|
ECONOMY
ECONOMIC RECOVERY OBJECTIVES TO BE DISCUSSED AHEAD OF MONGOLIAN ECONOMIC FORUM
A meeting of the governing board of the Mongolian Economic Forum NGO was held on March 4. The 2022 Mongolian Economic Forum will take place on April 7-8 to discuss ways to speed up the country’s development. This year, the government plans to organize the forum as part of the New Revival Policy.
The New Revival Policy is a medium-term program aimed at strengthening the country’s economic independence through partnerships between public and private sectors and with investors, mitigating the economic impact of the pandemic, eradicating impediments to development, and paving the way for the implementation of Vision 2050 long term development policy.
The Mongolian Economic Forum is where pressing social and economic issues of Mongolia and solutions to them are discussed and common understanding is reached through discussions among foreign and local representatives.
Source: Montsame
WILL MONGOLIAN COAL IMPORTS BE ABSOLUTELY BULLISH IN 2022?
The optimistic sentiment grew thicker in the market that Mongolian coal shipments to China could increase in 2022 amid a slew of favorable factors like the mitigated pandemic controls on the border, construction of new coal railways and China's potential import rises for Ukraine-Russia conflicts. But will Mongolian coal imports absolutely increase?
The reason behind this huge attention is mainly that Mongolian coking coal has become a "sweet pastry" for Chinese buyers after Beijing unofficially banned the imports of Australian coal, particularly as domestic coking coal price rallies have raised their cost significantly.
Imports of Mongolian coal through main border crossings were very unstable since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coal imports from Mongolia in the hopeful 2021 unexpectedly fell short of 2020, at only 14.56 million tonnes, a 46.5% year-on-year fall, taking up 93% of the country's total exports.
Source: SXCoal.com
ERDENEBUREN’S LONG-DELAYED HYDROPOWER PLANT PROJECT TO START UP APRIL
Mongolia has long set a goal to transform from an energy importer to an exporter. However, it remains unable to meet its domestic needs to date. In fact, the country needs to stop being depend on others in terms of the energy sector. Mongolian energy resources, such as coal, solar and wind, are viewed “sufficient” to supply Central Asia butthe country still buys electricity from its two neighbors due to the lack of infrastructure. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement large energy projects, such as hydropower plant project.
The successful implementation of the long-discussed Erdeneburen hydropower project, which aims to fully satisfy energy demands for the western region locally, is expected to take Mongolia a number of steps further in terms of energy independence. In other words, western provinces will no longer need to rely on imported electricity, be able to get a reliable source of renewable energy and source all of its energy consumption domestically.
Source: News.mn
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF MONGOLIA LLC -- MOODY'S AFFIRMS DBM'S ISSUER RATING AT B3 AND DOWNGRADES BCA TO CAA2; OUTLOOK STABLE
Moody's Investors Service has affirmed Development Bank of Mongolia LLC's (DBM) B3 foreign-currency issuer rating with a stable outlook. Moody's has also affirmed DBM's foreign-currency long-term Counterparty Risk Rating (CRR) at B3.At the same time, Moody's has downgraded DBM's Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) and Adjusted BCA to caa2 from b3, and its local-currency long-term CRR to B3 from B2 and Counterparty Risk (CR) Assessment to B3(cr) from B2 (cr).The outlook on DBM remains stable, reflecting Moody's expectation that the Mongolian government (B3 stable) will support the bank should its credit quality weakens. A full list of affected ratings and assessments is at the end of this press release.
The downgrade of DBM's BCA to caa2 from b3 reflects Moody's expectation of a significant pressure on the bank's capitalization and profitability over the next 12-18 months as a result of a weakening in the bank's asset quality and heightened risks in its loan portfolio.
