Aug 17, 2024 66 min read Daily News Summaries

Mongolia News Summary for August 17, 2024

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 Mongolia Strategy Center or its members.

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Politics

L.Oyun-Erdene: There is no country where Parliament, Government, and President are in one building, with their aides mixed together, and all meet at lunch

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The photograph was used with the special permission of MPA Agency.

The Parliamentary session is discussing the Government's action program.

During this session, Member of Parliament Kh.Temuujin stated, "The Government's action program includes the goal of relocating the Government, ministries, and agencies out of Ulaanbaatar city to the south of Bogd mountain. If some ministries and agencies' buildings are vacated as a result, is there an opportunity to provide civil society organizations with space and support their activities? Such a standard exists in Germany.

Additionally, there are now unused old factory buildings in Ulaanbaatar. Is there an opportunity to establish art and culture support incubator centers in those buildings?

There is a need in Mongolia to establish centers aimed at citizens and supporting human development.

In Ulaanbaatar city, where about 1.7 million people are concentrated, there is no shelter. There is a need for shelter for people who are homeless or have various dependencies," he emphasized.

Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene: "I'm pleased to see that someone who has served as the Minister of Justice supports the Government's relocation. We had been confined here, thinking that state administrative organizations should be within the Great Ring Road.

There is no other country like ours where Parliament, the Government, and the President are in one building, with their aides mixed together, meeting at lunch, with the executive branch, the media, and officials sitting together in the same dumpling house.

Therefore, we need to separate according to the oversight and balance of power. To do this, we must courageously relocate the government's building. There's no need to politicize it as fleeing from smoke. Otherwise, we'll continue as we are indefinitely.

Supporting the private sector in terms of human development is included in the Government's action program. If the private sector builds museums, theaters, libraries, cultural services, fitness centers, sports complexes, or camps, we propose to exempt up to one percent of income tax," he stated.

N.Nomtoibayar Criticizes Government’s Program and Budget Amendment, Plans for a "Political Act"

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: isee.mn

Member of Parliament and main representative of the National Coalition in Parliament, N. Nomtoibayar, has decided to make a statement criticizing the government's joint program and the 2024 budget amendment currently being discussed in Parliament.

He believes that there are numerous "strange and absurd" activities and issues in the joint government's program and budget amendment, and he is preparing to inform the public on this matter on Monday, according to sources.

N. Nomtoibayar highlighted, "Uzbekistan, similar to us in development, is talking about an $800 billion investment, while we are talking about approximately $35 billion." He also hinted at his critical stance during a recent parliamentary session, stating, “This government is a union of three different parties with different ideologies. How are they consolidating their ideologies? What economic system is defined in drafting this program? 120 trillion, about 35 billion dollars. The issue is not in the numerical value. It's the financial plan of a foreign company not considered large for a four-year term. Meanwhile, last spring, Uzbekistan, not much different in development, was discussing an $800 billion investment. Because they have a very proper governance system, they create favorable legal conditions to support their private sector and protect investors. Their budget does not include extravagant current expenses.

Because they've established a very solid economic and legal framework, they are discussing $800 billion in investments. On what basis was this program developed, including the government's 20/50 program and previous others? Ultimately, how will this program affect citizens' lives, such as wages, pensions, and allowances? How will it impact inflation reduction, the stability of the tugrik, foreign investment confidence, and support? What will happen to domestic businesses?” He emphasized his desire for an answer to this question from Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene, but the Prime Minister did not respond to his question.

256 billion allocated in the budget amendment for the Bogd Mountain tunnel, cable-stayed bridges, Tuul highway, and Solongo residential development designs and feasibility studies. He also reminded that the National Coalition is an opposition force from when they ran in elections till today. Other members have criticized that the budget is amended by 3 trillion, initiating over 10 major projects, which, like the unfinished Darkhan leather and oil factories, are at risk of being abandoned. It criticizes that the state intends to carry out this work alone without involving private companies, which could only add to corruption and bureaucracy.

The government's proposal to amend the 2024 budget by 3 trillion 127 billion tugriks increases the total budget to 30.5 trillion.

As of today, the budget has an income of 1.5 trillion, and they are planning to start feasibility studies and designing over 10 mega projects, including drilling a tunnel through Bogd Mountain, the new Kharkhorum city, the Erdeneburen hydropower plant, a highway along the Tuul River, and developing the ger districts. In addition, the increase in government expenditure and other expenses is causing frustration among members like N. Nomtoibayar.

Registered 15 Parties and One Coalition for the 2024 Election of the Ulaanbaatar Citizens' Representative Council and Handed Over the Resolution

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Ulaanbaatar Election Commission has registered parties and coalitions that submitted their applications to participate in the 2024 election of the Ulaanbaatar Citizens' Representative Council and handed over the resolution to them.

According to Article 25 of the Law on Elections of Provincial, Capital City, Soum, and District Citizens' Representative Councils, 15 parties and one coalition submitted their applications for participation to the Ulaanbaatar election commission.

These include:

Mongolian People's Party
Democratic Party
National Coalition
Civil Will Green Party
Republican Party
Party for the Implementation of Freedom
Civil Movement Party
Development Program Party
HUN Party
People's Power Party
Truth and Justice Party
People's Majority Governance Party
Ger District Development Party
NEW Party
Citizens' Participation Union Party
United Party of Good Democratic Citizens

Based on Article 19, section 19.1, and Articles 27.1, 27.2, and 27.3 of the Law on Elections of Provincial, Capital City, Soum, and District Citizens' Representative Councils, a resolution was made to allow 15 parties and one coalition to participate in the 2024 election of the Ulaanbaatar Citizens' Representative Council, giving these parties and coalition the right to take part in the election.

L.Oyun-Erdene: Chairman N.Altankhuyag, you can cooperate during my term. Change your stance that it can't be done during L.Gantomor's term

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

During an extraordinary session of the State Great Khural, the emergency procedure is discussing the bills submitted by the government. During this time, members asked questions from the bill initiator and received answers.

Member of Parliament N.Altankhuyag: A policy document that indicates how Mongolians will live for four years should be introduced. It is implied that three parties will govern together. Chairman L.Gantomor is sitting next to me. The issues to correct the mistakes of the past eight years are quite well reflected in this program. It is unacceptable to promise one thing to the voters and then speak differently in the chamber.

Let me ask the Prime Minister, is there political will in the government to eliminate and eradicate corruption? What I'm trying to say is, why not eliminate money-based elections? If it's not written in your program, write it down. Elections have long ceased to be program-based elections. Now it's purely about money elections. I'd like to point out what should be corrected. Eliminate the rewards for campaign workers. This is the real issue of distributing money and giving it to the campaigners of the opposition party.

I spoke about this in the last congress. Something that doesn't exist in the law has been implemented under the name of "section leaders." A section leader is the MPP's campaigner. This person is working wildly, causing bias and discrimination in social support and among citizens. Can't this be eradicated?

Furthermore, what if the elections were held on a Wednesday instead of Friday? What kind of policy will be pursued to reduce corporate taxes?

Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene: There is a desire to change money-based elections. That's why the structure of the Constitution has been changed. Forty percent is now proportional. It is appropriate to include significant changes in this and proceed.

I'm in agreement about reducing the number of campaigners. For 30 years, every election has been played by different rules. Since it's included in the Constitution, I hope it will change.

Holding elections on Wednesday might be possible. There's an opportunity to include it in the law and decide on it. But there's one matter where I disagree with Chairman N.Altankhuyag.

I disagree with the position that cooperation was possible during your time but not during ours. A principle cannot be like a double-ended needle. You and Chairman S.Bayar formed a coalition government. You also formed one with Chairman S.Batbold. At that time, there were no other options, and you talked about cooperating to resolve issues. Now, there hasn't been a major cataclysm or a change between heaven and earth. There will still be coalition governments in the future. As a person who served as the Prime Minister, who knows many hardships and joys, and understands geopolitical issues, please change your stance that cooperation is possible during my term but not during L.Gantomor's.

L. Oyun-Erdene: We Will Resolve Issues Quickly and Implement Politically Gridlocked Projects

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Prime Minister of Mongolia, L. Oyun-Erdene, introduced the draft of the government's 2024-2028 action program to the Parliament today.

Dear Mongolians!

Speaker of the Parliament of Mongolia, esteemed members!

Since the transition to a parliamentary democratic system, Mongolia held its ninth parliamentary election based on a mixed system designed not to waste votes, forming, for the first time, a Parliament with 126 members representing both proportional and regional constituencies.

For the first time, five parties are represented in Parliament, with women making up 25%, surpassing the regional average. The inclusion of representatives of persons with disabilities, scholars, experts, and citizens living abroad in the legislative body marks the beginning of a new 30-year political culture and creates a societal expectation for the swift resolution of urgent development issues, according to research findings.

Honoring this societal expectation, as Prime Minister, I proposed forming a coalition government with the Democratic Party and the Human Rights Party, which jointly addressed the election's mixed system. In addition, notable clauses from other parties' platforms have been incorporated into the government's action program, striving to respect the choice of every voter.

Guided by the words of Democratic Revolution leader Sanjaasuren Zorig:

The national interest comes first,
Political party interests come second,
Personal interests come last,

the three parties formed the "BRAVE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT" agreement and submitted the government's 2024-2028 action program to the Parliament.

Overall, this program combines elements from Mongolia's long-term "Vision-2050," the New Revival Policy, and unique clauses from party platforms, aiming to address urgent development issues swiftly and untangle projects stalled by political gridlock.

Global economic growth is expected to remain at around 3.2% in 2024 and 3.3% in 2025. Economic growth in our region slowed from 5.1% in 2023 to 4.8% in 2024. For Mongolia, if we achieve an average economic growth rate of 5-8%, we can fully implement this program through collective effort.

International researchers continue to warn of risks that may arise from changes to these forecasts due to geopolitical conflicts, trade wars, financial sanctions, and natural disasters caused by climate change—risks we must not ignore.

Furthermore, the upcoming four-year government program coincides with a period of rapid advancement in artificial intelligence, transforming human lifestyles at an unprecedented speed, aligning with the Fifth Industrial Revolution. Predicting this era's positive and negative impacts on the social and economic life of our region and nation is both a significant challenge and an opportunity.

From the steam engine's invention, replacing manual labor with mechanized technology during the First Industrial Revolution, to the development of internal combustion engines and mass production in the Second, which both took over a century, the transition from electronic computers and digital technologies of the Third Industrial Revolution to smart technologies and the internet in the Fourth took only about 30 years.

The rapid pace of scientific and technological development and AI-driven growth may lead us towards the Fifth and Sixth Industrial Revolutions much faster, for which we must be ready.

Moreover, with less than a decade remaining before the depletion of coal, our main export product, we must take bold steps towards economic diversification. Therefore, to stay ahead of development, the government introduces a four-year program with four categories, four main directions, and four objectives totaling 577 packages of actions.

