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ECONOMY
MONGOLIA REOPENS BORDERS FOR VACCINATED TRAVELLERS
Mongolia has reopened its borders to fully vaccinated international travellers, state media reported on Monday (Feb 14), rolling back coronavirus curbs that had kept the country isolated for two years.
The nation has implemented some of the world's toughest anti-COVID-19 measures since the start of the pandemic, largely sealing off its borders and imposing several lockdowns.
The curbs have battered its economy as businesses closed, exports plunged and hundreds of thousands faced precarious employment.
Mongolia's cabinet approved a resolution downgrading the pandemic "state of readiness" from orange to yellow, effectively lifting all restrictions on business operations, state news agency Montsame reported.
The move means the country of three million "fully opens its borders to international travel", Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene said, according to Montsame.
Declaring Mongolia open to fully jabbed tourists and investors, he reportedly said the government would "put efforts into creating the necessary conditions to ensure safety ... for all those arriving in the country for business and tourism purposes".
Source: Channel News Asia, Montsame
See also: PM: Mongolia will not require vaccination from citizens, and tourists
Mongolia cancels COVID-19 related heightened state of readiness
MONGOLIA: ON THE VERGE OF A MINERAL MIRACLE
Naturally, this raises the question of what lies ahead for the Mongolian people and their economy. If Rio Tinto can meet its 2023 projection for sustainable copper production and the Mongolian government can improve on its transparency and spending practices, there is a definitive opportunity for widespread prosperity, at least in terms of material wealth. Inevitably, there will be environmental costs, whether to the limited water supply, the air breathed by a million residents in Ulaanbaatar every day, or to the land that herders have inhabited for generations. Even still, however, the trend of gridlock could continue, and Mongolia could be left searching for a way to manage twin economic and environmental crises.
As a result, many Mongolians are concerned about economic dependence on mining and Chinese demand, leading them to look for ways to diversify the economy. One possibility lies in the cashmere industry; Mongolia produces around a fifth of the world’s raw cashmere…
Source: Harvard International Review
TOTAL REVENUE OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET INCREASED BY 42.4 PERCENT COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEAR
According to the preliminary results January of the of 2022, the total revenue of the general government budget was MNT 1.0 trillion, increased by MNT 301.5 billion (42.4 percent) compared to the same period of previous year. The equilibrated revenue of the general government budget was MNT 946.4 billion increased by MNT 280.4 (42.1 percent) billion compared to the same period of previous year.
On the other hand, the total expenditure and net lending was MNT 1.3 trillion in January of 2022, resulting in deficit of MNT 358.3 billion increased by MNT 239.8 (three-fold) billion compared to the same period of previous year.
In January 2022, the total equilibrated revenue and grants of general government budget was MNT 946.4 trillion, decreased by MNT 68.9 billion (6.8 percent) compared to the previous month. The total expenditure and net lending were MNT 1.3 trillion, increased by MNT 732.1 billion (35.9 percent) compared to the previous month.
Source: Montsame
MONGOLIA'S TAVAN TOLGOI-ZUUNBAYAN RAILWAY TO START TRIAL RUN IN MAR
The first trial run for the 416.1-kilometer Tavan Tolgoi-Zuunbayan railway in Mongolia is expected to take place on March 15, Montsame News Agency reported, citing a statement from R.Batsukh, the Executive Director of Mongolian Railway, during a visit of L.Khaltar, Minister of Road and Transport Development.
L.Khaltar learned about the operation of Mongolia Railway, Tavan Tolgoi Railway and Zumbayan Railway companies and their projects under construction, and instructed them to prepare for the start the Tavan Tolgoi-Zuunbayan rail line.
There are 37 mines and deposits under exploration near the Tavan Tolgoi-Zuunbayan railway, according to an earlier report from the UB Post in June last year. Besides the Tavan Tolgoi coal mines, large mines with estimated reserves of 6.02 billion tonnes of gold, coal, copper, gypsum, zeolite and uranium are located on this route, it reported.
Source: SXCoal.com
EXPORTS OF MINERAL PRODUCTS INCREASED IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS
According to the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, Mongolia's exports of mineral products have increased in the last two weeks compared to the previous weeks.
As of February 4-10, the country exported a total of 806.7 thousand tons of coal (1224 containers by road, 654 containers by rail), 124.5 thousand tons of copper concentrate (152 containers by road, 329 containers by rail) as well as 165.2 thousand tons of iron ore and concentrate (1086 containers by rail) from the beginning of the year.
