Feb 18, 2025 65 min read Daily News Summaries

Mongolia News Summary for February 18, 2025

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

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Politics

Standing Committee Resolution Approves 2025 Plan for Implementing Parliament's 2024-2028 Strategic Plan

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: itoim.mn

At today's session of the State Structure Standing Committee of the State Great Khural (Parliament), legislative discussion concluded regarding the draft laws and resolutions to support the development and growth of Kharkhorum City. The government introduced the draft law on supporting the development of Kharkhorum City to the State Great Khural on December 20, 2024. The unified session discussed the bill on January 16, 2025, and forwarded it to the State Structure Standing Committee for finalization. Created by the Speaker of the Parliament on January 2, 2025, the working group responsible for preparing the bill discussed proposing amendments to specific parts of articles 7 and 17, following a directive given by the session chairperson according to Paragraph 42.2.1 of the Parliamentary Procedure Law. Additionally, the working group recommended retaining sections 16.1.3 and 16.1.6 of Article 16 in the bill in their current form and developed four formulae for amendments in line with Paragraph 42.2.3 of the Parliamentary Procedure Law, which concerns articles 10, 15, and 26 of the bill as well as the "Resolution on Measures Related to the Law Adoption." In connection with the new law, it was noted that amending the Law on Violations, the Law on Adjudication of Offenses, and the Law on Investment, among others, is necessary. Thus, the revised governmental instructions to introduce these amendments to the parliament were presented as part of the resolution proposal. Due to the renaming of "New Kharkhorum City," and ensuring legislative compliance, the working group also drafted five resolutions of the State Great Khural. Member of Parliament B. Bayarbaatar asked questions and received answers concerning the issue, leading to a voting process on the proposed amendments from the working group, which received majority support from the attending members. Discussions continued on several resolution proposals: amendments to the Parliamentary Resolution on Establishing "New Kharkhorum" in the Orkhon Valley, the Resolution on Establishing a City, the Resolution on the National Regional Development Policy, the Resolution on Approving the 2024-2028 Government Action Plan, and the Resolution on the 2025 Development Plan of Mongolia. No questions or comments were raised on the above resolutions, and attendees supported advancing them for debate and approval at a parliamentary session. The Standing Committee conducted an initial review of the five resolution proposals and, with majority support, recommended their approval in the initial review process. The committee further reviewed the "Resolution on Re-establishing the Salary Scale of Certain Organizations," presented by Committee Chair J. Bat-Erdene. Following the approval of the 2025 State Budget Law, a government decision, Resolution 238 of 2024, established new salary scales for certain civil service positions effective January 1, 2025. It required relevant officials to implement salary increases within the approved budget. Because constitutional and legal bodies such as the Constitutional Court, the Office of the Prosecutor General, the Judicial Disciplinary Committee, the Judicial General Council, the National Audit Office, and the Anti-Corruption Agency submitted their recommendations to parliament, amendments to salary scales were incorporated. However, proposals from the Judicial Disciplinary Committee and the Judicial General Council were not included since the final sessions to confirm these changes had not occurred. According to section 45.2 of the Parliamentary Procedure Law, the State Structure Standing Committee prepares and discusses resolution projects related to organizational issues and decision-making, as governed by law. Therefore, the committee processed the resolution proposal on modifying the "Resolution on Re-establishing the Salary Scale of Certain Organizations." Member of Parliament E. Bolormaa inquired and commented on the salary matters. She advocated for a more flexible approach and systematic changes to the salary structure and related laws. In the final voting, these proposals received majority support from the participating members.

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Attempt to Bribe to Prevent 7 Foreign Citizens from Leaving Mongolia Sent to Court

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The prosecuting authority exercised supervision over 48,773 cases under investigation and 2,877 cases under inquiry. They issued convictions in 253 criminal cases and transferred them to the court. Of the cases transferred to the court, it is reported that: - Citizen A.G. offered a bribe to an official of the Immigration Agency to gain an advantage for 7 citizens of the Republic of Sierra Leone, aiming to prevent them from leaving Mongolia. An indictment was issued under Article 22.5, Clause 1 /Giving a bribe/ of the Criminal Code, and the case was transferred to the district court for criminal and civil summary proceedings. Article 22.5: Giving a bribe 1. If a person gives money or objects to another in connection with their official duties or uses their position to gain an advantage for themselves or others—or transfers rights to non-material wealth, offers free or discounted services, or promises or offers these—all in order to create a favorable condition, then their right to hold public office or carry out professional activities may be revoked for two to five years, and they may also be fined in an amount equivalent to between 2,700 and 14,000 units of currency, or sentenced to between six months and three years in prison. Additionally, the prosecutor's office of the capital informed that officials J.G, M.J, and N.G from a state-owned enterprise “E” abused their power and official position, creating favorable conditions for enterprises, accepting bribes, and illicitly enriching themselves. Indictments were issued under Articles 22.1 Clauses 1 and 2 /Abusing power and official position/, Article 22.4 Clause 4 /Public official accepting a bribe/, and Article 22.10 Clause 1 /Illicit enrichment/ of the Criminal Code, and the cases were transferred to the primary court of criminal cases inter-district in Orkhon province.

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Will Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene Deliver Good Times or Enhanced Propaganda?

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Smoke, traffic, poverty, corruption. Today’s meal, tomorrow’s loan. Living in Mongolia is tough, and there’s a desire to flee if there’s an opportunity. The days of boasting about being an "Asian Tiger" are long gone. With the smoke suffocating us and inflation pressing hard, Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene sprang a surprise on citizens over the weekend. A broadcast extolling Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene aired on major channels like the Mongolian National Broadcaster, NTV, Education TV, Mongolia HD, TV9, and SBN. The narrative claimed that all issues have been resolved, the Mongolian people are masters of their wealth, and the country is advancing to the next stage of development. The broadcast talked about how Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene's government passed the National Wealth Fund law, aiming to have 10 million tugriks in every citizen's account by 2028. The state is the people. The wealth of this fund is the property of the people and the guarantee of democracy. It narrates battles against the thieves who stole the nation's wealth. Participating in this broadcast were former President N. Enkhbayar, former Speaker of the Parliament G. Zandanshatar, and Member of Parliament S. Ganbaatar. Additionally, L. Bold, who once organized protests under the banner of "justice five," praised the Prime Minister. Among these prominent individuals were also executives such as S. Narantogtokh of "Erdenes Mongol", B. Lkhagvasuren, Governor of the Bank of Mongolia, former Governor N. Zoljargal, and Z. Narantuya of the Development Bank, who all praised the Wealth Fund. The broadcast, seemingly prepared by the Government of Mongolia, was produced at great expense. The cost of creation and dissemination across national and top-tier television channels seems to have trodden over the Savings Law, wiping feet on the threshold. The average cost of a single second of airtime is between 100-150 thousand tugriks, making a 60-minute program cost about 6 million tugriks. The creation of animations during the broadcast, costing 50-150 thousand tugriks per second, with a 30-second animation repeated four times, totals 20 million tugriks. The broadcast concluded with an advertisement about the National Wealth Fund, promising "Good times are coming." Thus, the total cost of television and video production exceeded 100 million tugriks. During the 1 hour and 19 minutes program, animations appeared four times, and Oyun-Erdene was repeatedly praised. The broadcast was shared on social networks, where "trolls" left flattering and beautiful comments, and the number of shares rapidly increased. Troll activities involve fictitious profiles making repetitive comments and shares to simulate wide public support. These anonymous accounts, introduced as young voices, all have locked profiles. These fine words, coming in quick succession once the broadcast aired, were shared from unidentifiable accounts. Most accounts sharing the content had locked profiles, further affirming this. Although the idea of the National Wealth Fund as a pillar of democracy is presented, we have already regressed 20 places from 61st to 80th in the world in terms of democracy. It’s true we rank near the bottom in corruption indices. The broadcast saw "big shots" discussing trillions and billions. Yet, they failed to comprehend the struggles of those trying to earn their daily bread and survive amidst the toxic air. To grow flowers on our ears, let alone build a garden, seems far. In essence, it is rightful to develop the country's wealth through honest labor. However, under the guise of a wealth fund, dependencies are being fostered, and it seems a psychological political game is being played with citizens. The government should be more active, showing tangible development and progress that citizens can see and feel. Learn about the incomes and assets of these politicians who have been praising the Wealth Fund for "almost a lifetime" in politics by clicking HERE.

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Establishing a Legal Framework to Ensure Citizens' Rights Instead of Prioritizing State Operations

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Chairman of the State Great Khural, D. Amarbayasgalan, along with MPs E. Bolormaa and M. Mandkhai, visited Züünkharaa district in Uvs province. During his visit to the western region, the Chairman met with high school students to listen to the issues they face concerning the learning environment, availability of materials, and educational programs. The school in Züünkharaa was built in 1985 with a capacity for 320 children, but currently, it is operating with more than 500 students. Students raised concerns about overcrowded classrooms, insufficient library space, and the lack of a cafeteria, leading them to carry lunch from the kitchen. The Chairman emphasized that children's right to accessible quality education should be prioritized and tasked local authorities to implement relevant solutions. He also held a meeting with local residents and the public, providing information on legal reforms discussed and approved during the autumn parliamentary session. He noted that constructing a comprehensive legal environment that addresses citizens' issues and meets contemporary demands is a central aim of the "Three Improvements" policy. An emphasis was made on empowering working groups, comprising representatives from various social sectors in the new parliament, to study the implementation of laws in each sector and initiate revisions if needed. Residents of the remote Züünkharaa district, located over 1100 km from Ulaanbaatar, reported that the extreme climate, along with market isolation, resulted in price increases being a significant issue. Some locals highlighted that underdeveloped infrastructure made it difficult to access healthcare services in winter and that there was a lack of skilled professionals. Livestock owners pointed out that a long-term solution, such as opening meat export opportunities, would be more realistic support than a one-time debt write-off. The expansion of the Artsuur border post and the establishment of road connections would be crucial in improving young herders' livelihoods, which was widely agreed upon. For this year, the state budget has allocated funds for 14 projects and initiatives throughout Uvs province. Local residents mentioned that solving irrigation systems by building reservoirs in Züünkharaa could allow them to grow their own fodder and diversify agricultural production. Chairman D. Amarbayasgalan noted during his visits to remote districts that residents commonly proposed establishing processing plants locally. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for households to improve the primary processing of livestock materials. He also mentioned the implementation of the New Cooperative Movement, highlighting the success of cooperatives that expanded household production. The Chairman's regional visit will continue in Zavkhan province, as reported by the Press and Public Relations Department of the State Great Khural.