Source: Montsame
WAR IN UKRAINE MAKES APPLE EXPORT TO KAZAKHSTAN OR MONGOLIA ‘ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE’
The war in Ukraine has had big consequences for Poland as a country. 100,000 war refugees are crossing the Polish border every day, while Ukrainian male employees in Poland are making their way back to their home country to defend it. Naturally, the situation has brought difficulties for the export of apples as well.
Jakub Krawczyk, export manager for Polish apple exporter Appolonia, states Poland is doing what it can to help the Ukrainian people in this time of war: “As a community, we’re all involved in helping Ukrainian people with transportation, food, medical healthcare and organization of basic needs here in Poland. All Polish people are involved; private companies, governmental officials or just regular people, they are trying to do everything to help our neighbors in these hard wartimes.”
Source: FreshPlaza.com
CITIZENS TO BE INVOLVED IN COMPREHENSIVE PREVENTATIVE DIAGNOSIS FROM MAY 1
On March 8, Prime Minister of Mongolia L.Oyun-Erdene and Minister of Health S.Enkhbold worked at the National Maternal and Child Health Center and the center’s branch in Yarmag area.
During the working visit, the Prime Minister became acquainted with the center’s online registrations as well as its surgical department, delivery and postpartum department, and radiology department. Despite the construction of the hospital launching in 2009, it was put into operation later in 2021 due to financing issues. Alongside offering healthcare assistance and services for mothers and newborns, the medical facility also provided treatment for COVID-19 patients by setting up 1,000 hospital beds during the peak of the pandemic.
Nine operating rooms equipped with modern equipment have been recently opened. However, due to its distance from the city center, there are certain pressing issues concerning workforce such as lack of accommodation and insufficient kindergartens nearby. In response, the Prime Minister pledged to resolve the issues.
Source: Montsame
HERDERS’ ORGANIZATIONS AT THE CORE OF MONGOLIAN SUSTAINABLE CASHMERE FUTURE
On March 4, a project on ‘Integrated production system for sustainable cashmere – II’ implemented by AVSF Mongolia NGO held its next round Steering Committee meeting to present the achievements of the action and to introduce plans to upgrade the initiative nationally.
As of 2022, the project is working with seven cooperatives in Bayankhongor aimag to support and engage herders to adopt sustainable practices and adopt the Sustainable cashmere certification. According to the project team, as a result of project interventions 4500 are composed into Pasture Users’ Groups and as of 2022, 440 households have obtained SC Certification. The certified households, with the support from the Sustainable Cashmere Union, supply over 50 tons of raw sustainable cashmere to around 10 international buyers at a value-added price within the last six years. Moreover, as a result of project support within the last six years the annual turnover of beneficiary cooperatives increased by five times from MNT 42 million.
Source: Montsame
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF MINING DEPENDS ON EXPLORATION - EDITORIAL
Any changes related to the issuance of mineral licenses has a positive or negative impact on the development of the mining sector. Under the 1997 Minerals Law, whoever applied first obtained a license. In addition, the license was revoked on only three grounds, and there were no restrictions on transferring or using licenses as collateral. Some industry experts argued that the 1997 law on licensing was the most liberal, transparent, and well-protected in terms of ownership rights.
Between 1997 and 2004 when this law was effective, about 6,000 exploration licenses were issued for 40% of Mongolia’s territory, and exploration activities took off. This is evidenced by the fact that by the mid-2000s, Mongolia was able to attract 4% of the world’s exploration capital. In 2000, the number of applications for exploration licenses was 1,340, in 2002 it grew to 2,700, and in 2004 it reached 5,000.
Source: Mongolian Mining Journal
POLITICS
SPRING SESSION OF PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE MARCH 15
Mongolian parliament or the State Great Khural will open its spring session on 15 March. This year, the parliament is expected to discuss major bills that is to bring sweeping political changes in Mongolia. For example, U.Khurelsukh, President of Mongolia is expected to present the amendments to the law on political parties and political financing to the parliament.
