Mongolia Brief December 3, 2014



Aimag's Delegation Visits Czech Republic and Slovakia
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) A delegation led by Mr S.Od-Erdene, the governor of Dundgobi aimag, and Mr S.Budjav, the head of the Citizens’ Representative Khural of the aimag paid a working visits to the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic on November 27-December 2 with aims to establish brotherhood friendly ties with some states and cities of these countries.

The delegation held meetings with Mr Zdanek Trebul, the governor of Slovakia’s Kosice Region, and authorities of this city and expressed a willingness to cooperate with them in tourism and agriculture spheres.
Trebul thankfully accepted the proposal after which the sides reached an agreement to launch the brotherhood friendly ties and cooperation.
The Mongolian delegation also legged the Technical University of Kosice and the Saca private hospital, and met with a Mayor of Vysoki Tatry city. They also visited the “Kocin” and “Adam” farms to get au fait with intensified agriculture factories.
In the Czech Republic, the delegation met with J.Silva, a deputy governor of South Bohemian Region and members of the Region’s Council, to share views on starting ties and cooperation. The two sides concurred to establish a cooperation memorandum in the nearest time between the aimag and the region.
After this, the delegation met with authorities of the “Agromont Vimperk” LLC and the “BGM Export” company to consider ways of cooperation in founding cow farms and small-sized factories of milk and meat processing.
The visits of Dundgobi’s delegation have been organized with a support and participation of Mongolia’s Embassy in the Czech Republic; P.Slavik, the Consul-General of Mongolia to Slovakia; and the Embassies of Mongolia in Austria, Hungary and Germany. 

Center for Disabled to Be Built
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) On the occasion of the UN International Day for Persons with Disabilities, a State secretary of the Ministry of Population Development and Social Welfare B.Otgonjargal has signed an agreement with a representative of IPPR International Engineering Corporation Shen Gang on construction design of the Development Center for Children with Disabilities.
The development of such a center is being funded by a non-refundable aid from the government of China. According to the statistics, there are 96 thousand disabled people in Mongolia, 10 thousand  869 of whom are children aged 0-18, most of them are living below the poverty line. When this center is erected, as reflected in the Government action plan, the disabled will have accesses to earlier diagnosis of all types of impairments and to development programs which suit them. The Government expects that children with disabilities will be provided with pre-school, primary and higher education, also with as equal participation in society, thus reducing the poverty as an outcome of the overall achievement. In the services will also take part teachers, families, and staffers of NGOs and of other cooperating organizations. All kinds of trainings for physical therapists and special educators, as well as for other personnel in service will be conducted in the center.   
B.Otgonjargal thanked the government and people of the PRC for enabling the construction of such a center where the children can receive comprehensive physical therapies. According to her, the agreement regulates a performance of the contractor until the center’s commissioning expected in 2018. 

Mongolia and Vietnam to Continue Further Cooperation in Auditing Fields of Natural Resources Exploitation
December 3 (infomongolia.com) Upon the invitation of Auditor General of the State Audit Office of Viet Nam, Mr. Nguyen Huu Van, a delegation of Mongolian National Audit Office headed by Auditor-General Mr. Ayur ZANGAD is conducting a working visit to Hanoi these days.
On December 02, 2014, the two Offices headed by the Auditors General held an official talk and emphasized that the two countries are commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2014 and were satisfied with broadening cooperation between the two top organs.
Also, parties negotiated to continue further cooperation in auditing the fields of natural resources exploitation and rehabilitation, food safety and clean water, climate change and air pollution as well as to share experiences using information technology achievements. Following the meeting Auditor-General A.Zangad invited his counterpart Mr. Nguyen Huu Van to visit Mongolia in 2015 at his convenient time.
On the same day, Auditor-General A.Zangad had a meeting with the Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and during the meeting, parties exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and exchanges of high-ranking delegations reciprocal visits as well as to work closer at multilateral forums.
Related:
Auditor-General Visits VietnamMontsame, December 3