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54th Meeting of the OANA Executive Board Begins

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The 54th meeting of the Executive Board of the Organization of Asian and Pacific News Agencies (OANA) has started today in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The meeting will last until the 19th of this month and brings together 32 delegates from 13 countries in the region. On the first day of the meeting, reports on "Information Development" will be discussed, focusing on digital and audience-oriented approaches, building trust and confidence, and combating false and misleading information. The head of the International Relations and Cooperation Department of the National News Agency MONTSAME, B. Khulan, will present a report on "Combating False and Misleading Information". The National News Agency MONTSAME provides daily news about Mongolia in English, with photos, audio, and video on the unified network of the Organization of Asian and Pacific News Agencies at www.oananews.org. Since joining OANA in 1981, it has actively participated in its operations and, after first becoming a member of the Executive Board at the General Assembly meeting held in Istanbul, Turkey in 2010, successfully organized an Executive Board meeting in Ulaanbaatar in 2011. Furthermore, it has been re-elected as an Executive Board member at the General Assembly meetings in 2013, 2019, and 2022. OANA was established in 1961 at the initiative of UNESCO, and currently unites more than 40 agencies from 35 countries, supplying two-thirds of the world's total information, and is a prestigious organization. The organization will be chaired by Iran's "IRNA" agency in 2024, and by Russia's TASS agency from 2025, which will organize the General Assembly meeting in Moscow in June.

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L. Enkh-Amgalan: A Bill on Private Additional Pension Will Be Submitted

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Protection, L. Enkh-Amgalan, is preparing to submit four bills to the spring session of the Parliament in 2025. Specifically, he announced the intention to submit the Private Additional Pension Bill, the Employment Promotion Bill, the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, and the Social Welfare Bill. To achieve this, the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Welfare collaborated with the "Tus Solution" company to conduct a systematic analysis of the social protection laws. Regarding this, Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan said, "The common shortcoming found in the laws implemented in our sector is the lack of complete clarification of timeframes and responsible parties. Due to the absence of clearly defined executors of the legal duties, the law is not fully implemented and does not achieve its intended outcomes. This forms the basis of societal issues that arise. Henceforth, I have provided recommendations to the management team to ensure the laws are developed in a coordinated and sustainable manner."

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Standing Committee: Conducted the first discussion on the draft law to amend the law on the legal status of New Zuunmod city

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The Standing Committee discussed the draft laws and resolutions article by article in accordance with Article 39 of the Law on the Rules of Procedure of the State Great Hural of Mongolia. During the discussion, since no fundamentally different proposals were formulated by Members of Parliament, Member of the State Great Hural B. Bayarbaatar proposed to move the bill to the stage of final approval from the first discussion according to Article 39.24 of the Law on the Rules of Procedure of the State Great Hural of Mongolia. This procedural proposal was supported by the majority of the members present at the meeting, as reported by the Press Office of the State Great Hural.

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Economy

Mongolian financial institution officially listed on the London Stock Exchange for the first time

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: isee.mn

Invescore Financial Group has been officially listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). This makes it the first Mongolian financial company to be listed on the LSE. Since 2016, Invescore Financial Group has expanded beyond its main activity of being a financial institution to include underwriting, brokerage, real estate, and investment fund services. Additionally, it has successfully expanded not only in Mongolia but also in the Central Asian financial market, currently operating in 8 countries with 14 subsidiaries. In the case of Invescore NBFI (INV), in 2019, it offered 15% of its total shares to the public, completing the largest private sector IPO in the history of the Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE). Following this, it also conducted an FPO, establishing 16 branches in Mongolia, 4 in Kyrgyzstan, and 1 in Kazakhstan. $INV is among the few companies that have performed successfully after an IPO, with its share price increasing 5.6 times from the IPO price. InvesCore Financial Group, or ICFG, has been listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker ICFG. This is undoubtedly a moment to be marked in the financial history of Mongolia. Recently, the NBFI had conducted an IPO in Mongolia, and since then, the financial group has further refined its structure. As tweeted by Ganzorig Vanchig (aka Vinzo) (@ganzorigv).

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Historic Event: Invescore Financial Group Listed on the London Stock Exchange

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Today marks a significant milestone in the business, finance, and capital markets of Mongolia. Notably, Invescore Financial Group, one of the leaders in the finance sector, has become the first Mongolian financial company to be listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). This prestigious exchange includes world-renowned companies such as AstraZeneca, Shell, HSBC Holdings, Unilever, and Rio Tinto. Invescore Financial Group, the subject of this historic event, was founded in 2016 and is a promoter of innovative products, advanced technology, and exemplary management in the financial market. The group, which exports finance and technology from Mongolia to the international market, currently operates 14 subsidiary companies in 8 countries. Meanwhile, the London Stock Exchange, officially established in 1801, is one of the world's influential exchanges with over 200 years of history. Interestingly, the origin of this exchange dates back to 1698 at Jonathan’s Coffee House, which served as a meeting point for investors. The London Stock Exchange, which has been the central hub for trade and commerce in Britain and Europe for centuries, currently trades shares of over 1,700 companies, more than 40% of which are from outside the UK. The total market capitalization of these companies amounts to approximately $3.5 trillion. In this regard, the London Stock Exchange ranks alongside global leaders such as the New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Shanghai stock exchanges. Every day, half a million trades are conducted on the London Stock Exchange, which is known for its rigorous standards and strict oversight, taking into account corporate governance, management systems, financial stability, legal compliance, and risk management. Additionally, companies must obtain approval from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority to be listed. Invescore Financial Group has met these high standards, becoming the first to officially register on the London Stock Exchange from Mongolia. This not only opens opportunities for international investors to invest in Mongolia's financial market but also allows the company to expand its operations on an international level. Moreover, this event sets a new chapter in the development of Mongolia's financial sector, inspiring and opening doors for other companies to enter the international market. Website: https://www.ic-fg.com/

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State Budget Revenue Decreased by 36.7%

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

According to preliminary results for the first month of this year, the consolidated state budget revenue, including assistance, reached MNT 1.7 trillion, which is a decrease of MNT 1 trillion or 36.7% compared to the same period last year, as reported by the National Statistical Office. Meanwhile, state budget expenditure and net repayable loans amounted to MNT 2.2 trillion during this period, increasing by MNT 106.4 billion or 5.2% from the previous year. The contraction in budget revenue was mainly influenced by a decrease in tax revenue and revenues from the utilization fees of mineral resources. In January 2025, revenue from corporate income tax decreased by 46.6%, value-added tax by 33.9%, and mineral resource utilization fees by 86.1% compared to the previous year, resulting in a total tax revenue decline of 44.1%, reaching MNT 1.5 trillion. On the other hand, state budget expenditure increased by 5.2%, resulting in a deficit of MNT 492 billion. This was mainly influenced by a 23.8% increase in the cost of goods and services and a 16.4% increase in current transfers compared to the same period of the previous year.

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Total Revenue of National Unified Budget Decreased by 36% Compared to the Same Period Last Year

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: isee.mn

According to the preliminary execution for January 2025, the total revenue and aid of the national unified budget reached 1.7 trillion MNT, decreasing by 1.0 trillion MNT or 36% compared to the same period last year. Balanced revenue and aid also reached 1.7 trillion MNT, decreasing by 1.1 trillion MNT or 36% respectively. Furthermore, the total expenditure and net repayable loans amounted to 2.2 trillion MNT in January 2025, resulting in a balanced deficit of 492 billion MNT.

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The average border price of coal traded with China drops to $81 per ton, $38 lower compared to the same period last year

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The National Statistical Office of Mongolia (NSOM) presented the foreign trade information for January 2025. Last month, our country traded with 108 nations, and the total trade turnover reached two billion USD. Among this, exports accounted for one billion USD, and imports for 973.2 million USD. EXPORT, IMPORT, BALANCE As a result, the foreign trade balance showed a surplus of 46 million USD, which is 285.8 thousand USD lower than the same period last year. Overall exports in January of this year decreased by 247.2 million USD compared to the same period last year, while imports increased by 38.6 million USD. MAIN EXPORT PRODUCTS, as of January each year, million USD The decrease in exports by 247.2 million USD in January 2025 compared to the same period last year was mainly influenced by a reduction of 340.2 million USD in coal, 10.6 million USD in animal hair and wool, and 6.0 million USD in iron ore and concentrates. Meanwhile, gold increased by 50.2 million USD, and copper ore and concentrates increased by 43.4 million USD. In addition, in January 2025, the average border price of coal exported to China was 81 USD per ton, a decrease of 38.1 USD per ton compared to the same period last year. AVERAGE BORDER PRICE OF COAL EXPORTED TO CHINA, per ton, USD The increase in imports by 38.6 million USD compared to the previous year was mainly influenced by rises in diesel fuel by 19.7 million USD, passenger cars by 19.5 million USD, vehicle parts and accessories by 18 million USD, and freight trucks by 11.8 million USD. In contrast, public transport vehicles decreased by 39.5 million USD. MAIN IMPORT PRODUCTS, as of January each year, million USD Notice Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) must mention the source (ikon.mn) when using this information in any form, either in whole or in part.

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Entrepreneurs Overcome Difficult Times by Joining the "Program to Support Small and Medium Enterprises"

