Feb 20, 2025 75 min read Daily News Summaries

Mongolia News Summary for February 20, 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

The Government Meeting Resolved the Following Issues

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The regular meeting of the Government was held, and the following issues were discussed and resolved. The dividend of "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" will be distributed in February and April of this year. The company "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" JSC presented to the Government meeting regarding the distribution of dividends from its net income for 2024. According to the Government's resolution No. 225 dated December 20, 2024, based on the year-end financial performance, a decision was made to distribute the appropriate portion of the net income to citizens in the form of dividends as stipulated by law. It was calculated that from the net income of 2024, a dividend of 350 thousand MNT per person holding 1,072 shares would be distributed in three parts, with 130 thousand MNT already given in December. It was considered appropriate to distribute the remaining dividend in equal portions on the 28th of this month and in April. According to the Parliament's resolution No. 10 of 2024 and the Government's resolution No. 45 of 2024, every citizen born or naturalized between April 12, 2012, and December 31, 2023, is to receive 1,072 shares of "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" JSC free of charge, which results in 26.4% of the company being owned by the citizens of Mongolia, 0.06% by national enterprises, and 73.5% by "Erdenes Mongol" LLC. The name of the state-owned enterprise "Mongolrosvetmet" has been changed to "Mongolian Critical Minerals Mining" State-Owned Enterprise, and its charter was approved with attachments. In order to provide the necessary financial resources for exploring, using, mining, and processing critical minerals, the organization and structure of "Mongolian Critical Minerals Mining" SOE will be restructured and a new organizational framework established, and relevant officials have been instructed to ensure effective management. The Government's action plan for 2024-2028 includes the implementation of 14 mega projects under four main policy directions. Additionally, it is stated that "Projects for processing rare earth elements will be supported as a policy," considering "Mongolrosvetmet" SOE’s infrastructure, experience, human resource capability, it has been designated to be responsible for the research, exploration, mining, processing, and beneficiation of rare earth elements, and its name and activities have been revised accordingly. In line with ensuring the implementation of the Law on the National Wealth Fund, changes to the enterprise’s charter have been made such that "Erdenes Mongol" LLC will manage the group's operations with an integrated strategic plan, management, and governance, and dividends from state-owned shares are to be centralized and allocated to the Accumulation Fund as prescribed by the National Wealth Fund Law. The remaining funds are to be used for financing projects and programs aimed at business development that creates future income and value, thereby enhancing the benefits of underground resources and equitably sharing them with citizens. Brief News Regarding some measures to enhance gold extraction, the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ts. Tuvaan, presented to the members of the Government. In connection with the presentation, measures to organize the "Gold-3" campaign were ordered, aiming to increase the country's foreign exchange reserves, reduce the pressure on the balance of payments and the exchange rate of the tugrik, and ensure economic stability. The Minister of Energy, B. Choijilsuren, presented to the Government members concerning the amendment of the "Guidelines for providing electricity tariff concessions to households in ger districts" to support households that resolved their heating through electricity. It was decided to revisit the issue at the next Government meeting.

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If Violations of the Law are Proven, MCS's License Will be Revoked

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: news.mn

A working group tasked with investigating the issuance of a special permit for the extraction of minerals at the strategically important Tavan Tolgoi coal deposit to a private business, and to analyze previous decisions made by the Parliament and Government, has been established by the order of Mongolia's Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene. This working group is headed by the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs, O. Altanbayer. Following this order, there were reports in the media and social networks that the director of "MCS" Group's Security Service was arrested by the Anti-Corruption General Directorate (ATG). Therefore, Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs O. Altanbayer was asked to clarify this matter: - Is it true that the director of "MCS" Group's Security Service was arrested by the ATG? - The arrest of an "MCS" Group employee has no connection with the activities of our working group. It is true that certain individuals have been detained. Law enforcement authorities conduct operations in accordance with Mongolian law, aimed at protecting national security. However, a private business has illegally conducted operations, unlawfully obtained state secrets, and it is said that they had a special organization on their side. Therefore, this matter is currently under investigation. No large company can conduct operations illegally. State secrets are protected by law. No one can operate above the law or state secrets of Mongolia. - What was the purpose of the company's operations? - There is no specific information available. It is related to state and investigative secrecy. - Who has been detained and how many people have been arrested? - A person named Tsermandakh has been detained. How many people have been detained is unknown. - What is the purpose of your working group? - The activities of the working group are quite clear. We will investigate whether any laws were broken when "MCS" Group received Uhaa Khudag in 2007 by resolution of the Parliament, and which officials were involved. - If violations of the law are proven, will the state take over? - If violations of the law are proven, the special permit will be revoked. Since it is a strategic deposit, the Government of Mongolia and the Parliament will decide who will own it. - Are all strategic deposits going to be examined, or is the focus only on one company? - Not all companies owning strategic deposits will be examined. There is no focus on just one company. The investigation is to determine if the transfer of a license to private business was lawful, and whether any officials were involved. - You are a member of the Democratic Party. Why do you advocate for the confiscation of private property? - I did not say private property will be confiscated. Illegally obtained assets must be confiscated. Unfortunately, there is no law regarding this. In the past, Mongolia has issued a pardon law to forgive corrupt officials.

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FACT: "Officials who allegedly traveled at the invitation and expense of the CU company were on a business trip to South Korea at their own expense"

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: isee.mn

Public officials who allegedly traveled to South Korea on a five-day working trip at the invitation and expense of the CU company have come under public scrutiny. In response to this matter, the Coalition of Kiosk Vendors held a briefing and announced that they would demand an investigation of the relevant officials by the Anti-Corruption Agency. The City of Ulaanbaatar took countermeasures and posted an official order issued by the city's manager online. Specifically, G. Batzorig, the General Manager of Ulaanbaatar City and Head of the Governor’s Office, issued an order titled "On Assigning Official Duty Abroad." According to this order, "...named officials are to be sent on official duty at their own expense to the Republic of Korea. Paid leave will be granted to officials during the period of their assignment."

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Provisions of the New Regulation on Exploration Licenses

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The selection process for issuing exploration licenses has been registered in the legislative documents by the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs. The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced that they will conduct a trial soon and start re-issuing licenses. The government held a meeting today where the new regulations for exploration were introduced. Provisions of the new regulation on exploration licenses: - Exploration licenses will be granted through a selection process for 50% of the total announced areas. - The price proposal ratio for the selection process, which was previously 70/30, has been changed to 60/40. - Previously, only one participant would be selected. If that person did not place their bid, the selection process would be considered null and void. Now, two participants will be selected. - The base price, which was previously 4500 MNT, has been increased to 7000 MNT. Since 2014, exploration and operation licenses have been issued through a selection process. As per this, exploration licenses are only issued according to the Minerals Law. According to Article 17 of the Minerals Law, distinguishing the areas for the selection process is a function of the state administrative body, which notifies in writing and electronically to the governor of the relevant province or capital city when determining the coordinates of the area. Also, according to Article 17.2 of the law, the governor of the province or capital city is required to respond to the state administrative body within 45 days, and if no response is given within this period, the proposal is considered approved. (Suggestions are only taken from the governor of the province or capital city.) Article 17.3 of the law provides that the coordinates of the area for issuing exploration licenses will be approved by the government based on the proposal of the central state administrative body in charge of geology and mining affairs as mentioned in Article 17.2.

