Apr 4, 2025 74 min read Daily News Summaries

Mongolia News Summary for April 04, 2025

The following news articles are the opinions of their authors and publications. They are presented here as translations for informational purposes and do not necessarily represent the opinion of MongolBeat or its members.

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Politics

Urgent Discussion on Amendments to the Law on Minerals Exchange

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

At the beginning of the meeting, a vote was conducted to urgently discuss the bill on amendments and additions to the Law on the Minerals Exchange, as submitted by the Government, and the majority of members supported it. Consequently, the bill was transferred to the Economic Standing Committee. Continued discussion is under way concerning the draft resolution of the Parliament on the reappointment of the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency. The spring session of the regular meeting of the State Great Khural has commenced at the State Palace. Today's agenda includes the following issues: - Deciding whether to urgently discuss the draft law by the Parliament; - The draft resolution on the reappointment of the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency; - Conclusion number 2 of the year 2025 by the Constitutional Court of Mongolia (related to Article 47.6 of the Law on Courts of Mongolia and whether it violates the Constitution of Mongolia); - The draft law on amendments and additions to the Law on Legislation and accompanying drafts (submitted by nine members including D. Tsogtbaatar on January 23, 2025, and whether to discuss it); - Draft law on amendments and additions to some laws related to ensuring human rights and freedoms (submitted by the Government on January 24, 2025, and whether to discuss it); - Draft law on amendments and additions to the Law on Criminal Procedure and accompanying draft laws (submitted by the Government on December 27, 2024, and whether to discuss it); - Draft law to invalidate certain provisions of the Law on Advocacy (submitted by Member of Parliament G. Uyangaakhishig on March 17, 2025, and whether to discuss it); - Draft law on amendments and additions to the Law on Licenses and accompanying drafts (submitted by the Government on March 26, 2025, and whether to discuss it); - Draft law on amendments and additions to the Law on Credit Information and accompanying draft resolutions (submitted by Member of Parliament E. Batshugar on December 25, 2024, and whether to discuss it); - Draft law ratifying amendments and additions to the "Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network" (submitted by the Government on March 26, 2025, for negotiation and discussion). Warning: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) are prohibited from using our information in any form, in whole or in part, except with agreement, in which case the source (ikon.mn) must be cited.

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Laws to Amend the Law on Legislation to Organize Regulations Exceeding the Law

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

At the session of the State Great Khural of Mongolia, the draft law on amendments and revisions to the Law on Legislation, which was submitted by Member of Parliament D. Tsogtbaatar and eight other members, was discussed. The draft law and related bills were considered based on the recommendations and conclusions of the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs of the Parliament. As of October 2024, 437 laws were in force in the country, of which 315 laws contained provisions authorizing certain powers. A total of 2,403 provisions in these laws have been legislated to be implemented by transferring authority to other entities, resulting in 2,560 rules and regulations being registered in the General Administrative Regulatory Act's unified national catalog of the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs. Many of these rules and regulations have set norms that exceed the scope of the law, regulate relationships not governed by law, and contain provisions that limit human rights and freedoms. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the matters that should be regulated by administrative regulatory acts that are approved according to authority delegated by law, and to further refine the requirements and conditions for acts establishing administrative regulations. The project also includes the evaluation of the effectiveness of legislation and the conduct of human rights analysis, and in unavoidable circumstances, to regulate within the scope of the law. In any case, the initial parliament with 126 members, at the beginning of its strategic plan, prioritized the respect for human rights and freedoms, with a "people-centered" approach. It highlighted the need to ensure and protect human rights at all stages of drafting, enacting, and implementing legislation. The discussion to support the law amendment project aimed at advancing this goal was encouraged. Lawmakers emphasize that, if the law amendment project is approved, it will greatly contribute to the resolution of the overlap, omissions, and conflicts between laws, as well as streamline the adoption of administrative regulations, rules, and procedures, thereby creating a legal environment that meets the needs and demands of the time.

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B. Purevdorj: There is a bribery issue involving over 100 billion MNT in obtaining 9,000 "C" permits each season /VIDEO/

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

During today's session of the State Great Khural (Mongolian Parliament), the reappointment of Z. Dashdavaa as head of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) was discussed. Member of Parliament B. Purevdorj stated: "I support the reappointment of Z. Dashdavaa as head of the Anti-Corruption Agency. Various thefts by those in power have increased since 2016. There have been COVID-related thefts, budget thefts, green bus thefts, coal thefts, and oil thefts. For example, the coal theft case allegedly resulted in a loss of 44 trillion MNT. There is a bribery issue involving over 100 billion MNT in obtaining 9,000 'C' permits each season. I would like to ask Mr. Z. Dashdavaa, how was the coal theft issue resolved?"

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Mongolia Shares Experience in Implementing FATF Recommendations

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Financial Regulatory Commission of Mongolia, together with the Central Bank of the Macau Special Administrative Region of China and the Financial Intelligence Unit of the region, organized a virtual meeting to share experiences related to "FATF Recommendation 15." Mongolia has fully implemented the technical compliance of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)'s 40 recommendations and has enhanced the implementation of Recommendation 15 (New Technologies) with a revised methodology. The meeting was organized following a request from Macau to share experiences on the regulation of virtual asset service providers. During the meeting, issues to be considered in the supervision and regulation of virtual asset service providers, strategies to address them, new types of risks in the sector, regulatory challenges, and solutions were discussed. Additionally, Mongolia shared its current situation regarding the regulation of virtual assets and virtual asset service providers, its experience in risk-based supervision, and its efforts in combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The next mutual evaluation between the two countries is scheduled for 2027-2029. Therefore, the parties exchanged views on expanding cooperation, especially on how to collaborate in the framework of risk-based supervision.

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Study: Head of the Anti-Corruption Agency Z. Dashdavaa Rated Poorly in International Evaluation

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene presented the proposal to reappoint Z. Dashdavaa as the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) during the government's meeting. The members of the government expressed their support related to the presentation. Additionally, the issue was discussed and supported during the meetings of the two party factions and the Standing Committee on Justice. During the party faction meetings, the Prime Minister introduced Z. Dashdavaa and made a presentation. On the occasion of forming a coalition government, it has been suggested during the faction meeting that a member of the Democratic Party (DP) should be appointed as the deputy head of the ACA. As it is a matter within the authority of the Prime Minister, the two party factions expressed their support without many questions or answers being needed. However, the DP faction mentioned that a personnel from their party should be appointed as deputy head since they have formed a coalition. The ACA head should be appointed through a hearing, and it was emphasized that, according to the law, the appointment should be conducted this way. Meanwhile, some members reminded the public that Z. Dashdavaa received poor performance evaluations from international organizations during his past six years as the head of the ACA. For example, Members of Parliament Ch. Undram and B. Jargalan mentioned that under Z. Dashdavaa's leadership, corruption has not decreased and has only grown at all levels. Specifically, Member of Parliament Ch. Undram stated, "International organizations and major foreign researchers have studied the Corruption Perceptions Index of our country and produced results. They covered all detailed questions, such as whether corruption crimes are decreasing or whether public officials are involved in corruption. This report showed that this person scored 30 out of 100 points, and our country ranks 121st. Isn't that a very poor rating? People's dissatisfaction results in low corruption perception scores, this person explained. What does being ranked 121st out of 130 countries mean? Only a few countries, like North Korea and some others with civil wars and authoritarian regimes, are below us. Therefore, I do not evaluate such an individual as having performed well. I am surprised that the group members seem afraid and support him." INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE CONCLUDED THAT IN COUNTRIES WHERE THE SCORE HAS BEEN BELOW 50 FOR MANY YEARS, BILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS CONTINUE DUE TO CORRUPTION. The data points mentioned are included in the "Transparency International" Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024. "Transparency International" annually ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. Scores range from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). The 2024 report shows that corruption remains a significant issue worldwide, although some countries have made notable progress. Countries with the least and most corruption: - Least corrupt countries: Denmark leads with 90 points, followed by Finland and Singapore. These countries are known for their effective implementation of transparency and accountability systems. - Most corrupt countries: South Sudan scores the lowest with 8 points, with Somalia, Venezuela, and Syria also scoring low. These countries experience unstable governance and serious corruption issues. Regional highlights: - United States: Scored 65 points, a drop of four points from the previous year, ranking 28th globally. The influence of industries on government policy, especially regarding climate change decisions, factors into the corruption issues. - United Kingdom: Maintained a score of 71 but fell to 20th place, its lowest historical level. Recent political scandals and insufficient anti-corruption measures have affected this score. - Australia: Scored 77 points, reentering the top 10. This reflects significant reforms in anti-money laundering and combating foreign bribery laws. While 32 countries have significantly reduced corruption levels since 2012, much work remains. 148 countries have maintained or worsened their scores during this period. For many years, the global average score has not surpassed 43, with two-thirds of countries scoring below 50. This results in billions of people suffering and facing human rights violations due to corruption. Incidentally, in 2019, President Khaltmaagiin Battulga nominated Z. Dashdavaa for the ACA head position. He is the first individual to have served a six-year term in the ACA's history. Now, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene supports extending his term for another six years, which raises political concerns about what nuance this might bring.

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SESSION: Discussing the Reappointment of AAT Director Z. Dashdavaa

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: news.mn

The regular session of the Parliament's meeting began today at 10:00 AM. Today's agenda includes: - The 02nd conclusion of 2025 by the Constitutional Court of Mongolia on whether certain provisions of Article 47, section 47.6 of the Law on Mongolian Courts violate the Constitution of Mongolia. - The draft law on amending the law on legislation, and related proposed laws and resolutions submitted by nine members of Parliament, including D. Tsogtbaatar, on January 23, 2025. - The draft law on amending laws related to ensuring human rights and freedoms, submitted by the government on January 24, 2025. - The draft law on amending the Criminal Procedure Law and related proposed laws submitted by the government on December 27, 2024. - The draft law on considering certain provisions of the Law on Advocacy as null and void, submitted by Member of Parliament G. Uyankhishig on March 17, 2025. - The draft law on amending the Law on Permits and related proposed laws, submitted by the government on March 26, 2025. - The draft law on amending the Law on Credit Information and related resolutions, submitted by Member of Parliament E. Batshugar on December 25, 2024. - The draft law on ratifying amendments to the "Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network," submitted by the government on March 26, 2025. Currently, the Parliamentary plenary session is discussing the draft resolution to reappoint Z. Dashdavaa as Director of the Authority Against Corruption (AAT). The proposal is being presented with conclusions and recommendations from the Standing Committee on Law by Member of Parliament Ts. Sandag-Ochir. Members of Parliament are asking and receiving answers from the nominee. Member of Parliament B. Purevdorj: I support the reappointment of the AAT Director. Since 2016, theft among the ruling authorities has increased, with various incidents such as COVID, green bus, and coal thefts worsening. It's true there was a theft involving 44 trillion MNT in coal. Before 2019, transporting coal across the 29 km between Tsagaan Khad and Gantsmod was 3 million MNT per vehicle, but during COVID, it increased to 120 million MNT, resulting in a huge theft. For instance, when 600 vehicles transport coal for 120 million MNT each day, 44 trillion MNT adds up in 8 months. Everyone from top to bottom was involved. What solutions are being offered for this widespread financial misconduct? The government is moving one step forward and two steps back. The S permit, formerly priced at 2 million MNT, has increased to 20 million MNT. It's reported that over 100 billion MNT in bribes occur in the underground economy for the 9,000 S permits issued. Over 800 people work officially and more than 100 under contract on the Gashuunsukhait railway. They only conduct transportation once a month, and 100 people work in its management in the city, employing those involved in the elections in government agencies. AAT Director Z. Dashdavaa: In 2022, the so-called coal case emerged. A joint task force is working on it. Out of the 103 registered investigations, 17 were transferred to court, 14 were dismissed, and 44 are currently being examined. From the 17 cases adjudicated in court, 34 billion MNT has been recovered for the state, around 11 billion MNT has been sealed, and investigations are ongoing. Member of Parliament O. Shijir: Concentrating too much power in the state has led to corruption and unfair practices. The AAT needs to raise awareness in its role. The primary duty of the AAT Director should be to eliminate red tape in the government. Information shows that cash withdrawals from commercial banks related to budget expansions before the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections have increased six to eightfold compared to the same period in previous years. This demonstrates that political elections are financially driven. Therefore, the AAT Director should focus on this issue. Political party financing must also be discussed. For instance, the HUH party, which has seats in Parliament and the Cabinet, received 1 billion 95 million MNT in donations, of which 1 billion 45 million MNT came from one company and its 37 affiliated subsidiaries. In other words, 98% of the election financing came from one company and its 37 subsidiaries, which is legalized corruption. Such examples do not exist in world history. The AAT should thoroughly address the issue of political party financing, and other political parties should focus on the matter as well. This is an attempt to unlawfully seize state power.