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: itoim.mn

In recent years, worldwide lockdowns during the pandemic forced many businesses to declare bankruptcy, leading to thousands of people losing their jobs. Mongolia was no exception to these challenging times. As the saying goes, "It is better to offer a needle to someone struggling than a camel to someone prospering." In 2021, amid the tough conditions of the pandemic, "Rio Tinto Mongolia" LLC and "Invescore NBFI" launched and successfully implemented the "Program to Support Small and Medium Enterprises." Through the program, "Rio Tinto Mongolia" LLC provided 4.7 billion MNT in funding, offering highly favorable loans with a 4.8% annual interest rate through Invescore NBFI to 183 businesses. As a result of these loans, 845 jobs were preserved, and 45 new jobs were created during the pandemic. Let's highlight some insights from the program's closing event. The project to support small and medium enterprises began in the third quarter of 2021 and was planned to run until the third quarter of 2024, spanning a total of three years. The program's primary goal was to provide low-interest loans and consulting services to small and medium enterprises hit hardest by the pandemic, rather than for any profit motive. This goal was successfully achieved, as affirmed by the feedback from business owners at the closing event. Let's share an interview with Leading Advisor O. Anar from "Rio Tinto Mongolia" and Business Director Sh. Oyunchimeg from Invescore NBFI, who played key roles in the project. - What role did you play in this program? How do you evaluate the project's implementation results? - O. Anar, Leading Advisor at "Rio Tinto Mongolia": Our company implements projects and programs that positively impact the long-term stability of the social and economic environments of the countries where we operate. Consequently, at the end of 2021, we, along with Invescore NBFI, launched a project to provide highly favorable loans to support small, medium, and even micro-business owners who were struggling due to the pandemic. We participated as the financing organization, while Invescore NBFI managed the lending operations. We are pleased that more than 3,000 people benefited directly and indirectly from this project. Notably, 80% of the businesses and sole proprietors that received concessional loans operate in sectors substituting imports, with 67% of the loan recipients being women. When categorized by industry, sewing, leather, and woodcraft predominated, covering about 20 different sectors engaged in import-substituting products and services. In addition to providing loans, we worked with USAID and Invescore NBFI to include these business owners in regular training and programs aimed at expanding their businesses and improving risk management to continue their stable operations. - Sh. Oyunchimeg, Business Director at Invescore NBFI: This program is noteworthy for encompassing a broad scope within the non-banking financial sector. We had defined our target groups for the support program for small and medium businesses. Specifically, we chose environmentally friendly import-substituting manufacturers, as well as businesses run by women and single parents, as target groups. We aimed for diversity as much as possible and achieved our goal. The maximum funding provided to businesses was 30 million MNT. Small and medium businesses are the main driving force of the economy, rapidly propelling it forward. We are very pleased to have supported our small and medium businesses through this program. Invescore NBFI is committed to championing sustainable financing, so we plan to continue future collaborations with our small and medium enterprise clients and partner organizations. Business participants in the closing event showed how they had collectively overcome difficult times. Sharing their individual stories, smiles were evident on their faces. Although they were concerned about maintaining their businesses in 2021, they are now actively manufacturing import-substituting products and working towards entering the global market. Let's highlight some of the business owners' feedback. B. Davaajargal, founder of the "Baigalam" brand: After the pandemic, consumer purchases declined, and it was difficult to maintain working capital and rental payments. Joining the small and medium business support program allowed us to secure enough raw materials. With a loan of 10 million MNT from Invescore NBFI, we stocked sufficient raw materials, enabling us to create and test many recipes. As a result of these trials, our eco-friendly products have gained the approval of many consumers. After COVID, many small start-ups had to close down. Before receiving the loan, I was uncertain about continuing the business. However, the loan provided encouragement and motivation to persist. Moving forward, I aim to develop handicrafts in Mongolia and introduce them to more people. G. Tuvshinjargal, Director of the "Tergun" brand: In 2022, taking a 30 million MNT loan helped increase our working capital during tough times and preserve jobs. To progress to the next level, business owners often need to secure slightly larger loans. The most challenging aspect for business owners is the burden of loan interest. The low-interest nature of this program was extremely supportive. What I appreciated most about this program was that it did not just provide a loan and leave us. Instead, it involved us in necessary many trainings and programs. Thanks to this, in 2023, despite being affected by floods, we managed to advance to the next level, and our company governance improved significantly. We are currently exporting products to Kazakhstan and aim to reach even more people in the future. As a result of this program, many companies are progressing not only in producing domestic products that replace imports but also moving forward towards their goal of entering the global market.

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Employment in the Mining Sector Grows in Orkhon and Selenge Provinces in the Last 15 Years

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: ikon.mn

In the last 15 years, employment in the mining sector has increased in Orkhon and Selenge provinces, while employment in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors has decreased. The contribution of mining and heavy industry to Mongolia's economic development: This study on trends and prospects was carried out by "Mongolia Talent Network" LLC under the commission of the Mongolian National Mining Association (MNMA). Here are some findings on how the mining sector has affected employment from 2009 to 2023. Labor market structures in the capital and mining-focused provinces have significantly changed over the last 15 years. In Ulaanbaatar, employment in the wholesale and retail trade sector has decreased, while employment in the manufacturing sector has increased. In Ulaanbaatar, according to the classification of economic activity sectors: - Employment in wholesale and retail trade, and motor vehicle and motorcycle repair sectors made up 23% of total employment in 2009. By 2023, this figure had decreased by 3 percentage points. - Employment in the manufacturing sector accounted for 10% in 2009, growing to 13% by 2023, an increase of 3 percentage points over 15 years. - The share of employment in construction and education sectors has fluctuated, showing a trend of increasing/decreasing by 2-4%. - Employment in the transport and storage sector has been on a decline since 2009, representing 7% of total employment by 2023. For provinces specializing in mining and heavy industry: Orkhon Province: - Employment in the mining sector accounted for 19% in 2009 and rose to 26% in 2023, making up a quarter of total employment. - The share of employment in the manufacturing sector showed a growth trend since 2009 but decreased again by 2023. Selenge Province: - Employment in the mining sector was 9% in 2009 and rose to 13% by 2023, an increase of 4 percentage points over 15 years. - However, employment in the agricultural sector decreased significantly from 56% in 2009 to 31% in 2023, dropping by 25 percentage points. In Omnogovi province, where mining is rapidly developing: At the aimag level, the agricultural sector's employment has long accounted for more than a third of economic activity, but by 2023, this had decreased to 30%. Employment in the mining sector has grown 2.5 times over 15 years, accounting for 18% of economic activity by 2023. For other provinces in the Gobi region: The impact on employment varies by region. While the service sector's impact on employment in the capital is relatively high, in the provinces, the impact on employment from the manufacturing and public service sectors varies.

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Inflation rate increases to 9.6% nationwide due to food prices

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Inflation reached 9.6% in the first month of this year, which is a 1.4% increase from the previous month, according to the National Statistics Office. The rise in inflation was mainly influenced by a 2.7 percentage point or 28% increase in food prices compared to the previous month. Additionally, the prices for housing, water, electricity, and fuel rose by 22.4%, education services by 18.6%, and clothing and footwear by 9.8%. Officials explained that the price increases are related to increased salaries, pensions, and electricity tariffs. For example, before the electricity prices increased, the inflation rate was at 7.0%, but now it is 9.6%, as clarified by B. Munkh-Orkhil, Head of the Price Statistics Department of the National Statistics Office.

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Rio Tinto and Invescore's joint program preserves over 800 jobs

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: ikon.mn

"Rio Tinto Mongolia" company, in collaboration with BBSC "Invescore," successfully implemented a program to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over a three-year period. Starting in 2022, the program provided total funding of 4.7 billion MNT, granting extremely concessional loans with an interest rate of 4.8% per year to 183 businesses through "Invescore" BBSC. An event was held at Ulaanbaatar Hotel, where SMEs that participated in the program shared their experiences and results of receiving concessional loans to revitalize their operations. "We are extremely pleased that businesses have developed the knowledge, skills, and experience to continue sustainably," said the speaker. At the beginning of the event, Kh. Amarjargal, CEO of "Rio Tinto Mongolia," shared information about the program and wished success to the participating businesses. "We implement projects and programs that positively impact the long-term social and economic stability of our operating countries. During the pandemic, we implemented a program to provide extremely concessional loans to support struggling SMEs. As a result, many business owners preserved jobs, increased revenue, and most importantly, developed the knowledge, skills, and experience to continue their business sustainably. Supporting the sector of products and services that substitute imports is vital for diversifying and strengthening Mongolia's economy in the long term," he said. 82% of the business entities that received concessional loans operate in the import-substituting production sector, and 67% of borrowers were women. Businesses in the sewing, leather, and wooden product manufacturing sectors often received these concessional loans, while around 20% of them were businesses providing import-substituting products and services, as highlighted by Rio Tinto Mongolia. "Our brand is working to open branch stores in the Kazakhstan and South Korean markets," said G. Tuvshinjargal, founder of TERGUN Cashmere brand. In 2022, as a participant of the Rio Tinto Mongolia program, she received a 30 million MNT loan through "Invescore" BBSC for working capital. "The timely loan during challenging post-pandemic conditions was beneficial," she shared her feedback. She added, "Now, the loan is fully repaid. The process was smooth since we submitted our documents according to the procedures. The 4.8% annual interest rate provided us a great opportunity. Low-interest loans are crucial for SMEs." In addition to providing loans, USAID and "Invescore" BBSC organized regular training and programs aimed at expanding businesses, improving risk management, and continuing sustainable operations. Sh. Oyunchimeg, CEO of "Invescore BBSC" LLC, remarked, "This program was essential in terms of its significance and scope. We not only provided concessional loans but also conducted educational programs to impart necessary knowledge and financial literacy to SMEs. Before granting loans, target groups of environmentally friendly and import-substituting product manufacturers were identified. We tried to diversify the loan recipients. I'm glad we supported SMEs even marginally within this program scope. More funding than initially expected was provided, and businesses were dynamic, repaid loans timely, and created innovative products. We are working on future collaborations and similar programs. "Invescore BBSC," as a non-bank financial institution, has been pioneering in sustainable financing." Warning: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Web) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, fully or partially.

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How Countries Implement Personal Income Taxes

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Personal income tax is a fundamental component of a country's tax system and plays a crucial role in generating national budget revenue and influencing economic policy. Different countries implement personal income tax (PIT) in various ways, with differences in tax structure, rates, and exemptions depending on the country's economic conditions, social policies, and governance model. Globally, PIT can be divided into three main categories: 1. Progressive tax – The tax rate increases with the amount of income. (Examples: USA, Germany, France) 2. Flat tax – All individuals pay the same tax rate regardless of income. (Examples: Russia, Kazakhstan – 10-20%) 3. Territorial tax – Only income earned within the country's territory is taxed. (Examples: Hong Kong, Singapore) Some countries adopt unique PIT policies to attract foreign investors and expatriates. For instance, the USA is one of the few countries that taxes worldwide income, requiring citizens to report their income even if they live abroad. Meanwhile, countries like Portugal and Italy offer tax exemptions for a certain period to new residents from abroad. Monaco, the Bahamas, and the United Arab Emirates do not have PIT at all, aiming to attract wealthy individuals. In Mongolia, personal income tax is implemented under the "Tax Law" and the "Personal Income Tax Law." Mongolia currently uses a progressive tax system, where the PIT rate varies depending on the type and amount of income. Ordinary employment income, such as wages, is taxed at a rate of 10%. Below are examples of PIT systems from various countries: - Georgia: Georgia has a favorable tax system for entrepreneurs, making it an attractive environment for digital nomads and investors. The country levies a flat 20% on salaries, business profits, and other personal income. Small and medium enterprises can pay a 1% tax on income up to approximately $180,000 under the "Small Business Status," promoting an advantageous climate for independent business owners. - Estonia: Estonia employs a flat tax system, applying the same tax rate to all income levels, which stands at 22% as of 2025. Estonia does not implement a local tax system, meaning all tax structures are fully centralized. Certain pension payments are taxed at 10%. - Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates: These countries do not impose personal income tax. Their revenue mainly comes from oil income, VAT, and some corporate taxes. Foreign employees working in these countries might need to pay taxes in their home country. - Singapore: Singapore has a flexible tax system with progressive rates, where the highest tax rate is 24%. Capital gains and foreign-sourced income (if not remitted to Singapore) are exempt from tax, creating a business and investor-friendly environment. - Germany: Germany uses a progressive tax system where tax rates increase with income. For the tax year 2025, PIT rates range from 0-45%, with the highest rate applied to income above €277,826. Additionally, Germany imposes a 5.5% "Solidarity Surcharge" commonly used to support economic development in former East Germany. - Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan uses a flat tax system with a 10% PIT rate. Residents of Kazakhstan pay tax on worldwide income, while foreigners are taxed only on income earned within Kazakhstan. - United States: The U.S. uses a progressive tax system with rates ranging from 10-37%. Each state may have its own tax ranging from 0-13%. The highest 37% rate applies to income above $539,900. The U.S. uniquely taxes citizens' income regardless of where they live in the world. - France: France applies a progressive tax system with PIT rates ranging from 0-45%. Additional taxes for high-income earners can increase the overall tax burden significantly. These various tax systems illustrate how tax policy and economic structures differ among countries, influenced by their economic policies and social structures. Some countries tax higher-income individuals more to reduce inequality, while others offer tax incentives to attract foreign investments.

