Mongolia Brief March 27, 2014
Marking
65th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, Honorary Consulate of
Mongolia Established in Tirana, Albania
March 27
(infomongolia.com) On March 25-26, 2014, Mongolian delegation led by Deputy
Foreign Minister D.Gankhuyag has conducted a working visit to the Republic of
Albania, which is considered significant because made as first visit since
1957.
Within the
scope of the visit, Deputy Minister Damba GANKHUYAG held bilateral talks with
his counterpart Mr. Sokol Dervishaj and expressed his willingness to develop
mutual relationship in political, commercial, economical, educational and
cultural spheres.
He further
mentioned, this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between the two countries and in the frameworks of the
event, Mongolian side invites the Speaker of the Parliament of Albania and
Foreign Minister to visit Mongolia that would strengthen bilateral relations,
said Deputy Minister D.Gankhuyag.
Representing
the Foreign Ministries, parties signed on the Memorandum of Understanding to
enhance the bilateral partnership between Mongolia and Albania that was frozen
for over 60 years.
On the occasion
of marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Honorary Consulate of
Mongolia was established in Tirana, Albania and represented with Albanian
national as Honorary Consul.
On the
following day, March 26, Deputy Minister D.Gankhuyag was received by Minister
of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania Ditmir Bushati and during the
meeting Minister D.Bushati highlighted the importance of identifying the right
cooperation areas in the bilateral agenda, which would contribute to the
consolidation of relations between Albania and Mongolia.
On March 26,
Mongolian delegates visited the Parliament of Albania (Kuvendi), where Deputy
Minister D.Gankhuyag was received by Speaker of Parliament Mr. Ilir Meta and
during the meeting Speaker expressed his confidence that the visit would give
new impetus to bilateral relations and his willingness to strengthen economic
cooperation between the two countries.
In response,
Deputy Minister D.Gankhuyag also noted in the scope of celebrating the 65th
anniversary of diplomatic relations, Mongolia and Albania would raise the
friendly relations in new level and conveyed greetings of the Speaker of State
Great Khural (Parliament) Z.Enkhbold with official invitation to visit Mongolia
this year.
Mongolia and
the Republic of Albania have established the diplomatic relations on May 24,
1949.
Mongolian
pop group Uvertura prepares for countrywide tour
March 27
(news.mn) Mongolian pop opera group Uvertura is due to start their tour across
the country next month.
The pop opera
group successfully performed “Endless” in the UB Palace in Ulaanbaatar last
year. Now the group plans to perform for every Mongolian in every corner of the
country on the 5th anniversary of the group. “Uvertura” is scheduled to perform
in Zuunkharaa on April 12th, in Zaluuchuud theatre in Darkhan on April 13th,
and in Erdenet on April 14th.
Standing
Committee Head Receives French Delegation
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) Head of the parliamentary Standing committee on security
and foreign policy Ts.Oyunbaatar Wednesday received a French delegation.
It consisted of
Brigadier-General Pascal Ausseur, a director of the French Defense Ministry’s
Division of Arming for Asia-Pacific Affairs, and Mr Yves Delaunay, the
Ambassador of France to Mongolia.
Mr Ausseur
noted that the two countries exchange every year their military officers to have
them share experiences, and said he was appointed to his current position
two years ago. France spends every year some USD 20 billion for the arms
industry such as navy arming, military ships, helicopters and space techniques,
he went on. France is the only country among EU nations to independently carry
out this industry; he noted and expressed a willingness to cooperate with
Mongolia in this direction.
In response,
Oyunbaatar said the Mongolia-France relations have hundreds of years history
and that the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations will be
celebrated next year.
In its defence
sphere, Mongolia uses Russia-made weaponry, Mr Oyunbaatar noted and emphasized
an importance of introducing the latest hi tech to develop the frontier troops,
"here, a reliable partner is needed".
He went on that
Mongolia’s Defense Ministry is implementing a ten-year programme on renovating
the arms, to be completed in 2015, "now, the country is working out the
next 10-15-year programme.
After this
meeting, the French delegation had talks with the Defense Ministry, National
Emergency Management Agency and General Department for Border Protection.
Deputy
FM Meets with Albanian Speaker
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) In the scope of a working visit to Albania March 25-26, the
Deputy Foreign Minister D.Gankhuyag held a meeting with Mr Ilir Meta, the
Speaker of Albanian parliament /Kuvendi/ on Wednesday.