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Proposal to Reduce Income Tax to 1% Forwarded to Budget Standing Committee

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: news.mn

The Speaker of the State Great Khural, D. Amarbayasgalan, has forwarded a proposal supported by 100,000 citizens to reduce the personal income tax to 1% to the Budget Standing Committee. A public petition was initiated by citizen R. Shinegerel to draft a legislative amendment to reduce the tax rate specified in Article 6.3 of the Personal Income Tax Law, which affects public interest, to 1%. The petition gathered 100,187 signatures. Today, the Speaker, D. Amarbayasgalan, announced that the issue raised in the public petition is being forwarded for discussion and resolution by the Budget Standing Committee. If this law is passed, the tax rate paid by citizens, businesses, and employers will decrease by 9%.

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Violation of Electoral Rights Due to Campaign Duration, Costs, and Signature Collection

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The National Human Rights Commission held a press conference today on "The Right to Vote and Be Elected: The 2024 State Great Khural Election." During this event, NHRC Chairperson D. Suunzhid presented the following observations. The 2024 election was evaluated according to the following four international principles. Universal principle - While 9,000 citizens abroad were expected to vote in the 2024 State Great Khural election, only 7,000 actually voted. Additionally, it remains essential to focus on accessibility and the availability of information and promotions for persons with disabilities. Employees on long shifts, civil servants, and students are unable to vote because they are in locations different from their registered addresses on voting day. Therefore, NHRC suggests making legislative amendments to ensure the rights of these citizens. Equal principle - While one member of parliament represents 18,000 voters in some districts, in others they represent 45,000 voters. Such a discrepancy should be kept within 10% as advised internationally. Free principle - While voters should freely choose who to vote for, ballots are rendered invalid if not all votes are used, thus violating the free principle. Requiring voters to fill in all mandates contradicts the principle of freedom. Secret principle - Standards must be implemented to ensure the possibility of expressing one's vote without coercion, influence, surveillance, or observation. Campaign durations are influencing voters' right to obtain complete information and candidates' opportunity for self-introduction. Therefore, legislative regulation of election campaign periods should ensure fair competition and guarantee voters' right to know. Regarding election expenses, although a maximum expenditure limit has been set and funding for parties in parliament has been introduced, it must still be assessed if these expenses allow average citizens a fair opportunity to compete. Election expenses need to be reduced, and violations must be held accountable. Over 2,000 complaints related to elections were received by public entities, with 92% involving criminal elements handled by police, such as distributing money, defamation, spreading false information, and property damage. During the election period, NHRC received five complaints. One of them was about the violation of the right to be elected due to the requirement that independent candidates must collect 801 signatures, a provision seen as breaching the Constitution. As a result, NHRC forwarded the issue to the Constitutional Court, which found that the stipulation in Article 31.2 of the Election Law violated the civil right to be elected to public office. Thus, a proposal to suspend this provision was forwarded to the standing committee of the State Great Khural, which will review the issue and decide in parliament. Warning: Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) are prohibited from fully or partially using our information in any form without agreement and must cite the source (ikon.mn) if agreed upon.

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Ө.Шижир: ХҮН Party received 98% of its total funding from one company, which is legalized corruption /VIDEO/

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

At the beginning of the plenary session of the State Great Khural (Parliament), the decision of the Prime Minister to reappoint Z. Dashdavaa as head of the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) was presented at the government meeting yesterday and discussed by the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs. Today, it is being discussed at the parliamentary session. During this session, Member of Parliament (MP) Ö.Shijir said: "Corruption stems from injustice, excessive concentration of power in the government, and unfair distribution of wealth. Therefore, I would like the IAAC to be more conscious of its educational mission. There is a statistical study showing that before the parliamentary elections of 2016, 2020, and 2024, there was a 6-8-fold increase in the release of cash from the state budgets and commercial banks. This shows that political elections are heavily dependent on money. I would like the IAAC head to focus on this issue. We need to discuss the financing of political parties. I see this as legalized corruption. To give an example, the Khün Party, which has seats in the Parliament and the Government, received one billion and eighty-five million MNT as election donations, of which one billion and forty-five million MNT came from 37 subsidiaries of a single company. In other words, 98% of their total election funding came from one company. This is legalized corruption. Such a dirty example does not exist in the history of the world. You should study the political elections and election funding of countries worldwide. Therefore, I urge the IAAC to pay great attention to the financing of political parties.”

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Z. Dashdavaa Reappointed as Head of the Anti-Corruption Agency

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia discussed and approved the draft resolution on "Reappointing the Head of the Anti-Corruption Agency" during today’s session. Speaker of the Parliament D. Amarbaysgalan read and introduced the final wording of the resolution and wished Chief Z. Dashdavaa success in his work. Regarding the reappointment of the Head of the Anti-Corruption Agency, members of the Parliament expressed several opinions today, urging that the agency implement these suggestions effectively. Members of the Parliament emphasized the importance of thoroughly implementing anti-corruption activities, which should be supported by the Parliament. For this purpose, the agency needs to present issues related to its structure, composition, and working conditions to the Parliament. On the other hand, the Anti-Corruption Agency is being tasked to develop and submit proposals to invalidate rules that exceed the law and to invalidate government decisions that create conditions for corruption. The Administrative Office of the Parliament, the Anti-Corruption Agency, and the National Human Rights Commission are working together in a joint task force to expedite and produce tangible results through this work. The Parliament pledges to pay attention to the agency's activities and working conditions and to fully support its efforts. Z. Dashdavaa, born in 1974 in Öndörkhaan, Khentii Province, is 51 years old, of Khalkha ethnicity, and male. He is a lawyer, holds a Ph.D. in law, and is recognized as an Honored Lawyer of Mongolia. From 1995 to 2019, he progressed from being a case investigator and criminal officer in the police to serving as head, division head, and deputy head in the Department of Internal Control and Security at the General Police Office, eventually being appointed as head of the Anti-Corruption Agency in 2019. Senior Commissioner Z. Dashdavaa has worked in police organizations for 24 years and is now in his sixth year at the Anti-Corruption Agency, marking his 30th year in law enforcement organizations.

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TODAY: Plenary Session of the State Great Khural Will Be Held

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The plenary session of the State Great Khural will be held at the Government Palace at 9:00 am. At 9:00 am, the opening of the National Conference of Primary School Teachers of Mongolia will take place at the building of the First General Education School of the capital. At 10:00 am, the scientific conference "Dariangan Creations: Maaam of the Dugerezhav" will be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At 12:00 pm, information about the "Evening with Anar" concert will be announced at the National Information Center. At 1:00 pm, the "Academic Assembly 2025" conference organized on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the capital's emergency medical center will be held at the Ministry of Health. At 3:00 pm, the opening of the cultural exchange event, "Dunhuang Culture in Ulaanbaatar," will take place at the Chinggis Khaan National Museum. In the local area, at 2:00 pm, an open house event promoting traditional medicine services will be held at the Children's Theater of the Heavenly Mark in Dundgovi Province. The leadership meeting of Selenge Province will be held at the Arkhangai Wave Ensemble for People's Songs and Dances. A public clean-up will be organized in Selenge Province from April 3 to 5. Abroad, the "Chinggis Khaan" international exhibition is on display at the Czech National Museum until June 22.

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NHRC: Human Rights Violations During the 2024 Parliamentary Elections

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: news.mn

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is providing information on the topic "The Right to Elect and Be Elected: The 2024 Parliamentary Elections." The NHRC has submitted the 24th report on the state of human rights and freedoms in Mongolia to the Parliament. The report covers a total of six topics, including: - The Right to Elect and Be Elected: The 2024 Elections - The Current Situation of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists - Human Rights and Digital Technology - Gender-based Violence Perpetrated Using Digital Technology - Issues Concerning the Rights of Child Victims During Criminal Proceedings - The Right to a Fair Trial A total of 44 recommendations have been developed and submitted to the Parliament. The Chairperson of the NHRC, D. Sunjid, stated: "Let me provide information within the framework of the first chapter of the 24th report on the state of human rights and freedoms in Mongolia, which is titled 'The Right to Elect and Be Elected: The 2024 Parliamentary Election Process.' In 2024, the ninth regular elections for the Parliament and the Citizens’ Representative Meetings of provinces, the capital city, districts, and sub-districts were organized. The election process was monitored under four international principles, and monitoring was conducted within the fundamental principles stated in the Constitution. The General Election Commission and other participating organizations conducted this monitoring. The NHRC presented an evaluation based on the four international principles and the handling of complaints and information. We submitted to the Parliament the issues related to human rights that arose during the 2024 regular elections of the State Great Khural and the recommendations. As for last year, Mongolia formed its parliament using a mixed system for the second time and, for the first time, consisted of 126 members. One improvement in the 2024 election was the inclusion of everyone in the electoral process. For example, one in ten people living abroad participated in the elections. Although universal inclusion was not fully realized, at least Mongolians abroad actively participated in the elections. Another group to be included equitably is the over 110,000 citizens with disabilities."

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B. Purevdorj: Coal was stolen by transporting it for 129 million tugriks across a 29 km stretch between "Tsagaan Khad-Gants Mod" port

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

The session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) is ongoing. The issue of reappointing the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), Z. Dashdavaa, is being discussed. Members of Parliament are asking questions and expressing their views on the issue. Member of Parliament P. Sainzorig stated: "The corruption perceptions index is not the responsibility of the ACA. Rather, it is a question of how the Government and the Parliament are doing their job. In other words, we must demand optimism from ourselves. Laws regarding political party financing, state-owned enterprises, procurement tenders, governance, and the legal status of whistleblowers are to be passed. Only then will progress in anti-corruption processes occur. Additionally, for nearly 30 years, foundational structures of society have not received investments. For example, no progress has been made in electrical plants for the past 40 years. So the lack of infrastructure contributes intrinsically to the root causes of corruption. Without addressing such issues, talking about indexes won't help. Participation of law enforcement and oversight constitutes only 13% of this perception. To advance this perception, we need to improve the protection of citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms. Our citizens also need to improve mentally. Children should be taught not just 'don't be subordinate to others,' but also 'don't inconvenience others.'" Member of Parliament B. Purevdorj said: "I support Dashdavaa in principle. Since 2016, the theft by the authorities has become uncontrollable. The COVID theft, budget theft, coal theft, green bus theft, offtake theft have all proliferated. In particular, coal theft causing damages of 44 trillion tugriks is true. Between 2019 and the pandemic, transporting a coal truck 29 km between 'Tsagaan Khad-Gants Mod' port increased from 3 million to 129 million tugriks, during which theft occurred. With 600 vehicles a day transporting at 129 million tugriks, it amounted to 44 trillion tugriks in one year and eight months. This thievery was committed with everyone's participation. So, we must work with great responsibility on this issue. I want to ask Dashdavaa how he is addressing the coal theft. Permit 'S' has gone underground as well. Generally, the ruling party is excessively corrupt." The ACA head Z. Dashdavaa stated: "In 2022, a working group was established to investigate coal theft cases. A total of 103 cases regarding coal were initiated and investigated. Of these, 17 cases have been transferred to court, and 14 were dismissed." Member of Parliament S. Erdenebold said: "On February 3rd and 4th, hearings on smoke were held. Notably, as soon as the warm season arrives, people seem to forget this issue. Over the past 10 years, 1.8 trillion tugriks have been spent to reduce pollution. Currently, about 190 billion tugriks in discrepancies have been identified. This violation of Mongolian people's right to live in a healthy and safe environment suggests potential laundering of money, while various projects and programs arguably misappropriate taxpayers' funds. How is this being addressed?" The ACA head Z. Dashdavaa added: "From my perspective, for the next six years, my focus will be on systems rather than individuals. Today, overriding laws creates bureaucracy. Government officials complicate matters with decisions beyond the law, and I intend to work with Parliament and the Government on this. Initial steps are being taken to streamline regulations. Public criticism targets our inability to handle 'sharks' while focusing on 'small fish.' We aim to improve operations moving forward."