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Discussion Held Within the “Increasing Economic Turnover of the Agricultural Sector” Project

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: itoim.mn

A discussion aimed at disseminating the results of the "Innovative Solutions" program, ensuring sustainability, and expanding cooperation within the framework of the “Increasing Economic Turnover of the Agricultural Sector” project, financed by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MFALI), is taking place today in Darkhan-Uul Province. The event was opened by the State Secretary of MFALI, T. Jambaltsuren, who delivered a speech, and the project coordinator, L. Bayartulga, provided information on the "Agricultural Economic Turnover" (AET) project introduction, expected outcomes of the event, and the "Digital Cooperative" project. Jadambyn Enkhbayar from MFALI participated in the discussion, highlighting the necessity of advancing animal husbandry and agriculture to a new level. He mentioned that the AET project is directed towards answering the question, “How can we prepare ourselves to enter foreign meat markets?” By properly organizing the core structure of herds, it is possible to achieve high results, such as lamb meat weighing more than mutton even with minimal mineral feed usage. Additionally, it was noted that Mongolia has started supplying meat to markets in Southeast Asia, Arab countries, and the Middle East, with orders for one million sheep received from countries like Qatar and Kuwait. Emphasizing that it is time for Mongolia to compete in the high-value meat markets, he stressed the need for reforms in livestock feed and breeding policies. To initiate renewal in the livestock sector, the need to change traditional methods and adopt a new mindset was emphasized. In this context, the start of the "ATAR-4" campaign for sustainable agricultural development was mentioned, with the aim to combine animal husbandry and crop farming to develop them as key sectors of the economy. Furthermore, within the theme of "Increasing meat production through the introduction of animal fattening technology," presentations were given by companies such as “Pearl Marine,” “Bayn Erdenes,” “Digital Credit,” and “Deedsiin Svrag” LLC. This discussion serves as an important event for supporting economic growth in the livestock sector, disseminating innovative solutions, and expanding cooperation among stakeholders.

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Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: news.mn

The price of coal, which has been a major contributor to Mongolia's export revenue, has dropped from $150 to $104 over half a year. This, along with a slowdown in coal transportation, raises the risk of budget revenue shortfalls. Due to the falling prices, some mining companies have reportedly begun halting operations. The once lengthy queues of hundreds of cars waiting at the border have decreased as coal transports have diminished. At its peak, over 900 large trucks carrying coal crossed the border daily, but now this has reduced to around 500. According to "Erdenes Mongol" Executive Director S. Narantsogt, "The main borders for coal exports have warehouses in the southern neighbor. From these warehouses, coal is transported to factories. Currently, there is a decrease in coal transportation, leading to a drop in prices. However, we are developing a response plan." Alongside the drop in coal prices, the absence of buyers in recent stock market trades has caused concern. No buyers participated in the last two announced stock market trades. Industry, Mining, and Energy Minister Ts. Tuvaan stated, "Recently, there have been quite complex issues related to coal stock trading, hence the need to expedite contracts to prevent reduced sales, as mentioned in the agreement signed in Harbin, China, last week." This agreement, between the Mongolian and Chinese governments, aims to connect the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway, prioritizing the first among the 14 mega projects of the Joint Government. It covers not only the railway issue but also coal sales, purchases, and extraction. The Chinese side proposed a comprehensive approach, and both parties have signed the agreement. Once approved in Parliament's spring session, the process will conclude. Until then, the issue of whether coal export will be "frozen" depending on China's decisions arises. Mongolia might need to loosen some stringent conditions to revive the coal stock trade, evident from the absence of buyers. Coal sector participants explain, "The government's decision to trade coal through the stock market without resolving infrastructure has ultimately led to failure." However, building a cross-border railway and extending the railway from the mines to integrate with the export railway might take at least 2.5 years, requiring substantial time. To maintain transparent coal purchasing, it cannot reverse from stock trading, necessitating adjustments, such as relaxing conditions. Since legislation is enacted, "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" JSC has traded 25.2 million tons of coal valued at $2.85 billion through 121 trades within this timeframe. Of these, 8.7 million tons of coking coal, 12.1 million tons of semi-coking coal, 4.4 million tons of thermal coal, and enriched coal have been traded on the stock exchange. Private companies like "Energy Resources" also trade coal on the exchange. Mongolia previously received warnings of potential coal price drops. Hence, it considered that overly optimistic price forecasts could pose risks and approved the budget based on selling an average of 83 million tons of coal at $105 by 2025. Though accounting for the lowest prices, if transportation continues to stall, achieving the export target of 83 million tons becomes unattainable. Thus, measures to not decrease exports are now necessary. Another issue with falling coal prices is reduced profit margins. Should coal prices exceed forecasted levels, profits would increase, positively impacting national export revenue and potentially boosting dividends. Conversely, if coal prices continue to fall, even reaching the 83-million-ton export target would see revenue decline, affecting profits. Therefore, maintaining prices without further drops is essential. International analysts state, "Despite noticeable reductions in European and US coal consumption, rising demand in Asia indicates a short-term global dependency on coal." According to the International Energy Agency's forecasts, global coal demand will reach 8.77 billion tons in 2024, setting a record, with a high likelihood of maintaining this through 2027. For instance, China's coal imports in 2024 are expected to reach 542.7 million tons, a 14.4% increase from the previous year's 474.42 million tons. China's increased coal imports are tied to its energy strategy, which relies on coal to compensate for disruptions in solar and wind power generation. Thus, there is anticipation that Mongolia's agreement with its southern neighbor might rejuvenate coal exports.

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L. Zolbaatar: 60% of Citizens Support Government Acquisition of 34% of Strategically Important Deposits /VIDEO/

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: isee.mn

The "MEC" research organization conducted a survey among approximately 1,000 residents of Ulaanbaatar and the countryside regarding the "Wealth Fund" and "Government Ownership of Strategic Deposits." We sought clarification from L. Zolbaatar, director of "MEC" LLC. There are 16 deposits of strategic importance. A survey was conducted to gauge public opinion on the government acquiring these deposits. What were the results? Citizens were asked about the government's ownership of 34% of deposits of strategic importance. Essentially, about 60% responded with "Agree" or "Strongly Agree." 17-18% responded with "Disagree." 25% had no definitive stance. It is important to highlight that citizens are not sufficiently informed about what is meant by "strategic importance." Additionally, there is a need to reassess whether the current owners acquired these strategic deposits legally or not. If there were any illegal processes, recovering the embezzled assets is necessary. The survey also inquired about citizens' awareness of the Wealth Fund. The Wealth Fund is a key initiative of L. Oyun-Erdene's government. Questions remain about how to establish the Wealth Fund, where it will be sourced from, and how it will be utilized. Therefore, public knowledge about the Wealth Fund is quite poor. Essentially, 70-80% have little to no understanding of the Wealth Fund. Citizens lack sufficient information regarding this matter.

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Preliminary performance of last year shows a 4.9% growth in the national economy

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Gross Domestic Product (calculated by the production method) for 2024 reached 80 trillion MNT at current prices according to preliminary performance, increasing by 9.5 trillion MNT (13.5%) from the previous year. The growth in GDP was influenced by an increase of 2 trillion MNT (10.0%) in the added value of the mining and quarrying sector, and an increase of 6.4 trillion MNT (22.2%) in the added value of the services sector, as reported by the National Statistical Office (NSO).

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Five Provinces Connected to Border Port to Boost Trade

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: news.mn

Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia, Mr. D. Amarbayasgalan, along with Members of Parliament Ms. E. Bolormaa and Mr. M. Mandhai, visited Tes and Bayankhairkhan districts in Zavkhan province. They are working in Zavkhan following visits to Govi-Altai, Khovd, and Uvs provinces, with the aim of identifying key policies for the development of the western region, prioritizing necessary investments in provinces and districts, and incorporating the voices of citizens into policies and decisions implemented by the parliament. This year's state budget includes new investments for the expansion of the third kindergarten in Uliastai city of Zavkhan province and its heating plant, as well as the commencement of the construction of a 159.5 km highway from the intersection at Songino and Tudevtei districts to the Artsuur border port. Chairman D. Amarbayasgalan pointed out that a highway covering promising areas for trade, production, transport, and tourism, passing through Tes, Bayankhairkhan, and two other districts, will be constructed with budget funds up to 1.5 km from each district's center. The western provinces all have border ports, and currently, Uvs, Khovd, and Bayan-Ulgii provinces are connected by road to the Borshoo, Yarant, and Tsagaannuur ports. The Chairman emphasized that under the western region's comprehensive development policy, the goal is to fully connect province centers and district centers with border ports via roads to accelerate regional economic relations and create a centralized market. Additionally, in connection with declaring the western region an energy-focused center under the regional development ideology, efforts will focus on increasing renewable energy sources, concentrating investments, and ensuring reliable energy supply. This will help to develop the industrial sector, which currently accounts for only 12% of Zavkhan province's economic structure, and by increasing trade circulation, the competitiveness of the provinces will significantly improve. The start of the long-awaited infrastructure construction from Tes to Bayankhairkhan up to the Artsuur border port has brought joy to the locals. Local residents also expressed concerns about common challenges such as price hikes in consumer goods, pastureland degradation, labor shortages, and rising alcohol consumption. Students represented issues such as heating problems in district center buildings, inadequate classroom capacity, and the lack of recreational facilities and human development centers, while citizens called for the revival of inter-district hospitals and modernization of health centers. Participants of the meeting exchanged views on the real opportunities for nearby, sparsely populated district herders to unite, form cooperatives, expand household production, and supply adjacent district markets by utilizing geographical advantages to increase income. For instance, Bayankhairkhan, adjacent to eight districts, was encouraged to intensify its grass feed cultivation to potentially become a feed center for the region, thus necessitating the intensification of the "New Cooperative" movement. Herders are also advised to focus on primary processing of raw animal materials to increase their prices and supply them to production. During the meeting, MP E. Bolormaa introduced the works planned for Zavkhan province under this year's state budget, while MP M. Mandhai shared information about the implementation of the "New Cooperative" movement, loan issuance, repayment, and exchanged successful cooperative practices. Chairman's local visit continues in Zavkhan province, as reported by the State Great Khural's Media Department.