Implementing this program requires an investment capital of approximately 120 trillion MNT. The state budget can finance only about 12.3% of this amount. Thus, the foundational idea of this program involves leveraging state budget funds to encourage private sector participation, enhancing the investment legal framework to an international level.

By swiftly forming qualified human resources with the capacity to work alongside international experts and aligning science, technology, education, and labor markets, utilizing big data for policy and planning, making rapid decisions, and advancing green technology transitions in mining, energy, transport, logistics, urban development, and construction sectors, we can fully realize this program.

Speaker of the Parliament, esteemed members!

The government's action program includes a comprehensive regional development reform agenda. Under the regional development policy, excessive centralization of state power concentrated over 700 hectares in the capital’s core areas will be dismantled, addressing the fundamental issues causing urban congestion.

The government, in conjunction with the "Vision-2050," will introduce an overarching plan for the development of the Capital City by integrating a "living city" plan offering all services within 20 minutes. It will be submitted to the Parliament this year.

Resolving longstanding capital city issues swiftly requires courage. Moreover, it is necessary to triple the investment spent over the past 30 years in the capital over the next three years.

Efforts should ensure a 20-minute commute from the city center to the new airport in Khöshig Valley. To achieve this, the program proposes constructing the "Go Mongolia" cable-stayed bridge from the city center to the Khukhree Valley, with a dual-flow tunnel from Khukhree Valley directly to the airport. The "New Ring" road network project in Ulaanbaatar will connect its roads.

This development will start with the Tuul Highway. The projects of constructing a "New Great Ring" expressway or a light railway around Bogd Khan Mountain, connecting Terelj, Nalaikh, Maidar City, Zuun Mod City, Khöshig Valley, Argalant-Emeelt City, and the cities of Jargalant and Rashaant, have been included in the budget amendment for technical and economic feasibility studies and design costs. The government will actively support bringing the "Metro Line 1" project from Tolgoit to Amgalan to fruition.

The expansion of the capital region through Khöshig Valley and the restoration of the ancient capital Kharkhorin located at the geographical center of the nation will be organized.

The national housing program will be expedited through the National Wealth Fund, in line with regional development policies. To lead this new settlement and foster private sector growth, efforts to place government institutions within regions in phases will be organized.

Clearly, addressing the fundamental solutions for excessive concentration in the capital city lies in regional development. The organization of the parliamentary elections through regional constituencies for the first time is related to this. Recently, discussions with members of Parliament on including suggestions in this program revealed an unprecedented expansion in the scope of issues addressed. The common political culture of equitably distributing the national budget across all local units has shifted, creating an economic mindset for regions to self-develop, much to my appreciation as Prime Minister.

The government has proposed making each region distinct and sub-dominant in terms of socio-economic development aspects in this program. Without such specialization, investment spreads too thin, yielding no real results, as you know! Therefore, we must also be courageous for accelerated development.

Khangai region as a "traditional livestock specialized, urban sub-region,"
Western region as an "energy specialized, nature tourism sub-region,"
Northern region as a "nature tourism specialized, industrial sub-region,"
Gobi region as an "industrial specialized, green energy sub-region,"
Central region as an "agricultural specialized, industrial sub-region,"
Eastern region as a "historical tourism specialized, intensive agricultural sub-region."

To promote regional economic flow, we will launch massive construction works for five regional highways connecting provincial centers with border points and linking provincial centers. Preparations for regional development construction, updating previous feasibility studies, planning, and financing have been included in this amendment. We must work tirelessly to finalize planning in autumn and winter and be ready to begin construction by spring.

Ts. Munkhtuya: Is it possible to open the political rights of civil servants, Minister of Justice?

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The government's action plan is being discussed at the parliamentary session.

During this time, Member of Parliament Ts. Munkhtuya asked questions and received answers about social issues concerning teachers.

Member of Parliament Ts. Munkhtuya: "I would like to ask five questions related to the social issues of over 100,000 teachers working in the education sector.

Currently, the salary of teachers is very low, ranging between 200-400 USD. Is there any possibility during this government to bring teachers' salaries up to 1,000 USD? Also, the housing issue for teachers is very severe. Can these issues be addressed during the term of this government, Prime Minister?

About 80-90 percent of Mongolian teachers have repeatedly raised the issue of retirement ages to be 55 for men and 50 for women if they wish. However, this issue has not been included in the General Law on Education. Teachers are very dissatisfied with this. Secondly, I'd like to ask Minister L. Gantomor if there is a possibility to conduct an evaluation of work conditions based on professional illnesses and risks for teachers.

The final question is regarding the restriction on civil servants' political rights and freedom to express opinions, publish, and hold rallies, which have been restricted since 2017. Is there an opportunity to reverse this, Minister of Justice?" she said.

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene: The government's action plan will be implemented to support teachers in every aspect. Regarding salaries, we have only two ways. First, if the education sector can save on operating expenses, teachers' salaries can be increased. Second, it is not possible to isolate and increase teachers' salaries alone. However, the possibility of discussing the salaries of all civil servants exists. Therefore, by reducing the number of civil servants and eliminating overlaps, we can implement reforms where a smaller number of qualified individuals work for higher salaries.

Generally, it is inappropriate for members of parliament to talk arbitrarily about salary issues. Teachers and doctors should be treated the same as other professionals. Salary issues are solved by sector laws, and considering a minister who increases salaries as the best minister is a vicious cycle.

First Deputy Prime Minister L. Gantomor: My position is the same as the Prime Minister's.

Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Protection L. Enkh-Amgalan: We need to reconsider the issue of civil servants' salaries as a system. Currently, we are equalizing them. The health and education sectors have shifted to a result-based incentive system. Therefore, we should move forward so that the best teachers and doctors receive the highest salaries.

Minister of Justice O. Altangerel: According to the current Civil Service Law, civil servants are prohibited from participating in the activities of political and religious organizations. However, it is time to reconsider this. Especially for those engaged in academic and vocational activities and for secondary school teachers, we should consider which rights to open. But there must be a framework and boundaries. We will take your suggestion into consideration.

Parliament Member N. Altankhuyag Criticized by Speaker, Prime Minister, and Members

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

At the parliamentary session, the issue of approving the government's 2024-2028 action program is being discussed.

Regarding the issues being discussed, members asked questions and received answers.

Parliament Member N. Altankhuyag asked the Prime Minister if there is an interest in this government to eradicate bribery and corruption. He believes that the action program should include efforts to correct previous mistakes.

"Let’s increase the VAT refund from two percent to five, reduce the high social insurance premiums; are these issues included in the action program?

Let’s eliminate money-driven elections. To do this, we should stop incentivizing campaigners, remove the position of district leaders, and schedule elections on Wednesdays," he proposed.

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene responded, "You asked if there is a desire to change money-oriented elections. Yes, there is. To change this, the election system has been reformed. The number of campaigners should be reduced. Hopefully, the practice of each playing by their own rules before every election will change. It’s possible to hold elections on Wednesdays.

I do not agree with Chairman Altankhuyag’s view that ‘during our time we could cooperate, and in yours we cannot’. Principles cannot have two sides.

You were part of a government coalition with S. Bayar and S. Batbold. Please change the attitude of ‘during my time it is possible, during L. Gantumur’s time it is not’," he commented.

After the exchange between Parliament Member N. Altankhuyag and Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene, a dispute arose in the meeting hall. Subsequently, Member P. Sainzorig attempted to speak, but was impeded by Member N. Altankhuyag, preventing him from speaking within the allotted time. Angered by this, P. Sainzorig expressed his displeasure, stating, “Chairman N. Altankhuyag, what an unusual person you are. You constantly interrupt everything,” while Parliament Member D. Amarbayasgalan reprimanded, "Chairman N. Altankhuyag, please maintain decorum as a senior and composed member."

The HUN Party in Parliament Forms its Council and Elects its Chairman

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The HUN Party in Parliament has officially formed its Council and elected Member of Parliament B. Naidalaa as its chairman.

The Council of the HUN Party in Parliament will implement the functions of the group.

In the 2024 parliamentary elections, the party won eight seats, which is 6.3% of the 126-member parliament.

Note: All media outlets (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) are required to mention their source (ikon.mn) when using our information in whole or in part.

Economy

NOTE: Joint Government Ministers to Add 1.9 Trillion MNT to Their Budget from Taxpayers

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The joint government titled "Courage for Rapid Development" submitted the 2024 budget amendment to the Parliament this week. In connection with this, an extraordinary session is being held and being discussed under an urgent procedure.

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene, who formed a joint government with 13 ministers from the MPP, eight from the DP, and two from the HUN Party, presents information on how much money is additionally allocated to each minister in this year’s budget modification.

Before the election, the government consisted of 17 ministries and 22 ministers. Post-election, the coalition government is working with 17 ministries and 23 ministers.

This year, Mongolia is spending an all-time high of 27.4 trillion MNT from the state budget. However, it has become necessary to implement the coalition government's program, leading the Prime Minister to amend the budget.

Currently, there are 39 officials, including 23 government ministers and the heads of 16 major government organizations, such as the Presidential Office and the State Great Khural, who manage and oversee the state budget on behalf of taxpayers.

Of these, only the expenses of the coalition government ministers are being increased. Meanwhile, 14 other institutions, such as the Judicial General Council, Constitutional Court, and National Statistics Office, did not have changes to their budget.

Of the six ministers currently in the government, their respective organizations do not generate revenue for the state budget. Essentially, they only spend from the state budget to carry out activities, projects, and programs, indicating no revenue intake.

These six revenue-less ministers are adding a total of 255 billion MNT to their previous budget. As a result, after this amendment, they will incur expenses of 1.6 trillion MNT from the budget, without contributing any income.

Additionally, the Speaker of Parliament was supposed to contribute 100 million MNT in revenue and incur 132 billion MNT in expenses in the 2024 state budget.

However, there was no increase in revenue in the budget amendment, and the expenses increased by 10 billion MNT. Thus, the total expenses from the state budget this year amount to 142 billion MNT.

According to the law approved for 2024, the Prime Minister was supposed to contribute 648 billion MNT in revenue through his associated organizations to the state budget.

However, the submitted budget amendment has adjusted the Prime Minister’s expected revenue contribution to 105 billion MNT. Meanwhile, the expenses have increased by 44 billion MNT.

The majority of the Prime Minister's budgeted revenue, totaling 644 billion MNT, was supposed to be generated by the State-Owned Policy Coordination Agency under his control. Of this, 520 billion MNT was expected to be transferred to the Future Heritage Fund.

However, from the mining and mineral processing sectors, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance have proposed accumulating total revenue of 1.2 trillion MNT into the National Wealth Fund.

Furthermore, the Minister of Development and Transport, who was initially projected to generate 175 billion MNT in revenue, has seen this figure reduced to 105 billion MNT after the amendment.

The Ministry of Finance contributes the most revenue to the state budget through its associated organizations.

Previously, they were scheduled to contribute 18 trillion 181 billion MNT in revenue in the 2024 budget, but they are now required to add an additional 600 billion MNT after the amendment. Of this, they plan to collect 467 billion MNT in revenue from taxpayers.