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High-Level UN Meeting on Development Issues in Middle-Income Countries Held

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The High-Level Meeting of the United Nations on development issues in middle-income countries was held in New York City. According to the World Bank's methodology, over 100 countries are currently classified as middle-income, with 75% of the world's population living in these countries. The high-level meeting discussed the challenges faced by middle-income countries in the implementation of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," as well as the potential impact of new methods and approaches beyond GDP on international cooperation. N. Ankbayar, the Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the United Nations, stated at the high-level meeting that Mongolia was classified as an upper middle-income country in 2024. He called for the acceleration of reforms to the international financial and banking system as outlined in the "Pact for the Future," adopted during the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly. Additionally, he urged international financial institutions and development partners to support infrastructure development and increase investment in landlocked developing countries, in connection with the implementation of the 2024-2034 Program of Action for these countries, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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O.Tsogtgerel: The Fight Against Corruption is Weak at the Top but Firm Below, Causing Public Discontent

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

During the parliamentary session today, the reappointment of Z. Dashdavaa as the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency was discussed. At this time, Member of Parliament O. Tsogtgerel remarked: Corruption has become an issue that demands the attention of Mongolian society and has brought public dissatisfaction to its peak. The root cause of corruption is related to the government. It is connected to the inappropriate advantages given by the state. When the state of Mongolia has expanded to such a large scale, with its budget reaching nearly half of the economy, state-owned companies take up the other half, and the remaining portion is mostly occupied by businesses that require special permits from the government, then it is only natural that corruption prevails. You cannot inflate the government with one hand and then expect some people to fight corruption with the other. This is a charade of democracy, a charade of a fight against corruption. If we truly want to reduce corruption, we need to reduce governmental involvement. The unequal fight against corruption today is causing public discontent. "Unequal" means it is weak at the top and strong at the bottom.

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China: Unprecedented Shuffle in the Politburo

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: news.mn

On Wednesday, it was announced that two members of the Politburo, the highest decision-making body of the Chinese Communist Party, have switched their positions. Specifically, Shi Taifeng, head of the United Front Work Department responsible for planning the Party's influence over religious and ethnic minorities, as well as in Hong Kong and Taiwan, has been appointed as the head of the Party's Organization Department, which oversees all internal personnel decisions. Conversely, Li Ganjie, who was the head of the Organization Department, has been appointed as the head of the United Front Work Department. Experts highlight that such a change at the political level has never been made before. Party senior officials and ministers are often appointed to new positions to prevent the establishment of factions or power bases. However, it is unprecedented in the history of the Chinese Communist Party to have Politburo members swap jobs. For ministers, this is not unusual. However, Singapore National University's Associate Professor Alfred Wu notes that Shi Taifeng and Li Ganjie are considered heavyweights in terms of their positions. Shi Taifeng and Li Ganjie were both promoted to the Politburo in 2022. However, they are not members of the seven-member Standing Committee, the pinnacle of power in China's political system. Chairman Xi Jinping has conducted intense political purges over the last two years. As a result of these purges, it might be perceived that candidates for leadership positions in the Central Organization Department were not sufficiently vetted. Shi Taifeng is 68 years old. Before his appointment as the head of the United Front Work Department in October 2022, he served as the President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Li, who is 60, is the youngest member of the Politburo and a technocrat specializing in nuclear safety.

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Majority of Standing Committee Members Support Reappointment of Anti-Corruption Agency Head

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

During yesterday's session of the Justice Standing Committee, the proposal submitted by the Prime Minister of Mongolia to the State Great Khural regarding the reappointment of the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency was discussed and resolved. Member of the State Great Khural, Member of the Government, Minister of Mongolia, and Head of the Government Cabinet Secretariat N. Uchral presented the Prime Minister's proposal. The proposal was submitted based on Articles 21.1 and 21.4 of the Anti-Corruption Law, to reappoint Zandraagiin Dashdavaa as the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency. Z. Dashdavaa was appointed as the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency pursuant to the 2019 Resolution No. 37 of the State Great Khural and was commended for fulfilling his legal responsibilities diligently, honestly, and effectively. Z. Dashdavaa was born in 1974 in Undurkhaan, Khentii Province. He is 51 years old, of Khalkha ethnicity, male. He holds a higher education degree in law and is a doctor of legal science, a recognized honorary lawyer of Mongolia, according to Minister N. Uchral. From 1995 to 2019, he progressively served in law enforcement starting from criminal representative and investigator in the police to head of the Internal Oversight and Security division of the National Police Agency and was appointed as the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency in 2019. Commissioner General Z. Dashdavaa has been in law enforcement for 24 years, has served in the Anti-Corruption Agency for six years, and has a total of 30 years in the law enforcement field. He provided a detailed report on his activities during his tenure. Over the years, numerous corruption cases involving high-ranking public officials, which posed negative consequences to national security and the economy, were swiftly investigated, guided, and resolved in cooperation with law enforcement agencies. He also significantly contributed to the expansion and strengthening of the anti-corruption network of links between asset recovery organizations within the international organizations' collaborative framework, including initiating a network of law enforcement agencies in the Asia-Pacific region. In the years 2021-2024, a total of USD 13.9 million worth of stolen assets were repatriated through international cooperation for blockade, seizure, and asset recovery operations. Furthermore, an inspection found violations where public officials failed to truthfully declare taxable income of themselves and their family members according to law, resulting in the discovery of discrepancies amounting to MNT 8.3 billion in 2023. Consequently, tax arrears, fines, and penalties amounting to MNT 637 million for 2023 and MNT 136.4 million for a 2024 discrepancy of MNT 2.1 billion were collected. Efforts to educate and prevent corruption among the public have included organizing awareness activities in collaboration with relevant groups aimed at instilling the values of justice, correctness, and anti-corruption ideology among children and youths, which has resulted in an 0.8 point increase in the level of integrity among youths, according to Minister N. Uchral. Z. Dashdavaa is highlighted to have carried out his duties free from political and business group influences, upholding legal principles and human rights with dignity and integrity. Members G. Uyanga and D. Ganbat expressed their support for Z. Dashdavaa's dedication to combating corruption, while member B. Enkhbayar noted the difficulty of monitoring corruption issues within state-owned companies and emphasized the importance of political leadership in the fight against corruption. In the voting process, 16 of the 18 State Great Khural members present supported the proposal to reappoint the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency submitted by the Prime Minister, and the results are set to be presented at the general session of the plenary meeting.

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Ts.Sandag-Ochir: Z.Dashdavaa Brought Those Involved in the 49% of Erdenet and the Dubai Agreement Back to the Country to Face Responsibility

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

In today's session of the Mongolian Parliament, discussions were held regarding the reappointment of Z. Dashdavaa as the head of the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC). In a video statement discussed during the session, Member of Parliament Ts. Sandag-Ochir mentioned: "I provided information on the progress of the work to bring back to the country and hold accountable those involved in the 49% of Erdenet and the Dubai Agreement who have fled abroad." Meanwhile, Member of Parliament G. Uyankhishig inquired about whether there is an evaluation of the performance during the term of the Independent Authority Against Corruption and if it is possible to review the evaluation. Additionally, discussions included whether a list of high-risk individuals influenced by external and internal factors and politicians has been compiled under the national anti-corruption program goals, presented by Member of Parliament B. Aldarjavkhlan. Furthermore, Member of Parliament Ch. Undram talked about the number of cases investigated and transferred to the court, and Member of Parliament D. Ganbat spoke about the adequate performance of the Independent Authority Against Corruption, emphasizing the need to prevent wrongful convictions. Member of Parliament B. Enkhbayar stated that fighting corruption is not solely the responsibility of the Independent Authority Against Corruption and highlighted the importance of political leadership in this matter. He also addressed the need for oversight by the IAAC regarding corruption developing under the guise of productivity management and urged the government to take the lead on this issue.

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Will Managers Be Appointed to State-Owned Companies?

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: news.mn

As the state expands, costs increase, and the burden on taxpayers becomes heavier. This is criticized at all levels, and officials promise to make it leaner, yet it continues to swell. The public sector has more than 230,000 employees and officials, and the number of state-owned companies has reached 123. Out of these 123 state-owned companies, only five are profitable. However, under the guise of cooperation, the government intends to appoint over 400 productivity and control managers to state-owned companies. Currently, more than 20 managers from the Democratic Party have been appointed as managers in state-owned companies, while it can also be said that an equal number of members from the MPP have been deployed as managers to state-owned companies. The HUN Party has also placed its personnel. This is said to be increasing the costs further. For example, 16 productivity and control managers have been appointed to eight companies under the "Erdenes Mongol" group. Due to the decision by the government, state-owned companies have no choice but to implement it. Moreover, the monthly salary of managers is at least 5-6 million MNT, and since they enjoy privileges equivalent to department heads, starting from driving a car, it demands expenses. However, leaders of parties in the coalition government coolly respond that appointing managers to state-owned companies aims to "establish internal oversight to prevent embezzlement." Furthermore, the Minister of Finance B.Javkhlan jokingly says, "Since the number of positions has not been added to the government structure, there is no pressure on the budget. The added positions are to business entities that calculate their own income and expenses." During a recent meeting of the Parliament's Standing Committee on Legal Affairs, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) Z.Dashdavaa explained that, "As the number of state-owned companies increases, it becomes more challenging to monitor, thus increasing the risk of corruption." Because some officials in state-owned companies do not belong to public office, their assets and income cannot be monitored. In fact, in the past, the largest thefts have occurred in state-owned companies, and there have been instances where billions of MNT have been confiscated from the safes of small managers. Yet, until now, no legal regulation has been established to monitor their assets and income, which means the state itself has been enabling the opportunity for them to receive bribes and commit theft. It would not be an exaggeration to say this. On the other hand, international organizations have long given recommendations that "reducing the number of state-owned companies and improving governance is a step to reduce corruption," but this has not been implemented until today. Now the government, under the guise of a joint effort, adorns its party lackeys with lofty titles as control managers and productivity managers and appoints them to state-owned companies. Each state-owned company, each state industrial site, already has a Board of Directors (BoD). Why are these BoDs established? They are responsible for ensuring the company is profitable and for overseeing it. Appointing productivity managers and control managers alongside the BoDs, as Member of Parliament B.Enkhbayar said, "This is political corruption. It is one way of silencing the parties. They are looking to eat and drink in the middle of a feast," which is more of a realistic warning than a suspicion.

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N. Nomtoibayar: The Tugrug Nuur Deposit is Indeed Linked to Kh. Battulga

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: news.mn

Member of Parliament N. Nomtoibayar provided information on current issues. He stated that before the law, everyone has the right to be equal. Companies someone dislikes should not be made to look like thieves in the public eye. It is meaningless to criticize people who are working hard to establish a national industry and contribute to the country's economy. On the other hand, there are issues where the most fraudulent and illegal methods of deception occur, like leading a puppy astray. Therefore, let's be equal under the law. Representing the Government of L. Oyun-Erdene, N. Uchral, the head of the Government Implementing Agency, has made several statements in the last 2-3 days regarding Tugrug Nuur and its owner Khaltmaagiin Battulga. The Tugrug Nuur deposit is indeed linked to Kh. Battulga. There is a very serious issue that may involve money laundering. Although I had heard about this before, I was not very confident in it. There are cases where individuals are slandered, defamed, and insulted for various political purposes. When investigating the actual situation, it's seen that the formula for Tugrug Nuur, a strategic deposit with three billion tons of brown coal reserves, was indeed under his ownership when the company was registered on February 6, 2007. There is also information suggesting it was sold for 250 million USD. Evaluating this, it is possible to sell according to the law. So, was tax paid? Tax evasion is a very serious criminal offense. Moreover, acts that appear to have indications of very serious criminal offenses, including possible money laundering, are evident. There is also unexplained enrichment. Additionally, offshore areas are involved. Many issues are apparent. The key point is the evidence that funds are moved and handled abroad.

