleeping Beauty”
story for children, and “Development as Freedom” by Amartya Sen. The latter
demonstrated in his book how personal freedom of individuals are affected by
social events in communities.
The list goes
on with “The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” by Stieg Larsson, which has
been included in the bestsellers’ list for more than two months. New
bestsellers in the "Internom" stores include are “Short Stories by
Leo Tolstoi”, the fourth edition of “Admonishing Stories”, and “Happiness of
365 days” by G.Naranbaatar.
Exhibition
on first Mongolian PM's historic visit to Russia will be displayed
December 24
(news.mn) Celebrating the 103rd anniversary of the Restoration of National
Liberty and Independence, a historic photo exhibition documenting the visit of
Mongolia's first Prime Minister, T.Namnansuren, to Russia will be on display at
the National Museum of Mongolia from December 24th to January 14th.
The historic
visit by the first Mongolian PM to Russia was made by about 20 Mongolians,
including the famously tall Gongor and Nanzad as bodyguards. Russians were
amazed by the tall Mongolians who accompanied the Prime Minister. The first PM
of Mongolia, Sain Noyon Khan T.Namnansuren, visited Russia from October 1913
through February 1914.
Russian
newspapers at the time featured regular headlines about the Mongolian PM's
visit to Russia said S.Chuluun, director of the History Institute at the
Mongolian Academy of Sciences.
Historians say
that the visit by the first PM at a critical political time was historically
significant, even though he was unable to complete his mission. PM T.Namnansuren
intended to have Mongolia's independence guaranteed, open an Embassy of
Mongolia to Russia, learn about Russian success in science, and its technical
achievements.
Scientist from
the History Institute at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences are planning to
release a rare 3,000 photograph album that features the history of
Mongolia through the 19th and 20th centuries.
Related:
Exhibition
Opens for 100th Anniversary of Mongolian PM’s First Visit – Montsame, December 24
Bolormaa
Suren: My family has proprietary rights for name “Mongolian Star”
By D.
Tseepilmaa
December 24
(news.mn) The company name “Mongolian Star Melchers” (abbreviated as MSM), well
known for being official distributor of worldwide recognized brands such as
Johnson’s baby, Huggies, Kleenex, Moet Hennessy, Mercedes Benz and etc was
agreed to no longer be used by its shareholders from the beginning of 2015.
The company
name has been changed to ‘Mongolian Star Management Corporation” and it is now
100 percent Mongolian invested company with subsidiaries “Mongolian Star Distribution”
LLC and “Mongolian Star Properties” LLC. We interviewed Mrs. Bolormaa Suren,
Chief Executive Officer of Mongolian Star Management Corporation LLC to discuss
about this change, new company strategy and development.
Journalist: What
was the reason to rename your old company “Mongolian Star Melchers”? I
understand that there is not only name change, but also business change. Please
let us start our discussion with this.
S.B: “Mongolian
Star Melchers” LLC was established in 1998 with Mongolian, American and German
investment and is known for distributing world renowned brands in the Mongolian
market. The shareholders came to a mutual decision to demerge the
company because the foreign shareholders of “Mongolian Star Melchers” were no
longer committed to stay in Mongolia for the long term. As a result of
the de-merger in March, 2014, I have established “Mongolian Star Management
Corporation” which is fully Mongolian invested holding company with its
subsidiaries.
Journalist: You
had the right to keep part of the name “Mongolian Star” and changed “Melchers”
to “Management”?
B.S: That
is correct. I have proprietary right for the name “Mongolian Star” since my
family has had few businesses recognized with this name. As many might
remember, back in 1991 my parents had established and operated the first
privately owned hotel named “Star”. I myself owned a trading company
called “Mongolian Star International” which merged in 1998 with L. Melchers
Trading creating “Mongolian Star Melchers”. “Melchers” was family
name of our German shareholder and after demerger “Melchers” part has been
changed to “Management”.
Journalist: Could
you please elaborate more on agreement made between shareholders on company
name during company demerger? It seems that “Mongolian Star Melchers” is still
frequent in public media and advertisement, and image of MSM still remains
among public.
S.B: Both
parties agreed to stop the use of old company name Mongolian Star Melchers in
any advertisement, official correspondence, and public relations after
company’s official demerger date. However, due to the certain Ministry’s
requirements to change specific licenses or documents, there has been an agreed
time frame of no later then December 31, 2014 for MSM to chance its name
fully. The deadline is approaching and I hope that name change is
in the process to meet the contractual obligations.
Journalist: Let
us discuss about your company history and achievements. You have many
years of experience in fast moving consumer goods business since becoming an
official distributor for Johnson & Johnson in Mongolia. The brands have
become a preferred choice for many consumers. I believe that you bear a high
level of responsibility as a distributor of world brands.
S.B: That
is right. Today we represent three Global Companies: Johnsons &
Johnsons, Kimberly – Clark and SC Johnson. This is not only a huge
responsibility, but also a great honor. These corporations
continuously invest to innovate and improve product quality, and are leaders in
corporate social responsibility. By becoming a distributor for these Global
Corporations we have a possibility to learn from their know-how developed over
a long period of time. Also, being a distributor of global companies that
are not affected by one country’s economy provides us with opportunity to
continue to develop our business in today’s shrinking economy of Mongolia.
Although I think the following couple years will be quite difficult
years for Mongolia, we have a positive outlook and hope to continue our
marketing support and investments to provide Mongolian consumers with ever
changing and improving consumer products.