The joint government ministers of the "Courage for Rapid Development" will see their expenses from this year’s state budget reach 22.5 trillion MNT, an increase of two trillion MNT.

For instance, the Minister of Finance was supposed to expend 4.5 trillion MNT from the 2024 previous budget. However, with the amendment, the expenses have increased by one trillion MNT. This includes an increase to 984 billion MNT in expenses financed by foreign loans and assistance.

The Minister of Energy, who does not contribute revenue to the state, is set to add 134 billion MNT to his expenses. The majority of this amount is for capital expenses.

Additionally, expenses for the Chair of the National Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation, and the Chair of the 20-Minute City-National Committee, will have 130 billion MNT allocated from the state budget, a 74 billion MNT increase from their previous budget.

Interestingly, the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, who does not contribute revenue to the state budget, will spend 430 billion MNT this year. Similarly, the Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth has increased her expenses to 574 billion MNT, a 31 billion MNT increase without generating any revenue.

Meanwhile, expenses for the Ministers of Education and Environmental, and Climate Change have been reduced by 98 billion MNT. More detailed information can be reviewed in the below chart.

Of the 21 provinces, seven contribute revenue to the state budget. The overall contribution of these seven provinces, initially projected at 1.1 trillion MNT, has been increased by 450 billion MNT to 1.5 trillion MNT.

Among them, Umnugovi Province is now expected to contribute an additional 700 billion MNT to the state budget. On the other hand, Ulaanbaatar and Orkhon provinces have seen their respective revenue contributions to the state budget reduced by 252 billion MNT.

The 2024 state budget initially estimated 414 billion MNT would be allocated to local budgets. However, the budget amendment has reduced this amount by 45 billion MNT, resulting in 368 billion MNT being distributed to the provinces.

Notably, financing for Khentii, Zavkhan, and Bulgan aimags from the state budget is minimally reduced, by 300-800 million MNT, meaning Khentii will receive 38 billion MNT, Zavkhan 37 billion MNT, and Bulgan 10 billion MNT from the 2024 state budget.

Local budgets are adopted and allocated by the Councils of Citizens' Representatives of provinces, capital, districts, and villages, based on their classifications as national and local levels.

L. Gantumur: There Is No Other Choice but to Develop a New Tax Policy Tied to the Family

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

During the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on State Structure yesterday, the government’s 2024-2028 action program was discussed.

Member of Parliament Ts. Sandag-Ochir inquired about how the government plans to reform tax policy over the next four years.

In response to his question, Deputy Prime Minister L. Gantumur said, "A tax reform policy will be implemented. We will consistently implement a policy of reduction. It takes time to figure out how to reduce the pressure on individuals and organizations.

What is clear here is that there is no other choice but to develop a new tax policy tied to the family. For example, two people doing the same job—one with a family of seven to support and the other with a family of three—are still paying the same income tax. We aim to improve the quality of life, taking into account what remains available for their living and standards."

Lu. Gantomor: It is necessary to stop the practice of closing company accounts without a court decision

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

At the special session of the State Great Khural, the submitted draft laws from the government are being urgently discussed. During this time, members asked questions and received answers.

Member of the State Great Khural, D. Enkhtuvshin: In the Law on Criminal Procedure, accounts of companies are being closed, restricting their activities when taking preventive measures. Also, the directors are being detained, imprisoned, and their cases are being investigated and resolved. Will there be any changes to this? I wanted to ask because it has been included quite extensively. If there is no real change on this, companies are on the brink of bankruptcy, thinking that closing their accounts without knowing the business environment will leave other issues resolved.

Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs, O. Altangerel: The Prime Minister instructed to take specific steps and conduct research on private sector human rights. There are many things regulated by rules and by law. Even during the opening of the session, Speaker of the State Great Khural D. Amarbayasgalan mentioned that there are many regulations. We are doing specific tasks on this. Relations regulated by rules depending on officials cause difficulties for companies related to officials' decisions. In many cases, rights are determined at the discretion of those in power.

On the other hand, there is a lot of feedback from the private sector about the closure of company accounts. When asked about the statistics and information on where, how many companies, and what size accounts have been closed, the information is not coming through well. We have a strong desire to work together with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry on investment and business legal environment matters. Currently, the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs is working on more than 10 draft laws related to private law, with business representatives participating to include their interests.

The closure of accounts happens in the course of criminal proceedings, at the level of citizen-company disputes, and related to tax authorities. Therefore, it is time to look at where the issues are and where the rights and interests of companies are being violated.

There are many bad histories related to foreign investors. They are decided by the courts of Mongolia. Many complaints related to foreign investors that have been submitted to the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs because the court decisions made to ensure their interests are not implemented. Therefore, we

First Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, L. Gantomor: Generally, we will work on this issue. The practice of closing accounts without court decisions should be stopped. Moreover, it is necessary to eliminate the practice of preventing a person with debts from going abroad and to clarify the Bankruptcy Law. A person should not be punished for life for making a mistake while doing business or working. This should be resolved in the near future.

There are 82 complaints from companies with foreign investments, of which 18 have been resolved, and 68 are pending. Therefore, there are complaints. We cannot act as if we are unaware or have not seen this. We must openly and transparently discuss and solve our investors' problems clearly.

The Minister of Finance Explained the Increase of Budget Current Expenditure by 1.2 Trillion Tugriks

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

During an extraordinary session of the Parliament, it was decided to urgently discuss the draft laws submitted by the government. The Standing Committee on the Budget convened to discuss whether to accept the proposed amendments to the draft law on the 2024 state budget of Mongolia and other related legislative proposals. During this session, Member of Parliament Kh. Ganhuyag asked why the budget expenditures have increased significantly, seeking answers.

MP Kh. Ganhuyag asked about the budget expenditures introduced for 2024, 2025, and 2026. He noted that the government program contains plans to reduce the number of civil servants by 10% and aims for a streamlined state administration. Yet, this year's budget shows an increase of 1.2 trillion tugriks in current expenditure. He questioned whether this signifies creating a bigger government with more civil servants or if it is a way to increase borrowing through existing calculations. He sought clarification on the budget forecasts for 2025 and 2026, and the economic outlook and expected revenues.

Minister of Finance B. Javkhlan responded that for the remaining months of this year, a balanced income exceeding three trillion tugriks has been planned. Over the past five years, the balanced income has always been surpassed in realization, and the balance has improved. He expressed confidence that no errors would occur in this remaining forecast.

Out of 3.1 trillion tugriks, two trillion tugriks are allocated for major construction expenses. Within the mentioned 1.2 trillion tugriks, there are four major expenditures of a one-time nature related to the capital city. Specifically, 584 billion tugriks are linked to the Selbe Revival, which the government supports. Additionally, there are significant expenditures aimed at energy sector reforms and liberalization that have been deferred for 30 years. Furthermore, an increase of 123 billion tugriks in the current expenses of the food and agriculture sector is attributed to the severe winter. These major transitions involve adopting the cooperative model in traditional animal husbandry, transitioning to settled animal husbandry, and intensifying animal husbandry.

H. Temuujin: Will We Change the Distorted Legal System That Plunders Businesses?

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

In an extraordinary session of the Parliament, urgent discussions are underway concerning the government-proposed law projects. During this time, several members of parliament gave speeches.

Member of Parliament H. Temuujin: Since the formation of the coalition government, discussions on the government’s action plan have been about what they will achieve over these four years. There has been public inquiry about why the government decided to form a coalition.

Where has the opposition gone? There is dissatisfaction. On the flip side, there is anticipation that the three parties will resolve issues that one party could not. Personally, I was not pleased with the formation of the coalition government. However, now that it is established, there are three expectations. Firstly, two center-right parties have formed the government with the MPP. Central-right ideology values business freedom. Over the last eight years, a command economy prevailed, moving towards a race to make money.

This time, however, can we stop the erroneous economic system, cease the top-down control and constraints on private sectors? Due to tax burdens, high-interest rates, and confusing government actions, many private businesses have been forced to halt their operations. Secondly, Mongolia must gear up its economy to undertake major projects boldly. Thirdly, the state of human rights in our country has hit rock bottom. Business people can no longer realize their dreams. Will we dismantle the distorted legal system that invades, intimidates under the guise of the law, and loots businesses? Most politicians are in the pockets of legal authorities. Will this grip be loosened?

Tax Revenue Reaches 15.8 Trillion Tugriks in the First Seven Months of 2024

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Tax revenue has amounted to 15.8 trillion tugriks based on preliminary performance data for the first seven months of 2024.

Deposit in Tugrik Reaches 20 Trillion by the End of July This Year, Increasing by 39% Compared to the Same Period Last Year

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

According to preliminary performance data, the money supply (M2) reached 41.8 trillion Tugrik by the end of July 2024. This is an increase of 30.6% or 9.7 trillion Tugrik compared to the same period last year. The growth was influenced by an increase in Tugrik deposits by 39% or 5.6 trillion Tugrik and demand deposits in Tugrik by 54.5% or 3.9 trillion Tugrik.

Of the Tugrik deposits, 17.3 trillion Tugrik or 86.1% belongs to individuals, while 2.8 trillion Tugrik belongs to organizations and businesses. Meanwhile, as of July this year, foreign currency deposits are equivalent to 4.5 trillion Tugrik, which is a decrease of 64.8 billion Tugrik or 1.4% compared to the previous month.

In July, Inflation Reached 5.5%

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The head of the Money, Finance, and Services Statistics Department of the National Statistics Office, L. Enkhbaatar, presents the social and economic indicators of Mongolia for the first seven months of 2024.

Inflation reached 5.5% nationwide in July 2024.

The inflation rate, or the price of consumer goods and services, hit 5.5% nationwide in July 2024, with 1.7 percentage points (30.6%) of this increase attributed to the rise in the prices of foodstuff, beverages, and water products.

G. MUNKH-ERDENE: DEVELOPING INVESTMENT TOOLS WITH "EXIT" STRATEGY

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

We had a conversation with G. Munkh-Erdene, CEO of Tavanbogd Capital Brokerage LLC, who is about to introduce his new project at a closed forum for investors.

What strategies should be adhered to in the stock market?

Observing the situation, it seems most challenging in Mongolia to make an investment, take the profit, and exit. Hence, the question of what the ‘Exit’ strategy should be has become extremely important. For example, if you buy a company's shares for 10 million MNT on the stock exchange, there's no problem for an "Exit." But what if you buy shares for 1 billion MNT? That's a different question. Therefore, when presenting investment offers to our clients, we focus heavily on determining the 'Exit' strategy.

What is suitable for the current situation in Mongolia?

We are a securities company. We do not manage people's assets, but we raise funds through our underwriting rights aside from brokering shares. When looking at the situation in Mongolia recently, many have expressed the view that participating in IPOs is not ideal, as there’s a perception that prices fall after an IPO. Moreover, people have increasingly begun saying to buy shares after their price drops following an IPO. In response, we've developed and tested two cases on how to successfully exit with an 'Exit' strategy when entering an IPO. The first case yielded a 30% profit in one year, while the second is expected to yield a 23% profit. Additionally, we are working to open up investment opportunities before the IPOs by developing favorable 'Exit' strategies. However, since these activities are just beginning, we cannot go into further detail at this time.