The purchase of gold by the central bank was 1,663.0 kg from the beginning of the year, which shows an increase of 4.7 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
Source: Montsame
ORDINARY PASSPORT HOLDERS OF 25 COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL VISA-FREE TO MONGOLIA
In connection with the Government’s decision to fully open the country’s borders to international travel and lift pandemic restrictions, a conference took place under the theme, ‘New Revival Policy - Tourism’, on February 14. The conference was organized at the initiative of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
In aims of effectively implementing the ‘Vision-2050’ long-term development policy and boosting the productivity of government organizations, the Government recently approved the ‘New Revival Policy’, its program for implementation in phases, and large-scale development projects that are planned to be carried out in its framework.
During the conference, Minister of Foreign Affairs B.Battsetseg highlighted that the tourism sector has a crucial role in accelerating the country’s economy, and noted that the Ministry is focusing on smoother entry of foreign nationals traveling to Mongolia, and providing support for tourism by carrying out certain works.
Source: Montsame
MONGOLIA AIMS TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 22.7 PERCENT BY 2030
As part of the Project for Formulation of Master Plan on the Agricultural Value Chain in Mongolia (MONMAP-AVC), a honey cluster is being created in Mongolia. In May 2021, a working group of 15 individuals was established to make preparations for the new cluster to develop guidelines to introduce good practices in honey production and create the honey cluster.
It was noted during a project steering committee meeting held on February 9 that preparations have been completed to form the new cluster this March. State Secretary of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry T.Jambaltseren, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Mongolia Matoba Satoshi, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Mongolia Tamura Eriko and other officials attended the meeting to discuss the progress of the cluster development and the selection for the pilot project to be implemented in rural areas.
Source: Montsame
MONGOLIA TO LAUNCH NATIONWIDE HEALTH CHECKUPS
During today's Cabinet meeting, Minister of Health S.Enkhbold was obliged with the task to involve the entire population in preventive and early-detection checkups.
Mongolia's long-term development policy document – Vision 2050, states that every citizen should be involved in preventive medical checkups every two years. The Government's Action Plan for 2020-2024 also calls for improving the health education of every citizen and boosting access to regular medical checkups that are in line with international standards.
The average life expectancy of Mongolia is 75.8 for women and 60.6 for men. In other words, the difference in life expectancy between men and women is 9.7 years.
The Government Action Plan for 2020-2024 provides for reducing this gap to five years. According to the Minister of Health S.Enkhbold, nationwide preventive checkups and early detection campaign is planned to be launched on May 1 this year. "I assume that it is a timely decision which can greatly contribute to the post-COVID-19 rehabilitation treatment”, added the Minister.
Source: Montsame, Xinhua
KHUSHIG VALLEY AREA TO BE PLANNED FOR 150 THOUSAND CITIZENS
On February 10, the working group in charge of accelerating construction works at Khushig Valley held a regular meeting. Led by the Deputy Prime Minister, the working group was put in charge of the works in the framework of the Government’s policy on decentralizing Ulaanbaatar city, diversifying the economy, and developing a new region for industry and trade, science and technology, bank and finances, university and college complexes, and tourism as well as transport and logistics.
During the meeting, Minister of Construction and Urban Development B.Munkhbaatar introduced plans for resolving issues relating to autoroads, infrastructure, electricity and heating, water supply, flood protection, and waste management in connection with the task given by the Prime Minister to launch construction works at Khushig Valley from April 1.
Deputy Prime Minister S.Amarsaikhan said, “It is necessary to draft an even more detailed plan for the construction works to be carried out in Khushig Valley and ensure its implementation.
Source: Montsame
POLITICS
UPROAR IN MONGOLIA AS DEVELOPMENT BANK REVEALS SCALE OF RISKY LOANS AND NPLS
Many Mongolians have expressed outrage at figures that show around half of the loan portfolio of the state-owned Development Bank of Mongolia (DBM) is made up of risky or non-performing loans (NPLs). The greatest uproar stems from the fact that many borrowers placed in the risky category are well-known Mongolian business leaders with links to, or past service in, government or parliament.
DBM was founded in 2011. Current legislation states that the development bank must award at least 60% of its loans to recipients that boost Mongolian exports. The lender was formed with the goal of assisting the country's growth via export gains and the financing of import replacement projects and programmes. However, according to the data release dated January 31, fully 55% its loans were deemed risky or as NPLs.