Proposals Submitted for Tavan Tolgoi Investment
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) The working group responsible for the selection of investor for Tavan tolgoi completed on Monday receiving the proposals from potential investors. The proposals have been submitted by Xinhua Energy, joint consortium of Sumitomo Corporation and Energy Resource LLC, and Peabody Energy.
In accordance with the Government resolution No. 268, a joint consortium of Itochu and Sojitz corporations together with Mitsui Group and Tavan Tolgoi LLC, have submitted proposals of cooperation on coal mining and commerce.
The resolution was adopted last August by the cabinet on commencing the selection process for potential investors for Tavan tolgoi. The selected will be obliged to have a responsibility over Tavan tolgoi operations’ management and liabilities, to facilitate within 2.5 years a plant with production capacity of up to 30 million tonnes coal concentrate a year in the deposit area, and to commercialize the riches into a secondary market. According to the resolution, the 51 percent stakes holder investor is required to have operated more than five years and to have a Mongolian national assigned for ownership over the control packet of shares. For the time being, the "Energy Resource" LLC meets these requirements only. 

Mongolia and France to Host Second Intergovernmental Working Group Meeting in Ulaanbaatar
December 3 (infomongolia.com) The intergovernmental working group between Mongolia and the French Republic was established in 2013 with aims to exchange government policies and stimulate bilateral relations as well as boost trade turnover and investment.
Accordingly the first intergovernmental working group meeting between the two countries took place in Paris last year and following the meeting parties agreed to host the second meeting in Ulaanbaatar.
Due to negotiations, the second intergovernmental working group meeting between Mongolia and the French Republic will be held in Ulaanbaatar on December 08, 2014. In this regard, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation of Mongolia, Mr. D.Gankhuyag is entrusted to provide preparations and submit the guidelines to adhere on behalf of Mongolian side, which was agreed at the Cabinet meeting held on December 01, 2014.
At the second meeting, Mongolia and France are scheduled to discuss issues of cooperation on agriculture, infrastructure, energy, environment and cultural spheres.
The French side will be chaired by Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad, Mr. Matthias Fekl and during the working visit to Mongolia, he will be held bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Mongolia as well as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation, Minister for Industry and Agriculture, and Minister for Mining and Energy.
In 2015, Mongolia and the French Republic will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which was signed on April 27, 1965.
Related:

Quotas for hunting in 2015 set
December 3 (news.mn) The Government of Mongolia issued a resolution during Monday's cabinet meeting, setting quotas for hunting wild animals in 2015.
According to the resolution, based on 40 wildlife management areas in regions in 15 provinces, 2015 quotas for hunting will be as follows: 40 argali (Ugalz-male wild sheep), 60 ibex (wild goat), 15 red deer, 20 grey wolf, 10 roe deer, and 10 wild boar.
For wildlife hunting royalties in 2015, 2.1 billion MNT will be sent to local government budgets. No less than 50 percent of 2015 royalties will be spent on environmental protection,  wildlife management planning, building aquatic habitats for wildlife, and pasture restoration.
Currently 11 entities, 2 environmental protection communities, 10 partnerships, and 6 local NGOs are in charge of wildlife management in 58 areas.
According to wildlife management conducted with the support of local communities, it is estimated that there are over 6,000 ugalz (male wild sheep) and 12,000 ibex (wild goat) in Mongolia.

Mongolia to establish a sovereign wealth fund with the assistance of JP Morgan
December 2 (business-mongolia.com) After many discussions and negotiations the Government of Mongolia decided to establish a sovereign wealth fund with the assistance of JP Morgan. The decision was based on the minutes of cabinet’s July meetings. In relation, government authorized the Development Bank to facilitate and commit USD100 million to the fund. Also, the Finance Ministry was charged to support the establishment of the first ever Mongolian sovereign wealth fund.