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O.Altangerel: MCS Group Conducted Illegal Operations and Breached State Secrets

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Yesterday, it was reported that the police arrested authorized officials of MCS Group. Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs O. Altangerel provided clarification on the grounds for the arrest of employees from a private company. He stated, "It is true that certain individuals have been detained. The Mongolian state and law enforcement agencies conduct operations or special activities based on legal grounds outlined in the law. These are meant to protect the rights and freedoms of Mongolians and safeguard the national security of the Mongolian state. However, private enterprises have conducted illegal operations and unlawfully obtained state secrets. In other words, there are discussions about private enterprises having special agencies attached to them. Certain individuals suspected in this matter have been detained and are being investigated. No matter how wealthy or large they are, private companies in Mongolia cannot conduct operations. State secrets are protected by law. No one can act above the law of the Mongolian state and conduct operations. Special technical means for operations cannot be used. Within this principle, investigation activities are being carried out. It is not possible to discuss in detail issues related to state secrets and investigation secrets."

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Why Was the Head of Legal Department of "MCS Group" Detained by Intelligence?

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

There are reports circulating on online news outlets that claim the Head of the Legal Department of "MCS Group" company, Colonel Z. Törmandakh, who is currently in retirement, has been detained. It is said that he was arrested in connection with the verification of how the special license for the Ukhaa Khudag deposit, utilized by "Energy Resources" LLC under "MCS Group", was granted, in relation to establishing the government's shareholding in the strategic deposit. When inquiries were made with law enforcement agencies regarding this matter, a confirmation was given that "Intelligence has begun investigating Colonel Z. Törmandakh." However, when contacting the General Intelligence Agency for further information, no additional details were provided.

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Ts.Tuvaan: Decision Made to Resume Issuing Exploration Licenses Stalled in 2024

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: isee.mn

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Ts.Tuvaan provided information about the decision made during the government meeting. He mentioned, "During the government meeting, a decision was made to include critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements, as part of the agenda. In other countries, the issue of rare earth elements is becoming a very important topic in modern geopolitics and energy transition. It's reaching very important policy levels. The extraction, sale, and production of critical minerals, which includes rare earth elements, that are necessary for keeping up with rapid developments in energy transition, green transition, and digital equipment, have become very important. Therefore, today's decision is timely." The next issue presented to the government was about awarding exploration licenses and conducting selection processes. Since April 2024, exploration licenses have not been issued. This issue is often discussed by our private sector businesses and foreign investment companies. Today, Mongolia has more than 2,700 licenses, over 900 of which are exploration licenses. The issue of issuing exploration licenses has been stalled due to political and electoral reasons. The procedure for selection has been approved by an ordinance of the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and sent to the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs to be registered in the Public Adhesion Journal, thus opening the issue of granting exploration licenses.

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Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The Law on the National Wealth Fund stipulates that 34% or 50% of strategic and inherited resources are to be taken under state control, and dividends will be accumulated in every citizen’s account. Consequently, the government has appointed J. Batzandan as the plenipotentiary representative to negotiate with legal entities holding licenses for strategic and inherited mining resources. The law specifies that within a year of its implementation, companies holding these resources must negotiate with the government to transfer 34% or 50% to the state; if not achieved in time, the government will appoint a plenipotentiary representative. If exploration is conducted with state funds, 50% will be taken; if explored with private funds, the state will take 34%. It turns out that a considerable number of the current 126 members possess or have connections with these strategic and inherited resources. Specifically, MCS Company, related to Minister of Labor and Social Protection L. Enkh-Amgalan, holds the Ukhaa Khudag and Baruun Naran resources of Tavan Tolgoi. Meanwhile, MAK Company, associated with State Great Khural member N. Noyonbayar, possesses the Tsagaan Suvarga and Nariin Sukhait resources. State Great Khural member D. Ganbat is related to "Tsaikhar Minerals," and State Great Khural member E. Bat-Amgalan is associated with "Copper Erdene" and the inherited resources of the Erdenet plant. Attention is drawn to whether these honorable members will negotiate with the state within the stipulated timeframe to transfer the required share of their resources. The government’s plenipotentiary representative, J. Batzandan, stated, "The plenipotentiary representative has been given the authority to negotiate with entities holding the rights to strategic resource areas. Large working groups are being established under the government. These groups, in collaboration with professional organizations, researchers, and consulting organizations, will conduct thorough research. Each company and each resource area has its own characteristics. Therefore, we will study the uniqueness of each resource area and soon formulate strategic policies based on professional assessments. Negotiations will proceed transparently, openly, and in a manner that ensures mutual benefit." Negotiations between the state and holders of strategic and inherited resources are expected to commence in the coming days.

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N. Uchral: Seven Ministries' 36 Regulations Overridden by Law Have Been Cancelled

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

N. Uchral, the Minister of Mongolia and Head of the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of Mongolia, announced today during the introduction of decisions made by the government meeting that "As of now, 36 regulations from seven ministries that were overridden by law have been canceled." He further explained, "In connection with the adoption of the Law on Permits, the work of canceling regulations overridden by law continues. During today's government meeting, the directive for a regulation from 2006 affecting the environmental sector was canceled by a government resolution. Ministries and state administrative organizations were repeatedly provided with the requirement to cancel regulations that override the law as necessary." The Permits Council held a meeting yesterday to appoint professional inspectors and form a working group to oversee the activities of authorized bodies not implementing the law. Additionally, regulations disguised as certificates were canceled. Furthermore, the cost of certificates will no longer be charged to citizens, thus creating conditions for a less bureaucratic operation. Follow @montsame.mn

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Discussion on 'Implementation of Standards and Legal Environment' to be Held

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

A comprehensive session of discussions involving experts, researchers, and representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations on the implementation of standards in various sectors and the legal environment will be held at the State Palace on the 21st of this month. The working group, tasked with making proposals to update the legal framework of standards and drafting the relevant legislative projects, was established by the order of the Speaker of the State Great Khural in 2024. Member of Parliament O. Batnairamdal heads this working group, consisting of Members of Parliament J. Zoljargal, J. Aldarjavkhlan, E. Batshugar, D. Ganmaa, G. Luvsanjamts, M. Mandkhai, B. Punsalmaa, O. Saranchuluun, S. Tsenguun, M. Enkhtsetseg, and S. Erdenebold. The working group, in cooperation with the government, is organizing a "Standard Implementation and Legal Environment" discussion from the 19th to the 21st of this month, with the responsibility to draft relevant legislative projects and present them during the regular spring session of the State Great Khural in 2025. On the first day, discussions will focus on the implementation of standards and the legal environment in the construction and health sectors, whereas discussions on the implementation of standards and the legal environment in the food sector and the environmental sector will take place on the 20th of this month.