The sides
exchanged views on the ways of strengthening ties and cooperation between
Mongolia and Albania, Mr Gankhuyag conveyed to Mr Meta an invitation from
Z.Enkhbold, the Speaker of the Mongolian parliament.
The Speaker
Meta underlined a significant importance of the bilateral relations and said he
is planning to visit Mongolia within this year and that he will sign bilateral
cooperation documents and organize business forum in frames of this visit.
D.Gankhuyag
Meets With Albanian Counterpart
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) During the visit to Albania, the Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs D.Gankhuyag Wednesday met with his Albanian counterpart Mr Ditmir
Bushati.
They talked
about ways of intensifying relations and cooperation between Mongolia and
Albania in all spheres and highlighted wide opportunities to collaborate in
agriculture, mining and tourism spheres.
The sides also
stressed that our countries, who both adhere to foreign policy on regional and
international peace and stability, can continue cooperating in frames of the
European Union, the North Atlantic treaty Organization and the Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Mongolia and
Albania established the diplomatic relation on May 24 of 1949.
Development
of Light Industry Needs Professional Workers
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) In celebration of the 80th anniversary of the light
industrial development in Mongolia, a meeting ran Wednesday in UB palace.
The Industry
and Agriculture Minister Kh.Battulga addressed the audience consisting of
industrial workers. He talked about projects that have been carried out by the
Government to develop the light industry, mentioning approval of laws aimed at
supporting the sector that include the law on food, the law on safety of food
products and the law on easing customs taxation for equipment imports of small
and medium enterprises.
He also said
that increased productivity and enhanced competitiveness of the light industry
has been one of the key missions of Government which is striving to promote
exports of products made of leather, wool and cashmere, specifically supporting
provincial entrepreneurs of those kinds of products.
Today,
Mongolia’s processing industry compromises mere 6% of the national GDP, which
is very dissatisfying indication of the light industrial development, he
pointed out. The Government will pay attention to creating of a favorable legal
environment for running business in Mongolia, and to opening of opportunities
to elevate the light industrial development to international standards by
introducing advanced technologies and scientific achievements and exporting
pure natural products.
During the
meeting, the Minister awarded best entrepreneurs and workers the state high
medals.
President
Greets Participants of “Make The Right Real” Meeting
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) An advisor to the President Ts.Elbegdorj on human
development and social policy Mr R.Bold has conveyed a greeting of the
President to participants of the UN Convention on the rights of Persons with
Disabilities, Incheon Strategy to "Make the Right Real" for Persons
with Disabilities in Mongolia. The event ran Wednesday in the State House.
In the message,
the President greets all participants, guests and foreign representatives of
the Official Launching Ceremony on commitment of implementation of the UN
Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities, Incheon Strategy to
“Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Mongolia. “World
communities proclaimed the decade (1993-2002) the Asia and Pacific Decade of
Disabled Persons and adopted BIWAKO Millennium Framework for action in
2003-2012, towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for
persons with disabilities. Based on above mentioned plans and projects,
Mongolia is moving forward to support and improve living standards of the
persons with disabilities,” the message says.
"As the
President of Mongolia, I was fortunate to deliver a speech at the interactive
roundtable meeting of the High Level Meeting of the General Assembly of the UN
on International and regional cooperation and partnerships for disability
inclusive development. It is praiseworthy to draw global attention to the
interests, development and participation issues of the persons with
disabilities.
"The
people of Mongolia have a tradition to help, love and care for elders,
children, persons with disabilities and in generally those who need help.
Therefore we must give high significance on creating decent environment for the
persons with disabilities when we address issues related to the interest,
development and safety of the persons with disabilities. Persons with
disabilities have right to access to the information and right to participate.
Certainly, world communities have the same opinion and we have similar missions
on this issue," the message says.
Amarjargal
MP at PDF
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) Representing Mongolia, a member of parliament R.Amarjargal
is participating in semi-regular meetings of General Assembly and of Governing
Council of the Parliamentary Forum for Democracy/PDF/.
The meetings
are running in Brussels, Belgium, on March 27-28. Mr Amarjargal works as the
deputy Chairman of the Governing Council.
A theme for
this year's forum is “Democratic challenge: Attention on Ukraine's situation”.
The creation of
the Parliamentary Forum for Democracy (PFD) was an initiative of the Community
of Democracies (CoD). It is an organization of members and former members of
parliament which exists to strengthen democracy in the member states of the
Community of Democracies and to promote democratic development in other states.