What are the advantages of these proposed strategies?

The strategy we are developing is unique in that it opens up the possibility for both the company's original founders and new investors to reach their desired goals. A new investor will have a ready 'Exit' strategy when investing their money into the company. This is the most significant advantage. However, it is not an easy task. It requires thorough research and analysis. Therefore, we are working very attentively on this. Moreover, it will not be accessible to everyone due to limitations, as this is intended to be a long-term investment.

Household's Average Monthly Real Income is 1.7 Million, Expenditure is 1.8 Million MNT

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The National Statistics Committee presented the social and economic indicators for the first seven months of 2024 in Mongolia.

During this period, the average monthly real income of households was 1.7 million MNT. This is a 17% increase compared to the same period last year, and the increase in wage income by 31.2% contributed to this growth.

Meanwhile, the average monthly real expenditure of households in the second quarter of 2024 reached 1.8 million MNT, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. When breaking down the expenses, the largest increase was observed in the costs of non-food goods and services. This type of expenditure rose by 184,000 MNT compared to last year.

Banks Provided Loans of ₮650.9 Billion in the Field of Energy Efficiency

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: bloombergtv.mn

In the second quarter of this year, the green loan balance of banks exceeded one trillion MNT, according to the Bank of Mongolia. During the reporting period, loans in the field of energy efficiency accounted for the highest amount, totaling ₮650.9 billion. A predominant portion of these loans was directed towards increasing the energy efficiency of energy-saving buildings and existing production facilities.

The green loans provided in the second quarter constituted 3.2% of the total loans, showing a growth of 68% compared to the same period last year.

For the first half of 2024, Trade and Development Bank alone issued green loans amounting to ₮67.6 billion, which represented 1% of its total loans. This is an increase of 38% compared to the same period last year.

Of the green loan balance, 81.4% is business loans, while the remainder is consumer loans. Specifically, energy efficiency loans represent 50.3% of the total, while loans for purchasing low carbon-emission vehicles, such as those with reduced carbon emissions, account for 21.6%.

Trade and Development Bank has reported its intention to diversify its product and services offerings for green loans and increase the scale by partnering with foreign banks and financial institutions.

Regarding non-performing loans, those granted for sustainable water and waste usage have the highest rate at 6.5%.

The national roadmap for sustainable finance in Mongolia aims to achieve a green loan portfolio that constitutes 10% of the total loan portfolio by 2030.

Albert Park, a senior economist at the Asian Development Bank, highlighted in his presentation that "Local financial oversight bodies lack the standards and guidance necessary to support sustainable financing by central banks and to regulate climate change policies effectively. Additionally, a lack of knowledge and awareness about climate risks persists in factories."

GDP Growth in the First Half of the Year Slightly Slows to 5.6 Percent

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: bloombergtv.mn

Seasonally adjusted gross domestic product grew by 1.5 percent quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter.

In the first half of 2024, gross domestic product calculated by the production method reached 37.4 trillion tugriks, increasing by 5.6 percent, as reported by the National Statistical Office.

Seasonally adjusted gross domestic product grew by 1.5 percent quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter. In the first half of 2023, GDP increased by 6.7 percent, and by two percent in the same period in 2022.

Of the 5.6 percent growth, 4.4 percentage points were from the service sector, and 2.3 percent were from net taxes on products, while the added value in the agricultural sector decreased by 3.9 percent due to severe weather conditions affecting livestock.

Furthermore, the mining and extraction sector contributed 1.8 percentage points to GDP growth, but this was lower than the performance in the first half of 2023. The construction sector, which did not have an impact on growth in the previous year, showed a 0.3 percentage point impact in 2024, according to the National Statistical Office.

According to the expenditure method, 21.5 percentage points of the 5.7 percent growth at 2015 constant prices were constituted by final consumption, amounting to 15 trillion tugriks, while gross capital formation accounted for 6.2 percentage points.

The Bank of Mongolia has increased its economic growth forecast for 2024, considering factors such as improved coal exports, increased housing finance, expanded household consumption, and the potential for improved domestic demand.

However, if weather conditions worsen beyond expectations, the growth in the agricultural sector might decrease from earlier forecasts, and manufacturing production is expected to slow down compared to previous predictions.

GDP Growth Slows Slightly in the First Half of the Year to 5.6%

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: bloombergtv.mn

According to the National Statistics Office, the GDP calculated by production method reached 37.4 trillion MNT in the first half of 2024, growing by 5.6%. Seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 1.5% in the second quarter compared to the previous quarter. In the first half of 2023, GDP grew by 6.7%, while in the same period of 2022, it grew by 2%.

Of the 5.6% growth, the services sector contributed 4.4 percentage points, and net product taxes contributed 2.3%. However, due to the livestock disasters in the agriculture sector, the added value of this sector decreased by 3.9%.

Additionally, while mining and extraction contributed 1.8 percentage points to GDP growth, it was still below the performance in the first half of 2023. The National Statistics Office reported that the construction sector, which did not influence growth last year, made a 0.3 percentage point contribution in 2024.

Looking at GDP from the perspective of final usage, 15 trillion MNT or 21.5 percentage points of the 5.7% growth calculated at 2015 constant prices were due to final consumption, while total capital accumulation contributed 6.2 percentage points.

The Bank of Mongolia has revised its economic growth forecast for 2024 upwards, considering factors such as improved coal exports, increased housing finance, and expanding household consumption and domestic demand.

However, it was mentioned that the situation regarding livestock disasters is worsening beyond forecasts, potentially causing agricultural sector growth to fall below previous estimates, and production in the manufacturing sector is expected to slow down.

The average monthly household income reached ₮2.5 million in Q2, an increase of 3.5% from the previous quarter

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: bloombergtv.mn

The share of salary income in household average monthly monetary income increased by 5.0 percentage points compared to the same period last year, while the share of other incomes increased by 0.4 percentage points.

In Q2 of this year, the average monthly household income in nominal terms reached 2.5 million MNT, an increase of 24% or 485.7 thousand MNT from the same period last year, and 3.5% or 86 thousand MNT from the previous quarter.

After excluding the effects of prices, the average monthly real income of a household stands at 1.7 million MNT. This shows an increase of 255.3 thousand MNT or 17.3% from the same period last year. The main factor contributing to the increase in real income was the rise in real salary income by 218.3 thousand MNT or 31.2%.

During the reporting period, the increase of pensions and allowances influenced the total monetary income of households, leading to an increase of 3.2% compared to the previous quarter. Nationally, households with monthly incomes between 700 thousand MNT to 1.6 million MNT have 47-73% of their average monetary income composed of pension and allowance income.

Salaries constitute 56.4% of household monetary income, while pensions and allowances account for 22.9%, with the remaining income generated from agriculture, industry, and services.

From April to June, the share of income from agricultural production in the average monthly household monetary income decreased by 2.8 percentage points.

The harsh weather conditions and high livestock mortality during last winter negatively impacted the growth of the agriculture and processing sectors, according to a report by the Bank of Mongolia.

Diplomacy

Russian Embassy Military Attaché Causes Traffic Accident While Driving Under Influence

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

It has been established that the military attaché from the Russian Embassy was driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and caused an accident.

15 Heads of State and 20+ Female Leaders from Various Countries to Attend the First Global Women's Summit

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

In connection with the upcoming "First Global Women's Summit" to be held in Ulaanbaatar, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator provided an update today.

The summit is scheduled for the next week on August 22-23 and will see the participation of heads of state, speakers of legislative bodies, ministers from 15 countries, and influential leaders from non-governmental organizations, business, sports, and the arts from around 20 countries.

As of today, high-level guests such as the President of Slovenia, the Vice-President of Laos, the First Lady of Kyrgyzstan, and the Vice-Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament are expected to attend, with the United Nations being represented by its Deputy Secretary-General and other leaders.

A total of over 600 representatives are expected to participate in the summit.

The summit will host discussions across the following six sectoral sessions:

"The Role of Female Leaders in Accelerating Environmental Initiatives"
"Women's Participation in Building a Sustainable Future and Food Systems"
"Women's Role in the Digital Economy"
"Gender Equality in Economics"
"The Impact of Education in Empowering Women and Girls"
"Gender Equality in Sports, Arts, and Culture"

The outcomes of these sessions will be reflected in other major global events. It is also expected to elevate women's leadership and gender equality to a new level and continue to progress forward. The United Nations Resident Coordinator Tapan Mishra emphasized that this high-level summit is being proudly organized by the Government of Mongolia in cooperation with the UN.

During the summit, there will be a special photo exhibition titled "17 Faces of Leadership" showcasing the work of women involved in implementing the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Reminder

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Infrastructure

B. Delgersaikhan: There is no doubt about the state taking over the Khangi-Mandal railway. I have no personal ambitions or conflicts of interest

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The extraordinary session of the State Great Khural is discussing the "Action Plan of the Government of Mongolia for 2024-2028".

During this session, Member of Parliament B. Purevdorj said, "The issue of constructing a railway with a narrow gauge was proposed. However, it is not being discussed. In 2022, Russia laid a narrow-gauge railway through Manzhouli to China, and is transporting coal day and night.

The Khangi-Mandal railway was built with private investment. The Minister of Road and Transport Development cannot have a private railway due to a conflict of interest.

Chinese railways are state-owned. When the issue of connecting a private railway with a state-owned one is raised, the Chinese hesitate. Therefore, the Khangi-Mandal railway should be handed over to the state, and this issue needs to be resolved."

In response to this question, Minister of Road and Transport Development B. Delgersaikhan stated, "We agree on the need to address the issue of introducing narrow-gauge railways. Once the railways of the two neighboring countries are brought in, our country will have no issues with connectivity.

As our two major neighbors have started connecting with narrow gauge, we must necessarily resolve this. The parliament is expected to discuss this proposed project.

The Khangi-Mandal railway was constructed under a concession agreement. It is Mongolian property. If necessary, the state can take it without hesitation. The construction costs are clear.

There is no doubt about connecting with the railway coming from China considering our national interests. I want to emphasize that I have no personal ambitions or conflicts of interest."

The Capital Proposes to Prohibit Children Under 18 From Riding Sur-Rons and Participating in Traffic

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The Capital has proposed to ban children under the age of 18 from riding Sur-Rons and participating in traffic, as reported by Vice Mayor L. Khosbayar and Head of the Capital Health Department P. Erkhembulgan.

Vice Mayor of the Capital L. Khosbayar: With the start of the 2024-2025 school year, it is imperative to address road safety and the healthy, safe living conditions for children. Since "Sur-Ron Ulaanbaatar" entered our country in 2021, its usage has rapidly increased each year. As the number increases, the lack of legal regulation has led to more adolescents riding Sur-Rons and participating in road traffic, resulting in an increasing number of injuries and fatalities daily. Therefore, in order to improve this legal environment, we are proposing legal changes to ensure that minors do not ride Sur-Rons and have submitted an official letter to the Minister of Justice and Road Transport for cooperation.