About Mongolia's Corruption Index
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) This index became from 83 to 80, among 174 countries, with a point of 39 for this year, alongside Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, El Salvador and Morocco (on a scale from 0 perceived "highly corrupt" to 100 perceived "very clean").
The latest report was released on Wednesday worldwide. Mongolia was is listed 120th in 2009, 116th in 2010, 120th in 2011, 94th in 2012, and 83th--in 2013.
The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). A country or territory's rank indicates its position relative to the other countries and territories in the index. This year's index includes 175 countries and territories.
In the 2014 CPI, Denmark ties for first place with scores of 92, whereas Somalia makes up the worst performers, scoring just 8 points.
Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) is a non-governmental organization that monitors and publicizes corporate and political corruption in international development. Originally founded in Germany in May 1993 as a not-for-profit organization, Transparency International is now the international NGO. It publishes an annual Corruption Perceptions Index, a comparative listing of corruption worldwide. The organization defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain which eventually hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority. 

Ban Ki-Moon's Message for Int'l Day of Persons with Disabilities
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities focuses on the theme "Sustainable development: the promise of technology", the official website of the United Nations reports.
"Technology has changed the world, bringing knowledge within reach and expanding a range of opportunities. Persons with disabilities can benefit enormously from such advances, yet too many lack access to these essential tools. As the international community works to develop an ambitious and inspiring post-2015 development agenda that leaves no-one behind, we must harness the power of technology for development for all."
"Through adaptive, assistive and inclusive technology, persons with disabilities can make the most of their potential in their communities and in the workplace.  Employers can harness technology to create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities to find productive employment and fully use their skills and capacities."
"Technology can also help persons with disabilities caught up in natural disasters by making sure that critical information reaches them.  Equally important, technology can help us include the particular needs of persons with disabilities in disaster preparedness and response."
"Let us spare no effort to ensure that policies, programmes, guidelines and 21st century technologies are accessible to persons with disabilities, and sensitive to their perspectives and experiences.  Together, let us work for a better future that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable for all", the UN Secretary-General's message says.

Pupils of British School of UB Win Gold Medal in Math
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) Pupils of Ulaanbaatar-based British School have won gold medals in a mathematics contest of the natural sciences' Olympiad, organized by the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACMIS).
The British School UB team has B.Amur, 7th grade, E.Aranjinsuren, 8th grade, B.Misheel, G.Naransosor and E.Bilguudei, all 9th grade.
The ACAMIS is a non-profit association of international schools in eastern Asia and comprises over fifty international schools from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Mongolia. The association acts as a networking platform with the aims to broaden the education dimensions of participating schools, advance the professional growth of school staff members, promote international friendship within the schools through activities, encourage student interaction through extracurricular activities in sports, the arts, and environmental issues, and finally collaborate on the professional development of participating members.
Members of the ACAMIS are all international schools within the region, having commitment to an international program delivered in English. A few of the acceptable curricula are major international, American, Canadian, Australian, or British programs, including, International Baccalaureate, CIS, WASC, NEASC, Middle States Association Accreditation, Ontario, New Brunswick and Alberta education systems, New South Wales Board of Studies, and OFSTED.
17 pupils of this school have also been qualified to participate in the International English Olympiad which will run in March of 2015 in United Kingdom.