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Member of Parliament E. Bolormaa Demands Reinstatement

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Representatives from the Freedom Implementing and other small parties demanded the reinstatement of Member of Parliament E. Bolormaa yesterday. "E. Bolormaa clearly received donations from the offshore company ‘Khanbogd Exploration’ registered in the British Virgin Islands while running for Parliament last year. This is a serious violation of the election law, an unlawful act of seizing state power. Therefore, she should be recalled from her position as a member and held accountable. After investigating the source of the donation funds, it is appropriate to decide whether to use them or not. In cases where money has come from a foreign company, it should be returned to the account or made state revenue. However, E. Bolormaa irresponsibly stated, 'How am I supposed to know where the money came from?' If she is not held accountable, we will move to the next form of struggle. If E. Bolormaa is not held accountable, the government and Parliament should also dissolve," representatives of small parties stated.

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Economy

Wants to Collaborate on Oil Exploration in Mongolia to Increase Reserves

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Ts. Tuvaan met with a delegation including Vice-President of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) Nü Shuanwen and Director General of the Department of International Cooperation Dai Lici in Beijing. China's state-owned China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC), established on February 9, 1990, is one of the world's largest oil and gas producers and suppliers. It is a comprehensive international conglomerate with global and regional reach involved in domestic and international oil and gas exploration, development, new energy, oil refining, and investment. At the beginning of the meeting, the parties noted the successful collaboration in the field of oil exploration, research, production, and extraction, expressing confidence that the partnership will further expand and develop as a result of both parties' efforts. It was mentioned that Mongolia plans to put its oil refinery into operation by 2028. Minister Ts. Tuvaan stated that they have been successfully cooperating with a major influential company of our eternal neighbor, China, on oil exploration, research, production, and extraction. There is interest in further intensifying and launching this cooperation at a new stage. He mentioned that Mongolia is implementing a project to build an oil refinery, which is scheduled to be operational by 2028, emphasizing the necessity to intensify oil exploration and increase reserves to ensure continuous, stable supply of raw materials for the plant. Therefore, SINOPEC, a major investor, collaborator, with technological, financial, and human resource capacity, and extensive experience, is desired to conduct exploratory research and work towards increasing reserves in Mongolia's open oil exploration areas. Minister Tuvaan also emphasized that cooperation on natural gas research, exploration, and extraction is crucial and possible at this time. The China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation has been a contractor and operator of Mongolia's Zuunbayan project since 2001. Until the end of 2024, this project extracted and exported one million tons of crude oil. It contributed $184 million to the Mongolian budget and paid $133 million under the production sharing agreement and mineral resource use fee. The project created a total of 151 jobs locally. The project, with a lifespan until 2031, has been operating steadily and normally, Vice-President Nü Shuanwen reported. He expressed gratitude for the attention and support provided for SINOPEC's Dongsheng company's oil operations in the Shenli oil field. He proposed extending the project's duration within the framework of mutual interest and support of both countries, as the project needs to continue for the long term. SINOPEC is an international company implementing responsible mining, operating in a stable, long-term, and reliable manner according to the laws and regulations at all levels. They expressed willingness to collaborate in oil, natural gas, and renewable energy sectors. The parties agreed to exchange proposals on these areas and to form a working group to proceed together.

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The Economic Development Council Will Focus on Attracting Foreign Investment

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

At the regular meeting of the Economic Development Council under the Prime Minister, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene emphasized the renewal of the council according to international standards. The council aims to provide support to investors and business owners, attract investments, and promote partnerships between the public and private sectors and business development. The Economic Development Council consists of representatives from the legislative and executive branches, the President's institution, research and scientific organizations, and investors and business owners. The goal is to elevate the council's role and scope to match the benchmark of the Economic Development Councils of countries like Singapore and Bahrain, with 51% of the work focusing on attracting foreign investment. The Prime Minister noted the strategy of Business Friendly Mongolia, which aims to "lead" Mongolia into the rapidly changing international business environment. The government is targeting three transitions: artificial intelligence and high technology transition, green development transition, and human resources transition. The main leverage of the new economic structure will be the wealth creators, with a policy to support them in implementing these transitions. Preparations for the Mongolian Economic Forum in July should focus on delivering tangible results rather than just organization. Regarding the tax environment, it is more appropriate to involve all parties—government, citizens, businesses—rather than focusing on a single aspect. The council is encouraged to work proactively by consolidating all recommendations from various parties. Deputy Prime Minister T. Dorjkhad shared the outcomes of Mongolia's participation in the 55th World Economic Forum, while the Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development, I. Batkhuu, presented on "Business Environment Evaluation" criteria and business environment indexes. In 2020, Mongolia ranked 81st out of 190 countries on the Ease of Doing Business index, and in 2024, it ranked 76th out of 176 countries on the Economic Freedom Index. Citizens and the private sector have expressed concerns about reducing procedural hurdles in starting businesses and registering property, improving the electronic system for permits, lowering loan interest rates and types of taxes, stopping ineffective subsidies, reducing government involvement in the securities market, changing lengthy documentation processes for foreign trade, and addressing the weak rights protection for investors, excessive bureaucracy, poor court operations, and inadequate corruption control. The government should stop redundantly requiring information from citizens and directly grant permissions when simplified conditions are met, and use QR codes for permission processes, as highlighted by Minister and Head of the Cabinet Secretariat N. Uchral in presenting the implementation and challenges of the new Approval Law. The Executive Director of the Ulaanbaatar Chamber of Commerce, B. Khash-Erdene, presented feedback from around 600 businesses regarding the reform of the General Tax Law. These suggestions and the comprehensive tax reform project developed by the Ministry of Finance are set to be discussed at the council's meeting next week. In addition to revising the General Tax Law, the tax philosophy should be reconsidered. There is a need for a specialized court for tax disputes, with specialized judges and prosecutors, and tax inspectors should be technologically knowledgeable. Moreover, there are many issues in the Approval Law that need attention. Disputes arising in the business environment should be resolved by the Arbitration Commission under the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry or independent professional judges, without overburdening the court system. The high level of social insurance premiums and the obligation for organizations to pay health insurance premiums should be reconsidered. The council meeting appointed D. Zorig as the Executive Director and H. Ganhuyag as the Deputy Director of the Economic Development Council. Additionally, a structure to support investment under the council will be established.