Head of the Capital Health Department P. Erkhembulgan: Since 2021, accidents and injuries have become the leading causes of illness and mortality in the capital city. Among these, road traffic accidents account for 10%. According to the National Statistics Committee, in 2021, 1181 people were involved in road traffic accidents in the vehicle category that includes motorcycles and similar two-wheelers, with 210 of them being children aged 0-18, 67 of whom were driving and 143 were passengers. These numbers have increased in 2022 and 2023, and as of July 31, 2024, there have been 1233 incidents recorded. Of these, 281 were minors, and 238 were recorded as driving themselves. These figures clearly show the urgent need for a regulation that prevents minors from riding these vehicles.

The construction of the vertical retaining wall on the east side of Selbe River's flood protection dam continues at 40% completion

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The construction of the vertical retaining wall on the east side of Selbe River's flood protection dam continues at 40% completion. However, the retaining wall on the west side of the dam will begin after resolving the engineering issues. N. Manduul, the first deputy of the Governor responsible for economic development and infrastructure issues in the capital, visited the site and instructed to expedite the work.

Last year's flood resulted in a material damage estimate of 35 billion. To prevent a recurrence of such situations, preventive measures have been carried out in stages since last February. As part of this, M. Baldandorj, head of Ulaanbaatar Environmental Department, mentioned plans to plant trees in a 50-hectare area in Khan-Uul district in collaboration with the city's Environmental Protection Department.

Water Agency's Head Batbayar said, "If we had not started preventive measures early this year, last year's flood would have been repeated. By improving the river flow and increasing its width, we have managed to mitigate the risks."

Y. Duinkherjav: The Quality of Concrete in Construction is Important in This Era of Advanced Technology

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: montsame.mn

For the first time, the 10th conference of the Asian Concrete Federation is taking place in our country.

We interviewed Y. Duinkherjav, a professor at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, director of the research center, and a member of the Mongolian Concrete Association's Board of Directors, about the conference being held over three days at the "Tuushin" hotel.

- What is the current level of development of concrete production, the main raw material in construction? What is the significance of this conference?

First of all, it should be mentioned that concrete production has been primarily developed in Asia. In 1999, Japanese scientists made a significant revolution in the development of concrete. This revolution, which changed the traditional methods of concrete production, led to considerable advancement in concrete development, resulting in the establishment of the Asian Concrete Federation and their first conference in Sapporo, Japan, in 2001, where they introduced these changes.

Since then, the consumption of concrete, often referred to as the "bread of construction", and the technology of making concrete have developed strongly in Asia, surpassing Europe and America. The tradition of the Federation's General Assembly has been to hold conferences every two years. The General Assembly was first organized in South Korea in 2002 and later in Taiwan, where international forums on concrete have continued regularly. This tradition has been maintained, and for the first time, it is being organized in Mongolia.

This 10th conference is unique in that, aside from the Asian Concrete Federation, representatives from the European and Australian, as well as the United States Concrete Association, are participating. The General Assembly is discussing the use and utilization of waste concrete, reducing environmental pollution, advancing ecological development, and improving the properties of concrete, with discussions being held across seven sectors.

- What was special about the initial changes made by the Japanese?

Traditional concrete used gravel and sand in a ratio where the sand was twice the content. This has now been reversed in the composition ratio, marking a change in properties. Technologically, concrete has become self-densifying, allowing for high-strength concrete production that can be used for long durations. Concrete now comes in various advanced forms, such as light, "floating" concrete, and geopolymer concrete. Over 100 scholars and researchers from 12 countries are currently discussing these advanced technologies in Ulaanbaatar.

- What issues are facing the concrete production industry in our country?

Firstly, dealing with waste concrete is a prominent issue. In the 1960s and 1970s, our country extensively built prefabricated structures, leading to significant development in construction material production, particularly concrete production, establishing many production bases. The current challenge is addressing their waste.

Secondly, the issue of concrete quality in our country is pressing. With numerous cement factories meeting the country's needs entirely, there is a strong focus on producing high-quality concrete.

The construction minister, J. Batsuuri, highlighted the importance of raw material production for building materials and concrete at the General Assembly's opening speech.

He emphasized that construction activities must align with green development policies, be resource-efficient, and have no adverse impacts on the environment, human health, or climate change. He noted that the primary construction structures, concrete, and cement raw materials must meet quality standards.

The minister expressed pride in hosting international researchers, producers, suppliers, and experts in Mongolia to discuss important topics related to the production, quality, and advanced operations of critical products in the construction sector.

The Asian Concrete Federation (ACF), Mongolian Concrete Association, and the Mongolian University of Science and Technology jointly organized the General Assembly, with the largest number of scholars and representatives from China attending this session.

Society

General Education Schools to Have "Psychologists" in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Psychologists will be working in general education schools in the following districts of 18 provinces.

It has been previously reported by the Ministry of Education that having a psychologist in schools is expected to yield positive results such as improved academic performance, reduced mental health issues, and decreased physical illnesses among students.

Please note that media organizations (Television, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) must fully or partially attribute our information to (ikon.mn) when using it in any form.

Police Department: A Crime of Fraudulent Online Orders Saying "Your Order Will Arrive in 7-14 Days" is Being Committed

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Across the country, 1,131 online order fraud crimes have been registered in the first seven months of this year. This accounts for 35 percent of all cyber fraud crimes.

The method of committing this type of crime is as follows:

Creating fake accounts, purchasing accounts and pages with many followers, and developing the information on those sites.
Offering shoes, clothes, mobile phone accessories, furniture, etc., at prices below the market rate, based on people's needs.
Offering high discounts and allowing installment payments if a down payment is made.
When the full payment for the ordered goods is made, offering free delivery and other favorable conditions to facilitate easy purchases.

Fraudsters often use accounts in their own names or others'. Victims realize they've been scammed when their goods do not arrive, or when the fraudulent account is closed.

This type of fraud often advertises "Your order will arrive at your doorstep in 7-14 days."

When the delivery date is near, scammers make excuses such as "there is a backlog at customs," asking customers to remain patient, thereby covering their tracks.

They then close bank accounts and flee abroad, transferring assets elsewhere.

What should you be cautious of to avoid this type of fraud?

When making online purchases, do not transfer advance payments or requested amounts to the account, even if it seems legitimate, genuine, or operational.
Understand that scammers rushing you due to discount deadlines or low stock is a tactic to ensure payment.
Order goods from verified order locations, and do not transfer the total amount for the product until the goods arrive. Check if the website or social media page is legitimate, as advised by the Police Department.

In the 2024-2025 School Year, Students Will Wear Uniforms

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Ministry of Education has begun researching to provide students with polo shirt options for school uniforms that are comfortable for children's movement and impose less financial burden on parents.

However, the ministry has announced that this change will be implemented in the 2025-2026 academic year. In other words, students will wear their current uniforms in this school year.

Regarding this, Minister of Education P. Naranbayar stated, "We are researching short and long sleeve shirts. We also need to support the local production. The policy specified in our standards will continue to be implemented.

Additionally, there will be changes to the standards. In other words, options will be available. Instead of mandatorily enforcing this, students can continue wearing their previous uniforms or switch to polo shirts. However, it will take one year to conduct research and adapt the standards," he said.

Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any format.

P. Tsetsegmaa: It Has Been 7 Years Without a Resolution for My Daughter's Death Due to Electrocution, and I Am Withering Away /VIDEO/

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: isee.mn

Seven years ago, a tragic incident occurred involving 22-year-old A. Sondor, who was working at the "Ikh Burd" service center. After purchasing items from a kiosk on the opposite side of the road and returning to work by cutting through a gap in the construction fence, she was electrocuted and died on the spot. Despite repeated attempts to get legal authorities to address the case, her mother has received no resolution, and no one has been held accountable for her daughter's death.

Additionally, the responsible parties have neither apologized to the victim's family nor met with them in person. "There's a Mongolian tradition to avoid disturbing the name and rest of the deceased, yet we've been forced to call my daughter's name for seven years, trying to bring closure, wandering but to no avail," says the grieving mother, P. Tsetsegmaa. Tearfully, she reached out to our site, and here's the interview with her.

First and foremost, please accept our deepest condolences for the tragic incident your family endured. Can you tell us about your daughter, and what exactly transpired during the accident?
My daughter's name was Amartuvshingiin Sondor. She was only 22 years old when the accident happened. My daughter graduated with honors from a railway institute in Nizh, Russia, and worked as a conductor for some time. At that time, she was taking a break, planning to further enhance her skills and advance her career. In the meantime, while visiting her sister's workplace, she did some part-time work, massaging people. She had inherited a talent for massage from her grandfather.

Her colleagues would often cross the workplace fence to buy snacks and beverages from a nearby kiosk. She too was electrocuted upon her return and passed away immediately. The previous day, it had rained, making the ground damp, which led to the tragedy.

