Mongolia Brief November 25, 2014
Mongolia-Finland
Business Forum Runs
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
November 25 (MONTSAME) A Mongolia-Finland business forum took place on November
19 in Tampere, Finland.
Co-organized by
the Embassy of Mongolia in Sweden, Mongolia’s “A&UM” company, the Chamber
of Commerce and Industry of Tampere sub-region and the Arctic Finland House
company, the forum brought together H.Koken, a Counselor of Mongolia’s Embassy;
Bror Henrik Jankes, a Honorary Consul of Mongolia to Finland; Markus Solund, a
chairman of the External Relations section of Tampere’s Chamber of Commerce and
Industry; Aki Pakarinen, a general-director of the “A&UM” company;
A.Tungalag, the company’s executive director; and others.
Mr Koken
delivered a report on a present situation of Mongolia’s economy and
environment, then the Finnish companies presented their business. On
occasion of the 852nd birth anniversary of Chingis Khaan--the Day of Mongolian
Pride, the Mongolian side made photo presentations about Mongolia and its
tourism.
Delegates of
the Educational Center for Adults in Tampere and of “Learning Scoop” training
organization also participated in the forum, noting about an opportunity to
cooperate in preparing teachers for primary and secondary schools.
The forum aimed
to propagandize Mongolia, its history, culture and traditions, and to urge
foreign businessmen to invest Mongolia.
Ambassador
Participates in Graduation Ceremony
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
November 25 (MONTSAME) The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Mongolia to the Republic of Korea Mr B.Ganbold has delivered a congratulatory
speech at a graduation ceremony of the Mongolian language class of the Foreign
Language University.
The ceremony,
which took place on November 21, present were also Choi Chun Hi, the
university’s deputy director; Jo Ben Hag, a deputy head of the Society for
Mongol Studies; and teachers and students of the university. Addressing them,
the Ambassador said the alumni will bear honourable and high responsibility in
serving as a bridge between people of the two countries. He also noted that
this Mongolian language department has been contributing to propagandizing the
Mongolian language and culture, and said his Embassy wants to support the
department’s training and actions.
Then he gave
the Diploma named after the Ambassador to a foremost student Shin Min Song.
The University
of Foreign Language is the second university of S.Korea to establish a
Mongolian language after the Dankook University. For the time being, 75
students have been learning Mongolian language in the university. In this
academic year, 22 students graduated from the class of Mongolian language.
New
Year's Tree Lighting Ceremony to Be Held at Chinggis Square on December 15,
2014
November 25 (infomongolia.com)
The Governor of the Capital City issued a Decree No. A/980 to set up a working
group on celebrating the New Year's Eve in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Accordingly,
the working group supervised by Deputy Mayor in charge for Social Development
Issues Ts.Enkhtsengel is obliged to accomplish the New Year's Tree Lighting
ceremony by December 15th and the New Year’s Eve celebration is to take place
at the Chinggis Square on December 31, 2014.
Moreover,
Governors of Districts of UB are also entrusted to organize public events
within their territories.
Related:
New Year's tree lighting on
December 15 – news.mn, November
25
Cyclist
completes a 6,200 km cross-country tour
November 25
(news.mn) A Mongolian cyclist with a communication disorder, Ch.Mungundalai,
arrived in Ulaanbaatar on Monday, after completing a 6,200 km solo
cross-country cycling tour to the western provinces of Mongolia.
The hearing
impaired cyclist left Ulaanbaatar for his 5,500 km cross-country tour on June
7th, and spent 167 days crossing through 210 sums in 15 provinces, covering
6,200 km of rough road.
The brave young
cyclist was welcomed by his family, members of the Mongolian Youth
Federation, and cyclists from the Young Cyclists Club of the Mongolian
Youth Federation at the MYF headquarters on Monday. November 24th.
Ch.Mungundalai
was awarded the Medal of Bravery by President of Mongolian Youth Federation
A.Munkhbat, for taking risks to achieve his dreams.
Ch.Mungundalai
thanked the Mongolian Youth Federation and the companies and well wishers who
supported and helped him through his solo cycling tour.
Chinggis
Khaan sculpture to be brought to Mongolia
November 25
(news.mn) A bronze sculpture dedicated to Chinggis Khaan by internationally
acclaimed Buyatian artist Dashi Namdakov was unveiled at Marble Arch in London
in 2012. Мongolian Art London reports that the 4.8 meter tall and 2,714 kg
sculpture of Chinggis Khaan will be brought to Mongolia.
Local reports
say that one of Mongolia's most successful businessmen, D.Bat-Erdene of Ajnai
Group, bought the sculpture for 2 million USD and is bringing it to
Mongolia.
There is also a
report that the sculpture by Dashi Namdakov will be a key symbol of the ongoing
Grand Maitreya Project, the building of a 54 meter statue of Maidar (Maitreya)
Buddha along with a 108 meter stupa and facility.
Plans
underway for ASEM Summit in Ulaanbaatar
November 25
(news.mn) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Economic Development and National
Security Council of Mongolia have created task forces, along with other
agencies, for the planning of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in
Ulaanbaatar, as Mongolia will host the 11th summit in 2016.
Task forces
preparing for the summit held a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Economic Development, exchanging opinions on provisional inquiries and future
plans.
ASEM is a
mechanism for dialogue between 53 countries, including 28 state counties of
Asia and Europe, two European two countries, 21 Asian countries, the
Secretariat of the EU and ASEAN. ASEM nations account for around 63 percent of
global trade.
The 11th ASEM
Summit in 2016 comes at the same time of the 20th anniversary of ASEM.
Mongolia
Finishes 2014 Asian Beach Games with 10 Medals
November 25
(infomongolia.com) The 2014 Asian Beach Games successfully finished in Phuket
Island, Thailand with a closing ceremony held on November 23, where 2,335
athletes from 43 countries have competed in 26 sports categories (169 events),
and Mongolian Team has participated in 8 sports events with 50 athletes.