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Economy

"Liberation Day": Trump imposes import tariffs on nearly all countries, including Mongolia

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to impose import tariffs on goods from nearly every country in the world. In other words, he declared retaliatory tariffs on any country that imposes import tariffs on U.S. goods. The retaliatory tariff is calculated to be approximately half of the tariff imposed by the respective country on U.S. goods. However, the base rate for this tariff has been set at 10%. The list announced by the White House includes 185 countries, among them Mongolia. For Mongolia, a 10% retaliatory tariff has been set, based on the rationale that Mongolia imposes a 10% tariff on U.S. goods. In comparison, for countries like China, which imposes a 67% tariff on U.S. goods, a 34% retaliatory tariff is set. The European Union, with a 39% tariff, gets a 20% retaliatory tariff, and Vietnam, which imposes a 90% tariff on U.S. goods, faces a 46% retaliatory tariff. "April 2, 2025, will be remembered in history as the day when American industry was revived, Americans regained control of their destiny, and America became prosperous again," Trump stated while announcing his decision. He explained the principle behind the action as "They treat us this way, so we will treat them the same way. It's very simple and couldn't be clearer." Trump also signed an order to impose a 25% tariff on all cars imported into the U.S. Countries affected by Trump's measures have long indicated that they would take similar retaliatory actions on U.S. goods. It is certain that they will announce their respective measures in the coming days. Source: Business Insider

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Mongolia Aims to Introduce a Multi-Tier Pension System

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The policy on pension reform endorsed by the State Great Khural of Mongolia, included in the country's long- and medium-term policy documents, outlines objectives such as introducing a multi-tier pension system and gradually transitioning from a distribution scheme to a partially funded system. To implement these objectives, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection is collaborating with the World Bank. State Secretary L. Munkhzul met with World Bank Senior Economist Alexey Sluchinsky to review the analyses of Mongolia's pension reform policy options. Specialists from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, along with the Social Insurance General Office, are working with the World Bank's senior economist to discuss the actuarial results of pension reform policy options and are jointly conducting related studies and calculations. According to these studies and calculations, demographic changes are occurring in Mongolia, with the average age of the population rising and the proportion of the elderly population increasing. Consequently, the number of pensioners per 10 contributors is projected to change from 5 people in 2024 to 7 people by 2030. Therefore, Mongolia is continuing its pension reform efforts, aiming to transition step-by-step from a distribution system to a partially funded system, and plans to introduce a multi-tier pension system.

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Our country has agreed to supply 367 types of goods duty-free

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Mongolia has completed the third round of negotiations on a temporary free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, deciding which products will be supplied duty-free and which will receive tariff reductions. Mongolia will supply 367 types of goods to the Eurasian Economic Union countries (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan) without taxes. Specifically, 29 types of meat and meat products, 60 types of leather products, 204 types of wool and cashmere products, and 73 other types of agricultural products will be duty-free. As a result, exporting companies are expected to be relieved of customs duties worth 16.6 million USD annually. Additionally, Mongolia proposed to the Eurasian Economic Union to exempt 23 domestically produced goods from tariff reductions, with 8 goods exempted, 11 goods regulated under mutually agreed conditions, and 4 goods not supported. Mongolia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development L. Gantumur stated, "The government, in cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union, plans to increase meat exports, expecting to earn 500 million USD. Although our country exports a certain amount of meat, we cannot export sheep and goat meat. These issues are being resolved through negotiations, enabling meat export in all four seasons of the year. Additionally, there is potential to brand cashmere and sewn goods and penetrate the Eurasian market, with an export potential of at least 500 million USD." The Policy Research Lab of the National University of Mongolia studied the potential economic impact if our country joins the Eurasian Economic Union's free trade agreement. They found that 375 types of products account for a very small share of the total exports, potentially decreasing over the years. It was highlighted that Mongolia's import dependency on Eurasian Economic Union countries is higher than local production supply. Professor N. Otgonsaikhan from the Marketing and Trade Department of the National University of Mongolia said, "Last year, our country exported goods worth 110.1 million USD to the Eurasian Economic Union countries and imported goods worth 2.9 billion USD. The deal is expected to increase exports by 3.8% and imports by 4.7%, indicating the trade balance deficit. Most of the growth in imports comes from the industrial sector, which the government aims to revive through policies and programs. Hence, even if the agreement is made, it is important to make our industrial sector competitive. There's potential to export specific products in the textile and knitting sectors, with prices potentially increasing by 200-300 thousand USD. There was a case in the past with the agreement with Japan where our carpets did not meet the origin requirements. By addressing past challenges based on previous experiences, we can increase exports. Under the agreement, customs duties on major goods have been eliminated. However, if origin and other requirements are not met, these benefits are useless. Thus, producers should be attentive from the day they start production and be well-prepared."

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Finance Minister B. Javkhlan: "Foreign Currency Reserves Reach 5 Billion USD"

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

The USD rate, which had slightly weakened, has strengthened again to 3495 MNT after Finance Minister B. Javkhlan announced that foreign currency reserves have reached 5 billion USD. After the cabinet meeting held yesterday, Finance Minister B. Javkhlan reported, "The Central Bank holds Mongolia's foreign currency reserves. As a result of our efforts to increase the reserves over the last two weeks, Mongolia's foreign currency reserves have reached 5 billion USD." However, following the Finance Minister's announcement, the USD rate, which had slightly weakened, regained strength yesterday. Specifically, on March 31, the USD rate slightly weakened from 3488 MNT to 3487 MNT but strengthened again yesterday to reach 3495 MNT.

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The Mongolian Tax Agency Aims to Become an "International Standard Tax Agency"

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Mongolian Tax Agency has fully implemented its objectives with a 93.1% performance of its 2021-2024 medium-term strategic plan. The Tax Agency's medium-term strategic plan for 2025-2028 has been developed based on Mongolia's long-term development policy "Vision 2050," the New Revival Policy, recommendations from the International Monetary Fund, suggestions from the international assessment organization 'TADAT,' the National Anti-Corruption Program, and tax and other legislative frameworks. "An organization's vision is the level it aims to reach in 15-20 years or perhaps even longer. Therefore, we have renewed the vision of the Mongolian Tax Agency to become an 'International Standard Tax Agency' in the future. Our vision is very clear, though it requires significant effort to achieve it. The interaction, attitude, performance, and effectiveness of each employee of the tax agency are crucial," emphasized D. Saikhanchuluun, the head of the Tax Administration and International Tax Department. The Tax Agency recognizes the necessity of organizing its activities, such as providing information, consulting, and conducting training and promotions, in a manner that aligns with the activities' directions, sector classification, needs, and requirements of the taxpayers. Although the scope of our training, promotions, and impact measures has expanded, there remain some issues concerning its effective reach to the target group. In this context, the draft amendment to the General Tax Law includes provisions to prevent risks for taxpayers, determine the law compliance levels of taxpayers, and introduce guidelines for providing services, consulting, and assistance, as well as offering tax education to taxpayers. The Tax Agency aims to conduct research on the behavior and attitude of each taxpayer to understand them better and define the direction of the services provided. Based on the determination of the reasons for insufficient compliance with tax laws, the agency intends to publicize the laws and offer specific advice and assistance tailored to each taxpayer's characteristics, needs, and requirements, becoming an 'Advising and Assisting Tax Agency.' Moreover, the agency will conduct assessments of the consequences of tax legislation implementation, study the needs of taxpayers, gather feedback, and deliver conclusions to lawmakers. The Tax Agency will work to improve its operations based on modern advanced technology, partnerships, and cooperation, simplifying the tax report process, preparing and delivering preliminary tax reports to taxpayers, enabling every citizen to generate tax reports, and developing a system for registering the workplace and branch of each taxpayer. It will also implement the management of tax debt along with risk assessments and improve cooperation with non-compliant taxpayers. Efforts will be made to adopt international best practices in tax revenue collection, particularly in settling tax debts, and work alongside banks and non-banking financial institutions to be involved in loan issuance. The Tax Agency will ensure the correct exchange of information where necessary for tax reporting by requesting data from the residing country of said information and, starting from 2027, automatically exchanging this information with 143 countries through the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (CRS MCAA) and the Country-by-Country Reporting Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (CbCR MCAA), signed on March 6, 2025, bringing greater openness to the monitoring of multinational transactions and transfer pricing enforcement. Additionally, objectives are set to establish effective governance that ensures alignment between the Tax Agency's units, enhance accountability through internal and independent audits, and maintain transparency. The agency will determine and adhere to a standard workday allocation for processes such as providing services to taxpayers, receiving and verifying reports, assessing tax liabilities, settling debts, and conducting inspections. The quality of each operational activity will be monitored, internal controls will be enhanced, skills of officials will be improved, a public control system to prevent conflicts of interest and corruption will be implemented, and transparency will be maintained.

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D.Dovchinsuren: Meat and Meat Products Export Continues Normally and Openly

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

Regarding the condition of meat exports, we inquired with Mr. D.Dovchinsuren, Head of the Food Industry Policy Implementation Regulatory Department at the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry. - How has the condition of meat exports in the country been this year? - Due to the pandemic, meat exports had decreased over the past few years but have been intensifying recently. In 2023, Mongolia exported a record 80.4 thousand tons of meat and meat products. When converted to raw bone-in meat, this amounts to 120 thousand tons. In 2024, we have exported 71.1 thousand tons, and in the early part of 2025, 9 thousand tons. Approximately $300 million worth of exports are conducted annually, and this could potentially increase. Since October 2022, the government policy has been not to set a quota on meat and meat product exports. Therefore, enterprises that meet the importing countries' requirements can export meat and meat products within their capacity. Currently, exports of meat and meat products are proceeding normally and openly. - To which countries is our country exporting meat, and in what volumes? - 60% of Mongolia's meat and meat product exports go to China, around 30% to Gulf countries such as Iran and Iraq. Exports to Gulf countries, conducted by air, have intensified. The remaining percentage is exported to countries like Hong Kong and Vietnam. Sheep and goat meat make up 63% of total exports. - What measures is the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry taking to increase meat exports? - By the end of 2024, 57.6 million head of livestock were counted nationwide. Approximately 15-20 million head can be utilized to meet domestic demand and enter economic circulation, with the potential to export 170-200 thousand tons of meat annually. This availability allows for the potential growth of meat and meat product exports each year. For example, trial exports were conducted as a result of agreements with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. New export opportunities are understood to have opened up to that country. Additionally, trial exports were conducted to the Arab Republic of Egypt. This year, Mongolia is working to finalize a protocol to export offal to China. It's important to note that importing countries themselves require registration and set requirements for raw materials and products of animal origin. Enterprises exporting meat and meat products to China from Mongolia must undergo risk assessments by the importing country's authorized body and be registered there. Nine new enterprises were registered with export rights to China in 2023-2024. In the meat and meat product export operations, Mongolia has introduced the "One Window Electronic System for Exporting Agricultural Raw Materials and Products" (export.mofa.gov.mn). The introduction of this system has improved coordination between governmental and non-governmental organizations and reduced the time to issue export certificates from four organizations from 13 days to within eight working hours. Additionally, within the Export Promotion Project, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) collaborated with accreditation bodies from Gulf countries. As a result, in 2023, Mongolia gained full rights to conduct conformity assessments and issue certification under "Halal" standards domestically.

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IBAN Account Number Started Being Used for Interbank Transactions

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Starting from April 1st, commercial banks operating in Mongolia have transitioned to using the IBAN account numbering system according to international standards. In other words, when making interbank transactions, customers will now use only the IBAN account number for transactions. However, for transactions between accounts within KHAN Bank, there is no need to use the IBAN account number. What is IBAN? IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an account numbering system recognized by international ISO 13616-1, 2 standards, consisting of 20 characters. This is a unified encoding system for interbank transactions and includes the country and bank number of the recipient. Advantages of using IBAN account numbers: - Since the IBAN numbering includes the recipient's country, bank, and account number, the speed of transactions increases. - Checks if the receiver's account number is incorrect, preventing transactions from being returned or delayed. - There is no duplication when making transactions with IBAN numbers, and no cases of mismatched names and accounts occur. - Organizations have also fully transitioned to IBAN. KHAN Bank's business entity clients fully transitioned to IBAN numbering on March 16, 2025. Therefore, it is recommended for clients to use the IBAN number when making interbank transactions according to international standards and requirements and to quickly adapt to the new system. The implementation of the IBAN system is not just a technological update, but a major step in aligning Mongolia's banking sector with international standards, making it more accessible, reliable, and faster. KHAN Bank is working to deliver this change to its customers in the simplest and most understandable way. Instructions for using IBAN account numbers: - To get instructions on registering in the unified account database, click HERE. - For instructions on making transactions using the IBAN account number, click HERE. - For instructions on verifying and making transactions from the unified account database, click HERE. - To learn how to view your IBAN account number, click HERE. Growth Together - KHAN Bank

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Interbank Transfers Now Use IBAN

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Mongolia has transitioned to an international bank account numbering system and now conducts interbank transactions exclusively using IBAN account numbers. By order of the President of the Bank of Mongolia, the previous numbering system for personal and business accounts has been abolished as the country transitions to the international unified account numbering. An IBAN account is a 20-character code that includes a country code, check digits, bank identifier, and account number, accepted as a standard for international transactions. By utilizing this number, international transactions become faster, more reliable, and risk-free, eliminating issues such as duplicates or discrepancies between names and accounts, according to the Bank of Mongolia. Moreover, it should be noted that using an IBAN does not affect the primary account number.