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Sxcoal: Reasons for the Decline in Mongolia's Coal Exports

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: itoim.mn

In the past few decades, Mongolia's economy has shifted from agriculture to mining. In 2000, the mining sector accounted for 5.4% of the country's economy, whereas today it accounts for 30%. In recent years, mining has represented about 90% of total exports and 70% of foreign direct investment. However, Mongolia's reliance on this sector has made its economy very vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices and geopolitical conditions. For example, the decline in commodity prices on the world market in 2015-2016 and the closure of border crossings during the 2020 pandemic greatly destabilized the country’s economic stability. Although the physical volume of coal exports remained at the 2023 level and reached a historical high in 2024, export revenues decreased by 1.3% due to the fall in coal market prices. China's economic activity is slow, uncertainty persists in the real estate and steel markets, and there is a surplus of coal reserves among buyers, all contributing to the price drop. As of January 2025, the average price per unit of coal decreased by 29.2% compared to the same period last year. The sharp decline in the physical volume of coal and copper exports, coupled with a drop in prices, has been the main factor in Mongolia starting its foreign trade heavily in 2025. In early 2023, coal began to be traded on the stock exchange in order to promote open and transparent trading of mining products and to establish a market-based pricing system. The main factors affecting the decline in Mongolia's coal exports are: 1. China's domestic economic activity is weak. China's economic growth has slowed significantly due to difficulties in the real estate sector, reduced consumer spending, and declined investment, which is lower compared to previous years. Over the past three years, the authorities have started taking monetary and fiscal support measures to revive the real estate sector, which has been in decline. However, this has negatively impacted steel production and weakened coal demand. Given the weak domestic economic activity, Chinese steel manufacturers have directed their sales to foreign markets, raising steel exports to their highest level since 2015. Although this has helped prevent a crisis in the steel market, the 25% tariff imposed by Trump on Chinese steel and aluminum products has posed a challenge to the industry's prospects. Mongolia's Mineral Exchange System Coal can be exported through two main channels: exchange trading and signing long-term contracts with other companies. In exchange trading, buyers receive the coal at the border several months after fully paying the price. If prices rise during this period, buyers profit. If prices fall, the buyers incur a loss. Given the decline in real estate and uncertainty in the steel market, making large purchases through the exchange poses a high risk of loss. Additionally, the absence of an auction system where buyers and sellers agree on a mutually agreed price impedes buyers from securing coal at competitive market prices. This arrangement, which benefits sellers on the exchange, is contributing to the decline in coal trading.

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Government Issues New Bond and Manages Debt for Two Existing Bonds

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: news.mn

The Government of Mongolia has issued a $500 million bond with a 6.625% interest rate and a term of five years on the international financial market. This was done to manage debt by repurchasing the "Nomad" and "Century II" bonds with the proceeds of the new bond. Investment orders for the "Century IV" bond exceeded the offering size 8.2 times, reaching $4.1 billion. According to Finance Minister B. Javkhlan, "This high demand on the international market shows an increase in investor confidence in Mongolia. Consequently, the spread, or risk premium, on our country's bonds has decreased to a historic low of 2.27%, allowing us to set the bond's interest rate below the secondary market rates. During the "Century IV" bond trading period, although higher-rated countries like Uzbekistan, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic also issued bonds, we managed to issue bonds at an interest rate 0.1 to 0.4 percentage points lower than theirs. This opens up possibilities for domestic enterprises to access international financial markets with lower financing costs." The successful foreign debt management by the government has improved debt sustainability, enabling the country to repay the remaining amount of the 2026 "Nomad" bond without straining the budget or the economy. This effort reduces foreign debt levels, improves the country's credit rating, and contributes to ensuring macroeconomic stability.

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Discussions on Dividends from "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The regular meeting of the government is being held at the State Palace. During the meeting, issues such as the dividends of "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC, the increase in tariffs for electricity consumers, and the report and results of geological research conducted over the last 5 years with state budget funds, among others, will be discussed. A total of 32 issues are scheduled for discussion and review.

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Household and Electricity Consumers' Tariff Increase Discussion Underway

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The regular session of the government continues. In today's session, discussions are being held about: - The tariff increase for households and electricity consumers - The dividends of Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC - Reports and results of geological survey projects implemented over the past 5 years with state budget funds, among 32 items. Source: Government

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Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

“Mongolian Stock Exchange” JSC’s Board of Directors has decided to distribute a dividend of 47 MNT per share according to a resolution passed in a meeting. The dividend will be distributed to shareholders through the "Central Securities Depository" LLC by April 30 of this year. The company had previously distributed 11 MNT 79 möngö per share, calculated after tax deductions, in 2023.

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"Mongolrostsvetmet" to Work in Critical Minerals Sector and Announce Exploration Areas Before PDAC Conference

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: itoim.mn

In today's Cabinet meeting, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources discussed and decided on three issues. The Minister for the sector, Ts. Tuvaan, provided information about this. He stated, "During the Cabinet meeting, the name and operational direction of the state-owned enterprise 'Mongolrostsvetmet' under the control of Erdenes Mongol was changed. Its direction has been shifted to operate in modern mining, specifically focusing on critical minerals, and a decision was made to rename it 'Erdenes Critical Minerals.' Recently, more than 60% of investment discussions and conferences in the mining sector have focused on critical minerals. This decision aligns with this developmental trend. Our ministry also has a department for critical minerals, and I have engaged an advisor specializing in rare earth elements to discuss these issues within the framework of state policy. Additionally, we will present issues related to critical minerals, including rare earth elements, to the government again in the near future. Secondly, the issue of granting exploration permits in the territory of Mongolia was discussed. Since April 2024, Mongolia has not issued exploration permits, which has been repeatedly mentioned as a barrier to investment, affecting domestic businesses. As of now, out of approximately 2,700 licenses issued, about 900 are exploration licenses. Internationally, exploration licenses tend to be 5-6 times more than exploitation licenses for new deposit discovery. However, this ratio has been inverted in our country. Furthermore, exploration work has stagnated due to political and various other reasons. Our ministry has established and forwarded the selection regulations for issuing exploration permits to the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs. Once registered in the public procedures, granting of exploration permits will commence. We will announce the opening of exploration areas before the PDAC mining investment conference. Thirdly, the initiative to increase and intensify gold purchases was presented," he said.

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Study on the Prospects of Zinc in Mongolia Published

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Mining Department of the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority conducted a study on the prospect of zinc, providing information about the global zinc market, the geology of zinc in Mongolia, exploration, licenses for use, the current status of exploitation, and future prospects. In Mongolia, there are 11 metallogenic regions with zinc-bearing polymetallic prospects, and 139 occurrences with a total zinc deposit of 106.7 million tons, while 10 deposits have a registered reserve of 2.18 million tons of zinc. In the territory of Mongolia, five projects of zinc deposits or polymetallic deposits containing zinc are conducting exploitation activities. Since 2016, these deposits have provided employment for 940 to 2,430 people annually, produced 100,000 to 150,000 tons of zinc concentrate for export, generated sales of 207 to 639 billion MNT, and paid 44 to 517 billion MNT in taxes and fees to the state and local budgets. Additionally, there are 17 projects that have completed technical and economic feasibility studies but have not yet commenced production of zinc-containing products. Within the framework of 22 projects that are prepared for exploitation or are in operation from 2024 to 2063, it is planned to employ a total of 5,644 people over 40 years, produce 18.04 million tons of zinc products containing 2.1 million tons of zinc, achieve sales revenue of 19.1 trillion MNT, and contribute 4.5 trillion MNT to the state and local budgets. According to the metrics of each project, annually an average of 67 to 804 people will be employed, 1.7 to 164.2 thousand tons of zinc concentrate will be produced for export, generating sales revenue of 4.9 to 1,556.0 billion MNT, and 0.8 to 437.8 billion MNT in taxes and fees will be paid to the state and local budgets. The Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority reported that the full report of the research work can be seen here.