Int’l Volunteer Day to Be Marked
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) This Day (IVD) will be celebrated at the UN House in Ulaanbaatar with a participation of Network of Mongolian Volunteer Organizations, World Vision Mongolia, United Nations Volunteers, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The IVD, mandated by the UN General Assembly, runs every year on 5 December. The purpose of the IVD is to recognize the commitment of volunteers and volunteer organizations, to inform people about the impact of volunteering on peace and sustainable development, and to applaud volunteers for their dedication and impact. In particular, IVD 2014 recognizes and celebrates volunteerism, with a special focus on honoring people’s participation in making a difference at all levels: locally, nationally and globally.
It will be celebrated through organizing a Development Dialogue and announcing the Best Volunteer Awards of the year.
Here, a Development Dialogue 9:"Volunteerism for Mongolia’s Development-Youth Engagement in Volunteering for Development" will be held.
Since 2012, UNDP Mongolia has organized 8 Development Dialogues, encompassing core themes related to the sustainable social-economic development for Mongolia. The 9th Development Dialogue is held in recognition of the spirit of the IVD and to keep the momentum of the inspirational debates produced over the previous Dialogues. This time, the focus will be placed on discussing how youth engagement in volunteering would contribute to the peace and development of Mongolia in a forward-looking manner and what are required in creating an enabling environment to promote youth volunteerism in the country.
Volunteerism is increasingly recognized as a form of civic engagement and a vital delivery mechanism for social, economic and environmental transformation, ensuring a lasting impact with its ability to change people’s mindsets, attitudes and behaviors and thus contributing to social cohesion and societal well-being. In particular, volunteerism has an important role to play in harnessing the potential of young people, while fostering their inclusion in global peace and sustainable human development processes. For young people, engaging in voluntary work can be an opportunity to change the world for the better while learning new skills, gaining knowledge, learning about new cultures and better understanding the realities of development and peace building in the global community.
It is also true that although the capacities and willingness of young people are high, several barriers to youth volunteering exist varying from country to country. Common recognition of values of volunteering and tapping potentials of the youth into the social-economic development of the country are not always as easy as told. The challenges include lack of access to information about volunteering and volunteering opportunities, and economic barriers. There is also a lack of strategic national policies and programmes for the effective promotion and management of volunteering. Last but not least, sustainable financing for volunteer involving organizations and their activities is also another challenging factor.
On the other hand, there are also several promising examples and endeavors to benchmark, which were initiated by different countries to utilize the values and wealth of youth volunteerism into the development of their nations. In recent years, there has been enhanced interest and demand to develop the national volunteer programme as well as the related policy and legislation in Mongolia too, through active networking among volunteer organizations, research and public discussions, to name only a few. Mongolia needs to recapture the will and continue efforts to boost volunteerism, in particular through meaningful engagement of youth, which would be very much instrumental in realizing the Mongolia’s Comprehensive National Development Strategy for 2008-2021 as well as the strategic priorities of the UNDAF 2012-2016.
Against this backdrop, benefits of volunteering as well as key success factors and innovative approaches in establishing the favorable infrastructure to catalyze the youth volunteerism in the context of Mongolia will be debated during the proposed Development Dialogue. Addressing these issues and building on new opportunities will be critical to ensuring meaningful youth engagement for the peace and sustainable development of the country.
The Dialogue is expected to raise key issues and recommendations to promote youth volunteerism in Mongolia, which will ultimately contribute to the sustainable social-economic development of Mongolia: What would be core values of the youth engagement in volunteering, in particular in the context of Mongolia’s sustainable human development? What would be effective approaches to share common understanding of volunteering and its benefits amongst the youth and key stakeholders in the society? What are challenges and opportunities for meaningful youth engagement for social changes through volunteerism in Mongolia? What are requisites for establishing a favorable policy and regulatory framework to strengthen the role of youth in development of Mongolia through volunteerism? How could volunteering activities and experiences of youth contribute to leadership and capacity development of young people? What kind of partnerships are needed amongst different stakeholders of the society to promote youth volunteerism in a more innovative and productive manner?
The Dialogue will be organized as a Panel Discussion answering the questions proposed above and sharing diverse perspectives through a facilitated interactive discourse. Panelists will be from among volunteer involving organizations, policy makers, youth groups, government ministries, academia, etc. to have wide national representation. The panel discussion will be followed by an open exchange of views among participants.

Mongolians Wrestle in London
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) First in the UK national wrestling tournament was organized in London on November 30 by a group of wrestlers and amateurs who live in this country, together with our Embassy in London and the Mongolian Association of Great Britain.
The events were run in purposes of advertizing the Mongolian wrestling, improving skills of young wrestlers, and involving the amateurs in a contribution to the development of the national sport. The organizers intend to make the tournament a quarterly event.
Out of the eight wrestlers who competed in circuit bouts, an aimag’s "Arslan" (Lion–one of the wrestling titles) Ya.Oyun-Erdene championed, having declared seven victories. He was followed by a soum’s "Zaan" (Elephant) N.Otgonbayar, "Nachin" (Falcon) of the London Naadam Festival B.Khadbaatar, and a young S.Saikhankhangai.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia H.E. N.Tulga opened the tournament and then handed the prizes, ending the action.