Mongolia
finished the 2014 Asian Beach Games with 10 medals (6 Gold and 4 Bronze) and
stood at the 9th place in the medal table, where the host nation Thailand tops
the overall ranking with a total of 126 medals (56+37+33) followed by China
(16+11+21) and South Korea (9+14+14).
Mongolia
competed in Muay Thai, Beach Modern Pentathlon, Petanque, Beach Wrestling,
Beach Basketball, Ju-Jitsu, Kurash and Sambo, and the medals were achieved in
mostly wrestling styles such as JuJitsu, Kurash and Sambo.
Related:
Mongolia
takes 9th place in Asian Beach Games – Montsame,
November 25
“Ber
Tsetseg” Photo Contest Winners Announced
November 25
(infomongolia.com) In September 2014, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism of Mongolia decided to name the National Pride of Flowering Plant or
Magnoliophyta by conducting a poll among the population.
A month later,
a working group introduced at the Cabinet meeting the nine species promoted and
finally resolved to pick up the Ber Tsetseg (mon. Бэр Цэцэг, lat.
Scabiosa
Comosa) as the National Pride of Flowering Plant of Mongolia.
As part of
continuous works to promote the flower nationwide, the Ministry of Environment
and Green Development in association with the Department of Biology of the
School of Social Sciences, National University of Mongolia have announced a
photo contest among all students and teachers of affiliated schools in
Mongolia.
At the contest
over 60 pictures were submitted and final selections involving professional
photographers were conducted on
November 24,
2014, where the first place photo of Ber Tsetseg was selected a picture
captured by a teacher of Department of Biology N.Batsaikhan. The second place
went to a teacher of the same Department L.Ariuntsetseg and the third place
picture was taken by a teacher of Mongolian State University of Agriculture
S.Oyunsuvd.
Birth
Anniversary of Chingis Khaan Celebrated in Moscow
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
November 25 (MONTSAME) The 852nd birth anniversary and the Day of Mongolian
Pride were celebrated last Sunday in the Embassy of Mongolia in the Russian
Federation.
The celebration
events attracted a delegation headed by D.Battulga, the head of the Citizens’
Representative Khural of Ulaanbaatar who was paying a working visit to Moscow
and Saint-Petersburg; also Russian Kalmykia, Buryatia and Tuva Republics'
representatives, and officials of Moscow-based Mongolian companies.
The Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Russia Mr Sh.Altangerel
addressed the gathered and made some rituals for the celebration.
Within the
event, the Ambassador granted the “Friendship” medal to composer A.N.Mandzhiev,
a chairman of the Philharmonics of Kalmykia, moreover, the Medal for 375th
anniversary of Ulaanbaatar went to S.Erdene, a Mongolian residing in Moscow,
and to some members of the Council of Mongolians in Russia.
A presentation
was made for a project on establishing a historical and tourism complex in
Elista city during the ceremony. The Kalmyk dancers gave a performance, and the
People’s Actress of Mongolia opera singer A.Dolgor sang a song. In addition, an
ankle bone shooting contest ran among four teams consisting of diplomats of
Mongolia’s Embassy, cadets from military schools of Moscow, and members of the
Council of Mongolians.
MPs
Submit Draft Amendment
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
November 25 (MONTSAME) A head of the parliamentary Standing committee on state
structure A.Bakei and S.Demberel MP Tuesday submitted to the Speaker Z.Enkhbold
a draft amendment to the law on National Commission for Human Rights of
Mongolia (NCHRM).
After the law
on the NCHRM was adopted in 2000, the Commission was established in 2001
obliged to monitor, analyze and evaluate an implementation of
international agreements and contracts and laws of Mongolia in terms of human
rights matters. The law has not been altered since its adoption, and it has
been criticized by the international side for not reflecting some essential
norms of the Paris Principles. Although basic freedom and rights of the
Mongolians are ensured by the Constitution and appraised at a level of the
international norms, Mongolia has not formed yet a socio-economic proper
conditions and legal environment that would allow to fully realize the human
rights. Moreover, it has been revealed that the country is facing several
difficulties at a level of realizing norms of the laws and regulations on human
rights.
By these
reasons the law should be amended, "law enforcers must be forced to
minimize the violations in ensuring and implementing the related laws, the
state mechanism must be refined of protecting and backing human rights during
ensuring the interests of victims, and an independent potential of the NCHRM
must be fortified," the MPs said.
Nihon
Kohden donates patient monitors to National Cancer Centre
November 25
(news.mn) Japanese developer of medical electronic equipment, Nihon Kohden
donated high performance patient monitoring systems valued at 300 million USD
to the National Cancer Center of Mongolia.
During the
presentation of the donated equipment, Deputy Health Minister J.Amarsanaa and
Health Advisor to Japan's Health Minister, Sh.Tokumoto, gave speeches.
Dr. Khurelsukh,
deputy director of Medical Services at the National Cancer Center of Mongolia
said, “I am delighted about the donation of these vital patient
monitoring devices to National Cancer Center of Mongolia. Patient monitoring
is needed at the center, as these devices are constantly damaged due to
constant, 24-hour use.
"Nihon
Kohden patient monitors are known to have accurate quantitative indices, data,
size and video recorders. These devices are vital for us to improve medical
services and treat patients at the center."
T.Shimada,
director of the Asian Department of Nihon Kohden said, “I am happy that
Mongolia's health sector and the National Cancer Center can benefit from our
patient monitoring devices. Our corporation started manufacturing, developing
and distributing patient monitors, brain function monitoring, and
cardiovascular apparatus in 1951. Nihon Kohden's cardiovascular apparatus has
been donated to the Third State Hospital through aid from the Japanese government
25 years ago, and is still operational now.”
Vehicle
towing fees now set at 55,000 MNT
November 25
(news.mn) Metropolitan Traffic Police has announced a change to the rules for
the towing of vehicles parked in prohibited locations in the city.
Starting today,
drivers will now be required to pay 55,000 MNT for vehicles towed from
locations marked as no parking zones including the first lane of most city
roads.
In the case of
towed vehicles being transported more than 30 km by towing services, vehicle
owners will be charged an additional 1,700 MMT per km for the service.