Last year, spring and autumn sessions of Mongolian parliament were mainly held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Under an amendment to the Constitution of Mongolia, parliament needs to hold session of more than 75 days. Therefore, the State Great Khural opened half a month earlier than usual. Previously, spring sessions open on April 1st.
Source: News.mn
MINING MINISTER VISITING RUSSIA
A working group of the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry led by G.Yondon and Deputy Minister O.Batnairamdal is paying a working visit to the Russian Federation and Belarus on March 7-11.
During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the 'Rosneft' Public Joint Stock Company of Russia and 'Erchis Oil' state-owned LLC.
'Erchis Oil' state-owned LLC was established as a subsidiary of the Mongol Refinery state-owned LLC per the Minister’s A/81 order issued in 2020. The ‘Rosneft’ company and 'Erchis Oil' state-owned LLC will establish a joint company that would supply fuel for the new Chinggis Khaan International Airport in the Khushig Valley.
Source: Montsame
DEPUTY MINING MINISTER VISITS UK AND IRELAND
As part of the efforts to develop bills on mining stock exchange and sovereign wealth fund, MP, chair of parliamentary standing committee on education, culture, science, and sports G.Damdinnyam, MPs Kh.Bulgantuya and B.Purevdorj, and Deputy Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry O.Batnairamdal paid a visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on March 7-10.
They met with MP, UK Department for International Trade’s Minister for Exports Mike Freer and MP, UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Mongolia Daniel Kawczynski to discuss relations and cooperation between the two countries, Mongolia’s New Revival Policy, and the introduction of laws on mining stock exchange and sovereign wealth fund in Mongolia.
Moreover, the Mongolian delegation visited London Metal Exchange and Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and met with their representatives, outlining the plans for the establishment of mining stock exchange and the introduction of a law on sovereign wealth fund.
Source: Montsame
DEPUTY CONSTRUCTION MINISTER MAKES WORKING VISIT TO SOUTH KOREA
A delegation led by Deputy Minister of Construction and Urban Development E.Zolboo paid a working visit to the Republic of Korea from February 18 to 28. During their visit aimed at holding discussions and reaching agreements on cooperating in creating a new city in Khushig Valley and reducing high population density, and stepping up the development of Solongo 1 and 2 apartment complexes, the representatives had 12 meetings with officials including Vice Minister for Land and Infrastructure Yun Seong-won. They also met with directors of Samoo company selected to provide consultancy services for Solongo Affordable Housing Complex 1 and 2 Project, Korea Housing Finance Corporation, Korea Land & Housing Corporation, Incheon Metropolitan City Development Corporation and Korea Development Institute and visited Yooshin International company.
At a meeting with the Samoo company, the sides had discussions to address the possible cost overrun in the Solongo apartment complex 1 and 2 project, complete the project designing phase…
Source: Montsame
WORKING GROUP ESTABLISHED ON AMENDING THE LAW ON INVESTMENT
The Government of Mongolia recently made a decision to establish the Foreign Investment Agency. By establishing the agency, policy and planning as well as investors will be connected with large-scale construction projects and other sectors. Furthermore, the rights and legal interests of investors will be more protected. The agency will be in charge of stabilizing the investment environment and provide investors with support and services, highlighted Deputy Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs B.Solongoo during a discussion that took place at the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI).
Co-organized by the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs and the MNCCI under the topic, ‘Pressing issues in the legal environment for investment, and necessity for reform’, the discussion was attended by officials of the newly established Ministry of Economy and Development, the General Authority for State Registration, and the Immigration Agency of Mongolia, and representatives of organizations such as the World Bank and the Business Council of Mongolia.
Source: Montsame
TEN IMPACTING WORKS OF THE UN ON PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN MONGOLIA
On International Women's Day 2022, UN Mongolia spotlighted its impacting work towards achieving SDG 5 - Gender equality.