Mongolian Actor Walks NYC Red Carpet in National Costume
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) A Mongolian actor B.Amarsaikhan, famous for his roles in Trapped Abroad (2014) and Thief of the Mind (2011), attended the "Marco Polo" TV series opening premiere in AMC Loews Theatre of New York on December 2. On the red carpet he appeared with his wife, both in Mongolian national costumes.
He played a role of Khubilai Khaan’s younger brother Arigbokh in the “Marco Polo” TV series created by Netflix. The first episode will be released on December 12. 

“The Nutcracker” Ballet Choreographed by State Merit Artist D.Altankhuyag Starts from December 24, 2014
December 3 (infomongolia.com) Upon the initiation of Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, E.Bat-Uul, the opening of 2014-2015 winter season of "Friendly Ulaanbaatar" Program starts with "The Nutcracker" ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky hosted by Mongolian Ballet Development Foundation.
Welcoming the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays, the world famous “The Nutcracker” ballet is simultaneously staged in the five continents of the globe and in Mongolia, the ballet will be choreographed by State Merit Artist Dugaraa ALTANKHUYAG at the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (SATOB) on December 24-28, 2014.
The Mongolian Ballet Development Foundation founded in 2011 by D.Altankhuyag is presenting a New Year’s gift to Mongolian audience by performing this classical ballet for the first time in UB with a brand new composition.
Moreover, the Foundation purchased all stage decorations, dance costumes and other apparel from Boston Ballet (USA) and children for ballet were recently selected at the SATOB and now ready for performance, say organizers.
In addition, the biggest New Year’s Tree is being erected inside the SATOB and a ticket for “The Nutcracker” ballet costs beyond 20,000 MNT depending on seat locations at the Theatre Ticket Office.
D.Altankhuyag joined the Boston Ballet in 2007 as a member of the corps de ballet and was promoted to second soloist in 2009. Today, his repertoire includes the roles of Albrecht in “Giselle”, Siegfried in “Swan Lake”, the Prince in “Sleeping Beauty”, Colas in “La Fille Mal Gardee”, Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” and the Faun in “Afternoon of a Faun”. He became a permanent resident of the United States in 2010.  
Related:
"Nutcracker" to Be StagedMontsame, December 3

Peace keepers awarded
December 3 (news.mn) The 10th shift of peacekeepers from Mongolian Armed Forces and 8th shift of helicopter and technical assistance specialists arrived home after completing their mission with the International Security Assistance Force successfully in Afghanistan.
In accordance with a decree from the President of Mongolia and Defense Minister, the state's highest prizes and honors were presented by Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff Lieutenant General Ts.Byambajav and officials from the Defense Ministry and Mongolian Armed Forces.
The 10th and 8th shift of Mongolian peacekeepers completed a mission to provide security and guarding of an air force base in Herat Province in Afghanistan for 7 months.
It has been 12 years since Mongolia joined international peacekeeping operations, carrying out state policy to fulfill the nation's security through politics and diplomacy.
During this period, over 10,000 Mongolian peacekeepers in 13 countries on three continents have successfully completed peacekeeping missions. Mongolian peacekeepers are now on missions in South Sudan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Republic of the Congo, and Western Sahara.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed
December 3 (news.mn) The United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities is held annually on December 3, to focus on issues that affect people with disabilities worldwide.  This year it is observed with the theme “Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology.”
There are a number of events being held today, including an art exhibition by secondary school children with hearing disabilities from the School No. 29 at Red Ger Art Gallery, opening at 3:00 p.m. today.
There will also be wheelchair fashion show and Miss Wheelchair pageant today.
It is estimated that 96,000 persons with disabilities live in Mongolia. And 10,869 of them are 18 and under.