It pursues these goals by sharing best practices of successful democracies,
identifying challenges to democracy in nascent democracies, and expressing
solidarity with fellow members of parliament and democracy advocates in non-democracies.
MPs
Submit Draft Amendment to Parliament
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) Parliamentarians S.Demberel, A.Bakei and Su.Batbold Tuesday
submitted to parliament a draft amendment to the law on government of Mongolia.
The amendment
reflects a clause on creating units of combating air pollution in all
Ministries who are charged with this task. A key purpose is to joint efforts
and activities of the state, civilians and entities more effective in dealing
with air pollution, say the MPs.
Chinese
Investors’ Meeting at Foreign Ministry
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) The Federation of Mongolian Employers organized a meeting
with some 100 Chinese investors at the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.
The meeting was
also attended by the Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag and chiefs of affiliated
ministries and agencies.
This meeting
was planned within the frameworks of Mr Altankhuyag’s last official visit to
China, during which the Governments of the two countries had agreed to jointly
run economy-related projects.
At his opening
speech, the Premier noted that Mongolia has created more definite legal
environment for investments sector’s development, eliminating bureaucracy and
burdens in certain ways. Foreign investors can now receive single window
services at the Foreign Investment Agency operating within the Ministry of
Economic Development, he said.
Ambassador of
China to Mongolia Mr Wang Xiaolong thanked the PM for his face-to-face meeting
with the Chinese investors to discuss economy and trade relations, and promised
efforts for further mutually beneficial cooperation.
During the
meeting, officers of ministries and agencies answered questions of
representatives of Chinese investors in Mongolia.
Minister
Receives South Korean Ambassador
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Economic Development N.Batbayar Wednesday
received Mr Lee Tae-ro, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
South Korea to Mongolia.
The meeting
took place on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the diplomatic relations
between Mongolia and S.Korea.
The sides
focused on all matters of the bilateral cooperation and expressed a mutual
willingness to run it more fruitfully.
It was noted
that a trade turnover between the two countries reached 63 million USD and that
the S.Korea has become the seventh country by its investments to our country.
The meeting was
initiated by the S.Korean side.
Mongolia and
South Korea established the diplomatic relations March 26 of 1990.
Mongolia
and Canada to Organize Roundtable Meeting
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) This measure will run within this year in Ulaanbaatar.
The sides are
expected to propose collaboration ways in economic and mining spheres and focus
on expansion of the further cooperation.
Mongolia’s
Minister of Mining D.Gankhuyag discussed this matter with Mr Joe Oliver, the
Canadian Minister of Natural Resources, and with Mr Ed Fast, the Minister of
International Trade, during an international forum of mining investors held
this month in Canada.
Mongolia and
Canada have many similarities in nature, climate, social system, law governance
and natural resources. Both countries’ economies are based on the mining and
agricultural sectors, so these features are to play important role in boosting
the bilateral relations and cooperation, the Ministers emphasized.
The Canadian
side has also expressed its proposal to establish an agreement to support
investments.
Program
to Be Implemented for Animal Products
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) The Mongolian Government will implement a 10-year project
to develop manufacturing of animal products, announces the Presidential Office.
The project
will enable processing of animal origin raw materials, thus supporting
chemical, pharmaceutical and nanotechnology industries in the country. The
project will be carried out in three stages, with the first stage focusing on
protein production until 2016, the second stage paying attention to preparation
of collagen manufacturing in 2016-2020. At the last stage of the project,
Mongolia will begin to produce collagen for medical and aesthetic use,
commencing from 2020.
Mongolia has
opportunities to produce protein hydrolysate that has special application in
sports medicine because its consumption allows amino acids to be absorbed by
the body, a study of the National Development Center shows.
Today, Mongolia
annually produces animal products of 160 billion togrog.
Mongolians
with JINR Director
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) A Mongolia delegation led by a Head of the Nuclear Energy
Agency (NEAM) N.Tegshbayar met on Tuesday with V.A.Matveev, a director and
academician of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna,
Russia.
During the
talks, the sides discussed a development of cooperation between Mongolia and
JINR. Mr Tegshbayar praised high quality of training of Mongolian specialists
in JINR, and expressed a hope this training will continue to contribute to
researches in Mongolia.
Representing
JINR, present at the meeting were also Laboratory of Radiation Biology director
E.A.Krasavin, and International Cooperation Department chief M.G.Loshchilov.