- UN Mongolia leads the collective fight against gender-based and domestic violence (GBV) - horrendous crimes against women and girls in Mongolia. UNFPA led the advocacy on ending GBV in Mongolia on multi-pronged approaches, including the creation of a strong and enabling legislative and policy environment backed by real-time evidence and data that brought this pressing issue to the public discourse. These joint efforts contributed to a decrease in the reported domestic violence (DV) cases by 32 per cent from 2016 to 2019. However, the current COVID 19 threatened to reverse this achievement. Total 17 One-Stop Service Centers (OSSCs) and 14 shelters for survivors of GBV are operating throughout the country and providing safe accommodations as well as health, psychological, legal, counselling and protection services.
- …
Source: UN Mongolia
LATEST ON COVID-19 IN MONGOLIA
Below are headlines from the past week concerning Covid-19 in Mongolia:
Source: Various
SOME ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONS TO BE RELOCATED TO KHUSHIG VALLEY
At its regular meeting today, the Cabinet made the decision to relocate some public administrative organizations in Khushig Valley, Sergelen soum of Tuv aimag.
At the press briefing held following the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Construction and Urban Development B. Munkhbaatar said that within the framework of the plan to establish a satellite city in Khushig Valley, certain works are underway such as studying natural features including the valley's landforms and terrains and establishing the load-bearing standards of buildings.
The Minister said, “The relocation of administrative organizations to Khushig Valley will allow the urbanization and centralization of services. We will carry out a study on which organizations will be relocated within the framework of the government's decision. In addition, we plan to introduce the general plan of Khushig Valley to the Government in the near future, which includes blueprints to build the infrastructure, detailed assessment on the capacity of the thermal plant to be built near the airport…”
Source: Montsame
CONCESSION AGREEMENT TO BE ESTABLISHED FOR ZUUNBAYAN-KHANGI RAILWAY PROJECT
At today's Cabinet meeting, the State Procurement Agency was authorized to conclude a concession agreement for the Zuunbayan-Khangi railway project with the project implementing entity.
Minister of Road and Transport Development L.Khaltar was assigned to take immediate measures to resolve the issue of giving licenses related to the implementation of the concession project in accordance with the relevant law and regulations.
Resolution No. 28 of the Government of Mongolia dated January 12, 2022, tasked to conclude a direct contract for the Zuunbayan-Khangi railway project in accordance with the Concession Law.
The basic structure of the Zuunbayan-Khangi railway will start at the Zuunbayan station of the Ulaanbaatar Railway in Zuunbayan bagh, Sainshand soum, Dornogovi aimag, and run to the Hangi port, connecting it to the Chinese port of Mandal.
Source: Montsame
QUALITY AND SAFETY OF CONSTRUCTIONS IN ULAANBAATAR TO BE PRIORITIZED
A regular meeting of the capital city authorities was held on March 7. In accordance with the fire that broke out recently in the capital city, The Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar D.Sumiyabazar reminded the relevant officials to pay attention to the quality and safety of the constructions in the city. Officials were also instructed to take concrete measures to prevent forest and steppe fires.
The tender evaluation rate in the capital city is 61.7 percent
The Capital City Governor instructed to ensure the implementation of his ordinance issued in intensifying investment activities and to oversee the implementation. As of March 4, 2022, there are 393 projects to be implemented in the capital city with the state and capital city budget, local development funds, and other sources.
Source: GoGo News
‘PUBLIC EXPECTS WOMEN TO BE RESOLUTE, COURAGEOUS AND MILITANT’
On March 2, researcher S.Tumendelger presented the results of her study on public perceptions of women’s participation in decision-making.
One in five respondents and one in 10 men do not think that women have good leadership skills, according to the survey. Moreover, 44.3 percent of the participants said that men should be more involved in supporting their families and managing household financing, while 61.3 percent of them view that the wife should take care of young children. Some 76.6 percent said that both spouses should supervise and be more involved in how their partner behave.