Towing of cars
previously cost drivers in violation of parking regulations 80,000 MNT.
Measuring
Information Society 2014: Mongolia
November 25
(infomongolia.com) On November 24, 2014, the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) has released the sixth edition of the “Measuring the Information
Society 2014” Report, which ranks countries’ performance with regard to
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, use and skills.
The report aims
to provide an objective international performance evaluation based on quantitative
indicators and benchmarks, as an essential input to the ICT policy debate in
ITU Member States. The 2014 edition of the Measuring the Information Society
Report was prepared by the ICT Data and Statistics Division within the
Telecommunication Development Bureau of ITU.
The report is
widely recognized as the repository of the world’s most reliable and impartial
global data and analysis on the state of global ICT development, and is
extensively relied upon by governments, financial institutions and private
sector analysts worldwide.
Latest data
show that Internet use continues to grow steadily, at 6.6% globally in 2014
(3.3% in developed countries, 8.7% in the developing world). The number of
Internet users in developing countries has doubled in five years (2009-2014),
with two thirds of all people online now living in the developing world.
Of the 4.3
billion people not yet using the Internet, 90% live in developing countries. In
the world’s 42 Least Connected Countries (LCCs), which are home to 2.5 billion
people, access to ICTs remains largely out of reach, particularly for these
countries’ large rural populations.
In the mobile
cellular segment, the report estimates that by end 2014 there will be seven
billion mobile subscriptions, roughly corresponding to the total global
population. But it warns against concluding that everyone is connected;
instead, many users have multiple subscriptions, with global growth figures
sometimes translating into little real improvement in the level of connectivity
of those at the very bottom of the pyramid. An estimated 450 million people
worldwide live in places which are still out of reach of mobile cellular
service.
Nevertheless,
the ICT Development Index (IDI) country rankings are led by Denmark out of 166
countries, according to their level of ICT access, use and skills.
In terms of
regional comparisons, Europe’s average IDI value of 7.14 remains well ahead of
the next best-performing region, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS -
5.33), followed by the Americas (4.86), Asia & the Pacific (4.57), the Arab
States (4.55), and Africa at 2.31.
In 2014 report,
Mongolia was ranked at the 92nd place with 4.32 scores and compare to 2013
edition, dropped by 7 places but 157 states were surveyed. In 2012 report,
Mongolia stood at the 84th place with 3.63 scores out of 155 countries and in
2011 Report, Mongolia was placed at the 86th place out of 152 countries.
Stock
Exchange news for November 25
Ulaanbaatar
/MONTSAME/ At the Stock Exchange trades on Tuesday, a total of 37 thousand and
531 units of 22 JSCs were traded costing MNT two billion 324 million 501
thousand and 560.00.
"Hermes
center” /8,450 units/, “Material impex” /1,400 units/, “Hai Bi Oil” /1,000
units/, “Merex” /500 units/ and "Boonii khudaldaa” /300 units/ were the
most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were
"Material impex” (MNT 23 million and 940 thousand), "Hermes center”
(MNT one million 268 thousand and 620), “Atar-orgoo” (MNT 816 thousand),
“Sharyn gol” (MNT 586 thousand and 360) and "Hai Bi Oil” (MNT 550
thousand).
The total
market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 463 billion 624 million 216
thousand and 836. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 14,911.26, increasing 61.37
units or 0.41% against the previous day.
Related:
MSE Trading Report: November 25,
2014 – infomongolia.com, November
25
Bill
on Controlling Alcoholic Beverages
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
November 25 (MONTSAME) A member of parliament L.Erdenechimeg Tuesday submitted
to the Speaker Z.Enkhbold a draft law on the control over alcoholic beverages.
According to
statistics, one thirds of crimes, half of serious crimes, and 57.7% of crimes
in the capital city were committed by the drunken people, so the alcoholism is
a big cause of crimes, and the bill aims to take measures for reducing the
consumption and industry of alcoholic beverages, Erdenechimeg said.
Former
authorities of MPP gather
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar,
November 25 (MONTSAME) A meeting of ex-authorities of the Mongolian People’s
Party /MPP/ was held Tuesday in Ulaanbaatar.
The meeting
brought together Mr N.Bagabandi, a former president of Mongolia;
D.Lundeejantsan and Ts.Nyamdorj, former chairmen of the State Great Khural
(Parliament); D.Gungaadorj and Ts.Sodnom, ex-Prime Ministers;
M.Enkhbold and Ts.Enkhtuvshin, former heads of the MPP, U.Khurelsukh and
G.Zandanshatar, former secretary-generals of the party.
They discussed
a current socio-economic situation of Mongolia and a role of the MPP in
tackling the present time's economic difficulties in times of political and
economic conditions in the country.
Ulaanbaatar
to host Asian Youth Fencing Championship in 2015
By B. Tungalag
November 25 (UB
Post) Ulaanbaatar administrators have announced that the Asian Youth Fencing
Championship and General Assembly of the Asian Fencing Federation (AFF) will be
hosted in the city next year, from September 7 to 12.
The decision to
give Mongolia the right to host the events was made at the annual congress of
the International Fencing Federation (FIE) in Rome, Italy.
Vice President
of the Mongolian Fencing Federation L.Ganpurev and Secretary-General of the
federation B.Khosbayar attended the congress and met with FIE president Alisher
Usmanov, FIE Vice President Wang Wei, and FIE Secretary-General Frederic
Petrushka.
Representatives
of 35 Asian countries’ fencing federations and FIE President Alisher Usmanov
are expected to participate in the General Assembly of the AFF in 2015.
The Japanese
Fencing Federation and Mongolian Fencing Federation will jointly hold a special
program for the Asian Youth Fencing Championship 2015. Legendary Japanese
fencer and two-time Olympic silver medalist Yuki Ota was selected as the
delegate of the project.
Prime
Minister sends requests to parties to form a coalition government
By Ch. Khaliun
November 25 (UB
Post) On Monday, Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg sent a request letter to each
political party with seats in Parliament to form a coalition government.