DBM's total loan portfolio amounts to Mongolian tughrik (MNT) 3.1 trillion ($1.1bn).
Source: bne IntelliNews
CHINA, MONGOLIA FINALIZE MAJOR RAILROAD CROSSING POINTS
Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai and his delegation recently concluded a five-day working visit to China. During his visit, Oyun-Erdene attended the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other high-level officials, including Premier Li Keqiang. In addition, the two sides reached a significant breakthrough on railroad and infrastructure projects that have been stalled for more than a decade.
On February 7, Xi received the Mongolian prime minister at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. During the high-level meeting, Xi expressed China’s goal for cooperation with Mongolia, with an emphasis on infrastructure and development-based projects.
n a joint statement, Mongolia and China reiterated respect for each other’s independence and territorial integrity, as well as the principle of non-interference in domestic politics. They also pledged to engage in cooperation and assistance as comprehensive strategic partners. Mongolia hopes to accelerate economic activities, including trade, major infrastructure projects, railroad, and development-based cooperation.
Source: The Diplomat
See also: The results of Prime Minister’s visit to China to be submitted to the National Security Council
FOREIGN INVESTMENT AGENCY TO BE RE-ESTABLISHED UNDER MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT
Today on February 16, Minister of Finance B.Javkhlan announced that the strategy and development policy for the Ministry of Economy and Development was approved at the regular Cabinet meeting.
With the changes made to the 2022 State Budget and the Law on the Government, the Ministry of Economy and Development was officially established in January this year. “By having the strategy and development policy approved by the Cabinet, the Ministry is provided with opportunities and proper structure to fulfill its duties that have been reflected in the respective law. In its framework, an agency is also being established on foreign investment,” highlighted Minister B.Javkhlan.
“Previously, the Foreign Investment Agency carried out its operations independently under the Government. The agency is now being re-established under the current government after many years. With the re-establishment of the agency, Mongolia’s mid- and long-term policies and plans for foreign investment will become very clear…
Source: Montsame
See also: Oyun-Erdene.L: We invite you to invest in Mongolia
LATEST ON COVID-19 IN MONGOLIA
Below are headlines from the past week concerning Covid-19 in Mongolia:
- Fighting on the Frontlines of COVID-19 in Mongolia
- Equipment, Vaccine, and Training: Supporting Mongolia’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery
- Pandemic-related hospitalizations drop in below 6000
- Mongolia's COVID-19 tally exceeds 460,000
- Training on parental engagement in COVID prevention in schools and kindergartens launches
- COVID-19: 761 cases, three death reported
- COVID-19: 874 cases, three death reported
- COVID-19: 834 cases, one death reported
- Health Minister meets UNICEF Representative
- COVID-19: 609 new cases, two deaths reported
- COVID-19: 553 cases, one death reported
- COVID-19: 1,297 new cases, two deaths reported
Source: Various
MNT 39 BILLION REPAYMENT MADE TO DEVELOPMENT BANK SINCE NON-PERFORMING LOAN DISCLOSURE
The Development Bank of Mongolia posted non-performing loans issued by the Development Bank on January 20, 2022, and information on loan packages issued by the Development Bank on official website www.dbm.mn on January 31, 2022.
Today, the loan portfolio information is updated as of February 11, 2022.
Since January 20, loan repayment of MNT 39,828,377,135 has been made to the Development Bank.
Information on 75 loans /66 borrowers/ issued by the Development Bank of Mongolia is available HERE.
Source: GoGo News
POLLS ARE BEING CONDUCTED ON CHANGING THE STARTING HOURS OF SOME OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS LOCATED IN THE CAPITAL CITY
During the Cabinet meeting held on the 8th of December, 2021, the Governor of Capital City was tasked to research and test a flexible solution to decrease traffic congestion, by changing the start/end schedule of secondary schools located in places that contribute to congestion the most whilst ensuring that it also coordinates with the parents’ working schedule. Therefore, based on the findings, a new plan was proposed to change school starting hours of 59 schools which includes 23 public schools and 36 private schools. From the 59, 44 schools are located in Ikh Toiruu, and 15 are in Khan-Uul District and Yaarmag. There are currently 85,207 students attending these schools, and as research indicates 28.1% or 23,952 of the total students take taxis or have private transportation methods.