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N. Uchral: The Dividend for 1072 Shares Will Be Distributed Quarterly

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: news.mn

During the government meeting, N. Uchral, the head of the Government's Cabinet Secretariat, provided information regarding the issues discussed and decided in the meeting. N. Uchral stated that a report was given on the measures taken to implement the National Wealth Fund law. The working group determining the state ownership share in strategic deposits has been re-established. In accordance with the 2007 Parliament resolution, the state ownership share in 16 strategic deposits and approximately 50 additional resource deposits has been determined, and work to gradually increase citizens' savings accounts and deposits will continue. Financial and legal independent experts will be employed to carry out work based on the win-win principle for both the state and the private sector. The working group will sit at the negotiation table and establish the foundational principle of how 51% of the subsoil wealth will be distributed to citizens. During the "Orano" investment agreement, it was ensured that 51% of the returns from the natural wealth would be directly shared through the agreement. As long as a fee is being collected for the utilization of natural resources, the substituted portion will appear in your savings as shown on E-Mongolia, establishing the legal framework that when negotiating on strategic deposits, the state should not be involved in private management but instead collect the utilization fee and transfer it to the citizens' savings accounts. This environment is intended to be created as large mega projects are implemented. In the government meeting, a presentation by the management of "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC regarding the distribution of dividends from its 1072 shares was heard. Information about how the dividends of "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC will be distributed was obtained. The government expressed a specific position as a shareholder of "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC. The final decision will be made by the company's Board of Directors. Within the measures implemented by the government in "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC, increased sales revenue has created the possibility to distribute dividends initially as an advance payment of around 100 thousand tugriks. It is deemed appropriate to distribute dividends incrementally on a quarterly basis, as this holds significant importance in preventing inflation, thus necessitating this measure. 27% of the 1072 shares are owned by the public. The company's legal framework stipulates that the Board of Directors must meet and distribute dividends within 50 days after the financial year ends. Therefore, the government has proposed the quarterly distribution of dividends. The Board of Directors of "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC should meet and distribute the dividends. When the initial advance was provided last December, "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" company expressed the possibility of giving 350,000 tugriks as the dividend for 2024. Among this, it seems advisable to distribute 100,000 tugriks before Tsagaan Sar, and distribute the remaining 100,000 tugriks in the next quarter. From today, by accessing E-Mongolia, citizens will see a query and be given a choice. They can decide whether to receive the 1072 share dividends as cash or transfer them to their savings fund. Alternatively, they have the choice to use the funds transferred to the Savings Fund to finance a project as part of social responsibility. If citizens do not take their dividends in cash and instead channel them into their savings, interest will be calculated, and it could allow entry into the savings and capital markets, purchasing securities, bonds, and trading, which creates more opportunities if dividends are directed into savings. In the upcoming spring session, amendments to the National Wealth Fund law will be introduced to enable taking dividends into savings and facilitating entry into the capital market. From today, citizens can log into E-Mongolia and provide their options.

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Ts.Tuvaan: Despite Increased Coal Exports, Revenue Has Decreased

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Presenting the decisions made in today's government meeting. Minister Ts.Tuvaan provided the following information. He stated, "Today's meeting discussed three main issues within the scope of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. The first issue concerns the name and operational direction of the state-owned enterprise "Mongolrostsvetmet." The company's operations will now focus on modern mining, especially in the critical minerals sector, and it has been decided to rename it to "Erdenes Critical Mineral." It was considered necessary to pursue this developmental direction as there has been a significant focus on critical minerals at mining exhibitions and meetings worldwide. Our ministry is working in this direction, conducting demand research in the field of rare earth elements alongside consultants. Therefore, this decision can be seen as timely. The "Mongolrostsvetmet" SOE will be renamed to "Erdenes Critical Mineral." The next issue is about granting exploration licenses in Mongolia. From April 2024, exploration licenses had not been granted, causing anticipation among private sector and foreign investors. The government has approved new regulations and decided to resume the exploration licensing process, a positive decision made before the international mining exhibition. Mongolia has set a target to extract 20 tons of gold in the 2024 budget, but only 16.5 tons have been extracted so far. With gold prices reaching historic highs recently, the government has given specific directives regarding gold mining and stated that they will further study and make decisions on this matter. In addition, despite the decrease in coal prices reducing state budget revenue, the government discussed boosting gold mining. Additional research in this area is being conducted, and a decision may be presented to parliament. The volume of coal exported over the border has been higher compared to January last year, but the actual sales and incoming revenue have decreased. Therefore, the government plans to make certain decisions related to this issue in the near future," he said.

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Will Citizens Choose to Cash Out or Keep Their Dividends from the 1072 Shares?

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The decisions of the government meeting are being presented. The Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat, N. Uchral, has submitted a proposal to the Board of Directors of "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC, suggesting that the dividends for the 1072 shareholders be allocated on a quarterly basis. The board of "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC should meet and decide on the distribution of these dividends. In December 2024, the first amount of dividends, 138,000 MNT, was distributed to the citizens. It has been considered appropriate to distribute the remaining 350,000 MNT of dividends for 2024 in portions, with the first 100,000 MNT being given before Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) and the rest in the following quarter.

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OPEN TENDER INVITATION

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: ikon.mn

OPEN TENDER INVITATION 1. GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE TENDER Tender name: "INSTALLATION, MODIFICATION, AND RENEWAL OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INSIDE THE CASHMERE FACTORY" project for installation work of factory electrical panels and lighting inside the factory building, exterior lightning protection and grounding protection. Tender number: [To be provided]
Tender material availability: Until 17:00 on February 25, 2025.
Tender submission deadline: Until 17:00 on March 14, 2025. Brief information about the tender: "LORO PIANA MONGOLIA" LLC, located in the territory of the 3rd district of KHUD, is implementing a project for the installation, modification, and renewal of electrical systems within the cashmere factory building. Within the framework of this project, a tender is being organized to select a contractor to carry out the installation work of the factory's internal electrical panels, lighting, exterior lightning protection, and grounding protection. The building consists of two main parts: a two-story concrete and brick factory and an office building. Installation work for the internal electrical system of the cashmere factory: The work will be performed within the approved electrical design of the cashmere factory and office, and the parts of the washing factory. A. The aforementioned work will be completed in accordance with the approved electrical design of the cashmere factory and office and the washing factory sections. B. Materials, equipment, and systems should be installed in synchrony with the project phases, and changes to the price proposal at that time will not be accepted. Therefore, materials must be purchased beforehand. C. During the execution of works, all applicable laws, rules, norms, standards, and safety procedures must be followed. Participants must calculate the cost of each work according to the designated materials and requirements in the project design, and verify and compute the volume of work based on the project design, and submit tenders accordingly. Applicable norms and standards to follow: - "Electrical Facilities Norms and Rules" BNB 03.05.07 to BNB 03.05.90 - EHD 1-12-06-2014 - EHD 1-12-04-2013 - BNB 81-38-04 - BD 43-103-08 - "Construction Production Labor Safety Rules. Part II. Technical Safety Rules" BNB 12.04.06 - "Construction Production Labor Safety Rules. Part I. General Requirements" BNB 12.03.04 - "Guideline on occupational safety in construction and assembly work" BD 12-101-05 - "Fire Extinguishing Systems and Alarm Devices for Buildings and Facilities" BNB 21-04-05 And other necessary laws, norms, and rules. 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS Participating organizations must be legal entities and businesses operating in Mongolia. Participants must have special permits according to the "Construction Law," specifically BA-6,1 and BA-6,2. The validity of these permits must extend until 2026. Participants must not have pending legal disputes. The organization must be financially capable of completing the work according to the contract. Interested entities should register for participation by 17:00 on February 24, 2025, by contacting the address below. Tenders will be submitted following the procedure specified in the tender documents by 17:00 on March 7, 2025. The tender will be arranged internally by the client, and only the selected businesses will be contacted. Interested entities and official organizations can obtain the tender documents and request clarifications or additional information at the address below: "LORO PIANA MONGOLIA" LLC
Factory 41st Street, 3rd KHUD
Attn: L. Sodkhuu
Phone: 96660131, 88114577, 11-343529
Email: sodkhuu0910@gmail.com
Warning
Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social and Web pages) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in full or in part.