The letter
cites that in order to bring about a quick economic recovery, Prime Minister
Saikhanbileg pledges to take immediate steps and renew electoral rules at all
levels by amending the Constitution to strengthen parliamentary governance.
Saikhanbileg
calls for the successful implementation of major projects like Oyu Tolgoi,
Tavan Tolgoi, and other projects in the mining, energy and infrastructure
sectors by creating a friendly investment environment to attract the interest
of local and foreign companies.
The following
day, the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) responded to the letter, stating that
the issue of forming a coalition government with the ruling Democratic Party
(DP) should be considered at the MPP Board of Members meeting and then
submitted to the Lower Chamber of the MPP.
The MPP created
a working group with six members including U.Enkhtuvshin, N.Nomtoibayar,
Yo.Otgonbayar,Ya.Sodbaatar, and J.Enkhbayar, chaired by S.Batbold.
If the MPP
resolves to join the coalition government, these members would represent the
MPP and jointly make decisions with the DP and other parties.
Young
scientists awarded for notable research
By M. Zoljargal
November 25 (UB
Post) The annual Khureltogoot Science Conference was held last week, featuring
research works of over 500 young scientists and researchers.
Twelve young
scientists were awarded the Minister’s Grant for their brilliant researches
about local issues facing Mongolia. Minister L.Gantumur officiated the ceremony
and handed over the awards.
This year’s studies
covered a wide variety of topics, including mineral research on mines of
Mongolian rare elements, current condition of Ulaanbaatar city’s public
transport network, and a study on supporting competency of Mongolian sheep wool
in market with enhanced price management.
The Mongolian
Academy of Sciences, Association of Mongolian Young Scientists, Mongolian
Foundation for Science and Technology, as well as university-based research
organizations organize the event every year.
The conference
reviews and awards researches in six categories which cover
Social-Humanitarian, Geological-Geographical, Natural Sciences,
Technical-Technological, Biological-Agricultural, and Health.
2015
city budget draft to undergo City Council discussion
By B. Mendbayar
November 25 (UB
Post) The 2015 city budget draft was ratified to undergo discussion during the
City Council Presidium meeting held on November 25.
Under the Law
on 2015 Budget and the City Governor’s 2013-2016 Action Plan, the draft on the
2015 city budget was carried out with the involvement of citizens and submitted
to the City Council last week, in accordance with the relevant laws. The City
Council Presidium meeting has resolved to review the 2015 city budget draft
through two discussions by the City Council. The first discussion will take
place on November 27, and the second on December 4.
A discussion to
disseminate the 2015 city budget draft to citizens and include public proposals
and suggestions in future revisions was held on November 19. According to the
draft, the 2015 city budget income was estimated to be 575 billion MNT, up by
42.6 billion MNT from the preliminary estimate of 2014’s city budget income.
The Ulaanbaatar City Taxation Department is expected to provide 82.4 percent of
2015’s budget income, the City Office for Property Relations is to provide 11.8
percent, and other departments will be responsible for the remainder.
As for city
expenditure, city authorities have planned to save 57 billion MNT. The
breakdown of the city budget expenditure allocation for 2015 is as follows: 2
billion MNT for the Credit Guarantee Fund, 5.6 billion MNT for implementation
of the Friendly Ulaanbaatar Program, 53.1 billion MNT for public transportation
expense substitution, 172.1 million MNT for ger area development and the
Investment Support Program of Asian Development Bank, 95 billion MNT to the
welfare fund, and 66.4 billion MNT for city landscaping projects.
In addition to
the city budget draft, the following issues are set to be addressed at the
discussions: the implementation of city objectives for 2014, economic and
social objectives of the city for 2015, a list of city properties to be
privatized in 2015, the city’s property concession list, and 2015 land
management plan.
Ts.Oyungerel:
The budget for renovation of the Museum of Lenin was terminated
November 25 (UB
Post) The Museum of Lenin was established in communist time in 1967. So it was
a state property from the beginning and its budget was provided by the state
from 1978 to 1990.
In recent years
the museum’s ownership has been a controversial topic and the once pristine
establishment is now collecting dust.
The following interview with the Minister of
Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ts.Oyungerel, about the museum.
How many museum premises meet standards in
Mongolia?
Even though the
museum of Kharkhorin in Uvurhangai Province has a small buildings, it meets the
standard. The National Museum, which was built around 1980, is not that bad.
The museum in Bayan-Ulgii Province has a nice building too. The other museums
have a lot of problems. If the renovation work is completed, the Central Museum
for Dinosaurs, will meet standards.
What kind of works has your ministry done
to resolve museum related issues?
In the field of
culture, especially for museums, the long-term objectives and step by step
development is very important. To bring our museums to the international level,
we need constant investment.
While I was
visiting a small museum in a small town of Japan, officials stated that it took
14 years to plan, to build and to equip the museum. It takes quite a long time
because the findings must be placed in a special building and must have special
care. The museum building was very small; however, it met the standards. The
museum officials stated that they have a steady investment every year as they
said, “We only elected City Mayors who promised to invest in our museum.”
Because of
Mongolia’s situation, we haven’t made any long-term investment into our
museums.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
was established to take action in the field of culture. What has the ministry
done in this field so far?
First of all,
we wanted to renovate the Museum of Lenin. Secondly we planned to build a
Museum of Archeology. Unfortunately the scheme work hasn’t been completed yet,
because the money was not included in the budget of 2015. And thirdly, we aimed
to build a religious museum and the budget was resolved recently.
Most tourists
who are visiting Mongolia are very interested in the religions of our country.
Over 90 percent of them visit Gandantegchenlin monastery. But they don’t get
any information from there.
Since the state
destroyed over 600 monasteries, now I think they can build one museum and
include all those historical pieces that were hidden for many years. Therefore,
the state will provide investment for the renovation of Gandantegchenlin
monastery.
Our ministry
made an important research on how museums and scientific organizations relate
to each other. Scientific organizations prepare historical pieces and study
them. After that, the organization writes a scientific paper. It takes a lot of
years to decide which museum will take those historical pieces.