In general, the researcher concluded that people have a stereotype that men are visionary, determined, courageous, straightforward, and are given the power to rule and govern. S.Tumendelger commented that interestingly, the public also expects women to be resolute, courageous and militant.
Source: The UB Post
PHOTO: “WE HAVE NO REASON TO CELEBRATE” PROTEST WAS HELD
Women in the trade sector held a protest in Sukhbaatar Square called "We have no reason to celebrate".
They said, "Mothers in the commercial sector are living through very difficult lives. We have no right to celebrate this day and live happily. The pressure from the state is way too much."
"All traders are under pressure from day-to-day borrowing. Today we want to show that we are under pressure as if we are carrying heavy loads. The government only knows how to collect taxes, rents and fines from the trade and service sector. But we need a fund to support the law and traders”.
80% percent of those employed in the trade sector are women.
Source: GoGo News
MARCH 9 CABINET MEETING IN BRIEF
At its regular meeting on March 9, the Cabinet made the following decisions:
-The Cabinet discussed a draft law on amendments to the Law on Infringement and other accompanying laws, and the Law on Investigation and Resolution of Infringement and decided to submit them to the Parliament.
-An order was given to develop a financing plan for projects in the New Revival Policy that funds have not been earmarked for yet by April 6.
-Minister of Finance B.Javkhlan and Minister of Health S.Enkhbold were ordered to authorize healthcare budget governors to get funds necessary for providing medical equipment to deliver quality healthcare services, supporting healthcare organizations, and ensuring security for employees from recurrent budget.
-In connection with the plan to establish an investment and trade authority under the Minister of Economy and Development…
Source: Montsame
HOW IS MONGOLIA RESPONDING TO THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR? - EDITORIAL
While some Mongolia observers are conflicted about how Mongolia should respond to the current Russia-Ukraine war, others familiar with Mongolian foreign policy understand and predicted Mongolia’s response.
On March 2, the United Nations General Assembly convened an emergency session to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Mongolia abstained along with 34 other nations, including China and India. No doubt, Mongolia’s abstention raised some eyebrows in diplomatic circles. However, from both a security and a foreign policy standpoint, given Mongolia’s geopolitical challenge, its relations with its neighbors – Russia and China – cannot be hindered by external instabilities. At the same time, Mongolia’s abstention does not mean it will miraculously avoid the economic damages that are already following the war and widespread sanctions on Russia.
Moreover, in response to the current events, Mongolian people have begun to speak out in support of peaceful dialogues between Russia and Ukraine.
Source: The Diplomat
MONGOLIA`S CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2020 - HARDLY ANY PROGRESS - EDITORIAL
In May 2020, constitutional amendments came into force in Mongolia. They modify one thing or another, but they are not the grand sweep that would have put Mongolia's political system on a solid footing. The parliament has avoided the basic question, namely whether to opt for a presidential or parliamentary system of government. Partial improvements are not enough to significantly improve the effectiveness of the system. This presentation examines in detail what has happened and shows that contradictions and imbalances continue to exist.
1. Introduction
On 14 Nov 2019, the Mongolian Great State Khural adopted amendments to the 1992 Constitution, which came into force on 25 May 2020. The constitutional amendments are intended to reduce imbalances in the relationship between the three powers in the state (legislative, executive and judicial), which have proven increasingly dysfunctional, and thus strengthen the country's ability to govern.
Source: Baabar.mn
AT WHAT STAGE IS THE “BILLION TREE” NATIONAL MOVEMENT? - INTERVIEW
Mongolia has announced a national campaign to plant “Billion Trees” as part of a global green revolution to combat global warming and reduce the impact of climate change. President U.Khurelsukh announced at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in September last year to the heads of state and government of 83 countries that “Mongolia launched a movement to plant billion trees by 2030 to address global climate change”. This statement by the President was received by Mongolians in two ways. Some people supported it by saying “It’s a timely decision because about 80% of our land is affected by desertification.” Some critici
|