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N.Ukral: Proposal to distribute dividends for 1,072 shares quarterly submitted to Erdenes Tavantolgoi company's board of directors

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: ikon.mn

A regular government meeting discussed the issue of distributing dividends from Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC. Regarding this matter, N.Ukral, Head of the Cabinet Secretariat, said: "At today's government meeting, we listened to presentations from the management and board of Erdenes Mongolia and Erdenes Tavantolgoi companies. The government, as a shareholder of Erdenes Tavantolgoi company, expresses its clear stance. The ultimate decision will be made by the board of Erdenes Tavantolgoi company. Last year, dividends were distributed to citizens in advance. Currently, it seems more appropriate to distribute the dividends quarterly for citizens holding 1,072 shares of Erdenes Tavantolgoi. This way, it will not negatively impact the balance of payments or trigger inflation. Citizens own about 27% of Erdenes Tavantolgoi shares. As a shareholder, the government is proposing to the board of Erdenes Tavantolgoi company to distribute dividends quarterly. The 2024 dividend amount of 350,000 MNT can now be given to shareholder citizens. In December, as the first part, 130,000 MNT was distributed. We believe it is correct to give 100,000 MNT of the remaining 200,000 MNT before the lunar new year, and the rest in the following quarter. Also starting today, a survey was introduced on I Mongolia. You will be asked if you want to receive your 1,072 shares' dividends in cash or deposit them into your savings account. You can make your choice. If citizens do not take their dividends in cash and instead deposit them, it opens up opportunities to acquire securities, bonds, and trade them. If more options are given for depositing into savings, changes to the National Wealth Fund Law may be introduced during the spring session, allowing receipt of dividends in savings and transitioning them to the capital market. If you do not participate in the survey, the dividend money will be directly transferred to your account." Warning: Please note that media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must mention the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, either completely or partially.

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Implementing "Gold-3" Campaign

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

At today's government meeting, the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ts.Tuvaan, presented some measures to accelerate gold extraction. With the aim of increasing the national foreign currency reserves, reducing the pressures on the balance of payments and the exchange rate of the tugrik, and ensuring economic stability, it was instructed to organize and implement the "Gold-3" campaign. Additionally, Minister of Energy B.Choijilsuren presented changes to the "Procedure for providing electricity tariff discounts to households in ger districts." The procedure included support for households that have decided to use electricity for heating, and this issue will be discussed at the next government meeting, according to information from the Government Agency for Communication.

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Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

'XacBank' JSC has decided to distribute a dividend of 27 MNT per share from last year's net profit. The bank implements a policy of distributing dividends to its shareholders twice a year. In the first half of this year, a dividend of 18 MNT per share was distributed from the net profit on September 10th. As a result, the total dividend distributed from the net profit of 2024 amounted to 45 MNT per share.

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Kh. Munkhjargal: Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC Will Distribute 1.1 Trillion MNT in Dividends to Citizens

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: itoim.mn

We interviewed Kh. Munkhjargal, the acting executive director of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC, regarding when dividends would be distributed to citizens who hold 1072 shares. He stated, "The company plans to distribute 100,000 MNT to shareholder citizens before Tsagaan Sar and another 100,000 MNT in April after Tsagaan Sar. Dividends are being distributed to citizens in accordance with the company's legal obligations. The company has full capacity and resources to do so. The government has directed the method of distributing dividends to citizens. We will distribute it accordingly. Based on the 2024 financial balance, it has been decided to distribute dividends of about 350,000 MNT to one individual with 1072 shares. Of this, 130,000 MNT of dividends were transferred in advance to citizens' accounts in December 2024. The remaining amount of approximately 200,000 MNT will be distributed in two parts, before and after Tsagaan Sar. In total, 1.1 trillion MNT is allocated for citizens' dividends. For state-owned shares, dividends totaling 2.8 trillion MNT will be distributed, and when combined with the citizens', a total of 3.9 trillion MNT is allocated for dividends. The company operated with a net profit of 4.5 trillion MNT at the end of 2024. About 86% of this is being distributed as dividends," he said.

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Diplomacy

Met with World Bank Consultant to Discuss New Projects

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

World Bank Consultant Sébastien Foux met with representatives from the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communications to discuss the "Smart Governance-2" project. World Bank representatives are in Mongolia to support the implementation of the "Smart Governance-2" project, funded by the World Bank. The "Development of Electronic System for Permits" component of this project is being implemented in the Ministry of Economy and Development. During a meeting on February 18, 2025, Consultant Sébastien Foux, along with representatives from the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communications and relevant staff from the project implementation unit, met with T. Bayasgalan, the Acting Director of the State Administration Department of the Ministry of Economy and Development and a member of the "Smart Governance-2" project steering committee, along with other relevant officials. The Ministry of Economy and Development, as a beneficiary of the project, expressed gratitude for the support provided by the "Smart Governance-2" project, shared information on the work being implemented and the results obtained, and held practical discussions on planned future work. The parties emphasized the importance of the project in delivering permit operations quickly and easily to business entrepreneurs, thereby improving the business environment, and agreed on new tasks to be undertaken in 2025. Source: Ministry of Economy and Development

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Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg Meets with the Leadership of Oman's Investment Authority

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg visited the Oman Investment Authority and met with its leadership today. During the meeting, the Foreign Minister presented Mongolia's "Vision-2050" long-term policy, the government's action program, and 14 mega projects, and exchanged views on areas of cooperation with the Oman Investment Authority. Within this framework, a proposal was made to create conditions for exporting meat, wool, and cashmere products from Mongolia to Oman. The Authority introduced its activities and key objectives and highlighted its readiness to cooperate with Mongolia in sectors such as mining, renewable energy, and agriculture. Furthermore, the two sides agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a joint investment fund between Mongolia and Oman, drawing on the experience of Oman's joint investment funds with countries like Uzbekistan and Vietnam, to finance major projects in Mongolia. In this regard, representatives from the fund are set to work in Mongolia in the near future. Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg introduced the Mongolian Economic Forum to be held this year and expressed an invitation for the Oman Investment Authority to participate in the forum. As part of her official visit, Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg is also scheduled to meet with Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Asad Al-Tariq and hold official talks with Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi on February 19, reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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The Foreign Minister Met with the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment of the Sultanate of Oman