It is not
possible to deliver the findings to museums after digging it out because it can
damage the other pieces. In Mongolia, we don’t have that service to prepare and
sanitize artifacts at our scientific organizations. In other countries, there
is a particular system that connects these two organizations. We also need a
warehouse to contain the findings, so the construction of the Cultural Center
has been in process since two years ago in Khan-Uul District. If the construction
is completed, we can receive findings there and researchers can work at the
center properly. This will give us the opportunity to expand our activities.
Expanding our
activities and having a lot more findings to store will mean that more
buildings need to be built. We planned to build the Museum of Archeology in two
years, right after finishing the Cultural Center construction.
In the last ten
years, we needed to build a museum every year. The state invested in the
Cultural Center for two years.
In the 2015
budget, a total of five billion MNT was planned, four billion MNT of which is
designated for the massive reconstruction and construction work in our sector.
We planned two billion MNT for museum reconstructions and from that, one
billion was budgeted for the renovation work for the Museum of Lenin.
Unfortunately the planned budget was cut down. We have to wait for the economic
growth to speed up.
Old museums are historic pieces. What is
the ministry doing to protect them?
At historical
places like, Erdenezuu temple, Chojin lama monastery, the renovation work must
be conducted for many years. For the renovation work, the investment must be
steady every year. For the past two years, we haven’t stopped the
reconstruction work.
As renovation
work requires professionals, we must have some constant workers, not the small
companies that were selected through tenders. If we can have these workers, we
have a lot of work that will be done in 100 years. For example, the roof of
Chojin Lama Museum is at a state where it could collapse at anytime. To fix it,
we must follow an official procedure and examine the whole building.
If we continue
to receive investment that was given for the past two years, we hope that many
things will be resolved in the upcoming years.
Source: Unuudur
sonin
Children
suffer from lack of communication, says expert
November 25 (UB
Post) On the occasion of the 24th
anniversary of Mongolia joining the Convention on Children Right, Head of the
Mongolian National Center for Children Right P.Tseveen gave an interview about
children’s rights.
Your organization focuses on children’s
behaviour and issues on providing children’s rights. What kind of problems do
children have and how often do you receive complaints and comments about
children?
Children aged
from zero to 18 address our organization. In relation to the new school year,
issues around schools are occurring a lot. The issues are mostly on showing
pressure to children, expultion from school and defamation of children. For
example, school managers don’t give pupils’ personal file when they transfer to
other schools, accuse children of theft and set welfare of orphan children.
So our
organization listens and receive issues that face children and resolve the
issues, and connect to other organization that are capable of solving the
issues.
Nowadays, modern parents cannot raise their
children and don’t understand their children. How many people receive advice
from you and do schools and kindergartens participate in the trainings?
We give
necessary council to any person who addresses us. We do trainings on request.
But in reality, schools or kindergartens mostly care about their buildings
reconstruction, improvements and investment, they do not want to spend money on
trainings.
Not a single
social worker or school manager has asked us how to better educate children.
They visit us after complains pile up.
Teenagers have had many problems recently.
What is your opinion on it?
People can see
this issue from different perspectives including children’s family, environment
and school. Children are a reflection of their surroundings. They study
from their father, mother, teacher and friends. Children’s behaviour is mostly
dependent on family and simply it is their way of dealing with something.
Children get
stressed and frustrated due to this society that can’t treat them positively
and ultimately commit suicide.
Teachers tell
off students when they do not buy books, but in this case, teachers have to
know their students’ living conditions. Considering this issue, family planning
is the biggest concern. Why do children have to suffer due to their parents not
planned their family very well or giving birth to unwanted children. It is too
one-sided to talk about children’s attitude without discussing family planning.
Why are children in general education
schools committing suicide?
People pay
attention to children who die. Children react deeply to outside forces and
don’t commit suicide without reason. I heard that the police resolved the issue
of the student of School No.2 in Sukhbaatar District. That child just needed
help. People lack empathy and trust is important in this case.
Managers of schools seem to care about
school work more than their students. What do you think about it?
School
environment has to be friendly to children. In my time, I preferred to talk to
my teachers rather than my parents. I am not sure whether teachers treat
children like in those days. Teachers must understand students more and protect
their rights. If they can’t, they have to address social workers or
professional organizations. Children who appeal to us beg us not to tell their
teachers because they are afraid it will affect the school negatively. There
are no specialists on children’s behaviour in the education sector.
Some schools banned smart phone uses.
Communication between children and parents decreased because of social media.
What is your take on it?
Children in
modern times suffer from loneliness. It is directly linked to parents. Parents
buy many devices for their children to keep them at home and children are
learning bad things rather than studying new or good things.
In my opinion,
using cell phone just for exchanging information is okay. Using modern technology
makes children more materialistic. Understanding the value of something is
vital.
Source: Zuunii
Medee
Sh.Gungaadorj:
Nomadic civilization is Mongolia’s value
November 25 (UB
Post) The 15th Prime Minister of
Mongolia, PhD of agricultural sciences and honored agronomist Sh.Gungaadorj
gave a lecture at the invitation of Khugjil Club of the Mongolian Democratic
Union last Friday. At the lecture, he shared his history about setting foot
into the agricultural sector and focus points for developing the nomadic
livestock sector.
“Local and agricultural policies are
necessary in Mongolia. Developing the mining sector is obviously necessary but
how we do it is important. Natural resources do exhaust. Agriculture on the
other hand is an everlasting resource. No matter how many years pass, it’ll
still be available. Therefore, we need to develop a government policy for
developing this sector,” highlighted Sh.Gungaadorj.
Below is an interview with Sh.Gungaadorj
about broad range of topics related to the agriculture sector.
What is Mongolia’s key development policy?
How would you define Mongolia’s development rate?
A definition of
a developed nation is that it has highly-educated people that don’t need to
fear or be depressed about something. The key to development is people. As for
our nation, our people are all scattered around. We haven’t reached high levels
of development. The main development policy for Mongolia is the agriculture
sector. This sector is the most fundamental sector that’ll guide us to
development.