Journalist: Did
you face any challenge to introduce global brands into Mongolian small market
with few buyers? How do you see future of Mongolian economy?
S.B: Frankly
speaking, it was very challenging. I had high aspirations and managed to
convince these companies to agree to partner with me and supply their products
to Mongolia when annual median household income was less than USD1000 and
monthly average wage was USD60-70, and 70-80 percent of household income was
spent on food. I was sure Mongolian market was going to grow at that time
and except for 2009 crisis, Mongolian economy has been growing rapidly. I
believe that livelihood and quality of life in Mongolia will continue to
improve in the future despite the difficulties we will face in the next couple
of years.
Journalist: In
a country where there is mishmash of politics and economy, politicians are so
dependent on business groups and businesspeople have no choice but to be
involved in politics. How do you see this situation?
B.S: In my
opinion, politics and economy are inseparable for country’s development. But
roles and responsibilities of politics and private sector are different like
man and woman roles in family life. Unfortunately private sector has to
carry a large load especially in the economic downtimes due to the poorly
developed policies. On the other hand I see many of the private sector
members getting heavily involved in politics. We need to fix many of
these issues going forward.
Journalist: Are
you an economist?
S.B: No. I
am a lawyer by profession. I graduated with Law degree from Osaka University in
Japan. Soon after graduation I worked for a consulting firm in Los Angeles, the
United States. I attended short course in finance and economics at Harvard
Business School; however, most of my knowledge I have gained from my experience
in establishing and growing my company the past almost 20 years.
Journalist: People
who are educated and employed abroad rarely return home. What brought you back
home?
S.B: I am
a Mongolian and was raised here. My heart for my home country
brought me back. My children will be raised and live in this
country and hopefully contribute to the future of this country.
Journalist: Your
company also does business in medical sector. I feel that medical field is
sensitive and requires a high level of responsibility. Treating illness
instead of preventing it is prevalent among Mongolians. Is it difficult to do
business in this sector?
S.B: Same
as the education sector, healthcare is a very sensitive field in a sense that
it requires governmental controls and proper management system. One can say
that it is the most valuable sector that demands a high level of responsibility
because human life and human health is at stake. Yet I think there is no
country that has a perfect healthcare system. We are committed to continue to
develop our operations and invest in the healthcare sector. The mentality of
Mongolians to treat rather prevent has most probably been prevalent since
communism. In a society where everything was considered to be state property,
person’s health in retrospect was state property, thus state had to care for
it. This mentality will change with time. People start to
understand the value of healthy lifestyle. I think an investment spent
into healthcare is the most valuable long - term investment for an
individual.
Journalist: Prior
to this interview, I searched information about you on the internet and found
nothing, not even a single photograph. Why do you not give interviews to media?
S.B: I
admit I have not given many interviews, I guess I have not paid much attention
to this.
Journalist: Thank
you very much for an open discussion and I wish you success in you and your
company endeavors.
I had an image
of Bolormaa Suren as stern and very private person. But found Mrs.
Bolormaa as an open, candid, successful businesswoman who has contributed to
the development of the private sector in Mongolia.
15
percent redundancy cuts planned for Ministry of Mining
December 24
(news.mn) The Ministry of Mining announced that there was a 15 percent
redundancy at the ministry during the monthly Transparent Mining press
conference given by Mining Minister R.Jigjid and ministry officials on December
23rd.
At the press
conference, Minister R.Jigjid gave a brief introduction to the changes to the
structure and positions at the ministry, following the government decision to
cut redundant positions and agencies.
Under the new
structure, the justice division at the ministry has been dissolved. The Mining
Ministry will now operate with five departments and four divisions. Fifteen
percent of staff positions were determined to be redundant by the Mining
Ministry.
The Nuclear
Energy Agency has also been dissolved, so experts specializing in radioactive
minerals will be transferred to the Mining Ministry and Mineral Resources Authority.
A
team of 400 will stage a magical version of The Nutcracker
December 24
(news.mn) A new, magical version of The Nutcracker ballet, with support from
the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, will be staged for the first time at the Mongolian
State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet today, December 24th.
A team of 400,
including 50 dancers, 61 musicians, 25 stagehands and two casts of talented
young artists from the Music and Dance College and the Mongolian State
University of Culture and Arts, will bring the new version of The Nutcracker by
State Merit Artist D.Altankhuayg to an eager audience.
It took two
months for the theatre to bring five wagons of stages, decorations, and sets of
costumes to the theatre. Tickets for the hot new year holiday performance of
The Nutcracker are already sold out. The theatre now only waits for the
audience for the groundbreaking evening.
Mongolia’s
Third Millionth Citizen Would Be Born in January 2015
December 24 (infomongolia.com)
At the Cabinet meeting held on January 04, 2014, it was resolved to determine
and bestow the third millionth citizen of Mongolia, who was expected to be born
in the end of this year.
According to
recent calculation by the National Statistical Office of Mongolia (NSO), the
third millionth citizen would be born in January 2015 and therefore, Cabinet
members met on December 22, 2014 agreed to allocate a monetary bounty of 958
million MNT from the Government reserve fund.
The third
millionth citizen (one child selected from each 9 districts of the Capital City
and 21 Aimags of Mongolia or 30 babies born most close to the declared hours)
will be rewarded with an apartment or monetary prizes equivalent up to 70
million MNT.
Moreover, all
other babies born on that day (to be announced by NSO) will receive a one-time
reward of 3 million MNT each.
Related:
Mongolia's
three millionth citizen will be graced with an apartment – news.mn, December 24
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