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Our Country Mainly Exports Livestock Products and Cashmere Garments to the US Market

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

According to the special permission of the MPA agency, almost all countries in the world are subject to import taxes according to a decision announced by the US president yesterday. The list announced by the White House includes 185 countries around the world, including Mongolia. For Mongolia, a 10% import tax is imposed on US goods, allowing for a 10% RESPONSE TAX. So, let's review the list of types of goods that our country exports to the US. According to statistics from the Customs General Administration's (CGA) electronic system, the following 13 types of goods were exported during the first month of 2025. List of goods exported to the US: - Deer antlers - Animal feed preparations - Cashmere coats and jackets - Women's or girls' cashmere overcoats (other than specified in 6104) - Cashmere dresses - Cashmere skirts - Cashmere women's trousers - Knitted or crocheted t-shirts and singlets - Woolen jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, and waistcoats - Cashmere knitted jerseys and cardigans - Men's or boys' overcoats, capes, and anoraks - Women's or girls' overcoats, capes, and anoraks - Cashmere blankets It can be seen from the list above that predominantly livestock-based or cashmere goods are exported. Table 1: January 2025 Export Goods (in thousand USD) | Commodity description | Country | Unit | Quantity | Amount | |------------------------------------------|---------------------|------|----------|--------| | Antlers | United States | kg | 21.7 | 1.4 | | Animal feed preparations | United States | kg | 1000 | 0.6 | | Cashmere coat, overcoat, and jacket | United States | pcs | 40 | 7.5 | | Women's or girls' cashmere overcoats | United States | pcs | 1593 | 35.8 | | Dresses, of goat cashmere | United States | pcs | 154 | 14.2 | | Skirts, of goat cashmere | United States | pcs | 46 | 3.6 | | Trousers, of goat cashmere | United States | pcs | 200 | 19.2 | | T-shirts and singlets | United States | pcs | 360 | 29.1 | | Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans | United States | pcs | 3,882 | 319.3 | | Jerseys and cardigans, of goat cashmere | United States | pcs | 3,814 | 302.3 | | Men's or boys' overcoats, capes | United States | pcs | 8 | 4.4 | | Women's or girls' overcoats, capes | United States | pcs | 18 | 8.4 | | Blankets, made of goat cashmere | United States | pcs | 2 | 14.1 | List of goods imported from the US: - Pure honey - Other nuts - Grapes - Apples, pears - Black tea - Soybean oil - Olive oil - Coconut, palm, babassu oils - Hard candy - Chocolate and other preparations containing cocoa - Bread, pastry goods - Liqueur, whiskey, cognac, vodka - Iodized salt - Other salt - Petroleum products - Lubricants and other oils - Packaged medicines - Soap - Face and skin soaps (including medicinal soap) - Other types of soap - Detergents - Packaging plastic boxes, containers, lids - New tires - Leather boots - Steel pipes and seamless steel profiles - Metal sheets - Internal combustion flame ignition piston engines - Other engines - Pumps for liquids or without meters - Air suction pumps, fans - Room air conditioners - Wall or window mount air conditioners - Refrigeration, freezing equipment - Household liquid, pump refrigerators - Laboratory equipment for material processing by temperature change - Liquid or gas filter dryers - Weighing devices, scales, accounting apparatus - Auto forklifts - Equipment for lifting, loading, unloading - Bulldozers, scrapers, graders, spreaders, mechanical shovels, excavators, road rollers - Bulldozers: Tracked - Parts for lifting, loading, unloading machinery - Bulldozer parts - Parts: Drilling machines - Excavator parts - Grain, vegetable harvesters, threshers, fruit cleaners, balers, parts - Printing machinery and parts - Metal processing cutting, machine tool parts - Automatic data processing machines and components - Portable automatic data processors - Block of data processing machines - Soil rock separating, sieving, crushing, mixing machinery - Mineral products crushing or grinding machines - Parts of mineral product screening, washing, crushing, grinding machines The above-mentioned goods were purchased from the US in the first month of the year. Our country has imported goods from 104 origins around the world during the first month of the year. Note: Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social, and Web pages) are prohibited from using our information in any form fully or partially without agreement and must attribute the source (ikon.mn) when used.

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Remaining dividend of 1072 shares to be distributed this month

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: news.mn

The dividend of 1072 shares, amounting to 93,500 tugriks, will be distributed to citizens this month. Specifically, during yesterday's cabinet meeting, information regarding the distribution of dividends from Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC to citizens was reviewed. In this regard, the Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat, U. Uchral, stated that Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC had achieved a sales revenue of 3.9 trillion tugriks last year. As a result, dividends have been distributed twice to the holders of 1072 shares. Each citizen with 1072 shares will receive 93,500 tugriks after taxes this month. If the company's operations improve and productivity increases, the amount of dividends will be even higher in the future. Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC decided to distribute 350,000 tugriks in dividends from last year’s net profit to each citizen holding 1072 shares, divided into three parts. According to this decision, 121,500 tugriks were distributed to citizens with 1072 shares last December. Subsequently, just before the Tsagaan Sar festival, a dividend of 100,006 tugriks was distributed. Citizens wishing to know whether they have received their dividends, or to obtain additional information, can send their registration number written in uppercase Latin letters via message to 158989, and they will receive the information. Dividend information can also be obtained from express service machines. With the latest development, citizens can access the E-Mongolia portal, navigate to the profile section, click on the securities menu, and view unified information about the number of shares owned, the securities company where an account is opened, and which commercial bank's account received the dividends in a given year. Moreover, citizens who have not opened a securities account can do so through the E-Mongolia website. In 2024, Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC extracted 30.4 million tons of coal and sold 29.6 million tons, resulting in a net profit of 4.5 trillion tugriks, thereby enabling the distribution of dividends to all shareholders. The previous dividend distribution rate was 97.5 percent.

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Diplomacy

What Did the Minister of Development Discuss with Neighbors?

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: news.mn

The Minister of Economy and Development, L. Gantomör, has started meeting with journalists every month to provide information on current issues. The latest meeting took place at the Ministry of Economy and Development yesterday. Let's briefly summarize some of the topics discussed during this meeting. During the autumn session break, the Minister of Economy and Development made official visits to Russia and the People's Republic of China. Several issues were raised in the discussions with the Russian Government, with one of the most important being the supply of fuel and lubricants under contract agreements. Specifically, when Russian President V. Putin visited Mongolia, agreements were made to ensure an uninterrupted supply of gasoline and diesel fuel. The Russian Government has confirmed that these contract terms will continue to be observed. Secondly, when President Xi Jinping of China and President V. Putin of Russia visited Mongolia for the first time in 2014, the three countries agreed to collaborate on 33 projects within the framework of establishing an economic corridor through the "Steppe Road" project. However, these projects did not progress as planned. Therefore, during the recent visit, discussions were held on making these projects a reality. In this context, the initial goal is to increase the transit volume of the UB Railway to 50 million tons. A development strategy plan for the UB Railway until 2030 has been prepared. According to the plan, they agreed to expedite the initial phase of railway modernization, upgrade, electrify, and automate the railway to reach the 50 million tons target. The Russian side proposed to launch the western vertical railway within this year and provide conditions for freight transportation, and due to the economic corridor between China and Russia, the parties agreed to proceed quickly without delay. Additionally, a long-discussed environmental assessment for the Egiin Gol Hydroelectric Power Plant is planned to be completed by the Russian side by 2026, while the Mongolian Government has requested the study to be completed this year. There is a significant need to start the Egiin Gol Hydroelectric Power Plant project in Mongolia without delay, so the Mongolian side proposed to expedite this work. The next topic of discussion was the gas pipeline project. This issue was agreed upon by the governments of the three countries 14 years ago. In short, the project involves transporting 50 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia to China through Mongolian territory. The Minister of Economy and Development, L. Gantomör, emphasized that this project is one of the highly profitable ones within the transit corridor. The feasibility study, design, necessary approvals, and land issues have been fully resolved, and the environmental assessment work is actively in progress. The plan is to lay a pipeline of 958.6 kilometers underground at a depth of 1.5-2 meters. Since more than half of the project's work has been completed, the government decided to expedite the work of exporting and transiting gas through the pipeline to China. Agreements and contracts with relevant agencies have been a focus. Related to the implementation of this project, it was clarified that there is a misunderstanding that the land through which the gas pipeline passes will be fully handed over to the project. The land will remain fully under the jurisdiction of Mongolia, and security will be entirely the responsibility of Mongolia. Implementing this project requires an investment of about $8 billion, and there are plans for joint implementation with both Mongolian and foreign investors. It is estimated that this project could generate about $12 billion in revenue over 20-25 years. Finally, during the visit to Russia, they advanced the trade negotiations with Eurasian countries. The Eurasian side proposed to admit Mongolia as an observing member, to which Mongolia straightforwardly replied, "We currently have no such intention." Before signing Eurasian trade agreements, it is considered prudent to evaluate the current situation. Mongolian beef exported to Eurasian countries faces a 50% tariff, sheep and goat meat 15%, animal by-products 15%, and sausages and processed meats up to 20% tariff. These considerable tariffs impose significant pressure on Mongolian goods competing in the Eurasian market of 200 million people, leading to talks about reducing and eventually eliminating tariffs. Trade should be mutually beneficial, so Mongolia is negotiating based on economic demand and supply to export what it can produce and protect domestic enterprises from Eurasian competition. For instance, Mongolia consumes over 400,000 tons of wheat annually, importing 30-70 thousand tons from countries like Russia and Kazakhstan. While the Eurasian side proposed to import up to 200,000 tons of wheat, Mongolia stated that it could only accept around 50,000 tons with certain tariffs. They also managed to maintain current tariffs on dairy products. Mongolia imports 180 million eggs annually, and based on proposals from domestic enterprises, they proposed imposing a 7.5% tariff on 90 million of these imported eggs and a 15% tariff if the quota of 90 million is exceeded. The high import duties on beer and vodka were explained in connection with the public health situation since Mongolia leads the world in liver cancer rates; therefore, they reduced the current 40% tariff to 30%. With a 30% import tariff on vodka and beer, it will not compete with local production. Additionally, they considered that abolishing tariffs on goods and parts required for domestic production of items like nuts and bolts, tractor parts, etc., would enable slightly cheaper manufacturing. Ultimately, Mongolia aims to earn $500 million annually from meat and cashmere exports. Therefore, work is focused on enabling export opportunities for these raw materials. Highlighting the importance of supporting the economy of 250,000 herders and diversifying the national economy, efforts are directed at establishing infrastructure for year-round meat exports. During the visit to China and participation in the Boao Forum, three topics were addressed. First, the acceleration of border connection work was discussed, highlighting the historic decision by the unified session of parliament to resolve the border connection of the Gants Mod-Gashuun Sukhait, marking a significant event. In 1995, an issue was raised between Mongolia and China to establish four border points. It has been 30 years since then, and only the Zamiin-Uud crossing has been open. After connecting the Gashuunsukhait-Gants Mod railway, Mongolia and China will discuss and reach agreements to open the Bichigt port, and the Shivee Khuren-Hangi Mandal crossing. The goal is to accelerate both border connection work and economic corridor activities. Notably, parties have aligned on moving forward with railway transport reaching 50 million tons, starting the gas pipeline project as mentioned above, and activating the western and eastern corridors. Furthermore, the Chinese side discussed supporting enterprises interested in developing industrial parks in Mongolia within legal and policy frameworks. Work will proceed with both parties forming task forces to advance production-related projects soon. Thirdly, cooperation was initiated on the establishment of an information technology innovation science park in Mongolia. To be continued…

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URGENT: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Takes "Altai Khuder" LLC Owned by "Bayan" Nicknamed R. Bazar to Court for 4.9 Billion Tugriks

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

The owner of "Altai Khuder" LLC, nicknamed "Bayan" R. Bazar, and several individuals associated with him were arrested by the Criminal Police on April 15, 2024, and subsequently detained for investigation. However, a month later, R. Bazar, the owner of "Altai Khuder" LLC, and V. Bat-Erdene of the same company were released, with measures put in place to prevent them from leaving Mongolia. Authorities have emphasized that the investigation of this case is still ongoing. Now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria has taken "Altai Khuder" LLC to court. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria has filed a lawsuit against "Altai Khuder" LLC to claim 4.9 billion tugriks. A court hearing for this case was initially scheduled for March 31, 2025, but it has been postponed to May 8, 2025, due to certain reasons. A subsidiary of "Altai Khuder" LLC, "Altai Energy Resource" LLC, has been operating by leasing the compound of the Bulgarian Embassy in Mongolia since 2012. In 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria informed that the lease agreement could not be extended and requested that the premises be vacated upon expiration. However, the company and "Altai Khuder" LLC did not leave the building of the Republic of Bulgaria’s Embassy and continued their activities. Therefore, the embassy decided to appeal to the court to resolve this issue. Despite several hearings at both primary and appellate levels, the case has not been finally resolved to date, prompting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria to demand 4.9 billion tugriks from "Altai Khuder" LLC through legal proceedings. We will continue to report on this case.