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National Producers Support the 'White Gold' Movement

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The President of Mongolia, U. Khürelsükh, and the Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry, J. Enkhbayar, along with other officials, visited Sor Cashmere, Snow Fields, and Ulaanbaatar Carpet companies as part of the 'White Gold' national program. The President has initiated the 'White Gold' national movement to increase the value of animal-derived raw materials. As a result of the program, the production and export of competitive, origin-certified, high-quality, value-added products that meet international standards will increase, and the value of animal raw materials will grow. The program is expected to improve the income and livelihood of herders and elevate the agriculture and light industry sector to a new level. Sor Cashmere LLC processes up to 800 tons of cashmere annually from 13 provinces, alongside approximately 200 tons of camel wool, over 30 tons of yak hair, and more than 200 tons of sheep wool, into pure yarn and finished products. Their products are exported to 17 countries worldwide, and the company supplies cashmere, camel wool, and yak hair spun yarns to over 150 knitting workshops domestically. Currently, the company operates factories for sorting raw wool, washing, carding, dyeing, spinning yarn, and producing knitted garments, completing all stages from raw materials to final products. Executive Director B. Ochgarid highlighted the timely and significant opportunity created by the 'White Gold' national movement to support manufacturers. The company provides regular employment to 150 people and seasonal work as sorters to about 20-30 people. They have provided housing for their employees near the factory to support their working conditions. The company collaborates with over 150 knitting workshops nationwide and exports products to countries such as Nepal, Japan, Russia, China, the USA, Korea, Italy, Kazakhstan, and India. The management plans to expand their hair fiber sorting facilities. Snow Fields LLC collaborates with 360 herder households in three soums of Dornod province to process wool and cashmere, producing 50 tons of products annually and exporting them to Japan, Russia, Ukraine, France, the USA, Switzerland, Germany, and Korea. They produce 70 tons of wool, cashmere, and hair yarn annually for the domestic market. Moving forward, they plan to install lines for recycling environmentally friendly spun yarns and knitted components, turning old wool and cashmere clothing into spun yarn for final products. Executive Director Ts. Gan-Ölzii underscored these efforts. In 2018, the company implemented the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System standard, which improved overall performance and consistent documentation across different management systems. The standard aligns with laws, regulations, and international requirements, enabling the company to deliver consistent products and services to clients and achieve expected outcomes, thereby increasing company value. In 2023, they received the Textile Sustainable Production Certificate. The MNS 6926:2021 national standard for sustainable textile production reflects Mongolia's "Vision 2050" development policy and the UN's "Sustainable Development Goals 2030," focusing on reducing waste by recycling industrial residues, thereby promoting social responsibility. Ulaanbaatar Carpet JSC produces pure wool carpets such as Altanbulag, Altan Örgöö, Sayan, and Ulaanbaatar. They supply 55-60 thousand square meters of carpet to the market annually, accounting for 10-12% of domestic production, with 30-35% exported to China. They plan to upgrade their equipment and increase capacity. The 'White Gold' national program is seen as timely and advantageous for agriculture and light industry development, increasing herders' income, according to company executives. President U. Khürelsükh expressed gratitude towards enterprises and producers who collaborate with herders, create numerous jobs, supply finished products to domestic and international markets, and pay taxes. Minister J. Enkhbayar highlighted the crucial role of the 'White Gold' program in solving industry challenges and noted that it would allow for the export of combed cashmere instead of just washed cashmere, thus quadrupling income. Enterprises engaged in wool and cashmere production are hopeful that the 'White Gold' program will bring a new era of revival to the light industry sector.

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Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The National Statistics Office (NSO) of Mongolia has introduced the social and economic indicators for January 2025. During this presentation, information related to social insurance was delivered by Ts. Tegshjargal, the Head of the Integrated Statistics Department of the NSO. He stated, "As of January, the revenue of the Social Insurance Fund reached 530.3 billion MNT, which is an increase of 124.8 billion MNT compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the expenditures have reached 482.7 billion MNT, showing an increase of 113.9 billion MNT. The total number of pensioners receiving benefits from the Social Insurance Fund in January this year was 513.4 thousand, which is an increase of 15.1 thousand compared to the same period last year. This increase is due to the rise in the number of pensioners, excluding those receiving the survivors' pension, by 2.3-3.6%." Warning: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must always cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, either completely or partially.

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Diplomacy

NBC: US to Conduct Joint Talks with Russian and Ukrainian Representatives

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The US administration plans to hold joint talks with Russian and Ukrainian representatives following bilateral meetings, according to sources. Ukrainian representatives will not participate in the upcoming consultation meeting in Saudi Arabia, but US representatives plan to discuss conflict resolution issues with both the Russian and Ukrainian sides. The meeting between American and Russian representatives to address the Ukraine crisis will take place on February 18 in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia aims not only to serve as a venue for talks but also to play a mediating role. The country's representatives will be led by the National Security Advisor, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President D. Trump's National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Steven Whitkoff, the US Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, will represent the United States. S. Whitkoff previously stated that he would arrive in Saudi Arabia on the evening of February 16 to hold talks with the Russian side. He expressed hope for progress in resolving the war in Ukraine.

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"The Economic Times": Indian and Mongolian Border Forces to Collaborate

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Indian and Mongolian border forces have decided to conduct joint exercises and intensify their cooperation in border protection, as reported by "The Economic Times." The 10th meeting of the General Directorate of Border Protection of the two countries concluded after six days of discussions. The Indian side was led by Deputy Director General of Border Protection Daljit Singh Choudhary, while the Mongolian delegation was headed by Major General Kh. Lkhagvasuren, Commander of Border Troops. Both sides discussed expanding their cooperation in areas of mutual interest, effectively preventing and detecting crimes through the exchange of technological solutions. They also exchanged ideas on cooperating to ensure border security, especially at border checkpoints, sharing best practices for inspecting incoming vehicles, enhancing the capabilities of both military forces, and utilizing technology in border management. It is planned that the next phase of these discussions will take place in September this year in Mongolia. Source: The Economic Times

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Will Only America and Russia Participate in Peace Talks for the Russia-Ukraine War?

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: itoim.mn

U.S. and Russian officials announced plans to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to initiate talks aimed at stopping the three-year-long war. Following this announcement, several reports circulated on social media suggesting that Ukraine and European countries might be excluded from peace negotiations concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Suspicion arose after Keith Kellogg, President Trump’s special envoy on Ukraine, suggested that Ukrainian and European leaders might not be involved in the initial phase of the peace talks. However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized in a statement that Ukraine and European countries must participate in any discussions to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Authorities are viewing the upcoming U.S.-Russia talks this week as an opportunity to assess how seriously Russian President Vladimir Putin considers peace. Moreover, Ukraine has firmly stated that no agreements should be made without their involvement, especially on issues related to territorial integrity and sovereignty, which must be resolved with Ukraine’s participation. Volodymyr Zelensky warned that excluding Ukraine from peace talks might embolden Vladimir Putin to attack other countries. He also stated that if U.S. support for the war weakened, Russia might not only continue fighting Ukraine but also potentially attack NATO member countries. The upcoming meetings in Saudi Arabia are preliminary in nature, and real negotiations have not yet begun. If conditions for progress in talks develop, representatives from Ukraine and other European countries will be included, Rubio stated in an interview. U.S. officials have also sent questionnaires to European leaders to clarify how much military support they would be willing to provide to ensure the implementation of a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement. In an interview with CBS, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "President Donald Trump spoke to Vladimir Putin by phone last week, during which Putin expressed an interest in pursuing peace." He added, "However, this needs to be confirmed through actions, not just words. Everything depends on how the situation develops in the coming weeks. A single phone call is unlikely to bring about peace."

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Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg to Visit Oman

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: ikon.mn

At the invitation of Badr Bin Hamad Bin Hamood Al-Busaidi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, Mongolian Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg will make an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman from February 18-20, 2025. This visit is a response to the Omani Foreign Minister's visit to Mongolia last year and is notable for being the first visit at the level of Foreign Minister to Oman in about 30 years. During the visit, Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg will hold official talks with the Omani Foreign Minister and plans to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, and the leadership of the Oman Investment Authority. During these meetings and discussions, there will be an exchange of views on maintaining the momentum of the intensifying bilateral relations of recent years and expanding and developing cooperation in fields such as trade, investment, economy, mining, energy, and tourism, as well as exchanging views on issues of mutual interest on international and regional levels. Diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Sultanate of Oman were established on April 27, 1992.

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Dornogovi: Memorandum of Understanding Signed

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Governor's Office of Sainshand district has signed a memorandum of understanding with Yeongdong county of North Chungcheong Province in the Republic of Korea. The Chairman of the District Council M. Buyandelger, Governor Ch. Tuwshintogsoo, and related officials received representatives from Yeongdong county's Governor's Office and District Council. During the meeting, they exchanged information and opinions on the development, investments, and specific features of the district. The parties included in the memorandum their mutual commitment to cooperate in the fields of economy, agriculture, tourism, culture, and seasonal worker exchange. Yeongdong county is known for its unique natural formations and fertile soil, making it suitable for agriculture. The county is particularly known for producing sweet fruits such as grapes, peaches, and apples. Because of this, it leads the nation in wine production and is notable for producing natural organic wine without additives, which it supplies to the market.

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Infrastructure

Connecting the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Cross-Border Railway in 3 Years for T₮ 974 Billion

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: isee.mn

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene visited China from the 13th to the 15th of this month. During his visit, he met with China's State Council Premier Li Qiang in Harbin on February 14, 2025, and signed an agreement between the governments of Mongolia and China to connect the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway. - IT WILL TAKE 2.5-3 YEARS TO BUILD THE CROSS-BORDER RAILWAY - After the signing of the agreement, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene said, "This project has been discussed since 2004, and there have been more than 60 negotiations over the past 17 years since 2008. It has received three recommendations from the National Security Council, six from the parliament, and 45 resolutions from the government. Today, it has finally been decided. The Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway will be the second connecting railway between Mongolia and China after the Zamiin-Uud and Eren railway established by the 1955 agreement. This makes it a historical event." When this railway is operational, the capacity of Mongolia's border ports will double. Coal exports, which currently average 83 million tons per year, will increase to 165 million tons. Revenue from coal sales will increase by 1.5 billion dollars annually. The Chinese side estimates that it will take 2.5 to 3 years to build the cross-border railway. The parliament instructed the government to reduce the cost of building the cross-border railway and bridge structures. Preliminary estimates show that 974 billion MNT will be required to build this cross-border railway. It was also mentioned that a tender must be announced to select a contractor, likely involving the state-owned "China Energy" company. Regarding the Gantsmod-Gashuunsukhait cross-border railway connection, the narrow-gauge railway on the Chinese side is 300 meters away, while the railway on the Mongolian side is 10 kilometers from the border. - THE GOVERNMENTS AGREED TO ESTABLISH A 16-YEAR CONTRACT, INCREASING COAL EXPORTS TO 160 MILLION TONS - Within the framework of the above agreement, the two governments agreed to establish a 16-year contract. "China Energy" initially requested a 20-year contract, which was reduced by 4 years to 16 years. The maximum coal sales for the first year, 2025, will be 5 million tons, 6 million tons for each of 2026 and 2027, and 20 million tons per year for the remaining 11 years. The initial contract states that, depending on quality, 55% will be coking coal, 35% semi-coking coal, and 10% thermal coal. According to the acting CEO of "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC, Kh. Munkhjargal, Mongolia cannot determine the coal price. Additionally, to increase coal exports, Chinese companies will mine coal in the Onch Haraa and Bor Tolgoi deposits. Two new mines will be opened, and mining will begin in 2029, as "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC's current mining capacity is at its peak, said the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ts. Tuvaan. These developments aim to create the possibility of increasing coal exports to 160 million tons.