Lately, Mongolians are moving to cities.
Isn’t this conflicting to what you’ve just mentioned?
Unless rural
areas are developed, Mongolia will become a nation centered on cities. Mongolians
will move to Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan and Erdenet cities as well as provincial
centers. Agriculture sector has been passed down to Mongolians for centuries.
It’s still being passed on.
During the
world economic crisis in 2010, Mongolians were able to overcome it by eating
meat while other countries starved. In fact, Mongolians have never starved. I’d
say those who are starving are negligent and pathetic because right now,
Mongolia has resourceful vast lands. Those people can go to any river and fish,
or even grow crops and vegetables anywhere they see fit. No one will restrict
them from doing so. We have so many available resources while other countries
don’t. Mongolia is the only country in the world that’s upholding the nomadic
way of life and preserving its original form. This is Mongolia’s significance
and value. Mongolia shouldn’t lose its pastoral traditions and culture.
Why?
The sector the
government should always concentrate on is agriculture. Everything of animal
origin can be used. Recently, leaders of our neighboring two countries visited
Mongolia and discussed about importing Mongolia’s meat. We’re discussing about
the possibility of selling agricultural goods. That’s why pastoral cattle
breeding should be taken at government and parliamentary level. Most
importantly, livestock should be healthy. The Ministries of Agriculture of
Mongolia, China and Russia seem to be discussing and exchanging ideas about
this. A major work for preventing livestock disease outbreak should be carried
out, instead of taking action when diseases have already spread.
What kind of government policy should be
executed in the agriculture sector?
Mongolia
shouldn’t be getting hyped up over having 50 to 60 million livestock. Soviet
leader Joseph Stalin ordered Mongolians to raise livestock to 200 million in
1940. This wasn’t a policy. Generally, livestock should be kept within a
specific limit. After that, productivity of livestock should be increased so
that it can be processed and manufactured into products. Meat quality should
also be improved to make it more expensive as Mongolian meat is something
that’s very valuable.
For instance,
during my time as the Ambassador to Kazakhstan, representatives of Kuwait
Sheikhs (Kuwait’s royal family) came to visit holding a magazine with photos of
Mongolian sheep. They said they wanted to purchase 1,000 fat-tailed sheep,
exactly the same as the photos, for Sheikh’s birthday. When I told them that
livestock are slimmer now that it’s winter, they replied that they didn’t mind.
They used to buy sheep from New Zealand and Australia but at the time, they
wanted to switch to Mongolian sheep because their Sheikh took a liking to its
unique taste after eating it once.
Mongolian meat
has a unique taste because our livestock choose its own pasture from Mongolia’s
vast land. Taste of livestock pasturing in Gobi (desert) and Khangai region
(mountainous area) are different.
People say Gobi’s meat taste better. Is it
true?
Indeed. Meat
from Gobi livestock is very juicy despite the scarcity of grass. Even famous
Mongolian writer B.Rinchen praised Gobi’s meat. This is the true value of
pastoral livestock.
Lately, people are saying pastures will be
privatized to herders. Can you comment on this?
This is
something that should never happen. Mongolians have been managing it for a long
time. Privatizing land is impossible.
How do you see extensive animal husbandry?
This doesn’t
mean all livestock should be for pasture breeding. Extensive animal husbandry
is crucial. Whether it’s for meat or milk production, extensive animal
husbandry should be developed. Pastoral cattle breeding should also be
preserved. Marketable livestock has a drawback, which is to raise livestock
that are more beneficial.
What do you mean by that?
Lately, the
number of goats has increased because cashmere price is increasing. But
suddenly, people started butchering goats because its meat price started to
rise.
I can’t
remember when but China informed that goat meat price rose and tons of goats
were killed and shipped to China. Mongolia shouldn’t become some foreign
country’s toy like this.
Are you implying that China has begun
meddling into the agriculture sector? For a long period of time, hasn’t
Mongolia been keeping livestock numbers consistent?
Mongolians have
been following the policy to keep 20 to 30 percent of small cattle as goats.
When I was young, approximately 20 goats were among 100 small cattle. Besides
cashmere, goats aren’t valuable since they can’t endure cold weather and eat
plants down to its roots. Most importantly, flock structure should be improved
with special policies as goats are necessary. The number of livestock is
abundant but (product) quality is problematic. That’s why I keep underlining
policies.
During winter
and spring, many herders have gotten into accidents after following their
livestock. As if livestock is more important than people. Pastoral cattle
herding sector should be improved. During these seasons, herders can raise
livestock within fences and pasture them in the summer. Times have changed now.
I’ll share a
story. Severe blizzard occured in 1986. When I was traveling in the
countryside, a family said they hadn’t grazed their cattle for a week. We were
delivering forage so we unloaded one of our trucks. Approximately 200 bales of
hay were loaded per truck. We let out the cattle and it took them one hour and
fifty minutes to finish a truck full of forage. At the time, we realized the
importance of forage. During that year’s severe weather conditions, over a
million livestock died but in the previous famine from 1968 to 1969, 3,808,000
livestock had died. This showed the significance of forage. Unfortunately,
nowadays, forage issues have been completely abandoned.
Several organizations such as the Mongolian
State University of Agriculture, have opened classes for educating and training
herders. Can you comment on this?
This is the
correct approach. Special policies are necessary. Herders are more intelligent
than any person. Their words are orderly and valuable. For example, Hero of
Labor, State prize winning and shepherd S.Tsogtgerel. Whenever he gives a
lecture about something he begins by explaining and stating the significance of
whatever he is going to talk about. Herders have knowledge about wide range of
topics.
I met a young
Bulgarian ambassador when I was serving as Ambassador in North Korea. He asked
why Mongolians are so talented. He said Mongolians learn languages very quickly
and have technological talent. He mentioned that when he was studying
international relations in university, Mongolians would become fluent in
Russian language and graduate with three to four languages including English,
Germany and Russian while others learnt basic Russian and English language. I
told him Mongolians are different as Mongolia is a nation with nomadic culture and
that herders that conduct pastoral cattle breeding have great amount of
knowledge because they talk and communicate with nature. I also explained that
herders are people with versatile minds as they observe the color of the sky
and conditions of water and mountain as soon as they wake up to decide where to
pasture livestock and when to gather wool. Mongolians seem to learn quickly and
forget quickly. Overall, every country praises Mongolians.