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Australian Ambassador Awarded the ‘Friendship’ Medal

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The President of Mongolia, U.Khurelsukh, issued a decree recognizing the contributions to the development of Mongolia-Australia relations and cooperation, awarding the Australian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mongolia, Katie Smith, with the ‘Friendship Medal’. The President's Foreign Policy Advisor, E.Odbayar, presented the award during a meeting with the ambassador, who is returning to her home country permanently. Advisor E.Odbayar expressed high praise for Ambassador Smith’s contributions and efforts towards the robustly developing cooperation and mutual visits in recent years. The visit of the President of the Australian Senate, Sue Lyons, was noted as a significant boost to deepening mutual trust, understanding, expanding inter-parliamentary relations, and developing mutually beneficial cooperation. Ambassador K.Smith expressed gratitude to the Government of Mongolia and the people of Mongolia for their support and cooperation during her tenure. She stated her commitment to doing everything possible to further broaden and develop relations and cooperation in the future. Ambassador K.Smith presented her Letters of Credence to the President of Mongolia on June 27, 2022. Diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Commonwealth of Australia were established on September 15, 1972.

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Minister of Environment and Climate Change S. Odontuya is visiting the Republic of Uzbekistan

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

Minister S. Odontuya met with Ambassador D. Batbaatar, who is stationed in the Republic of Uzbekistan from the Mongolian side, and discussed the development of cooperation in the environmental sector between Mongolia and Uzbekistan. Ambassador D. Batbaatar emphasized the significant opportunities to learn from Uzbekistan's good practices in agriculture, agro-forestry, afforestation, and water resource management. Minister of Environment and Climate Change S. Odontuya will participate in the international conference titled "Central Asia in the Face of Global Climate Challenges: Joining for Common Growth and Prosperity," which will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from the 2nd to the 8th of this month.

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Serbia Imposes Visa Requirements on Citizens of Qatar, Mongolia, Oman, and Kuwait

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Serbia has begun implementing visa requirements for citizens of Qatar, Mongolia, Oman, and Kuwait starting this March as part of its effort to align with European Union standards. The country has initiated phased steps to fully align its visa policy with EU requirements by the end of 2026. According to Shengen News, Serbian authorities are also considering imposing visa requirements on citizens of Russia, Belarus, Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan. This decision is not a political sanction. Serbia applied for EU membership in 2009 and gained candidate status in 2012. Official negotiations began in 2014, but according to last year's European Union report, no progress has been made due to issues related to national elections. According to BalkenEU, Serbia's open visa policy has led to a significant increase in illegal entry of third-country nationals into EU countries using the "Balkan route." Note to media outlets: It is prohibited to use our information wholly or partially in any form unless agreed upon, and the source (ikon.mn) must be mentioned if used.

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Updated Visa Fees for Italy

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Republic of Italy. In this context, various activities are being organized to expand and develop cooperation between the two countries, leading to a sharp increase in the number of Mongolian citizens traveling to Italy. Consequently, the visa fees for citizens traveling to this country have been updated as of the 1st of this month. Specifically, a fee of 90 euros is required for a visa application to travel to Italy for up to 90 days. For stays exceeding 90 days, the fee has been updated to 116 euros. Additionally, children under six years of age can travel for free, while those aged 7-12 need to pay 45 euros. It is necessary to transfer the fees in advance to the bank account of the Embassy in local currency. This pricing tariff will be applicable until June 30 of next year, after which the visa application fees will be updated quarterly.

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Infrastructure

Installation of the 'Tuun-1' Collector Pipeline from Nalaikh to the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant Begins

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The installation work for the "Tuun-1" sewer collector pipeline in Ulaanbaatar City has started today. Regarding the progress of the work, the Director of the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, Ts. Torkhuu, stated, "The work on repairing the Tuun-1 collector pipeline is beginning today. Previously poorly constructed pipes are being replaced with single 800-dm pipes installed at a depth of six meters underground. This pipeline is a major pipeline that transfers wastewater from Nalaikh to the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant over a distance of 47 kilometers in Ulaanbaatar. In other words, it is a pipeline that delivers wastewater to the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant. However, it might be difficult to lay the pipeline towards the city center, so businesses and organizations located in the Tuul-1 collector route are requested to clear the way. Organizations are aware that they are on the route. Out of a total of 32 kilometers of pipeline to be installed, 10 kilometers will be completed this year, and the rest next year. In 2007, the "Bridge" company initially installed the Tuun-1 collector pipeline. Private companies assembled the pipeline but left it unfinished, resulting in stagnation. Recently, after an order from the city governor, the assembly work was entrusted to the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, and the work is being carried out accordingly. The Tuun-1 collector main pipeline will connect to the new treatment plant. The new treatment plant will conduct its initial test in May and the next in August. Therefore, the construction of the Tuun-1 collector main pipeline is essential. This horizontal main pipeline will play a crucial role in converting ger districts into residential housing. Currently, the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant has a capacity to handle 160,000-170,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day, but is overloaded by receiving 210,000 cubic meters of water. However, once the new treatment plant is operational, it will have the capacity to handle 250,000 cubic meters of water per day. Warning: It should be noted that media outlets (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages) are prohibited from fully or partially using our information in any form and should only use it with prior agreement by mentioning the source (ikon.mn).

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Transportation of Overloaded Non-Decomposable Cargo to be Temporarily Halted

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The transport of overloaded, non-decomposable cargo that exceeds allowable limits will be temporarily halted from tomorrow, April 5th to May 1st, according to the Ministry of Roads and Transport. This decision comes as the warmer spring season begins, causing the ground surface and roadway embankments to thaw. This results in an accumulation of moisture on the roads, which significantly reduces their load-bearing capacity and strength. Warning: Media outlets (television, radio, social media, and websites) are prohibited from using this information in any form, whether in full or partially, unless an agreement is reached and the source (ikon.mn) is properly cited.

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Legislation to Define Duties of Electric Scooter and Bicycle Road Users

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: news.mn

The working group led by Member of Parliament P. Batchimeg, appointed by Order No. 76 of the Speaker, was tasked with drafting a law to regulate the use of electric bicycles (surron) and electric scooters to ensure road safety. Recently, we met with her to discuss this initiative. - The draft law prepared by your working group was posted on the website d.parliament.mn last week. What prompted the initiation of this legislative proposal? - In our country, the use of new types of micro-electric vehicles such as electric bicycles (surron) and electric scooters has increased dramatically over the past 5 years, during which a total of 584 accidents and injuries have been recorded. Notably, in the past two years, accidents and injuries involving these types of transport have increased 4-5 times. Most of those affected are young people aged 10-19, showing that it is high time for the state to pay attention to this issue. However, the current Road Traffic Safety Law and the Traffic Rules in force do not specify the classification of electric bicycles (surron) and electric scooters as vehicles, nor set a minimum age for driving these vehicles, lack general technical requirements for vehicles, have no regulations on the duties and responsibilities of electric bicycle (surron) and scooter drivers in road traffic, and there is no legal framework to monitor public electric scooter rental services. These issues have become pressing challenges to ensuring road safety. Therefore, aligning with the state's core duty to ensure its citizens' right to live in a healthy and safe environment, and to prioritize the interests of children by creating "legal guarantees," amendments to the Road Traffic Safety Law have been drafted in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Legislation. - This working group was established by the Speaker's directive on September 5, 2024. Since then, seven months have passed and the draft law appears to be almost finished. How many times has the working group convened in this period? - During the autumn session of the State Great Khural, the working group held meetings on November 6, 2024, with the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Road and Transport, the Traffic Police Department of the General Police Department, and the Management Center for Road Traffic. On November 21, 2024, discussions were held with executives from "Surron Mongolia" LLC, "Jet Sharing" LLC, "VMC" LLC, and "Eco Bike" LLC, companies involved in selling or renting electric bikes and scooters. Also, the Parliamentary Research and Development Institute conducted a comparative study titled "Legal Regulation of Electric Bicycles: Experiences from Some Countries and the Context of Mongolia." Thus, during the recess of the sessions, studies assessing the needs and requirements of the draft law were carried out according to the Law on Legislation, and based on these studies' results, the principles and the draft of the law were developed. On March 24, 2025, the working group discussed the draft law, which is now posted on d.parliament.mn for public consultation. As mentioned earlier, matters related to the new types of micro-electric vehicles like electric bikes (surron) and scooters lack legal regulation in our country, and given the novel nature of these vehicles, the study of foreign legal regulations has led to the incorporation of innovative provisions in the draft law. - You said you incorporated some innovative regulatory measures from other countries' laws and rules. Which countries' legal frameworks were considered? - Initially, the frameworks from the United Kingdom, EU member states such as Germany, Denmark, Spain, Ireland, Estonia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and our neighbor Kazakhstan were thoroughly examined. Countries like Germany, Spain, Estonia, and Bulgaria regulate these under the term "the personal light electric vehicles," encompassing electric bikes (surron) and scooters, while Ireland has adopted legal regulations specifically for electric scooters. Kazakhstan has modified both its Road Traffic Safety Law and Traffic Rules to include such provisions. The UK has also set technical requirements for electric bikes and scooters, which can serve as a positive example. For instance, these countries have limited the maximum speed to 20-25 km/h, set a minimum age of 14-16 years for drivers, and mandated helmets, insurance, and responsibilities for drivers. - What issues are addressed in the draft law? - The draft law introduces new classifications for "electric scooters," "electric bicycles," and "personal light electric vehicles," outlining the age limits for drivers, the maximum technical speed, and the types of roads they may use. It will legislate the duties and prohibitions for drivers participating in road traffic with electric bikes and scooters. Additionally, it will establish general technical requirements for electric scooters, covering aspects such as engine power, maximum speed, vehicle weight, and equipment specifications. Furthermore, it addresses "shared micromobility services" providers' rights, duties, and license conditions pertinent to ensuring road safety. - How do you assess the significance of this law? - Once passed, the legislative proposal will resolve comprehensive issues related to road traffic safety involving electric bikes and scooters. For instance, the classification of personal light electric vehicles and the corresponding rights, duties, and responsibilities of drivers will be clearly defined. With these aspects regulated, driver accountability will increase, and the rights of other road participants, including pedestrians, will be protected. By setting legal technical standards for electric scooters, the importation of non-compliant and unsafe electric scooters into Mongolia can be prevented, thus protecting the safety of drivers and citizens. Finally, by establishing oversight and regulation for public electric bike and scooter rental services, we hope to ensure that only compliant devices participate in road traffic, reducing accidents and injuries associated with electric scooters.