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A Cross-Border Railway Agreement Was Signed at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Point

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene of Mongolia and Chinese Premier Li Qiang met last Friday in Harbin, where they signed the "Intergovernmental Agreement on Cross-Border Railway, Coal Trade, and Cooperation to Increase the Capacity of the Tavan Tolgoi Coal Mine at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Point." This was the main goal of the Mongolian government's official visit to the neighboring southern country, and by finalizing this agreement, conditions have been established to begin the cross-border railway connection project, which has been discussed since 2008, without delay. This was the fifth meeting between the two countries' prime ministers. Most recently, they met in November 2024 in Shanghai, where they signed intergovernmental agreements, memorandums, and protocols to expand cooperation in trade and economic sectors and implement mega projects. Since then, the relationship and cooperation between Mongolia and China have been actively developing, achieving notable successes and progress, which the parties highlighted during the meeting. They noted that this agreement is crucial for elevating bilateral cooperation to a new level. The parties agreed to maintain the frequency of high-level mutual visits, align development strategies, diversify trade structures, and expand cooperation in areas such as environmental protection, tourism, energy, green and digital economies. Meanwhile, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene attended the closing ceremony of the "Harbin-2025" Ninth Asian Winter Games as part of his visit.

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What Role Will Mongolia Play in the Gashuunsukhait-Ganmod Border Railway Connection?

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The coal export of our country is increasing year by year, with plans to export 83 million tons of coal by 2025. This can be considered the maximum capacity for extraction and border transit. However, the border railway connection between Gashuunsukhait and Ganmod will significantly increase coal transport capacity. Even though transport capacity is being adequately increased, we need to correspondingly increase extraction and border transit. If we cannot do this, we will not be able to fully utilize our railway. The governments of Mongolia and the People's Republic of China have signed an agreement to connect the trans-border railway of the Gashuunsukhait-Ganmod port. This is not just a matter of connecting the railway border; the Chinese side expressed a standpoint of a three-part approach, signing three agreements simultaneously regarding extraction, transportation, and border connection. As the border connection agreement is being made after 16 years, our country will bear certain responsibilities. Although the precise terms of the agreement are not yet clear, Mongolia is expected to undertake obligations such as exporting coal to China at a discounted price for 16 years, allowing "China Energy" company to extract from the Tavt Tolgoi and Bortolgoi deposits, and subcontracting construction works to Chinese companies. The state-owned "China Energy" company in China has expressed its commitment to building the border connection railway without any issues, while also putting forward several proposals to the Mongolian government regarding project implementation. These proposals include: - Receiving 27 million tons of coal from Mongolia until the railway is connected and construction starts in 2025, and then acquiring 20 million tons annually. - Participating in the tender announced by "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" in 2022, with a proposal for "China Energy" to conduct extraction for 16 years from the Tavt Tolgoi group's Onch Kharaat and Bortolgoi deposits and supply coal under a long-term contract. The Mongolian side currently cannot legally accept "China Energy"'s proposal directly. For example, according to the Law of Exchanges, Article 10.3 states that only long-term contracts for trans-border railway construction can be made, and Article 10.4 states that these contracts must be calculated at the average market price. However, the Chinese side proposed using a separate method instead of the average market price. "China Energy" plans to extract 247 million tons of coal from the Onch Kharaat and Bortolgoi deposits over 16 years, with 27 million in the first 5 years and 20 million annually for the next 11 years. However, "China Energy" will not acquire the coal; it will only serve as a subcontractor for "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" to extract the coal. All these conditions were agreed upon in negotiations, and the contracts have been signed. The provisions of the agreement will become clearer during the autumn session when the agreement is ratified.

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Ulaanbaatar's General Development Plan Until 2040 to be Presented

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The leaders of the City Council will start working in their districts from today, during which the general development plan of Ulaanbaatar City until 2040 will be presented to the public. The meeting where representatives work in their districts begins in Baganuur district. The Government of Mongolia has planned to develop Ulaanbaatar City into a multi-centered city by 2040. Since first approving its general plan in 1954, Ulaanbaatar has planned six times thereafter. The general development plan of Ulaanbaatar until 2040 aims to create a city that is pleasant for citizens to live in and environmentally friendly, focusing on the "20-minute city" concept, as city officials and authorities have introduced.

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DORNOGOV: Solar Power Plant of 8-10 MW to be Built

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

A solar thermal power plant with a capacity of 8-10 MW is planned to be built in the city of Sainshand, Dornogov Province, during 2023-2028, as part of Mongolia’s government New Revival Policy. This will be the first time in Mongolia to implement a solar thermal source with up to 10 MW capacity, funded by a 23 million USD grant and financially supported by the international organization "GGGI." The Governor of the Province, O. Batjargal, met with representatives of the project partner, the "Global Green Growth Institute," and engineering consultancy company "NXITY" to discuss the progress of the work and future actions. Last year, the parties jointly agreed on conducting the economic feasibility of the solar power plant, selecting the site for the solar thermal power station, and determining the technical connection point. Successful implementation of the project will connect over 45,000 citizens to clean heat supply, allowing around 12,000 citizens to access clean hot water from a renewable source all year round. It is expected to be a major project that will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the long term and creating better living conditions for citizens. Additionally, countries around the world are moving away from generating energy from fossil fuels and are increasingly integrating green production or renewable energy into usage. Notably, wind energy is widely used in European countries and the United States. Our country has set a target in the "Vision-2050" long-term policy document to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22.7% by 2030 from current levels.

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Next Week's Odd-Even Car Restriction in Ulaanbaatar

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: isee.mn

Due to the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, traffic congestion is increasing. Therefore, a survey was conducted from the 13th to the 15th of this month to gather opinions from citizens on whether to implement an odd-even number plate restriction for vehicles. A total of 3,013 citizens participated in the survey, with 50.04% or 1,508 of them supporting the restriction of driving vehicles based on odd and even number plates. Meanwhile, 49.95% or 1,505 citizens did not support the measure. Based on the survey results, an official decision on the odd-even restriction for vehicle travel has not yet been made. If a decision is reached, the restriction will be applied from the upcoming Saturday until the day before the New Year, from 02.21-28.

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The Railway Dispute is Over!

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: news.mn

In Harbin, Mongolian Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During the meeting, they signed an intergovernmental agreement to connect the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway, moving forward with three out of the 14 mega projects that have been stuck. The policy on railway transportation adopted by the State Great Khural in 2010 has led to significant economic losses for Mongolia due to conflicting interests. The missed opportunity costs are estimated to be at least 100 trillion, equivalent to three years of Mongolia's budget. With the news of connecting the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod railway, a fight between old rivals Jenko and MCS intensified, bringing the issue of whether to conclude or annul the agreement to the forefront. After signing the agreement, the Prime Minister stated, "The Government of Mongolia has signed an agreement to connect the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway, ranked first among the 14 mega development projects." He expressed gratitude to President U. Khurelsukh for political support, to Chairman of the State Great Khural D. Amarbaysgalan for approving the main direction and granting the government the authority to sign, and to the esteemed members of the Parliament and the leaders of political parties in Parliament. This shows that they have already reached a consensus on the National Security Council. Moreover, the Prime Minister's statement that "by agreeing to an international agreement between governments without involving any third party…" was a message addressed to Jenko and MCS. The export railway project has been discussed since 2004, and over 60 meetings have been held since 2008, with three recommendations from the National Security Council, six from the State Great Khural, and 45 resolutions from the government, before reaching this conclusion, L. Oyun-Erdene pointed out. By resolving the "stalemate" of the Gashuunsukhait railway, Mongolia's port capacity will double, and coal exports, which average 83 million tons annually, will reach 165 million tons, boosting coal revenue by $1.5 billion annually. If the Gashuunsukhait railway project had not been "held hostage" by military tanks and gauges, it could have generated at least $31.5 billion in revenue, fully resolving Mongolia's infrastructure problems. Unfortunately, due to political conflicts, the Gashuunsukhait railway project failed repeatedly, and during H. Battulga's presidency, "Bodi" D. Bayasgalan constructed the railway under a coal barter deal, which also caused controversy. Because the Gashuunsukhait and Zuunbayan railways were built with a wide gauge, politically, this issue turned into a dispute. Had a narrow-gauge railway been built initially, the country would not be in China's lap. After the State Great Khural election, three political parties with seats in Parliament pledged to implement the 14 mega projects and aim to increase the GDP per capita to $10,000 by 2028. The political trio prioritized energy reform, signing an investment agreement for uranium, and focusing on the Gashuunsukhait railway connection. They have overcome the political hurdles. However, as the saying goes, after one mountain, there is another. It is still too early to relax because the railway dispute is resolved. When the Gashuunsukhait railway border connection is achieved, the political interests that have halted railway progress will come to an end.

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Construction and Major Repair Work Totaled 9.2 Trillion Tugrik in 2024

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The National Statistics Office reports that the performance of construction and major repair work reached 9.2 trillion tugrik in 2024. This is an increase of 1.2 trillion tugrik compared to 2023. This figure includes 733.3 billion tugrik from domestic construction works and 447.2 billion tugrik from foreign entities working on construction and major repairs. Of the domestic construction performed by private organizations, the total reached 8 trillion tugrik, which marks an increase of 776.2 billion tugrik from 2023. In contrast, work conducted by state organizations decreased to 99.0 billion tugrik, down by 33.3 billion tugrik, and those by joint ventures with foreign entities fell to 50.7 billion tugrik, decreasing by 9.6 billion tugrik from the previous year. In 2024, the breakdown of construction and major repair work performance was as follows: 35.7% was residential buildings, 33.1% non-residential buildings, 27.7% engineering structures, and 3.5% major repairs. Compared to 2023, the proportion of residential building works decreased by 3.3 percentage points, non-residential buildings by 2.1 points, and major repairs by 0.1 points. However, engineering structures increased by 5.5 points. Non-residential building work in 2024 reached 3 trillion tugrik, an increase of 220.1 billion tugrik from 2023. By category: non-residential construction rose by 189.8 billion tugrik, commercial and service buildings by 64.6 billion tugrik, school and cultural buildings by 14.0 billion tugrik, medical buildings by 8.4 billion tugrik, while industrial construction dropped by 56.6 billion tugrik. Nationally, the proportion of construction and major repair work was 47.2% in Ulaanbaatar and 54.6% in other regions. In Ulaanbaatar, 3.8 trillion tugrik of work was completed by domestic construction companies in 2024, which is a decrease of 1.1 percentage points from 2023. In the regions, the preliminary performance for 2024 shows: 1.3 trillion tugrik in Ömnögovi aimag, 471.1 billion tugrik in Darkhan-Uul aimag, 298.5 billion tugrik in Dornogovi aimag, and 282.9 billion tugrik in Khentii aimag. In Ömnögovi and Dornogovi aimags, significant work was conducted on Oyu Tolgoi’s underground mine development, railway, and road construction projects. Darkhan-Uul saw increased road repair and expansion, along with residential building projects, while in Khentii, agriculture complexes saw considerable development.