Source: Uls
turiin toim
Hakuho
becomes first foreign wrestler to repeat sumo record for most tournament wins
By B. Tungalag
November 25 (UB
Post) Grand Champion of Japanese professional sumo wrestling Hakuho
M.Davaajargal of Mongolia repeated the record set by legendary Japanese Grand
Champion Taiho after winning his 32nd tournament on November 23.
Hakuho gained
32 career titles within eight years, while Taiho did it in 11 years. Grand
Champion M.Davaajargal stood with tears in his eyes during the ceremony after
receiving the Emperor’s Cup.
Before the
November tournament, Hakuho M.Davaajargal said, “I will wrestle to repeat the
record of Yokozuna Taiho, who won 32 bashos (tournaments) in sumo history.
Taiho definitely will support me from the sky.”
After the
tournament, Hakuho told NHK, “I have three fathers. My biological father
J.Munkhbat, my trainer who taught me sumo Miyagino, and the third is my
Japanese father Yokozuna Taiho. I speak now to my parents and people in
Mongolia. I, the son of Burte Chono and Goo Maral, am very proud today for
having repaid Taiho’s favors, by repeating his record, and I am very happy to
prove who Mongolians are.”
Winning a bout
against a respected person and repeating or breaking his record is considered
as repaying the record setter’s favors in Mongolia.
Chairman of the
Japan Sumo Association Kitanoumi Toshimitsu believes that Hakuho will own over
40 wins and Hakuho’s time continues although there are two new champions,
Kakuryu and Harumafuji, who are also Mongolian.
“There is no
one who can defeat Hakuho among the top rank sumo wrestlers. Ichinojo and
Terunofuji might stop him in the future,” Toshimitsu added.
Mongolia
artist takes five prizes at 2014 ISCA convention
November 25 (UB
Post) Mongolian artist Ch.Ganbaatar, who lives in the U.S., won five prizes at
the 2014 Annual International Society of Caricature Artists’ (ISCA) Convention,
which took place in Reno, Nevada, the U.S. on November 16 to 21.
Over 250
caricature artists from every corner of the world participated in the
convention.
List of
Ch.Ganbaatar’s prizes as follows:
1. Caricaturist
of the Year 4th Place
2. Outstanding
Exaggerated Style
3. Outstanding
Color Technique
4. The Ismael
Roldan Award “Rookie of the Year”
5. The
Sebastian Kruger Award “Guest of Honor
The ISCA hosts
an annual convention every year for all members and their guests. The
convention is hosted in a different city each year, and features many wonderful
activities, speakers, presenters, competitions and artworks.
The convention
draws hundreds of artists from around the world. Members get a chance to meet
and interact over four days of fun, learning, competitions and just plain
drawing.
Dreaming
in color
By B. Narantuya
November 25 (UB
Post) Member artist of Blue Moon Art Gallery, E.Gansukh, is presenting his solo
exhibition “Undreamed Dream”, on display through November 27.
All of his
paintings capture nature and horses. He has been researching the traditions of
Mongols, especially the culture of horses, for ten years. His research has been
combined with his minimalist style and has resulted in more than 30 paintings
for this exhibition.
A dream is a
very interesting thing. Sometimes we meet people we would never meet in real
life. Sometimes we see the future in our dreams and sometimes we just dream
about the present. In that way, dreams become a second, unlimited universe for
human beings. The exhibition gives us the chance to dream of scenes from many
years ago, including the Mongolian traditions of our ancestors.
Most of E.Gansukh’s paintings are very bright and include sharp colors, but the painting “Shuteen” (pride) was created in soft colors. When I looked into that painting I felt the calm of the gentle palette, and also a great sense of pride in the beauty in front of me.
Most of E.Gansukh’s paintings are very bright and include sharp colors, but the painting “Shuteen” (pride) was created in soft colors. When I looked into that painting I felt the calm of the gentle palette, and also a great sense of pride in the beauty in front of me.
As the country
develops, people tend to live in urban areas and leave behind the traditional
ways of life. People say that Mongolia is one of the only countries preserving
traditional ethnic lifestyles for many generations. It seems E.Gansukh is
empowering us all by showing his respect and pride in Mongolian tradition.
Powdered
milk supplies national consumption
November 25 (UB
Post) The journalists of Unuudur visited a subsidiary company of the TESO
Corporation, Milko, which has topped domestic powdered milk production since
last September.
The factory’s specialists
stress that it is important to examine samples of milk, because powdered milk
technology calls for very high quality standards. It was interesting to see the
entire production process.
“There are many small, invisible particles of dirt in cow’s milk,” explained the chief of the factory, M.Erdenesukh. UHT technology, which purifies milk at 90 degrees Celsius, is used in the factory, ensuring that the purified milk does not go bad after 48 or 72 hours.
“There are many small, invisible particles of dirt in cow’s milk,” explained the chief of the factory, M.Erdenesukh. UHT technology, which purifies milk at 90 degrees Celsius, is used in the factory, ensuring that the purified milk does not go bad after 48 or 72 hours.
The first step
in preparing dried milk is to regulate the level of oil in milk by applying 20
MPa of pressure. Afterwards, the milk is poured into a cooling tank and
condensed. The drying processes are executed in the tank.
Experts say
that fresh milk has 11 to 12 percent solids and the condensing equipment is
used to evaporate the liquids. When this procedure is repeated three times, the
milk is condensed to 48 percent solids.
One factory
worker joked, “This condensed milk will be like Russian moloko.”
The density of
normal milk is typically 1.030 kg per cubic meter and condensed milk has a
density of 1.100 kg per cubic meter.