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Z. Tömörtömöö: Residents Affected by Redevelopment Will Be Provided with Temporary Housing

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The redevelopment work for buildings 21 and 22, which were deemed unsatisfactory for use in the 6th khoroo of Sükhbaatar district, began in 2018. Thirteen rounds of tenders were announced between 2018 and 2021, resulting in "Uran Projekt" LLC being selected as the project executor. This company demolished building 22 in May 2022, but no construction work has been done since then. As a result, over 400 residents of the 22nd building in the 6th khoroo of the district have been affected. Therefore, the redevelopment work will now be taken over by "Ulaanbaatar Housing" LLC, which will engage with the residents of the building. Resident O. Mönkhsaikhan of building 22 in the 6th khoroo of SBD stated, "In May 2022, 64 families vacated their apartments within a week, and the old building was demolished as per the agreement. However, the construction site has been fenced off with no other developments." He further remarked that "Uran Projekt" LLC filed a complaint with the court claiming that their project rights were revoked, leaving the long-suffering residents without resolution. Z. Tömörtömöö, the executive director of "Ulaanbaatar Housing" LLC and a representative of the Ulaanbaatar City Council (NITH), mentioned, "There are many issues with housing that does not meet usage requirements. One notable case is the project in the 6th khoroo of SBD handled by 'Uran Projekt' LLC. After four years, there has been no progress. From now on, the city will take responsibility for this matter, providing temporary housing to affected residents and completing construction works promptly. In order to protect citizens' rights, the government will directly contract with citizens and manage the project. A tender will be announced this week to involve competent companies." He added that "Uran Projekt" LLC, which has been involved in several fraudulent projects between 2020 and 2021 as an executor, will be investigated by legal authorities. This year, a locally owned company, "Ulaanbaatar Housing" LLC, was established with a capital of three billion MNT, and NITH representative Z. Tömörtömöö was appointed as the executive director. The company's role is to implement activities aimed at converting ger districts into apartment districts. Source: Press and Public Relations Division of the Ulaanbaatar City Mayor's Office Notice: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages) are prohibited from using our information in any form, fully or partially, without consent, and must cite the source as (ikon.mn) if used.

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No one can guarantee the safety of tall buildings

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

While it may be nice to live in shiny and beautifully designed tall buildings, there is doubt about their safety. What if the ground sways a bit and the building collapses? In recent years, the world has seen an increase in earthquakes, fires, disasters, and accidents, causing thousands of innocent citizens to die and inflicting significant damage. There is no guarantee that such dangers won't occur in Mongolia. Especially in our city, which is in an active seismic zone—are the newly constructed buildings and structures reliable? Are the ever-expanding skyscrapers being built according to proper standards and norms? To find answers, relevant organizations were contacted, but they shifted responsibility and protected themselves. The Ministry of Construction, Urban Development, and Public Housing, the Center for Building Development, the Capital City Council, and the National Emergency Management Agency were all asked, but no expert could explain how many buildings and structures exist in Mongolia or how many are tall buildings, which means over 16 stories. While all residential and service buildings are accepted by the State Commission, it's surprising that they lack consolidated statistics. Tall buildings are certainly not classified as a state secret. BUILDINGS ABOVE 10 FLOORS CANNOT BE FIREFIGHTED The world's tallest building is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE, standing 163 stories tall and 823 meters high. Soon, Arabs plan to surpass this record with a 1000-meter tower in the same city. Other countries also have several 600-700 meter tall buildings. In our capital city, currently, "Shangri-La" hotel is the tallest building. This hotel's S block is 34 stories tall and 136 meters high. Following it, "Khan Tower" at 112 meters and 24 stories and the "Tuushin Hotel" at 109 meters and 25 stories are listed. Not just service buildings, residential structures are also reaching for the sky. For instance, the 25-story "Mandala Tower," "Hunnu 2222," and 23-story "Sun Neighborhood" can be mentioned. Buildings are being constructed not just for residential purposes but also combining entertainment, services, and offices in one place. About ten years ago, "Mon Uran's" B. Narankhuu made a buzz by planning to build Mongolia’s tallest, 68-story building, but it faded away. However, it is unpredictable how many floors future skyscrapers in Mongolia might have. Unfortunately, nobody could confirm whether tall buildings are earthquake-resistant according to norms and standards and whether there is any chance of rescue in the case of fire or disaster. Buildings and structures are divided into five complexity categories based on their purpose and capacity. For example, buildings over 51 meters or 16 stories are considered highly complex structures. Additionally, buildings between 9 and 16 stories are tall, 5 to 9 stories are medium, and up to 5 stories are low-complexity. In our country, there is no firefighting equipment available to extinguish fires in buildings over 16 stories. In reality, the firefighting ladders used by personnel can only reach up to the 10th floor. Although efforts are being made to improve firefighting equipment, there's still a lack of technology to extinguish fires in tall buildings. At some point, our country received special-purpose fire trucks from the governments of France and Belarus. However, these can operate only at a height of 32 meters, approximately the height of a 10-story building. Despite these existing risks, should tall buildings continue to be "produced"? We reached out to senior expert Deputy Colonel Myagmarzav B. of the Emergency Management Agency, who is responsible for inspections, about the current conditions for rescue operations in tall buildings: "In the Emergency Management Agency, there are machines capable of extinguishing and conducting rescue operations up to 32 meters. However, residential buildings have reached 25 stories, or 75 meters. The agency has even ordered mechanical ladders intended for working at 42 meters, which are expected to arrive within this year. Ideally, buildings and structures should be fully equipped with firefighting systems. The construction norms and rules state that there should be water supply and automatic firefighting systems. After a residential building is accepted by the State Commission, further operations are the responsibility of the Home Owners Association. However, they lack the expertise to operate specialized equipment, failing to ensure readiness in emergencies. For example, when smoke is detected in a residential building, alarm systems should sound. However, they often disconnect alarm systems and firefighting water sources.” Additionally, due to small spaces between buildings and insufficient parking, residents park their vehicles at entrances and exits, blocking fire trucks and endangering lives. Helipads should be planned on the roofs of tall buildings for evacuation during disasters and emergencies. THE STATE COMMISSION THAT "DOES NOT OVERSEE" Last year, the Emergency Management Agency reported that an assessment of seismic resistance in 976 buildings in Ulaanbaatar found that only 206 were "resistant." In the capital, buildings face the danger of destruction if the ground shakes stronger than seven magnitudes. However, there is no standard stating the number of earthquake magnitudes tall buildings should withstand. In other words, although our country updated the "Tall Building Planning" norms and rules in 2023, ambiguity remains. There are over 400 building norms and rules and about 600 standards and other technical regulations in Mongolia. Numerous effective norms, rules, and standards are in place for activities relating to building planning, design, assembly, and usage. Unfortunately, there is no oversight for these. D. Altankhuuyag, head of the norms and standards department of the Building Development Center, said: "There are enough norms and rules in our country. When building a tall structure, it is discussed by a professional council, and a special permit is issued after completing the design task. Soil issues are primarily examined in construction. All matters, including earthquake and fire safety, relocation, and sanitation issues, must be complied with. For example, school buildings are built with a maximum of three stories, and kindergartens with two stories.” Furthermore, he stated that they have abolished the practice of approving new norms, rules, and standards every time new technology and material are introduced, aligning building norms and procedures with international standards. The issue has only grown after the dissolution of the Professional Inspection Agency that supervised the unimplemented standards and norms, and sluggish areas. Inspectors of the City and the National Professional Inspection Authority used to speak out about the structure, quality, and safety of buildings. They used to provide open information to journalists about the number of newly commissioned buildings and the violations found during planned and unexpected inspections. Now, professionals are dispersed across ministries under the name of sectoral supervision and only respond to complaints and information without conducting surprise inspections. According to the law, the Building Development Center oversees the construction process of structures built with state budget financing. However, there is no control over buildings built by private entities. In other words, whether the buildings and structures are strictly performed according to Mongolian construction norms and regulations is questionable. Although the State Commission reviews and provides conclusions after construction is completed, nobody knows what happened until then. That is to say, because the daily activities of the construction are not monitored, it is impossible to know whether substandard, cheap materials were used, and their quantities were reduced. Overall, it is fair to say that the State Commission’s inspections mostly rely on viewing the design and the completed buildings. It's similar to enjoying a well-presented dish without noticing if harmful ingredients are included. Often, the roofs and walls of buildings that passed the State Commission's "inspection" collapse, leak, or otherwise reveal their true nature. In countries at high risk of earthquakes and natural disasters, which also lead in engineering development, special attention is given to their skyscrapers. For example, Japan strictly adheres to tall building standards, withstanding the impact of 8-9 magnitude earthquakes. The U.S., South Korea, and China also implement detailed regulations on fire safety and earthquake resilience, focusing strictly on building quality and safety. Wind protection and energy efficiency are also required. As skyscrapers continue to rise in Ulaanbaatar like in other countries, structure and oversight to improve their safety is missing.

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Installing Protective Railings on Flood Dikes and Channels

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The spring melt flood is currently filling up the dikes and channels. To ensure the safety of citizens and to prevent injuries from falling into the dikes, protective railings are being installed on the flood protection structures. This project is being carried out by the Department of Geodesy and Water Facilities, and railings have been installed on the dikes and channels around the 21st khoroo and the 3rd and 4th micro districts of Bayangol District. Last year, flood protection dikes were repaired in a total of nine locations throughout Ulaanbaatar. Notice: Media outlets (TV, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) are prohibited from using our information in any form, fully or partially, without prior agreement. They must mention the source (ikon.mn) when doing so.

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Multi-level Intersections Will Be Built in 18 Locations in the Capital

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

As part of the 24 mega projects to develop Ulaanbaatar, multi-level intersections will be constructed in 18 locations throughout the capital. Specifically, this includes Baruun 4 intersection, Sapporo, School of Mechanical Engineering, Central Post Office, Geser Temple, Bayanburd, 32nd Circle, 17th School Intersection, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East 4 intersection, and Ikh Mongol, among others. The project plans to build 9,000 meters of auto roads and 4,500 meters of underground passageways. When the project is completed, the average speed of road traffic will increase by 7.1%. The project will be executed from 2025 to 2028. The multi-level intersections are of great importance to reduce the traffic load on the central region's auto roads in Ulaanbaatar, enhance the efficiency of road traffic, support economic growth, save time for citizens, and develop a modern-standard road network.

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Society

Attempt to Smuggle Large Quantities of Drugs Across Border Thwarted

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Two young men, aged 24 and 34, who attempted to smuggle large quantities of drugs from a European country into Mongolia for sale, have been arrested by officers from the General Police Department's Anti-Drug Unit. The arrest comes as a result of an international search conducted by Interpol for Mr. M, a Mongolian national residing in France, who, since 2024, along with Mr. T, had been distributing drugs in Mongolia. Recently, they were found to have used international postal services to disguise 844 grams of drugs as hygiene and cosmetic products and smuggled them into the country. On the 18th of last month, the Anti-Drug Unit of the General Police Department detained the suspects in Sukhbaatar District as they were attempting to sell the drugs. Currently, they are being held as defendants under the order of a judge at Detention Center 461 of the General Executive Agency of Court Decisions, and the drugs have been sent for examination to the relevant laboratory. Reports from sources state that results from some of the tests have already confirmed that the substances fall under the category of narcotic drugs listed in Schedule II of the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The suspects have been charged under Article 20.7-3.3 of the Criminal Code for the illegal acquisition, possession, transport, shipment, and sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, with the intention of selling them across borders. In addition to these two individuals, their accomplices, T and N, who were also attempting to sell a significant quantity of drugs and had scales and other equipment, have been apprehended and are in custody.

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Mongols in Seoul advised to ensure their safety

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The Embassy of Mongolia in South Korea has issued a warning to Mongolian nationals in connection with the court hearing on the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, which is scheduled for the 4th of this month. According to information from the Constitutional Court of South Korea, the hearing to decide whether to impeach the head of state or not will be broadcast live starting at 11:00 AM tomorrow, and the public will be allowed to participate as observers. During this time, large-scale protests and gatherings are expected in major cities and urban areas, with a high likelihood of riots and disorder. Therefore, the Embassy of Mongolia has advised avoiding the central parts of Seoul, particularly the Seochon and Yongsan districts, and to ensure personal safety and remain vigilant when necessary. During the court hearing, over 30,000 military, police, and emergency personnel will be deployed in the central areas of South Korea's capital to ensure public safety. It is worth mentioning that currently, there are 37,664 Mongolian citizens residing in South Korea, of which 30%, or 19,380, live and work in Seoul.