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg is on an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman. On the first day of the visit, Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg met with Qais Muhammad Al-Yousef, the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment of the Sultanate of Oman. At the start of the meeting, both sides expressed their satisfaction with the increased activity in bilateral relations in recent years, and affirmed their mutual importance on expanding trade, economic, and investment cooperation. Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg identified the priority sectors for bilateral cooperation and proposed attracting investment for mutually beneficial projects and programs, initiating cooperation between chambers of commerce and industry, as well as business entities, and in this context proposed the establishment of a joint investment fund. Minister Qais Muhammad Al-Yousef noted the importance he places on expanding bilateral relations and cooperation, highlighting the wide opportunities for cooperation in the sectors of mining, investment, energy, tourism, and agriculture. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the potential for exporting meat, meat products, wool, and cashmere products from Mongolia to the Sultanate of Oman, and agreed to establish a permanent mechanism for bilateral cooperation between the governments of Mongolia and Oman in the near future to expand trade, investment, and economic cooperation. Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg invited Qais Muhammad Al-Yousef to participate in the Mongolian Economic Forum and to have representatives at the International Women's Entrepreneurship Forum, which will be organized under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Infrastructure

Plans to Expand Chinggis Khan International Airport Discussed

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: news.mn

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development L. Gantumur met with Masaru Igawahara, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia. Minister Gantumur highlighted that the Japanese people have provided considerable support and assistance in many areas, including strengthening social protection, diversifying the economy, increasing investment, and developing infrastructure. He expressed gratitude for Japan being a close partner during economic difficulties and stated that efforts will be made to expand and develop the Mongolia-Japan relationship and cooperation under the "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity." Through this partnership, Japan has expressed its intention to resume official development assistance to Mongolia. Future plans include expanding and increasing the capacity of Chinggis Khan International Airport with concessional loans from JICA as part of development financing. The implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement will be accelerated, and cooperation will be strengthened to enhance trade, increase investment, and improve the business environment. Additionally, since 2014, with financing from the Government of Japan, the "Higher Education in Engineering and Technology" or the 1000 Engineers Project has been underway. There is a commitment to continue focusing on the operations of the joint Japan-Mongolia Kosen Technology College. Minister Gantumur emphasized that knowledge and skills constitute Mongolia's 15th mega project.

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"The Project to Bring Water to the Gobi Included in Government's 14 Mega Projects"