- By grouping the 59 schools by location and traffic flow, set varying start and end time for the neighboring schools
Source: Ulaanbaatar.mn
MONGOLIA: CASES AGAINST NEWSPAPER AND THREE ACTIVISTS DISMISSED
Globe International Center welcomes recent court decisions in favor of the rights of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful demonstrations.
On 18 October 2021, the civil defamation case brought against Ugluunii Sonin (Morning Newspaper) daily newspaper was dismissed by the Chingeltei District Civil Court of First Instance. The court decision was based on the abandonment of a claim by the plaintiff, a state-owned company called Mon-Atom. The company filed a civil defamation lawsuit against the newspaper over an article of 22 April 2021 titled ‘Uranium hazards are destroying Dornogovi’s migratory gazelles’, written by environmental journalist Ulziibayar Sanjaajav, and demanded that the newspaper publish a retraction and pay 100 million Mongolian tugrik (approx. US$38,065) in compensation.
Furthermore, on 11 January 2022, the Capital City Criminal Court of Appeals dismissed a case brought against Amartuvshin Dorj and others for organizing a flash mob in protest against the restrictive pandemic regulations of the government in June 2021.
Source: ifex.org
DIGITALIZATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP COLLECTIVELY, AND WIN TOGETHER - INTERVIEW
We are living in a technology dependent era. Technology allows us to save time and provides us with the opportunity to complete each task faster and more efficiently. In this regard, one of the priority objectives of the Mongolia Government is to become a “Digital Nation” which has been reflected in its action program for 2020-2024. As for the capital city, which is home to nearly half of the country’s total population, the respective authorities have taken measures to ensure that the city is able to solve its problems using digital technology.
Cities around the world have also started using information technology in dealing with various issues that big cities face, such as public participation, corruption, and complex governmental bureaucracy. For instance, the city of Moscow, capital of Russia, started solving problems most common amongst cities such as, public service, congestion, corruption, and complex governmental bureaucracy, with the help of information technology.
Source: GoGo News
S. BATBOLD: DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, OUR TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SECTOR HAS CONTINUED TO ADVANCE - INTERVIEW
We discussed road construction, transportation and logistical issues with Mr. S.Batbold, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Road and Transportation.
Due to the pandemic, transporting mineral products by rail is more effective than by road. Can we start the discussion with information about the new railway: how is the construction going and when will it start operating.
The past two years were challenging due to the pandemic, but railway construction never stopped. The implementation of the Tavan Tolgoi-Zuunbayan rail project is about 85%. We plan a test train on 15th March in accord with the approved plan. 73.9% of the Tavan Tolgoi-Gashuun Sukhait railway was complete as of the end of 2021. All construction works are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2022.
In accordance with the decision of the Government of Mongolia to launch the Bogd Khan Railway Project by 2021, Tavan Tolgoi Railway LLC was granted a license to build…
Source: Mongolian Mining Journal
SHOULD WE PROVIDE FREE PERIOD PRODUCTS? - EDITORIAL
Parliamentarians Ts.Munkhtsetseg, Ch.Undram and M.Oyunchimeg have raised the issue of legalizing the provision of free period products to girls and women, which has become a topic of discussion among netizens. Some people oppose that this is a form of welfare policy and that it cannot reach the target group, while many proponents believe that addressing this issue will have a significant impact on promoting human rights and creating a favorable learning environment for girls.
In Mongolia, it is necessary to raise our voices for the rights of girls and take action to protect their rights. In fact, it is true that some herder households in remote soums, as well as low-income citizens, are unable to afford period products. For instance, a girl living in a rural town was beaten by her dormitory teacher for making period pads with her blanket. There are many other tragic cases related to period products.
Source: The UB Post
XI AND PUTIN AGREE ON ANOTHER GAS PIPELINE - EDITORIAL
Just before the opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing on February 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin became the first foreign leader to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping face-to-face in two years (Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene met with Xi two days later).
Xi and Putin subsequently issued a joint statement through the Kremlin's press office. In the statement, China openly supported Russian opposition to the further enlargement of NATO and Moscow's other security demands in Europe, representing a new level of unity between the two countries.
At the same time, Russian gas giant Gazprom signed a 30-year contract with the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to supply gas to China through a new pipeline from the island of Sakhalin.
Once operational, the new line will increase Russian gas supply to China by 10 billion cubic metres per year (bcm/yr), to a total forecast of 48 bcm/yr.
Source: Mongolia Weekly
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