The meeting
took place before a regular session of the Committee of Plenipotentiaries of
JINR Member States, which ran March 25-26 with a participation of representatives
of governments of 11 founding countries.
Mongolian
Woman Receives UNESCO Award
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) A Mongolian teacher Ts.Urantsetseg received a UNESCO
competition award on Thursday in Ulaanbaatar.
The best
written article award consisting of a certificate and an e-book for ‘Skill for
a Better Life’ competition was handed to her by Ms Barbara Trzmiel, program
assistant at UNESCO.
Ms Urantsetseg,
who has been working at educational organizations of Bulgan province for 34
years, had sent her article titled ‘Secrets of Being Healthy and Happy’ for
this competition.
UNESCO Bangkok
launched an e-contest entitled ‘Skills for a Better Life’ to collect young
people’s voices and thoughts on skills they feel are important to their future.
More than 100 entries were submitted as part of the contest, which included
written essays and videos.
In an entry
from Huu Tin Le from Viet Nam, “A better life is a life where everybody lives
freely with their own dreams”. People often say that a better life means a
‘brighter future’.
The
participants of the e-contest, however, all define ‘a better life’ in slightly
different ways. Generally speaking, they suggest that having a better life in
the 21st century is not only about obtaining ‘stable jobs’ through the
acquisition of technical skills. Instead, young people see the key to a better
life for their generation as the opportunity to pursue their own unique dreams
and ambitions rather than follow in the footsteps of societal expectation.
About
Mining Production in First Two Months
Ulaanbaatar,
March 27 (MONTSAME) In the first two months of this year, the copper production
reached 146.6 thousand tons, or the performance rate is 71.2%, and the
molybdenum production--523.9 thousand tons or 108.2%.
The Mining Minister
D.Gankhuyag said it during the “Transparent Mining” monthly news conference
Wednesday.
The coal
production reached 5.7 million tons or 44%. Since the beginning of 2014,
Mongolia has extracted 3.6 million tons of coal and sold 3.6 million tons, of which
2.1 million tons has been exported. This shows an increase of 23% against the
previous year, Mr Gankhuyag said, adding that the country intends to export
31.4 million tons of coal this year.
Since adoption
of the amendment to the mineral law, the Bank of Mongolia (BoM) received 1.320
kg gold. It was 506 kg in February of 2013, the Minister said.
The iron
extraction reached 340 thousand tons in the first two months of 2014, which is
equivalent to 26.1% of the figures planned. Furthermore, the zinc production
was 18.1 thousand tons or 123.9%, the size of oil production--1,020.4
thousand barrels or 104.6%. Thus, the tax revenue constitution reached 47.2
billion togrog or 163.8%, the Minister said.
"Erdenes
MGL" to be restructured as corporation
March 27
(news.mn) Erdenes MGL LLC, (Erdenes MGL) a government-owned mining company is
to be restructured as a corporation. The company currently represents the
Mongolian Government’s interests in strategic mineral deposits, prospecting,
exploration, and mining licenses. It also conducts operations and makes reserve
assessments for strategic mineral deposits with state budget-funded prospecting
and exploration. Further, it holds government-owned shares of corporate
entities that conduct mining operations in the above mineral deposits.
"Erdenes
MGL" is planned to be developed using Singapore corporation standards. It
is planned that the Board of the corporation will be comprised of 30 percent
foreign experts, 30 percent native Mongolian leading managers and 30 percent
former senior government officials.
O.Sainbuyan,
the CEO of Erdenes MGL, commented on the restructure saying the company intends
to take steps to move onto the stock market in order to improve its activity as
a corporation and to support its subsidiary company’s finances.
O.Sainbuyan
added that the company is not in a hurry to move onto the stock market until
the legal environment has been improved and internal and external factors are
improved. As currently economic growth is slow, mining production prices are
weaker in the world market. However, the company does plan to put several
mineral deposits into production this year.
Vehicle
weight limits in place to protect local roads
March 27
(news.mn) Heavy trucks and haulage vehicles are temporally banned on the roads
of Ulaanbaatar city during the periods between March 20th to April 20th, and
October 20th to November 20th every year.
Heavy vehicles
can damage local road paving especially in spring when they are weakened
because they are saturated with water and frost in autumn. Resolution No 191 of
the Ulaanbaatar City Mayor, dated April 21st 2008, limits the weights of trucks
and haulage vehicles allowed on the City roads. Vehicles above 18 tons for
double unit trailer trucks and 24 tons for triple trailer units are
banned.