When were you notified of the accident? What were the circumstances at the scene?
It seems that I was informed two to three hours later. By the time I arrived, police and ambulances were there. They wouldn't let me near my daughter's body, saying, "You can’t go there," or "You can't see her," which made it very difficult to speak about. Usually, Mongolians avoid mentioning the names of deceased persons to keep their spirits at rest, but this unresolved issue has made it hard for me to find peace over the past seven years.
DUE TO THE NON-STANDARD, UNPROTECTED LAYING OF 380 KW ELECTRICITY CABLES, MY DAUGHTER WAS ELECTROCUTED AND DIED
Why hasn't the issue of your daughter's unfortunate death been resolved to this day? Could you provide details on the people involved who were charged in relation to this case?
Since the incident in 2017, no progress was made for five years. I couldn't meet any prosecutor despite going to the General Prosecutor's Office. Eventually, in desperation, I pleaded with the officer, expressing that if the investigation couldn't reach a conclusion, I would write a will and end my life in the central square. That plea pushed the case towards court just before the statute of limitations expired. Initially, only the "Ikh Burd" company, officially registered as “Star inter trade,” was charged. Yet, in the five years that passed, no one from any company came to apologize or discuss reparations with me. It wasn't until this “Ikh Burd” entity heard of their charges that B. Bataa approached me to discuss the damages and ongoing issues. His engagement wasn’t meticulous, however.
Has B. Bataa, one of the charged individuals, provided any psychological or material support to you?
No, despite his claims in court that he was always there to support me emotionally. It wasn’t true as he approached me only once after facing charges—five years later. He spoke about not wanting to be the only one charged and suggested including “Sodmongol” in the charges as well, urging me to voice out.
What is the reasoning behind including “Sodmongol” as a defendant? Could you elaborate?
The “Sodmongol” company had its electricity access within the compound of the mentioned company. Instead of properly covering the 380-kilowatt power line connecting their petrol station to the company's electricity source, it was laid improperly without proper protection and covering. Then, when a metal fence was installed overhead, it created mass and led to a fatal accident. Thus, “Sodmongol” is considered at fault for this.
Were higher authorities ever informed about the electricity mass issue on site?
Yes, everyone at the worksite had informed their administration, complaining about electric shocks upon touching the fence. My daughter and even the cook, Otgonsuren, had mentioned severe electric shocks, indicating the problem was known.
Can we understand that a lack of adherence to standards, particularly in the laying of electric cables, led to your daughter’s fatality?
Yes, that’s correct. Had it been done correctly, it wouldn’t have led to a person’s death. Non-standard execution led to electricity coursing through the metal fence and causing death.
Has the electricity issue been addressed now?
They fixed it immediately after my daughter's death. Despite multiple warnings and reminders before, they didn’t address it until after the fatality. Truly an example of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Why do you think this case has been delayed repeatedly by the legal authorities?
From my observation, B. Bataa’s complaints have been given priority. He made claims that measurements were incorrect and insisted on not being the sole defendant. Legal authorities may have their reasons, but I suspect some allegiance to the wealthier parties involved.
SEVEN YEARS LATER, “SODMONGOL” AND “UBTS” COMPANIES ARE ALSO PROPOSED TO BE CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH MY DAUGHTER’S DEATH
What phase is the case currently in, and have there been any developments in charging companies like “Sodmongol” or UBTS?
It appears that only now they are being charged. Besides “Star inter trade,” “Sodmongol” and "Ulaanbaatar Electricity Transmission Network" are being implicated, along with the State Emergency Commission at the time.
Has anyone from the “Sodmongol” group apologized or expressed condolences?
No, there’s been no such contact. Had anyone come to me then, expressing regret with sincerity, perhaps everything wouldn't have reached this stage. Why does a life have such little value that it can remain buried and forgotten without resolve? It is truly distressing.
Given the delays, have you approached higher authorities about your case?
I've approached the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Police Department, but n. Buyantogtokh from the State Investigation Division was concurrently overseeing the case. Even so, the delays persist, and I suspect that B. Bataa’s influence through his initial attorney, n. Tsegmid—who once worked at the CEG's Control and Information Department until retirement—has had a lingering effect. This leads me to believe that they played a role in stalling this case.
What explanations have legal authorities provided for the prolonged duration of this case?
They claim insufficient procedures as a reason. Yet to me, it seems like repeated emphasis on B. Bataa's complaints.
Who do you hold responsible for your daughter’s death?
First and foremost, the owner of “Ikh Burd,” B. Bataa, who, despite alerts on the electrical shocks, did not take action. Secondly, “Sodmongol” is culpable, followed by the Ulaanbaatar electricity transmission network staff and members of the state commission at the time.
Have you received any recent updates on the status of the case?
The latest court session returned the case to the prosecutor on October 19, 2023, citing procedural deficiencies. I was informed that a new officer, n. Ariunsanaa, has now taken over the case. With diligence, he has assured to address the issues this week and forward them to the prosecutor. After hearing reassurances for seven years about ongoing procedures and resolutions, I am truly at the end of my patience. Hence, I am seeking your assistance because I cannot manage this alone.
THE ELECTRIC CURRENT ENTERED THROUGH MY DAUGHTER’S RIGHT HAND, AFFECTED HER HEART, AND EXITED THROUGH HER LEFT THIGH, AS PER THE FORENSIC REPORT
What does the forensic report say regarding the cause of death?
The forensic report confirms 100% electrocution by 380 KW current as the cause of death. I believe this conclusion is accurate and just.
Was there a chance for lifesaving first aid at the scene?
Unfortunately, there was no opportunity for first aid. The electric current entered through her right hand, impacted her heart, and exited through her left thigh, leading to an unavoidable death. Despite regulations to leave such incidents untouched until resolved, the site was altered, with the metal fence dismantled and a building constructed. I’m surprised that the police didn’t enforce preservation of the scene. There is deep dissatisfaction about the lack of human compassion and responsibility shared with me.
Do you constantly keep your daughter in mind and think about resolving the case?
Yes, without fail. Each day involves speaking to investigators and others. Constantly disrupting her rest is extremely painful.
Was the electricity taken from the "Sodmongol" station transmitted through the metal fence?
Yes, as “Ikh Burd” illegally erected their fence beyond standard cadastral maps without proper verification. Similarly, the 380 KW underground line lacked adequate covering, leading to the persistent legal struggle over her death for seven years.

Penalization of "Russian Gymnasium" School for the Incident Involving Junior Student

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

To prevent various accidents, attacks, and injuries among elementary school students in all public and private educational institutions, a "Hand to Hand" program is implemented. However, due to negligence in implementing this program by some schools, a penalty under the Law on Violations was imposed. On December 14, 2023, when classes ended, elementary students A.E. and B.I. were playing together as their parents or guardians had not yet arrived, resulting in one child pushing the other. Consequently, A.E.'s cheek was grazed and scratched, and their clothing was dirtied.

When A.E.'s mother arrived to pick her up at 6:00 PM, this incident had occurred, leading her to file a complaint with the police and children's rights organization. Consequently, the child rights national inspector from the Bayangol District Family, Child, and Youth Development Department penalized the school with a three million tugrik fine under the Law on Violations, Article 6.20-8, for failing to fulfill its duty to prevent and notify of conditions that could harm a child's life, health, or development and to check if the incidents were related to violence. The principal of the school was not available when the child's mother arrived.

Although the school manager was aware of the injury, they did not inform the parents and hurried to a movie with their family after leaving a note with a duty officer. This was documented as evidence in the violation case. The "Russian Gymnasium" school had a clause in their agreement with parents stating that "the class teacher is responsible for receiving students under the age of 10 from guardians at the beginning of the lesson and handing them over after classes." However, the agreement did not specify a time frame for when parents or guardians should receive their children after school.

The first instance court of the Criminal Court of Bayangol District and the appellate court of the Metropolitan Criminal Court both concluded that the administration of the "Russian Gymnasium" school failed to inform the parents or guardians immediately after knowing the child was injured by another student's wrongful action. They had violated their contract by not handing over the student A.E. to her parents and leaving her alone, potentially creating conditions harmful to the child's life, health, and development, thus deciding to uphold the penalty.

Suspect Sought by Interpol Apprehended and Brought from Hohhot

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The General Police Department, through Interpol's "Red Notice", successfully extradited a Mongolian citizen, identified as "M", who was being sought internationally, from the People's Republic of China.

In 2019, the suspect engaged in fraudulent activities causing significant financial damage. After being investigated, he fled the country in 2023. While passing through the Kingdom of Thailand, he was located in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China. In cooperation with the Ministry of Public Security of China and Interpol's National Central Bureau, he was detained and arrested on August 8th of this year.

The operation to transfer the suspect back to Mongolia was organized on August 14th of this year by joint efforts of the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prosecutor General's Office, the Interpol National Central Bureau, and the Investigation Department.

The World Women's Conference to be Held Under the Theme "For a Green Future"

Published: Sat, 17 Aug 2024 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The World Women's Conference will be held in Ulaanbaatar on the 22nd and 23rd of this month under the theme "For a Green Future," in collaboration with the United Nations under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, U. Khurelsukh. This announcement was made today by E. Odbayar, the President's Foreign Policy Advisor, acting Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs L. Munkhtushig, and UN Resident Coordinator Tapan Mishra.

President's Foreign Policy Advisor E. Odbayar stated, "Our country must contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality and women's empowerment. Additionally, we need to support the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action issued after the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. In this regard, our country is preparing to host the World Women's Conference domestically.

In the past, specifically in 2022, under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, the Women's Peacekeepers Conference was successfully held in Ulaanbaatar. Last year, for the first time, the Meeting of Women Foreign Ministers was organized in Mongolia. Preparations have been made to hold this themed conference this year. Additionally, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Mongolian Women's Federation, which is co-organizing the conference.

This conference consists of the opening, plenary sessions, 6 sub-sessions, and the closing. These include:

Participation of women leaders in intensifying environmental actions
Sustainable future: the role of women in forming food systems
Participation of entrepreneurial women in the digital economy
Gender-equal economy
The importance and impact of education in empowering women and girls
Gender equality in sports, arts, and culture sectors.

The conference aims to develop a final document, and discussions with participants in this direction are ongoing.

Acting Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs L. Munkhtushig mentioned that the conference is expected to have participation from the heads of state and foreign ministers of 15 countries, representatives from over 20 international organizations, and leading women from all sectors, including business, culture, arts, and sports. She also mentioned that the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar, will be making her first official visit to Mongolia and will attend the conference as an honorary guest. Other notable guests include the Vice President of Laos, the First Lady of Kyrgyzstan, and the Deputy Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, Tapan Mishra, stated, "The UN places great importance on this conference. The UN Deputy Secretary-General will attend the conference, making it the highest-ranking UN official to visit Mongolia in two years. The conference is seen as an opportunity to evaluate the progress and achievements of agreements and declarations made for international women's leadership and equal participation, including the Beijing Declaration. Additionally, by bringing women's leadership in climate change, food systems, digital economy, industry, education, and culture to a new level, it will play a significant role in making the Sustainable Development Goals more inclusive and comprehensive."

During this conference, a photo exhibition titled "17 Faces of Leadership" will showcase the efforts of women across generations working towards implementing the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Environment

G.Davaajargal: Compressed Fuel Reduced Air Pollution by 50%

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The head of the Air Quality, Control, and Organization Department of the Capital City Air Pollution Control Agency, G.Davaajargal, was asked about the impact of compressed fuel on air quality.

How is the air pollution situation in the capital city? Is it improving?

In 2018, the 62nd Government Resolution was approved. According to this resolution, starting from May 15, 2019, households and businesses in the area designated to improve Ulaanbaatar city's air quality were prohibited from using raw coal. From the autumn of 2019, households in ger districts began to use the improved fuel for domestic purposes, and now they are entering their fifth winter of usage.

In Ulaanbaatar city, 18 stationary stations continuously measure air quality indicators 24 hours a day. According to the measurements of these stations, the average air quality index was up to 50% lower in terms of pollutants such as dust and particulates after switching from raw coal to compressed fuel compared to the period before the use of compressed fuel.

Could the air quality information sometimes be inaccurate or erroneous?

The measurement data cannot be erroneous or inaccurate. All data from stationary stations are stored in a unified system and averaged using specialized software. This information continuously appears on the official website of the National Agency for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring. Anyone can access it. Additionally, people can receive real-time information about air pollution in their vicinity through the agaar.mn website and the "agaar" application.

What are the main factors contributing to the air pollution in Ulaanbaatar city?

The main pollutants in Ulaanbaatar city's air are carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, PM10, and PM2.5 particulates. Among these, particulates, particularly PM10 and PM2.5, are the main pollutants restricting visibility in Ulaanbaatar based on research by international and Mongolian scientific and research institutions. Smoke from chimneys should dissipate through air exchange and wind over time. However, Ulaanbaatar is located in a depression surrounded by mountains and is the coldest capital in the world. Some days, the dispersion of smoke gases is slow, which should not be mistaken for increased air pollution. Comparing and evaluating the air quality based on one day with heavy smoke over 365 days is a misinterpretation.