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Society

Selenge: Will Collaborate with South Korea in Education, Agriculture, and Tourism

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Sukhbaatar. Selenge aimag's Governor N. Lkhagvadorj visited South Korea last week on a working trip. The Governor of the aimag agreed to cooperate with South Korea on the following issues: Specifically, - Arrangements have been made to annually send students to study at Kyung Nam Jeonbu University in South Korea, with the possibility of working while studying there. Additionally, the university's administration expressed their willingness to provide school and government scholarships to students from Selenge aimag and also to train professional teachers at an advanced level with government scholarships. - The "Mountain Cafe" (which has 120 branches across South Korea), a tourism network complex, has decided to establish a branch in Selenge aimag with their own investment. - An agreement was reached to involve the residents of Selenge aimag in seasonal agricultural work after a meeting with the Governor of Hamyang County in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, Mr. Chin Pyong Yun, and other related department heads and civil servants. - A meeting was held with the management of Kyungdong Navien, a company that produces heating and hot and cold water systems for residential and corporate buildings in South Korea, to inspect their manufacturing processes and discuss future cooperation. Governor Lkhagvadorj was accompanied by S. Baasanjargal, Director of the Department of Culture, Arts, Tourism and Youth, and Ts. Baynbaatar, a representative of the aimag's Citizens' Representative Council.

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Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: news.mn

The revised version of the Mongolian Child Protection Law has come into effect. As a result, Government Resolution No. 237 has been issued, allowing for the first time the deployment of new child and family social workers at the primary level, such as in districts and rural areas, across Mongolia. In line with this decision, a training session is being held today at the Ulaanbaatar Hotel Conference Hall to orient and enhance the skills of the newly appointed child and family social workers in Ulaanbaatar. In addition to child and family social workers, state inspectors for children's rights are also working. These inspectors investigate violations of children's rights that do not involve criminal acts. They undergo special training and receive authorization to work. There are currently 53 state inspectors in the country, and this number has increased to 92 since January 1, 2025. Social workers, on the other hand, are public service workers responsible for child and family issues at the primary level. T. Ikhtamir, Head of the General Department for Child and Family Development and Protection, said, "We conducted professional training for 833 child and family social workers who will work nationwide across six regions. The primary responsibility is to ensure the government's policies and decisions concerning children and families are implemented at the primary level. In connection with this, social workers will cooperate with joint teams and provide assistance while ensuring coordination across sectors with other organizations. Previously, the child and family sector had no social workers. For the first time, the Child Protection Law has introduced social workers with specific professional indices assigned to them. This includes social workers, family researchers, sociologists, teachers, lawyers, psychologists, and those working in social protection. This is the first time the state has appointed social workers at the primary level in this field. Our sector previously had about 1,100 public servants, which will increase by 83%, bringing the number to approximately 1,900 staff. These individuals will work together to protect children's rights and prevent rights violations. S. Uchral, Analyst at the Family Policy Department, said, "In 2024, we renewed the Child Protection Law, introducing new regulations for child and family social workers at the primary level, such as districts and rural areas. Government resolution was issued in December 2024, setting a quota of 833 social workers nationwide. These are the nearest public officials capable of recognizing and addressing violations of child and family rights. This change represents a major reform in our system. In highly developed foreign countries, officials closest to children are an advantage. Therefore, Mongolia is now appointing new child and family social workers in primary state units. Today, 163 social workers working in nine districts of the capital city are participating in the training session. These social workers have signed employment contracts and met both the selection criteria and special requirements for public officials. We are concurrently organizing training sessions across six regions, with over 460 social workers newly appointed in provinces and rural areas. It is important to identify and understand at-risk conditions for children and families early. Social workers are expected to use their intuition to identify risk conditions, report them to professional organizations, and act as liaisons.

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Citizens Support Traffic Restriction by License Plate Evenness

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: ikon.mn

In connection with the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations, the traffic load in Ulaanbaatar has increased, leading to congestion. To manage the congestion, the City Governor's Office conducted a survey from February 13-15, seeking citizens' opinions on restricting traffic by alternating even and odd license plate numbers in the days leading up to the celebration. Upon inquiring about the survey results and any potential decisions from an official source, it was explained that "3,013 citizens participated in the survey, of which 50.04% or 1,508 supported the restriction of traffic by alternating even and odd license plate numbers. Meanwhile, 1,505 (49.95%) did not support it. As of now, no official decision has been made to restrict traffic in this manner." Notice: Media organizations (television, radio, social networks, and websites) must attribute our information to its source (ikon.mn) if using it, in whole or in part, in any form.

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Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: ikon.mn

At 10:00 AM in the BOEA conference hall, businesses will sign agreements related to using a one percent tax discount for reducing air pollution. At 11:00 AM in room 401 of the National Statistics Committee, the social and economic indicators of Mongolia for January 2025 will be presented. Notice: Media organizations (television, radio, social and web pages) must mention the source (ikon.mn) when fully or partially using our information for any purposes.

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Czech Citizen Dies While Climbing Mount Asralt Khairkhan

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: news.mn

A citizen of the Czech Republic tragically died while climbing Mount Asralt Khairkhan in Erdene District, Tuv Province. According to sources, the individual was associated with the "APU Hiking" club. Asralt Khairkhan is the highest peak of the Khentii Mountain Range, rising 2799 meters above sea level, and is located in the territory of Erdene District, Tuv Province. The mountain is part of the Khentii Mountains, which span across three provinces—Tuv, Selenge, and Khentii—and more than 10 districts. It belongs to the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area. Geographically, it falls under the jurisdiction of Erdene District in Tuv Province. Although it is over 90 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar, the terrain is challenging, making it take at least 5 to 6 hours to reach the main camp of Mount Asralt Khairkhan from Ulaanbaatar. Except for winter, it is extremely difficult for vehicles to navigate the muddy, slippery roads full of obstacles, making it nearly impossible for cars to access. Locals advise visiting during the summer, though there is still no possibility of vehicles reaching the site.

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Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The National Statistics Office has provided some figures about social welfare. As of January of this year, the number of people receiving welfare services decreased to 1.7 million, down by 526.4 thousand from the same period last year. In January, 185.9 billion tugriks were distributed for social welfare pensions, benefits, and service discounts. This is a decrease of 36.1 billion tugriks compared to the same period last year. Warning: Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) must credit the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, in whole or in part.

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Environment

Collaborating with Enterprises to Reduce Air Pollution

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ulaanbaatar City Municipality, the National Committee for Air Pollution Reduction, and representatives of enterprises have decided to work together and signed a memorandum of understanding. The Government of Mongolia has issued an appeal to reduce air pollution through the cooperation of government institutions and the support of the private sector. Additionally, the law provides for tax exemptions to private enterprises that invest in reducing air and environmental pollution. Within the scope of this partnership, enterprises will invest up to five billion tugriks to reduce air pollution in Ulaanbaatar. Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and member of the National Committee for Air Pollution Reduction, S. Odontuya, stated, "Reducing air pollution is not just an issue for one sector, ministry, or organization. It requires participation from many parties, including citizens, non-governmental organizations, and enterprises. The money donated by these companies within their corporate social responsibility will be effectively spent on reducing air pollution. The National Committee meeting will decide which projects to invest in and how to collaborate," she said. The "Social Responsibility and Collaboration Agreement to Reduce Environmental Pollution" was signed by 10 organizations, including "Monos Pharma", "SouthGobi Sands", "Boroo Gold", and "Monpolymet". It was emphasized that other enterprises could also make such agreements. As part of the agreement, "Monos" Group’s CEO L. Erdenechimeg announced the company will spend two billion tugriks this year on reducing air pollution. She said, "Over the past 10 years, trillions of tugriks have been spent on reducing air pollution, but it is unclear on what it was spent and by what percentage it decreased. Enterprises will participate in this activity under their own supervision. By monitoring whether the investment is being spent properly, I believe we will achieve noticeable results."

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Businesses Sign Contract up to 5 Billion MNT to Reduce Air Pollution

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Businesses have signed a joint contract with a budget of up to 5 billion MNT to participate in reducing air pollution. In a significant event for the city's air environment, companies agreed today to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) and Ulaanbaatar city's administration. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, S. Odontuya; the head of the National Committee for Air Pollution Reduction, D. Amgalan; the head of the Mayor's Office; and leaders of the participating companies. Specifically, companies like Monosfarm LLC, Southgobi Sands LLC, Boroo Gold LLC, Platinum Land LLC, Monpolymet LLC, Green Chemistry LLC, Sequoia Trade LLC, and Eco Mine Systems LLC contributed by signing the "Social Responsibility Contract to Reduce Environmental Pollution," ensuring their active participation in decreasing air pollution. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, S. Odontuya, expressed gratitude, saying, "Today marks a significant beginning for our city. Our future depends on the success of the companies that have taken the initial steps. Many other companies will join us inspired by your example. We formed agreements ranging from 500 million to 5 billion MNT today, and we will diligently allocate these company contributions towards reducing air pollution." L. Erdenechimeg, general director of Monosfarm Group, stated, "Monos Group has committed 2 billion MNT for this cause. Businesses are vital for this initiative due to the substantial expenses incurred over 10 years of attempting to combat air pollution, though the precise budget allocations and their effectiveness often remain unclear. Unfortunately, air pollution victims include our citizens, employees, and their families. Especially in our healthcare sector, child respiratory diseases and cancer have significantly increased due to pollution. Thus, allocating specific funds is crucial. Enterprises involved will monitor the spending to ensure its efficacy, trusting in the positive outcome," she explained.