His Holiness Dalai Lama Renders Third Annual Teachings for Mongolian Buddhists
December 3 (infomongolia.com) His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet is giving four-day teachings for Mongolian Buddhist believers and practitioners on Tsongkhapa's Great Stages of the Path at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala on December 02-05, 2014.
This is the third consecutive dharma teachings for Mongolians and the first was organized through November 20-21, 2012 at the request of the Eighth incarnation of Blama-yin Gegegen or Panchen Lama (Great Scholar) - Danzanjambalchoijishinen, who first asked His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama in 2011 and later he established the Mongol Sunchoi Commission to manage such teachings.
The second teachings for Mongolians were organized in Dharamsala on December 02-04, 2013 and this year, an audience of about 4,000, including Tibetans, visitors from 49 countries and almost 600 Mongolians awaited His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Theckchen Choling Tsuglagkhang on December 02, 2014.
Describing the relationship between Tibet and Mongolia before the start of the teachings, His Holiness said, "Earlier in Asia, China, Tibet and Mongolia shared a long history. Tibet and Mongolia have a special relationship. Not only the two countries had same religious faith in Buddhism, but I think we also share similar customs and traditions.”
His Holiness explained the background of the name "Dalai Lama", a Mongolian name, he said, “The 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso visited Mongolia and made a good relation. That’s how the word ‘Dalai’ came. When people asked me for an autograph, I signed Dalai Lama and then when they asked me for meaning, I say, Dalai is a Mongolian word.”
The title ‘Dalai Lama’ meaning Ocean of Wisdom was offered to the 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso by the Mongolian King Altan Khan and in return, the Dalai Lama conferred on Altan Khan the title of Brahma, the King of religion.
“Because the 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso has Gyatso (Meaning Ocean in Tibetan) in his name, I think this is why he was called Dalai (meaning ocean in Mongolian) Lama,” His Holiness added.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also commended the Mongolian disciples for the translation of Lamrim Chenmo into Mongolian language.
The teachings are broadcasted live on these days and His Holiness is speaking in Tibetan with English, Chinese, Hindi, Vietnamese, Mongolian and Russian language translations available.
On the last day of the teachings, His Holiness will also confer the Avalokiteshvara Empowerment.
Moreover, the MIAT Mongolian Airlines has conducted a charter flight to Dharamshala on November 30 to return on December 05, 2014.
From December 12-14, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Rome, Italy to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace laureates and continue his teachings on the 18 Great Stages of the Path (Lam Rim) Commentaries in Mundgod at the request of Ling Choktrul Rinpoche and Gaden Sharte Monastery from December 23- 29, 2014.

Standing committee backs "Sustainable livelihood-3" project
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) At its meeting on Wednesday, the parliamentary Standing committee on budget backed to negotiate the "Sustainable livelihood-3" project. which is ready for implementation by the World Bank under a soft loan of the International Development Association (IDA).
But the Standing committee on economy did not back a credit agreement of the project. Thus, the Standing committee on security and foreign policy discussed a matter on considering the draft project, in accordance with the law on regime of parliamentary session. A report on the draft initiator was presented by S.Oyun MP, the Acting Minister of Environment and Green Development.
In frames of the "Sustainable livelihood-3" project, activities will be realized to completely introduce methods and mechanisms of the project’s 1st and 2nd series, to support a realization of the budget law in localities, to render necessary technical assistance for improving skills, to scrutinize an implementation of the local development fund, to encourage good implementation of works, and to implement the budget management and monitoring until 2017.
The project’s financing of USD 23.5 million will be issued by the IDA, a major part of the money will be spent for making investments to localities. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has expressed a readiness to finance the project with USD 11.4 million.
The soft loan has the interest of 1.25% per year. The first five years will be freed from the basic payment, the whole loan will be repaid in 20 years.
After some inquiries, a majority of the Standing committee backed a proposal on setting up a unit at the Ministry of Finance for the project’s monitoring and credit policy. They also approved the project’s finance agreement, and the Standing committees' notes on proposals and conclusions will be conveyed to the cabinet.

Ch.Saikhanbileg receives congratulations
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) The Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Mr Ahmet Davutoglu has sent a congratulatory telegram to Ch.Saikhanbileg on being selected the 28th Prime Minister of Mongolia.
Mr Davutoglu expresses his confidence that the new cabinet of Mongolia will support the strengthening of Mongolia-Turkey brotherhood and friendly relations. 