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Environment

Earthquake Claims 3003 Lives

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The death toll from the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar last Friday has surpassed 3000. In response, the ruling military junta has announced a temporary ceasefire against pro-democracy groups and ethnic minorities from Wednesday until April 22, as reported by state television. The military aims to intensify relief and rehabilitation efforts following this natural disaster that has taken many lives. Myanmar's pro-democracy National Unity Government announced a two-week ceasefire on Saturday. According to military reports, the death toll from the earthquake has reached 3003, with 4515 injured, and 351 people remain missing. Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to travel to Bangkok on Thursday to attend a meeting with regional leaders and is expected to seek aid and support. His participation in international conferences is very rare. Since the military coup in 2021, the junta has been under Western sanctions. With Myanmar becoming increasingly isolated from the international community, it remains uncertain whether countries will generously provide aid.

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The Government Supervisory Agency Discussed the Progress and Results of Research and Investigation Projects at the Forestry Office

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

Within the framework of the Government of Mongolia's Resolution No. 419, a decision was made to re-engineer processes at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and its subordinate Forestry Office. As part of this work, a management team for the Process Re-engineering Project, led by N. Bayarmaa, the head of the Research and Policy Planning Department of the Government Supervisory Agency, is currently in operation. The Secretary of the National Committee for Monitoring and Evaluation and also the head of the Working Office, N. Lkhagvadorj, emphasized the importance of Process Re-engineering in improving the operations of public organizations and highlighted the crucial role and participation of the Government Supervisory Agency. Implementing Process Re-engineering is a primary policy in our operations to enhance state productivity, strengthen effective governance, and ensure that citizen-centered public services are accessible, prompt, and of high quality. Therefore, the Government Supervisory Agency's head, Ch. Unerbayar, instructed the working group to prepare to present the Process Re-engineering report at the Council under the Minister and at the Meeting of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to approve major policy solutions and introduce them to the government.

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A Working Group has been Formed to Monitor the Use and Consumption of Industrial Water

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Standing Committee on Industrial Policy of the State Great Khural held a meeting and established a working group. This group is tasked with developing relevant proposals and conclusions concerning the proper use of water resources utilized for industrial purposes, the potential water reserves, long-term outlook of water usage, and the pricing and payment for water utilization and pollution results. The working group is led by MP P. Ganzorig and includes Committee Chairman S. Ganbaatar, MPs J. Zoljargal, P. Munkhtulga, B. Uyangaa, L. Munkhbayasgalan, and B. Tulga, according to the State Great Khural Press Office.

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Creating a Favorable Environment for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Production in the Textile Processing Sector

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The "Sustainable Textile Production and Eco Label - Phase 2" project has been officially launched. This project, funded by the European Union, is the second phase of the "Sustainable Textile Production and Eco Label - STeP EcoLab" project, which began its implementation last January. The project aims to promote environment-friendly and socially responsible production in Mongolia's wool and cashmere sector, with the first phase being implemented from 2018 to 2022. During the first phase, collaborations were established with cooperatives of herders and over 20 national factories, resulting in a tenfold increase in the amount of certified and traceable raw materials. Furthermore, the notable outcome of the project was the development and approval of Mongolia's first sustainability standard, MNS 6926-2021 "Sustainable Textile Production." By certifying wool and cashmere processing factories according to this standard, the Mongolian Wool and Cashmere Association's Certification Office has started providing green financing under the "White Gold" program. The "STeP EcoLab 2" project, which commenced in January, aims to integrate Mongolia's micro, small, and medium enterprises into the international green supply chain. Project leaders emphasized the importance of engaging these enterprises in the preparation of sustainably certified raw materials, strengthening the eco-label and certification system, gaining international recognition, and creating a favorable environment for transitioning to eco-friendly and sustainable production in the textile processing sector. Additionally, support will be extended to over 8,000 herder households and 180 cooperatives in Bayankhongor, Uvurkhangai, and Arkhangai aimags. As a result of the project, Mongolia's wool and cashmere sector will have the opportunity to join the international green supply chain and commence a new phase of sustainable production.

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Efforts to Extinguish Fire in Erdenebulgan, Khuvsgul Province

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: isee.mn

Emergency service personnel are working to extinguish a forest and steppe fire in the "Asaat Nariin" area of the 2nd bag (district) in Erdenebulgan soum (district), Khuvsgul province. According to reports, the fire is located 240 km northeast of the provincial center and 12 km southeast of the soum center. Specifically, following a report received yesterday at 19:17, personnel from Unit 46 of the Emergency Management Department based in Tarialan soum, along with the professional team from Erdenebulgan soum and local residents, have been working to extinguish the fire.

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Innovation

Integrating Multiple Systems Working on Open Data

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: news.mn

Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communication Ts. Baatarkhuu provided information about the implementation of the Law on Transparency of Public Information at the regular meeting of the Innovation and Digital Policy Standing Committee. He stated that, in accordance with the Law on Transparency of Public Information, 691 types of open data from 59 organizations have been approved to be transparently published to ensure the citizens' right to know. We evaluate quarterly whether each organization uploads their data on time or not. As of April 1, 2025, out of the total 59 organizations, 53 organizations have uploaded 2777 data sets out of the 6010 data sets planned to be uploaded onto the unified open data portal in the past two years. These data sets have been downloaded by citizens and the public 23690 times. Among these, the General Department of Customs, the General Police Department, the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing, the Communications Regulatory Commission, and the General Prosecutor's Office have all fully updated and published their open data on time. Currently, many systems and platforms from different organizations, such as opendata.gov.mn, shilen.gov.mn, opendataburtgel.gov.mn, opendatalab.mn, sudalgaa.gov.mn, 1212.mn, 1313.mn, dashboard.gov.mn, etc., are being used for open data purposes. The necessity and requirement have arisen to organize these systems under a unified policy to enable citizens and the public to obtain information from a single source, perform calculations aided by artificial intelligence, and improve data governance. Therefore, to make the implementation of open data more effective, work has begun to establish a state large data initiative to automatically anonymize and open the data from government databases so that individual people or legal entities cannot be identified. Additionally, studies have commenced to reinforce data infrastructure, increase access, develop analytic capabilities that comply with international standards and technological advancements, activate public-private partnerships, and support data-based decision-making under the "National Data Strategy".

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Police Department Uses 'MD-Video AI' Program for Identifying Criminals and Items

Published: 2025-04-03 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Ulaanbaatar City Mayor's Office and the city’s Crime Prevention Coordination Council handed over the "MD-Video AI" program, used by police departments in 76 countries worldwide, to the Traffic Police Department. This program will be used in investigations to enhance low-quality surveillance footage, identify the faces and items of perpetrators involved in certain crimes, increase the detection of crimes and violations, and compile evidence. The "MD-Video AI" program is owned by the South Korean company "GMD soft" and has the advantage of recovering necessary programs and images from phones that are no longer operational. By integrating this program into police operations, not only traffic-related crimes but other types of crimes can be more efficiently detected, thus saving time and fuel costs and reducing the workload of officers. Ulaanbaatar City Mayor and Governor of Ulaanbaatar H. Nyambaatar stated, “As of today, 2,606 smart cameras are operational at 176 intersections and crossings across Ulaanbaatar City. These cameras are monitored by the city’s unified surveillance center. This center is fully equipped with AI software for crime and violation detection smart camera systems. With the addition of the 'MD-Video AI' software provided today, there is an opportunity for obtaining more precise information. In other words, there is significant progress in terms of technology and software.” In addition to the software, a decision was made to acquire high-capacity computers with the resources from the city mayor's contingency fund. Deputy Colonel V. Khosbayar, head of the Traffic Police Investigation Department, stated, “Collecting and strengthening evidence is the most important aspect of detecting and resolving crimes. However, due to the poor quality of cameras previously installed by businesses, there have been delays in legal proceedings caused by insufficient evidence. By implementing this program in our operations, it provides substantial support in restoring infringed citizen rights and collecting evidence.” Warning: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) are prohibited from using our information in any form, fully or partially, without consent. Usage is only allowed by acknowledging the source (ikon.mn).

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Today's Stories

Politics

Economy

Diplomacy

Infrastructure

Society

Environment

Innovation

Politics

Urgent Discussion on Amendments to the Law on Minerals Exchange

Laws to Amend the Law on Legislation to Organize Regulations Exceeding the Law

B. Purevdorj: There is a bribery issue involving over 100 billion MNT in obtaining 9,000 "C" permits each season /VIDEO/

Mongolia Shares Experience in Implementing FATF Recommendations

Study: Head of the Anti-Corruption Agency Z. Dashdavaa Rated Poorly in International Evaluation

SESSION: Discussing the Reappointment of AAT Director Z. Dashdavaa

Proposal to Reduce Income Tax to 1% Forwarded to Budget Standing Committee

Violation of Electoral Rights Due to Campaign Duration, Costs, and Signature Collection

Ө.Шижир: ХҮН Party received 98% of its total funding from one company, which is legalized corruption /VIDEO/

Z. Dashdavaa Reappointed as Head of the Anti-Corruption Agency

TODAY: Plenary Session of the State Great Khural Will Be Held

NHRC: Human Rights Violations During the 2024 Parliamentary Elections

B. Purevdorj: Coal was stolen by transporting it for 129 million tugriks across a 29 km stretch between "Tsagaan Khad-Gants Mod" port

High-Level UN Meeting on Development Issues in Middle-Income Countries Held

O.Tsogtgerel: The Fight Against Corruption is Weak at the Top but Firm Below, Causing Public Discontent

China: Unprecedented Shuffle in the Politburo

Majority of Standing Committee Members Support Reappointment of Anti-Corruption Agency Head

Ts.Sandag-Ochir: Z.Dashdavaa Brought Those Involved in the 49% of Erdenet and the Dubai Agreement Back to the Country to Face Responsibility

Will Managers Be Appointed to State-Owned Companies?

N. Nomtoibayar: The Tugrug Nuur Deposit is Indeed Linked to Kh. Battulga

Economy

"Liberation Day": Trump imposes import tariffs on nearly all countries, including Mongolia

Mongolia Aims to Introduce a Multi-Tier Pension System

Our country has agreed to supply 367 types of goods duty-free

Finance Minister B. Javkhlan: "Foreign Currency Reserves Reach 5 Billion USD"

The Mongolian Tax Agency Aims to Become an "International Standard Tax Agency"

D.Dovchinsuren: Meat and Meat Products Export Continues Normally and Openly

IBAN Account Number Started Being Used for Interbank Transactions

Interbank Transfers Now Use IBAN

Our Country Mainly Exports Livestock Products and Cashmere Garments to the US Market

Remaining dividend of 1072 shares to be distributed this month

Diplomacy

What Did the Minister of Development Discuss with Neighbors?

URGENT: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Takes "Altai Khuder" LLC Owned by "Bayan" Nicknamed R. Bazar to Court for 4.9 Billion Tugriks

Australian Ambassador Awarded the ‘Friendship’ Medal

Minister of Environment and Climate Change S. Odontuya is visiting the Republic of Uzbekistan

Serbia Imposes Visa Requirements on Citizens of Qatar, Mongolia, Oman, and Kuwait

Updated Visa Fees for Italy

Infrastructure

Installation of the 'Tuun-1' Collector Pipeline from Nalaikh to the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant Begins

Transportation of Overloaded Non-Decomposable Cargo to be Temporarily Halted

Legislation to Define Duties of Electric Scooter and Bicycle Road Users

Z. Tömörtömöö: Residents Affected by Redevelopment Will Be Provided with Temporary Housing

No one can guarantee the safety of tall buildings

Installing Protective Railings on Flood Dikes and Channels

Multi-level Intersections Will Be Built in 18 Locations in the Capital

Society

Attempt to Smuggle Large Quantities of Drugs Across Border Thwarted

Mongols in Seoul advised to ensure their safety

Environment

Earthquake Claims 3003 Lives

The Government Supervisory Agency Discussed the Progress and Results of Research and Investigation Projects at the Forestry Office

A Working Group has been Formed to Monitor the Use and Consumption of Industrial Water

Creating a Favorable Environment for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Production in the Textile Processing Sector

Efforts to Extinguish Fire in Erdenebulgan, Khuvsgul Province

Innovation

Integrating Multiple Systems Working on Open Data

Police Department Uses 'MD-Video AI' Program for Identifying Criminals and Items

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