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An Earthquake of Magnitude 6.4 Occurred 101 km from Ulaan Khus

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 struck near Kosh-Agach city in Russia at 09:48 Ulaanbaatar time. Specifically, the earthquake occurred 101 km northwest of the center of Ulaan Khus soum, 104 km north of Tsenkher soum, and 105 km west of the center of Nogoonnuur soum in the Bayan-Ölgii province. The tremors were felt in the western provinces, especially in Bayan-Ölgii, but no damage was reported. Interestingly, last year there were 22,610 earthquakes recorded in our country. Among these, there were 36 earthquakes with a magnitude of 3.5-4.4, and four with a magnitude of 4.5-5.6.

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Innovation

Oxford Researchers to Present Study on Mongolia's Cybersecurity

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: isee.mn

Researchers from the University of Oxford are set to present their report evaluating the current state of cybersecurity in Mongolia to the public. This study assesses Mongolia's cybersecurity capabilities across five dimensions: a) cybersecurity policy and strategy, b) cybersecurity culture and society, c) development of cybersecurity knowledge and skills, d) legal environment, and e) standards and technology. The assessment aims to identify the corresponding level of these areas and provide recommendations for future actions. The study is part of a global initiative by Oxford University researchers and Mongolia is the 95th country to be included in this project. It was conducted under the framework of a technical cooperation project to enhance cybersecurity human resource capacity, implemented by the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Innovation in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The study involved representatives from more than 100 organizations across government, private sector, and international entities.

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Health

Influenza Virus Spread Increases by 18.9%

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Surveillance (CIDRS) provided information on the status of influenza and influenza-like illnesses. The head of the Virology Laboratory at the center, Ts. Naranzul, stated, "In the past week, virology surveillance tests detected six types of pathogens in 60.9% of the specimens tested. Compared to the previous week, the spread of the virus has increased by 18.9%. The increase in virus spread in the last week may be related to the resumption of school and kindergarten activities. When specifying the percentages of the detected six types of pathogens, it shows that rhinoviruses and respiratory syncytial viruses are dominant, each accounting for 20.3%. Bocavirus was at 8.7%, which is a 4.7% increase from the previous week. However, the influenza H1N1 virus remains at the same level as the past week. Seasonal coronavirus was found in 2.9%, similar to previous results." N. Suvdmaa, the unit head at the center, stated, "Influenza and influenza-like illnesses remain scattered at epidemic levels nationwide. Influenza infections have increased by 5.1 cases per 10,000 people from the previous week, reaching 56.8 per 10,000 people nationally. Currently, this illness is scattered in 17 provinces and at an active level in four provinces."

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Received Three Out of Thirty-Five Essential Medications for Treating Childhood Cancer

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The international day for combating childhood cancer was observed last Saturday. This day has been celebrated globally since 2002 with the aim of improving public awareness about childhood cancer, protecting the physical and mental health of survivors and caregivers, and promoting the adoption of healthy behaviors. Our country has been observing this day since 2017 and has joined a global initiative to improve access to medications for childhood cancer and increase recovery rates. As part of this effort, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, is participating in the "Global Platform for Improving Access to Childhood Cancer Medication." Through this platform, it was decided to receive 35 essential medications. Initially, three types of medication were received. Under this cooperation agreement, cancer medications will be continuously supplied to our country over the next five years. It should be noted that in Mongolia, approximately 100-120 children aged 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer each year and are treated at the National Cancer Center.

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Health Insurance Fund Revenue Reaches ₮203.7 Billion

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Some numerical information regarding the health sector was presented by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The head of the General Statistics Office of the committee, T. Tegshjargal, said, "In January 2025, the number of live births was 4.7 thousand, which is an increase of 21 compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of deaths was 1.5 thousand, decreasing by one. The number of people suffering from infectious diseases in January this year was 3,000, which is a decrease of 32 compared to the same period last year." In January, the Health Insurance Fund's revenue amounted to 203.7 billion tugriks, showing an increase of 97 billion tugriks compared to the same period last year. The total expenditure on health services reached 275.9 billion tugriks, an increase of 73.6 billion tugriks. As of January, the number of people insured under health insurance was 2.4 million. Compared to the previous year, this has decreased by 79.8 thousand, mainly influenced by the reduction of 94.4 thousand people whose premiums were covered by the state budget. Warning: Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must mention the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, either in full or in part.

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Income of the Health Insurance Fund Increased by 97 Billion MNT

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The income of the Health Insurance Fund reached 203.7 billion MNT as of last month, which is an increase of 97 billion MNT compared to the same period of the previous year. In addition, the total costs of support services amounted to 275.9 billion MNT, marking a rise of 73.6 billion MNT. Meanwhile, the number of insured individuals in the health insurance scheme reached 2.4 million as of January, a decrease of 79.8 thousand compared to the previous year, according to statistics. The National Statistics Office reported that the primary reason for this decrease is the drop of 94.4 thousand individuals whose premiums were covered by the state budget.

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STUDY: Iodine Deficiency Increases Risk of Brain Damage and Developmental Disabilities in Infants

Published: 2025-02-17 | Translated from: gogo.mn

UNICEF conducted the sixth National Nutrition Survey of the Population of Mongolia. This study evaluated the pressing issues of nutrition and provided statistics to help accurately understand trends in nutritional inequalities. The full survey results can be read HERE. Key highlights from the survey include: Stunting prevalence:
From 2017 to 2023, stunting prevalence increased from 6.1% to 8.4%, with the highest rates in the Khangai (11.2%) and Western (11.9%) regions. The disparity between urban (7.2%) and rural (11.2%) areas remains significant. Wasting prevalence:
In the Western region, wasting prevalence increased from 1.3% to 2.9%, doubling over the period. This emphasizes the need for urgent and effective measures to promote children's health and development. Iodine deficiency prevalence:
Iodine deficiency in Mongolia has increased again, as the iodine content in the urine of children and pregnant women has decreased, raising the risk of brain damage and developmental disabilities in infants. Proper nutrition for women and children:
Only 30.4% of young children eat properly. 42.2% of young children regularly consume unhealthy foods, and 36.7% drink sugary beverages. Only 15.3% of pregnant women and 14.3% of mothers consume five types of food products: animal-based foods, starchy foods, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Micronutrient deficiency prevalence:
One in five children under five, and 22.3% of pregnant women have anemia. 40% of pregnant women are iron deficient. 90% of women and school-aged children have mild vitamin D deficiency. 50% of adults and 20% of school-aged children are overweight. These statistics indicate a decline in the quality of nutrition during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. UNICEF supports the Ministry of Health and the National Center for Public Health in Mongolia through the following channels: - Strengthening the legal environment to improve the nutritional status of the population. - Increasing investment focused on children's nutrition in Mongolia: treating acute nutritional deficiencies, implementing supplementary nutrition programs, and supporting school and kindergarten nutrition initiatives. - Developing and implementing a "Plan to Improve Nutrition" within the framework of the "Healthy Mongolian Citizen" national program. - Ensuring the implementation of the fortified food law to reduce micronutrient deficiencies among Mongolian women and children. - Implementing climate-appropriate nutrition services for children and combating climate crises. Source: UNICEF

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Today's Stories

Politics

Economy

Diplomacy

Infrastructure

Society

Environment

Innovation

Health

Politics

Standing Committee Resolution Approves 2025 Plan for Implementing Parliament's 2024-2028 Strategic Plan

Attempt to Bribe to Prevent 7 Foreign Citizens from Leaving Mongolia Sent to Court

Will Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene Deliver Good Times or Enhanced Propaganda?

Establishing a Legal Framework to Ensure Citizens' Rights Instead of Prioritizing State Operations

54th Meeting of the OANA Executive Board Begins

L. Enkh-Amgalan: A Bill on Private Additional Pension Will Be Submitted

Standing Committee: Conducted the first discussion on the draft law to amend the law on the legal status of New Zuunmod city

Economy

Mongolian financial institution officially listed on the London Stock Exchange for the first time

Historic Event: Invescore Financial Group Listed on the London Stock Exchange

State Budget Revenue Decreased by 36.7%

Total Revenue of National Unified Budget Decreased by 36% Compared to the Same Period Last Year

The average border price of coal traded with China drops to $81 per ton, $38 lower compared to the same period last year

Entrepreneurs Overcome Difficult Times by Joining the "Program to Support Small and Medium Enterprises"

Employment in the Mining Sector Grows in Orkhon and Selenge Provinces in the Last 15 Years

Inflation rate increases to 9.6% nationwide due to food prices

Rio Tinto and Invescore's joint program preserves over 800 jobs

How Countries Implement Personal Income Taxes

Discussion Held Within the “Increasing Economic Turnover of the Agricultural Sector” Project

Is the Drop in Coal Prices Related to Contracts?

L. Zolbaatar: 60% of Citizens Support Government Acquisition of 34% of Strategically Important Deposits /VIDEO/

Preliminary performance of last year shows a 4.9% growth in the national economy

Five Provinces Connected to Border Port to Boost Trade

National Producers Support the 'White Gold' Movement

The Expenditures of the Social Insurance Fund Reached 482.7 Billion MNT

Diplomacy

NBC: US to Conduct Joint Talks with Russian and Ukrainian Representatives

"The Economic Times": Indian and Mongolian Border Forces to Collaborate

Will Only America and Russia Participate in Peace Talks for the Russia-Ukraine War?

Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg to Visit Oman

Dornogovi: Memorandum of Understanding Signed

Infrastructure

Connecting the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Cross-Border Railway in 3 Years for T₮ 974 Billion

A Cross-Border Railway Agreement Was Signed at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Point

What Role Will Mongolia Play in the Gashuunsukhait-Ganmod Border Railway Connection?

Ulaanbaatar's General Development Plan Until 2040 to be Presented

DORNOGOV: Solar Power Plant of 8-10 MW to be Built

Next Week's Odd-Even Car Restriction in Ulaanbaatar

The Railway Dispute is Over!

Construction and Major Repair Work Totaled 9.2 Trillion Tugrik in 2024

Society

Selenge: Will Collaborate with South Korea in Education, Agriculture, and Tourism

833 Child and Family Social Workers to Be Deployed Nationally

Citizens Support Traffic Restriction by License Plate Evenness

EVENT: Presentation of Mongolia's Social and Economic Indicators for January 2025

Czech Citizen Dies While Climbing Mount Asralt Khairkhan

NSO: 1.7 million people receiving social welfare services

Environment

Collaborating with Enterprises to Reduce Air Pollution

Businesses Sign Contract up to 5 Billion MNT to Reduce Air Pollution

An Earthquake of Magnitude 6.4 Occurred 101 km from Ulaan Khus

Innovation

Oxford Researchers to Present Study on Mongolia's Cybersecurity

Health

Influenza Virus Spread Increases by 18.9%

Received Three Out of Thirty-Five Essential Medications for Treating Childhood Cancer

Health Insurance Fund Revenue Reaches ₮203.7 Billion

Income of the Health Insurance Fund Increased by 97 Billion MNT

STUDY: Iodine Deficiency Increases Risk of Brain Damage and Developmental Disabilities in Infants

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