How is the reserved supply of compressed fuel going? What amount of fuel is stored for one winter?

The city monitors the transportation, sale, and storage of improved compressed fuel. Every year, Tavantolgoi Fuel LLC produces approximately 100,000 tons of improved fuel. Since last June, Tavantolgoi Fuel has ceased operations for maintenance, and some production lines have started operating since August. Currently, there are about 51,000 tons of improved fuel in stock. By September 15, when the factory operations continue normally, a total of 100,000 tons of fuel will be reserved.

In December, January, and February, the fuel consumption of households increases and reaches its peak. During these months, the daily fuel consumption of all up households in Ulaanbaatar city is about 3,000 tons. Tavantolgoi Fuel’s Quality Department monitors whether the fuel produced maintains quality standards and follows the factory's technological process. Our organization’s monitoring and inspection department regularly takes samples from the midling and binders used in the production of compressed fuel by Tavantolgoi Fuel LLC and performs assessments.

Specialists in the chemical technology field say that about 70% of sulfur gas is released into the air during combustion. Does this affect air pollution?

Major polluting substances like sulfur gas, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide are not visible to the naked eye. The grayish haze seen during winter, which limits visibility, is due to soot and particulates from fuel combustion and vehicle exhaust. Both fuel and raw coal contain a certain amount of moisture. The moisture becomes steam during combustion, rises into the air, combines with particulates, and limits visibility. The allowable sulfur content in fuel is specified by standard, stating that it should not exceed 1%, as defined in the national standard approved in 2022. Sulfur takes various forms; some remain in the ash, while others are airborne. The fuel technology standard approved in 2019 was further detailed and reapproved in 2022. As mentioned earlier, air pollution cannot be assessed as increased or decreased based on one day's measurement. For example, the air quality is very clean on snowy days, but that doesn’t mean the air pollution is eradicated.

Due to the unique nature and geographical conditions, air pollution and the dissipation process of the emitted smoke are delayed, creating a certain accumulation. This is independent of human factors. Any hot air from combustion, like incense or cigarette smoke, typically rises and dissipates. However, in Ulaanbaatar, the cold air stagnation creates conditions that slow the movement of air dispersion. This implies that the emitted smoke would dissipate, but the cold winter air causes it to slow.

Lastly, many people were poisoned by carbon monoxide last winter. Did this occur because of compressed fuel?

It is impossible to see or smell carbon monoxide. All incompletely combusted materials, like wood, paper, incense, and other smoldering items, emit carbon monoxide. Both raw coal and improved fuel will release carbon monoxide if the combustion process is poor. People mistakenly believe that more carbon monoxide comes from improved fuel. Proper sealing of the stove used for burning and the integrity of the hearth's walls are crucial. If a tightly sealed, standard-compliant stove is installed according to the technology, one can protect themselves from carbon monoxide.

Between 2012 and 2017, roughly 175,000 standard-compliant stoves were distributed in Ulaanbaatar city as part of domestic and international project initiatives such as the Millennium Challenge Account and the Clean Air Fund. Our organization's survey showed that households are using less than 50% of the 175,000 stoves distributed, and the rest are non-standard, non-technological stoves. The household stove standard was approved in 2016. It specifies the configuration, design, material, combustion process, and smoke emission, among others. Depending on which stove is used, the smoke emission changes, even with the same amount of coal, so households should preferably use standard-compliant stoves.

Innovation

The threshold score for entrance exams will be raised from next year, representatives from some universities have proposed starting from 520

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

In response to information regarding the Entrance Exam (EE) scores, the Minister of Education, P. Naranbayar, provided an explanation.

Specifically, he discussed how the EE scores will be increased with the following response:

"The threshold score will be raised. If students with inadequate abilities enter universities, how will these institutions become research universities in the future?

It has been included in the government's operation program that the threshold score will be elevated. Studies on this matter are ongoing. When meeting with representatives from some state-owned universities, a proposal was made to start from 520 points.

Of course, discussions will also take place with private universities. Positions from all sides will be heard before a decision is made. However, it does not relate to this year's entrance. From next year, the entrance exam threshold will be further elevated.

By carefully listening to the opinions of those whose interests are affected, progress will be made. Work rarely moves forward by imposing orders from the top down.

The main focus is to raise the threshold score. As a result, the quality and standards of universities will improve," he stated.

Warning: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when fully or partially using our information.

Future Max Plancks and Albert Einsteins Visit the Science Café

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

“Why does a rainbow have seven colors? Why does it rain? Why does lightning strike?” Science seems to offer the most accurate and correct answers to these fascinating questions that every child asks and to the curiosity that hides within us.

So, a science café in Ulaanbaatar, aiming to answer the "Why, why, why" questions of young and old with scientifically grounded responses and to "give birth" to new researchers and scientists who will make future discoveries, has been operating for quite some time. There is constant criticism that the state doesn't invest enough money in science. However, these individuals didn't wait for the state, they started moving for their dreams and ambitions. In an effort to support the aspirations and interests of children who love science, they founded the "Science café". Together with passion and the will to rise above zero point, they have developed everything, says founders E. Anar and E. Munkherel.

Why did you start the science café initially, and how is it now?
E.A: The "Science café" began operations in May 2023. As a young researcher, I started it with the aim to introduce the dynamics of science to the public. The initial idea was to make it a place where engineers and researchers can meet young people who want to pursue these professions and receive guidance from them. Science is essentially learning. Hence, I wanted to create the attitude of “learning is great” among the public, and from there, the concept of the "Science café" was developed with new ideas added by the team.
E.M: “Why do we do what we do” is my favorite phrase. When I was young, I watched science content on the internet and wondered, “How amazing is this, what would it be like in reality?” I wanted to do such things and show it to others. Regarding the “Science café”, I want to make education a symbol of Mongolian people. Otherwise, we limit ourselves by thinking “I've finished learning” after graduating from middle school and university. We then hide our ignorance and don’t ask questions when we don't know something. Instead, we pretend to know and keep our distance, which seems to be implanted by our secondary education system. Science is necessary for everyone. Five-year-olds courageously ask what they don’t know without thinking, “what will others think of me”. I want to say, "Don't be afraid of what you don’t know". A good society doesn't arrive; it is brought about. We prefer to show our work instead of lying about it.
Have you reached your initial expectations when starting this?
E.A: My initial vision included having a laboratory where detailed experiments could be conducted and having an engineering workshop room. The best part of human imagination is dreams. We are slowly reaching that imagination. The main point of anything is the team. The fact that the team is coming together lays the foundation for all work. Some aspects have exceeded our initial expectations, while others are still slightly beyond our reach.
E.M: When we first started the “Science Café,” we had zero money. We took out a loan of seven million from the bank to buy a coffee machine. We tried to sell coffee and impart knowledge to people. Now, it is more than just a coffee shop. Teachers from Mongolian universities support us a lot. Our experiments are becoming known amongst people. We create our own research, and people follow by learning that “it can be learned in a way that doesn’t feel like a lesson but like playing.” The team operates under the business principles by moving up one step at a time. The team, with the motto “Not wait but create”, organizes and conducts many projects such as café, experimental event, content, online shop, research work, and engineering creations.
How do you come up with scientific content at your place?
E.M: We derive content ideas from information in science that can directly be taken today and know its results, focusing on the information that's useful today.
Young people starting a new business may have faced difficulties. How did you overcome them?
E.A: I graduated as a nano science engineer, and my cofounder graduated in computer science. So moving forward with our own company, aside from doing different work, we didn’t have knowledge in financial reporting, tax reporting, or dealing with government institutions. Although we faced many challenges such as fundraising and gaining popularity, our team overcame them. Looking back now, we managed everything we could in the best way possible. We started initially as an incubator company through an agreement with the Hub innovation center or the Business and Innovation Development Agency. Essentially, we have expanded our operation with two main branches.
How many members are currently in your team?
E.A: Our team consists of 25 members. Among the core members are both tenth-grade students and individuals who have been out of school for a few years. So the age range is flexible. We aim for each of them to enhance themselves by working and learning in their specific sectors, and present to society what they have learned.
Are there any difficulties encountered in the science business?
E.M: In the science business, general acceptance and support are less compared to other businesses. It seems strange to me whether parents focus on their children’s education. They visit teachers, scold their child saying, "Why don't you study", thinking they are focusing on education. But from a financial standpoint, it seems insufficient. Since spending on such occasion isn’t generally considered, we have to persuade more consciously. We nearly need to talk and persuade every parent when a class visits.
What distinguishes your organization from others?
E.A: We direct our income towards things no one else will or can do—showing what can come out from the Mongolian engineering intellect. There are very interesting things, such as artificial pterodactyls, experimental projects, anti-theft cables, and lightning generation projects two meters in length.
Could you share some upcoming plans of your organization?
E.M: Right now, we are enduring with the thought “We will make it one way or another”. However, we don’t have to wait to be a big company to engage in social responsibilities. We are developing a website called Sciencecafe.mn similar to a student guide, covering all necessary information such as the coordinate plane and periodic table of elements. But rather than the style of a book, it is interactive. It allows any individual in Mongolia to view in Mongolian the things they can’t try now, through simulations and interactively, and even aligns with every topic in middle and high school books. It'd help a step further if all secondary schools have projectors and screens where any biology, chemistry, and physics teacher can enter and visually demonstrate. We have opened up the simulations from Colorado on this website, hoping many will use it until the server goes down.
E.A: How one can use technology and teach science in a way that lights up a child’s eyes and sparks fire; how to conduct experiments. All teachers love conducting experiments, but the material is not there, and it’s hard to find. Thus, we will hold a comprehensive event on how to do it easily. The theme concerns science teachers. Ministers and policy makers will also attend it. We want to discuss the matter by saying, “Perfecting what's essential; if this is how the state exams perform for natural science teachers, how can we improve?” Prayers or reading books alone won’t make things better. We should focus on listening to problems and working together for solutions. Hence, we wish to bring together natural science teachers, policymakers, governmental and non-governmental organizations working in this field.
Generally, how is the attitude of children and youth towards science?
E.A: Superficial observation points to TikTok or reels where people view everything. Even the children coming to our experimental event are already familiar with a lot, exclaiming “I’ve seen this on TikTok or YouTube”. Therefore, rather than disliking science, it seems the methods of teaching it in secondary education are uninteresting and dull. It's not that science is difficult, but more that children don't find it appealing. Conversely, children are more interested, especially young ones who consider science as wonder and magic. They think magic is science. The middle school students are at an age when they explore and show interest. The overall population isn’t uninterested but fears learning. Kids and teens really love science. Honestly, while parents aim to pique their children’s interest, they are often equally fascinated. Generally, there is likely no one who dislikes science; it's just that people may have forgotten how to learn or are uninvolved.
E.M: We categorize things as natural science or social science. In truth, both are sciences. Social sciences are generally more complex and, in reality, are challenging sciences. Since the degree of scientific approach in our society sometimes deviates, the policies implemented deviate from the actual situation. Natural science can make anyone interested or uninterested. If one doesn’t keep developing outside of reading books or memorizing formulas, disinterest is inevitable. Conversely, if you visualize the application, make it tangible, and connect it with conceivable elements, few wouldn’t find interest.