The Road
Authority of Mongolia has releases warnings to limit the weights on the roads
of the city until April 20th.
However, local
businesses depend heavily on these roads to operate, so numerous complaints are
made during this period of time.
Mongolian
Judokas in Turkey to Compete in Judo Grand Prix, Samsun 2014
March 27
(infomongolia.com) As part of series of tournaments organized by International
Judo Federation and host nation, the Turkish Judo Federation is hosting the
Judo Grand Prix in its Samsun city on March 28-30, 2014.
The three-day
competition will take place in both Men and Women 7 weight categories at “Yasar
Dogu” Sports Arena, where on Friday, March 28, competitions scheduled for Women:
48kg, 52kg, 57kg and Men: 60kg, 66kg; March 29 for Women: 63kg, 70kg and Men:
73kg, 81kg; and Women: -78kg, +78kg, Men: 90kg, -100kg, +100kg on March 30,
2014.
Mongolian team
is competing with 14 judokas in Women’s three and Men’s five weight divisions
under coach G.Dashdavaa and following the Judo Grand Prix, Samsun 2014,
Mongolian athletes are planning to have joint training with Austrian,
Azerbaijani, Georgian and German judokas in Berlin from March 31 to April 11,
2014.
Mongolian Team for Judo Grand Prix, Samsun
2014
Women
52kg -
Ch.Azzaya, A.Batzul
63kg -
B.Gankhaich, S.Adiltsetseg
70kg -
B.Khulan, D.Odkhand
Men
60kg -
M.Ganbold, Ts.Tsogtbaatar
66kg -
B.Batgerel, D.Altansukh
81kg -
N.Dagvasuren
90kg -
L.Otgonbaatar, G.Altanbagana
-100kg - B.Serik
The recent Judo
Grand Prix was held in Tbilisi, Georgia on March 21-23, where Mongolian team
grabbed a Bronze medal by
B.Batgerel,
Men’s 66 kg.
From
April 01, 2014 Mongolia to Export Coal under New Flexible Tariff and Plans 31.4
Million Tons
March 27
(infomongolia.com) On March 26, 2014, the Ministry of Mining of Mongolia hosted
the regular monthly press conference themed "Transparent Mining",
where Minister Davaajav GANKHUYAG, State Secretary at Mining Ministry
Rentsendoo JIGJID and other officials reported their works carried out in the
first three months of 2014.
In their
statements, authorities mentioned Mongolian Mining delegates had participated
in the PDAC 2014 International Convention, Trade Show & Investors Exchange
held in Toronto, Canada on March 02-05, 2014. During the visit, Minister
D.Gankhuyag met with Minister of Natural Resources of Canada Joseph Oliver, who
is currently serves as Minister of Finance since March 19, 2014. Mining
Minister also met with Minister of International Trade of Canada Edward Fast,
where parties exchanged views to strengthen partnership supporting foreign
investment into Mongolia.
On March 17,
2014, Minister D.Gankhuyag received Russian delegates led by President of
Rosneft Company I.I.Sechin and during the meeting sides negotiated on long-term
contract to supply oil products from Rosneft, moreover Mongolian Government
re-affirmed its interest to import petroleum from Russia up to 1 million ton
this year.
According to
the first quarter of 2014, 2.1 million tons of coal was exported, which is an
increased volume by 23% compare to the previous year. The country expects to
export 31.4 million tons of coal this year. In the first two months of 2013, a
total of 506 kg of gold was sold to Central Bank and this volume increased by
2.6 times in February 2014 reaching to 1,320 kg.
On March 10,
2014, the country’s largest zinc-lead enrichment plant “Dulaan Khar” was opened
in Bayan-Ulgii Aimag, Mongolia.
In order solve
the problems and difficulties faced on coal exports today, at the Cabinet
meeting held on March 21, 2014, it was resolved to set a flexible tariff on
coal exports that changes the tax system including mineral royalties and in the
scope of new regulations, which is effective from April 01, 2014, coal will be
exported under new tax tariff depending on how was made the contract. Before,
taxes including mineral royalties for coal export used to be under one solid
tariff, despite the international market price.
As of March 25,
2014, the oil reserve at national level was estimated for 35 days, of which
A-80 grade gasoline for 39 days, A-92 for 42, Diesel for 43 and TC-1 for 16
days.
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