Non-mineral merchandise exports discussed
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) On “Development and Trends of Non-Mineral Exports” discussion, held Wednesday at the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), officials addressed a necessity of an export diversification in Mongolia’s international trade, noting the nine percent increase of minerals' export in the last two years.
The discussion, organized by the CCI, attracted businessmen and state officials. They discussed urgent issues in the export industry, technical and financial assistance to the export-oriented manufacturers, implementation of the Government program for promoting export, and a possibility to promote entrepreneurship under state guarantee.   
The president of Mongolbank N.Zoljargal said the intensification of exports has been debated for many years. “It is still important to promote other economic spheres than the mining industry in these critical times of trade balance, although the minerals’ sector performance is not satisfactory”. Mineral products’ export made up 97 percent of the total export in the peak of mining boom, and its stake went down to 88 percent now, he noted.
He also said it is crucial to determine a range of products prior to the discussion of export structures, and that the change needs to be supported by state policies. He noted that the “Mongolian brand” cashmere has low competitiveness on the global market because of deficient marketing. “We should improve a quality and range of products being exported under an adequate marketing”, said Mr Zoljargal.
A department head of the Credit Guarantee Fund D.Batzogsokh noted that the guarantee sources should be increased and the international practices for investing in entrepreneurs must be introduced to our country. He also said the entrepreneurs in localities lack access to the loan guarantees because 64 percent of all guarantors are in Ulaanbaatar.
MP S.Demberel said the issue of “rainbow” economy has been discussed for many years. In the times of a decline in the minerals’ sector, Mongolia has to widen a range of products to be exported. “Works have been conducted by the CCI on the economic diversification. As an outcome of a research, 30 products were named as efficient export-directed goods,” he went on.  The state is considering the establishment of a fund for export development, said the MP.
The business people shared opinions on the issues and supported the initiative by the CCI to provide consulting on non-mineral merchandise exports.

Preliminary Balance of Payments by October 2014
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) Current account deficit stands at USD 1,107.1 million which shows decrease of 59 percent from the previous year. This is due to USD 1,723.6 million or 142 percent decrease and a surplus of USD 511.2 million in the trade of goods, reports the Bank of Mongolia (BoM) on Wednesday.  
Capital and financial accounts showed surplus of USD 550.8 million which is decrease of 46 percent or USD 462.6 million against 2013. This reflected 57 percent decline of foreign direct investment to Mongolia which equals to USD 1,028.3 million.

Government Bond not sold
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) Auction for three years maturity Government Bond was announced on December 3 at face value of MNT 30 billion and each unit was worth MNT one million. Government Bond was not sold due to absence of both competitive and non-competitive bids.

Stock Exchange news for December 3
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Wednesday, a total of 3,254 units of 19 JSCs were traded costing MNT 18 million 850 thousand and 755.00.
"APU” /950 units/, “Gobi” /768 units/, “State Department Store” /449 units/, “Mongol savkhi” /209 units/ and "Hai Bi Oil” /200 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were "Gobi” (MNT five million 683 million and 300), "APU” (MNT three million 562 thousand and 500), “Material impex” (MNT two million 920 thousand and 500), “UB-BUK” (MNT two million and 142 thousand) and "Darkhan nekhii” (MNT one million and 785 thousand).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 460 billion 375 million 873 thousand and 158. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 14,949.90, increasing 4.56 units or 0.03% against the previous day.

"Through Mongolia on Motorcycle" exhibition opens
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 3 (MONTSAME) A Turkish photographer and filmmaker Ali Nasuh Mahruki opened his photography exhibition at the Mongolian Art Gallery (the Union of Mongolian Artists) on December 2. The exhibition presents photographs taken during his travel through Mongolia last August.
Professional diver, mountaineer and biker, Ali Nasuh is also a founder of the Search and Rescue Association of Turkey (AKUT), which he initiated after rescuing two people who had been lost for two weeks in a mountain in 1996. The AKUT is joined by over thousand volunteers and has saved 852 lives.
He has gone for travels on motorcycle through Mongolia, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet and several European countries.
The photography exhibition will be open December 2-5, and in “Ulaan Ger” of Khan Bank on December 8-12.

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