Health

Emergency medical services will be provided within one hour regardless of distance

Published: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Member of Parliament and Minister of Health T. Munkhsaikhan met with Ms. Shannon Cowlin, the Resident Representative of the Asian Development Bank in Mongolia, and other relevant officials.

During the meeting, Minister T. Munkhsaikhan highlighted the successful implementation of essential and effective projects and programs in our country's health sector by the Asian Development Bank and expressed gratitude on behalf of the sector. He provided brief information on the issues faced by our country's health sector and introduced the main directions for future cooperation, exchanging ideas.

Minister T. Munkhsaikhan emphasized the need for emergency medical helicopters and small aircraft that meet global standards to deliver timely assistance and protect the lives of citizens, considering the unique geographical and population distribution characteristics of our country. He expressed the intention to cooperate with the Asian Development Bank in establishing Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Centers in selected provinces to enhance access to services and reduce congestion and waiting times for citizens.

Ms. Shannon Cowlin, the Resident Representative of the Asian Development Bank in Mongolia, congratulated the Minister of Health and wished him success in his work. She provided information on the progress of projects implemented by the Asian Development Bank, future activities, and plans, indicating support for the upcoming initiatives of the Ministry of Health and a willingness to cooperate further.

Sports

12 Athletes from Mongolia to Compete in the Summer Paralympics

Published: Sat, 17 Aug 2024 | Translated from: montsame.mn

As the start of the 16th Summer Paralympic Games approaches, twelve athletes from Mongolia are preparing to compete. In this event, over 4,400 athletes will compete in 22 sports for 549 medals. Mongolia is ready to send 12 athletes to participate in six sports: judo, archery, taekwondo, powerlifting, athletics, and swimming.

Mongolia has participated in the games since 2000 and has won two gold and three bronze medals. The country's first Paralympic medal was a gold medal won by Labor Hero and honored athlete D. Baatarjav in 2008. Following his success, Labor Hero and honored athlete E. Sonompiljee and honored athlete B. Uugankhuu have also won medals at the Paralympic Games.

Among the athletes, E. Sonompiljee, who holds multiple titles, including Paralympic gold and bronze medals in powerlifting, is preparing to compete in the men's 107 kg weight category. He has been honored as Mongolia's flag bearer for the opening ceremony and is participating in his third Paralympic Games.

In the T-53 category 100-meter wheelchair race of Para Athletics, international master P. Enkmanlai will compete, having initially competed at the "Tokyo-2020" Paralympic Games. Meanwhile, international master Ts. Battulga will participate in the F-40 category shot put event, having earned the right to compete by winning a bronze medal at the "Hangzhou-2022" Asian Summer Paralympic Games last year.

The first athlete from Mongolia to participate in swimming at the Paralympic Games is H. Nomiun, who will race in the 50 and 400-meter freestyle. Nomiun is an up-and-coming athlete who showcased his strength at the "Hangzhou-2022" Asian Games.

In para archery, team bronze medalist at the World Championships, D. Selengaa, and Asian Championship bronze medalist B. Oyun-Erdene will aim to hit their targets in Paris. In taekwondo, G. Bolor-Erdene and U. Surenjav will compete. Honored athlete G. Bolor-Erdene, who has five world championship gold medals and won at the "Hangzhou-2022" Asian Games, is entering the Paralympic Games for the second time. U. Surenjav, a world championship bronze medalist and silver medalist at the "Hangzhou-2022" Asian Games, will compete in the Paralympic Games for the first time.

In the para judo J-1 category for women, T. Suvd-Erdene will compete in the 48 kg weight class, L. Turuunaa in the 70 kg, B. Battogs in the men's -90 kg, and D. Ganbat in the +90 kg category.

The first group of Mongolian athletes will leave for Paris on the 18th of this month, and the archery athletes will start competing on the 29th. Below is the schedule for the Mongolian athletes.

Mongolian Chess Players to Participate in the World Chess Olympiad

Published: Sat, 17 Aug 2024 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The 45th World Chess Olympiad will commence on September 10 in Budapest, Hungary. This 13-day competition will feature 196 teams in the men's category and 186 teams in the women's category. Mongolia is preparing male and female teams to compete. The Mongolian team is led by International Master D.Yanjindulam and coach D.Turmunkh, and includes the top five chess players from the National Championship. Let's introduce the team composition.

Men

International Master G.Amartüvshin
FIDE Master Kh.Itgelt
FIDE Master S.Chinguun
International Master M.Amilal
FIDE Master E.Baasansüren

Women

Grandmaster B.Munguntuul
Grandmaster D.Nomin-Erdene
Grandmaster T.Munkhzul
FIDE Master E.Khuslen
Candidate Master B.Mungunzul

The Mongolian men's team is ranked 63rd, and the women's team is ranked 23rd among the participating teams in the Olympiad. The 45th Chess Olympiad will start with an opening ceremony and a meeting of team leaders on the 10th. The first round will be played on the 11th, and the event will conclude on the 22nd with the final 11th round and the awards ceremony.

Mongolia first participated in the 1956 12th Olympics held in Moscow, Russia, with the team led by S.Toivgoo, and members such as Ts.Jugdor, B.Jamsran, S.Möömöö, P.Tömörbaatar, D.Tserendagva, N.Namjil took 30th place out of 34 teams. Since then, Mongolia has participated in the World Chess Olympiad 27 times. Mongolian women participated for the first time in the 1963 Olympics held in Split, Croatia, with the team led by International Judge N.Namjil, consisting of FIDE Master J.Khulganaa and International Master S.Khandsüren, finishing 11th out of 15 teams. The women's team is preparing for their 21st participation in the Olympiad.

In the 2018 World Chess Olympiad, the Mongolian team ranked among the top five in Asia in the combined results of men and women. In 2014, the Mongolian women's team won the gold medal in the "B" category, and in 2018, the men's team won the silver medal in the "C" category. Furthermore, L.Myagmarsüren won gold in 1960, T.Uytumen won silver in 1964 and 1970, Z.Byambaa won bronze in 2000, Z.Byambaa won silver in 2002, and B.Khatanbaatar and T.Battsetseg won bronze in 2004.

Mongolia's grandmaster B.Khatanbaatar and international master L.Myagmarsüren have participated in the World Chess Olympiad ten times each. In the 45th Olympiad, grandmaster B.Munguntuul will compete for the 10th time, while D.Nomin-Erdene, T.Munkhzul will each compete for the third time, Candidate Master B.Mungunzul and International Master G.Amartüvshin will compete for the second time, and the remaining five players will compete for the first time against the world's best players.

Today's Stories

Politics

Economy

Diplomacy

Infrastructure

Society

Environment

Innovation

Health

Sports

Politics

L.Oyun-Erdene: There is no country where Parliament, Government, and President are in one building, with their aides mixed together, and all meet at lunch

N.Nomtoibayar Criticizes Government’s Program and Budget Amendment, Plans for a "Political Act"

Registered 15 Parties and One Coalition for the 2024 Election of the Ulaanbaatar Citizens' Representative Council and Handed Over the Resolution

L.Oyun-Erdene: Chairman N.Altankhuyag, you can cooperate during my term. Change your stance that it can't be done during L.Gantomor's term

L. Oyun-Erdene: We Will Resolve Issues Quickly and Implement Politically Gridlocked Projects

Ts. Munkhtuya: Is it possible to open the political rights of civil servants, Minister of Justice?

Parliament Member N. Altankhuyag Criticized by Speaker, Prime Minister, and Members

The HUN Party in Parliament Forms its Council and Elects its Chairman

Economy

NOTE: Joint Government Ministers to Add 1.9 Trillion MNT to Their Budget from Taxpayers

L. Gantumur: There Is No Other Choice but to Develop a New Tax Policy Tied to the Family

Lu. Gantomor: It is necessary to stop the practice of closing company accounts without a court decision

The Minister of Finance Explained the Increase of Budget Current Expenditure by 1.2 Trillion Tugriks

H. Temuujin: Will We Change the Distorted Legal System That Plunders Businesses?

Tax Revenue Reaches 15.8 Trillion Tugriks in the First Seven Months of 2024

Deposit in Tugrik Reaches 20 Trillion by the End of July This Year, Increasing by 39% Compared to the Same Period Last Year

In July, Inflation Reached 5.5%

G. MUNKH-ERDENE: DEVELOPING INVESTMENT TOOLS WITH "EXIT" STRATEGY

Household's Average Monthly Real Income is 1.7 Million, Expenditure is 1.8 Million MNT

Banks Provided Loans of ₮650.9 Billion in the Field of Energy Efficiency

GDP Growth in the First Half of the Year Slightly Slows to 5.6 Percent

GDP Growth Slows Slightly in the First Half of the Year to 5.6%

The average monthly household income reached ₮2.5 million in Q2, an increase of 3.5% from the previous quarter

Diplomacy

Russian Embassy Military Attaché Causes Traffic Accident While Driving Under Influence

15 Heads of State and 20+ Female Leaders from Various Countries to Attend the First Global Women's Summit

Infrastructure

B. Delgersaikhan: There is no doubt about the state taking over the Khangi-Mandal railway. I have no personal ambitions or conflicts of interest

The Capital Proposes to Prohibit Children Under 18 From Riding Sur-Rons and Participating in Traffic

The construction of the vertical retaining wall on the east side of Selbe River's flood protection dam continues at 40% completion

Y. Duinkherjav: The Quality of Concrete in Construction is Important in This Era of Advanced Technology

Society

General Education Schools to Have "Psychologists" in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Police Department: A Crime of Fraudulent Online Orders Saying "Your Order Will Arrive in 7-14 Days" is Being Committed

In the 2024-2025 School Year, Students Will Wear Uniforms

P. Tsetsegmaa: It Has Been 7 Years Without a Resolution for My Daughter's Death Due to Electrocution, and I Am Withering Away /VIDEO/

Penalization of "Russian Gymnasium" School for the Incident Involving Junior Student

Suspect Sought by Interpol Apprehended and Brought from Hohhot

The World Women's Conference to be Held Under the Theme "For a Green Future"

Environment

G.Davaajargal: Compressed Fuel Reduced Air Pollution by 50%

Innovation

The threshold score for entrance exams will be raised from next year, representatives from some universities have proposed starting from 520

Future Max Plancks and Albert Einsteins Visit the Science Café

Health

Emergency medical services will be provided within one hour regardless of distance

Sports

12 Athletes from Mongolia to Compete in the Summer Paralympics

Mongolian Chess Players to Participate in the World Chess Olympiad

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