According to
the manufacturing process, the condensed milk has to be purified again, a total
of three times during dried milk production. Compared to other milks, condensed
milk seems very healthy and safe. One of the advantages of the dried milk is
that it can be kept for up to two years.
M.Erdenesukh
also noted that Milko purifies milk by adding vapor to the milk at the atomic
and molecular level, while other milk spray drying factories purify milk in an
external process using tubes.
The Milko factory uses spray drying technology to produce powdered milk from liquids popular in Australia, New Zealand and other leading countries in this sector. The chief of the factory said that the quality of their milk is the same as Fonterra milk from New Zealand.
The Milko factory uses spray drying technology to produce powdered milk from liquids popular in Australia, New Zealand and other leading countries in this sector. The chief of the factory said that the quality of their milk is the same as Fonterra milk from New Zealand.
Only 15 people
work in the factory and the factory has the capacity to meet the needs of the
nation’s milk consumption. From start to finish, the production process takes
30 to 40 minutes and over 500 kg of powdered milk is manufactured every hour.
Consequently, they have the potential to produce 100 tons of milk and 10 to 11
tons of powdered milk per day.
Erdensukh
showed Unuudur journalists that the factory uses pure cow’s milk instead of
using chemical substances and any mixtures.
Unfortunately,
the factory cannot operate year-round because they do not have raw materials in
winter, since the supply of cow’s milk dries up when cold weather comes.
To increase raw
materials, Milko built six cooling tanks in rural areas last year. But the
factory has planned and prepared for producing coffee creamer in order to run
operations in winter.
Source:
Unuudur, mongolnews.mn/1du8
Fighting
illegal gambling with legal casinos
November 25 (UB
Post) Prohibiting gambling in Mongolia has driven Mongolian big shots to become
regular guests of U.S. and South Korean casinos. It may even be challenging to
find a Mongolian politician who’s never been to a casino. People say Mongolians
become gamblers when they cross the border. However, the main thing the police
should monitor is whose money these high rollers are gambling with.
Last Friday,
the Criminal Police Department caught high stakes gamblers red-handed while
they were running games at Voyage Hotel, near Ulaanbaatar Railway Station.
President of Max Group D.Ganbaatar, Department Head of the Ministry of Mining
Ch.Tsogtbaatar, and Former MP D.Zagdjav were playing poker when the police arrived.
Many would say that a big commotion is unnecessary, as it doesn’t matter what
rich people do with their wealth.
The law
prohibits gambling but even young people working in markets play card games
with stakes. Not to mention middle school children who play poker. Do Mongolian
law enforcement agencies have the time to pursue everyone playing card games?
Mongolians have been gambling with small and big bets for a long time and it’s
clear they will continue playing card games in the future. The idiom “The blind
leading the blind” would perfectly define people who are now looking down at
gamblers.
It’s
appropriate to not only arrest but also convict those who have gambled with the
nation’s money in foreign countries. For example, MPs T.Badamjunai, G.Zandanshatar
and U.Khurelsukh, and deputy accountant of Mongol Bank Ch.Chimedtseren were
implicated in a large sum of cash going missing from the Savings Bank of
Mongolia.
Whether it’s
better to confine and monitor gambling is also something to consider. Arresting
and imprisoning gamblers forces them to become more secretive and hidden,
rather than deterring them from gambling. There probably isn’t anyone who can
state the exact number of places to gamble in the city. It’s clear that as long
as there’s a desire for gambling, games will be operated in hiding somewhere.
Besides escaping taxation, these places will keep law enforcement officials
ignorant of what happens inside. It’s said that the more something is hidden,
the more danger it brings.
Most Mongolians
put gambling in the same category as drugs, crime, and money laundering. Many
countries across the world are earning massive amounts of money from casinos.
Drug addicts, prostitutes and alcoholics aren’t thought of as going to resort
casinos, but elites with millions of USD in their pockets do visit for fun. A
casino isn’t a brothel, drug den, or a place for sheltering criminals, as many
Mongolians may believe, and this fact should be very well known to most
Mongolian politicians, who are almost regular guests of U.S. and South Korean
casinos.
Gamblers “gift”
six billion USD to Singapore every year and South Korea makes two billion USD a
year from their casinos. Las Vegas is said to generate revenue of 200 billion
USD annually. These statistics may not be surprising but it would be a huge
mistake to believe that there isn’t a single gambling venue in Mongolia.
There’s a
saying that sophisticated legislation will lead to more sophisticated theft.
Five years ago,
Former MP D.Zagdjav and his followers initiated a law to open limited liability
casinos, but it was unsuccessful. Now, issues about establishing casinos are
being raised again in free economic zones. Mongolians may have reasons to fear
casinos, but if they are set up with proper regulations, a legal environment,
and controlled communication from the start, it could positively affect our
economy directly dependent on foreign investment. If a Mongolian casino is
opened, tourism and employment will increase and make it possible to shift the
flow of millions of USD heading to foreign casinos back into Mongolia.
Mongolia has
quite a few maniacs who play and gamble as much as big time foreign players.
Even if we can’t bring foreign players, at least we shouldn’t lose domestic
high rollers to foreign casinos and receive tax from their recreation.
Providing them with an appropriate legal environment will expose illegal
gambling operations, which the police haven’t found. They will start to pay
taxes accordingly to the law, and it would become possible to monitor whose
money people are gambling with. The police will also have no reason to go
through the trouble of inspecting every room in a hotel just because they
received a report that someone’s gambling.
Most
importantly, specific legal guidelines should be initially set up and
supervision should be provided so that casinos don’t become a den for some sort
of criminal organization, mafia, money laundering, or gamblers who play with
state money.
At least the
fellows caught playing at Voyage Hotel would be able to play without shame or
embarrassment, while paying taxes to play and have fun with their money.
If Mongolia
wants to attract funds to free economic zones, then build casinos there. The
more time police spend conducting arrests and investigations, the higher the
chances of free economic zones turning into dens for criminals and drug addicts
becomes. Why shouldn’t Mongolia create its own Las Vegas?
Source:
www.news.mn/content/196398.shtml
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