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: news.mn

A conversation with Member of Parliament Ts. Munkhbat on current issues. The autumn session of the Parliament has recessed recently. People have varied opinions about the outcomes of this session. In your view, how was this session of the Parliament concluded? Members of Parliament worked quite hard, resulting in significant accomplishments. Important decisions and legal bills were passed by the Parliament. Over 81 days, 32 joint sessions, and more than 150 committee and subcommittee meetings were conducted. Altogether, 52 laws and 57 parliamentary resolutions were discussed and passed. For the first time in its history, Mongolia's Parliament now consists of 126 members which promotes pluralism, allowing discussions from multiple perspectives, leading to healthy debates and satisfactory resolutions. The Parliament approved its main direction of activities and strategic plan, announcing that human rights and freedoms would be at the center of its legislative policy. The main outcome is the timely decisions related to large-scale projects that will noticeably impact the country's economic development. This is the result of forming a coalition government. Placing the national interest first in major social development projects, without giving priority to political conflicts, is more beneficial for the people and advantageous for the country's progress. For instance, resolving the railway border connection issue will significantly enhance export revenues and the throughput capacity for freight and passenger transportation, bringing a noticeable impact on the economy. Additionally, important historical decisions in the areas of oil refining and energy projects, and uranium production have been made. These large projects will certainly contribute to the development of our country and bolster international relations and cooperation. Overall, it can be said that the autumn parliamentary session was productive when viewed from the bigger picture. During the session, the 2025 Budget Law discussions drew significant attention and were notably contentious. Regarding the budget approval, you expressed a clear stance and seemed to take an active role? The President’s complete veto on the 2025 Budget Law was unprecedented in the history of the Parliament. Concerns were raised regarding excessive state budget expenditures and unnecessary investments, which were strongly criticized by members and the public. Fundamentally, a state budget represents the people’s money. It must be planned and utilized in the most efficient manner. The contents of the President's veto were aimed at this. As a result, with the Parliament accepting the veto, the budget was reduced from about 36 trillion MNT to approximately 33 trillion MNT, necessitating a balanced budget. During the budget discussions, I criticized certain unreasonable expenditures and expressed my stance. If some members of the government had approached the budget more sensitively and retracted unnecessary investments, the issue might not have escalated. Thus, a working group led by MP G. Temuulen with 26 members was established to scrutinize flow costs, investments, foreign loans, grants, and projects. I participated in the subcommittee tasked with overseeing flow costs. To save or cut the budget, delaying new investments was inevitable. Originally, there was an approved investment for infrastructure in our Gobi region, such as 50 km of new road from Govisumber to Mandalgobi and 80 km from Dalanzadgad to Gurvantes, but unfortunately, these were cut. These road projects are crucial and should be included in upcoming budgets. Members elected from the Gobi region are unified on this matter. The budget discussions were extremely intricate, with numerous projects and measures being cut out of necessity, making relentless advocacy impractical. Previously, you served as the governor of Dundgovi aimag. In other words, you dealt with issues at the provincial executive leadership level. Now as a member of Parliament, you are involved in policy-making. Do you feel much of a difference? Indeed, there is a difference. A provincial governor is involved in virtually all local affairs. It requires engagement in solving problems across various sectors, and many issues arise that are managerial in nature. There are challenges such as storm, drought, rewards and incentives, finances, and economic issues. Additionally, attending meetings, conferences, and discussions involves interacting with and understanding the citizens. This work is valuable for gaining a wide range of knowledge and experience. Now, as a Parliament member entrusted by the public, it is time to approach issues from a policy-making level. More reading and research is necessary. Taking part in the country’s major policy issues requires viewing the bigger picture. Understanding the expectations, trust of the public, and open communication are also crucial for decision-making. Without looking at everything from a single perspective, it is necessary to be flexible and choose the most optimal solution from various alternatives. Some patience and endurance are also needed. You are one of the members who is part of the opposition in Parliament. How effectively are you delivering the voice of the opposition? The inclusion of representatives from three parties in the government coalition is showing initial benefits and results. Projects that were long-stalled and became a constant political topic are now underway. I have no doubt that they will have a real impact on the economic development of the country and the improvement of citizens' living standards. Therefore, I support them. If the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) had formed the government alone, it is possible no project would have progressed. Excessive politicization can hinder progress. Now, criticism and rejection are the easiest things to do. Such attitudes are prevalent everywhere. The formation of a coalition government dims the opposition's voice. However, I do not agree that there is no opposition, nor that the minority is not fulfilling its duty as the opposition. Members express principled positions on certain matters, voicing criticism when necessary. There is an interest and tendency among the authorities and stakeholders to silence and suppress the voices of those who raise issues or offer dissenting opinions, which is executed in various forms. Personal privacy invasions occur, and defamation, insults, and threats through social media are made. This is very wrong. Criticism should be addressed with sensitivity, acknowledged, and corrected and improved if there are mistakes. Freedom of expression and speech are the lifeblood of a democratic society. Policies and actions that violate the citizens' right to know have no place in a legal society. I stand for a society that guarantees human rights and freedoms, upholds private property, and fosters a healthy business environment, and will continue to convey my position and voice. Parliament Speaker D. Amarbayasgalan issued a directive to form more than 50 working groups. In what working group are you involved, and on what issues do you focus? A working group has been formed to reform and enhance legislation in more than 50 directions under the Speaker’s order. I am part of five working groups related to revising the Mineral Law, Law on Legislation, the Civil Service Law, and the process of re-engineering to increase state productivity. My experience as a provincial leader proved very useful. I contribute my ideas to these draft laws, having a fair understanding of the issues faced at the grassroots levels and the desires of citizens living and working locally. As a member of the Standing Committee on Environment, Food, and Agriculture, and the Standing Committee on Innovation and Digital Policy, there is a need to focus more on legislation in these areas. Especially, emphasis is placed on rural development and environmental policy issues. Legal reforms in these directions will also occur. In general, amendments or revisions to any law require extensive discussion and research. Consideration of all stakeholders’ interests and predicting the impacts of passing a law are essential. Having a Research and Development Institute under the Parliament, which ensures laws are high quality, effective, and uphold human rights is a very positive step. You mentioned that Parliament was able to pass laws to eliminate developmental barriers in a short period. Besides the Budget Law, the Nuclear Energy Law and laws related to uranium utilization and border connectivity were among these. How do you plan to focus on legal implementation going forward? Implementation and results are substantial; the public also expects outcomes from enacted laws. Yes. The saying "Mongolian law lasts only three days" exists, not without reason. The Constitution assigns the Government the responsibility to implement laws. However, the oversight mechanism resides with the enacting body, the Parliament. Alongside the legislative function, achieving effective oversight mechanisms is necessary. Implementing oversight through hearings is one form but seems to lack effectiveness in the end. Criticism exists that the enforcement of laws is unequal and functioning differently. Moving forward, emphasis on legal implementation is crucial. As long as one is paid by the state, they are obligated to work with utmost integrity, delivering fast and quality services to the citizens. Some state civil service legislation has different effects locally, often politically inclined. Implementation failures, poor human resources, and politicization cause it. Especially, the MPP has governed for eight consecutive years. By placing their own people and then modifying the Civil Service Law in 2019, they secured themselves legally. Among them are people who can and cannot work effectively. Issues emerged, where despite visible errors and shortcomings, personnel changes were politically obstructed. This harms the interests of the state and citizens. People have eyes and ears, and over time the truth emerges. Truth remains constant and that is the beauty of it. Parliament has adopted a strategic plan to focus on human-centered decision making and prioritizing human rights in the coming years. In your observation, what is the current state of human rights in our country? What are the conditions necessitating special attention to this issue? Enacting decisions that ensure and do not violate human rights is a commendable parliamentary policy. I hope it becomes practical, not just a declaration. Violations of human rights in our country continue unresolved. Daily issues like freedom of belief, expression, living in a safe and healthy environment are escalating. Societal development is assured when human rights are respected and protected. A country's level of democracy is often measured by how well it ensures human rights. The issue of MPs’ ethics has been highlighted, with a focus on open attendance disclosure. How effectively can MPs set an example and lead in ethical behavior? The ethical leadership of Parliament members and high-ranking officials is crucial. Disclosure of MPs’ attendance to the public is now open. The primary duty of MPs, as representatives of the people, is to participate in law-making and express positions within their representational mandate. Except when on essential assignments, I abide by attending sessions consistently. Recently, some opposition members have criticized the Parliament as functioning like a department fulfilling the Government's tasks. What is your stance on this issue? How do you assess the power limits of Parliament? If that is the discussion due to laws and resolutions passed concerning major projects during the autumn session, I certainly do not agree. On critical issues relating to the common national interest, economic growth, and citizens’ livelihoods, political gamesmanship should not be prioritized. The Parliament is tasked with overseeing the Government, supporting what is right and correcting and directing what is wrong. The State Great Khural is fulfilling the duties assigned by the Constitution within its limits and authority. You were elected as a Member of Parliament from the Gobi region. Clearly, there must be numerous promises made to the constituents. What have you accomplished in six months, and what are your future plans? I am responsible for the interests of citizens not only in one province but in all four provinces of the Gobi region, advocating for the Gobi people, as well as contributing to the overall national interest. There are many issues in our Gobi region, especially significant ones included in the action plan. The most pressing issue is directing surface water to the Gobi region, a critical matter discussed for over 20 years. The Kherlen-Tonhot project on the east and the Orkhon-Ongi project on the west are planned. Technical and economic feasibility studies and designs have been completed, with some parts being updated. MPs elected from the Gobi agree on the water issue. Therefore, it was included in the 14 priority mega projects by the Government. However, moving this project forward requires a strong mutual understanding with the two neighboring countries. Understanding its geopolitical complexities, it is indeed a challenging project. By diverting the vast amount of water flowing out to sea, it has multiple benefits as it can be used in mining, for the environment, and the agricultural sector. Many countries have altered river flows for such purposes and achieved development across these sectors. Citizens criticize the poor condition of roads in the Gobi direction. Are you addressing this issue? To establish road infrastructure, major renovations and upgrades of the Ulaanbaatar-Mandalgobi-Dalanzadgad road will be completed within four years, aiming for four-lane roads with two directions. Also, completing the Govisumber-Mandalgobi-Arvaikheer transverse axis road is in progress. Initiatives like the Dalanzadgad-Mandal-Ovoo-Saikhan-Ovoo-Kharkhorin tourist road are underway. The Minister of Roads and Transportation Development, B. Delgersaikhan, understands this and supports these initiatives, which will provide a major boost in implementing these projects. Additionally, one opportunity we shouldn’t miss is producing renewable energy in our region. As the demand for energy increases daily, attracting modern technology-laden foreign and domestic companies could enable us to profit from selling our sun and wind, meet regional energy needs, and potentially export energy internationally. Implementing these major projects also necessitates essential investments locally, requiring a strong understanding, coordination, and cooperation between MPs and local authorities. How was your cooperation with MPs during your time as a local leader? During my four years as a governor, I believe I had a good cooperative relationship with the MPs, enabling many accomplishments. Recently, two schools accommodating 960 and 640 children were completed in Sain Tsagaan Sum, the center of the aimag. This is a clear example of our cooperation. The seven MPs from the Gobi electoral district, regardless of party affiliation, are working in good understanding. As the head of the Standing Committee on Economics, MP R. Seddorj, having worked as an aimag governor, pays significant attention and demonstrates initiative in local affairs. There is dissatisfaction that the Ministry of Finance takes everything, leaving nothing for the aimag despite the high budget revenues it generates. Investing back into high-revenue-generating aimags, building social infrastructure, and allocating adequate resources for citizens to develop are necessary. Only then will regional development become meaningful, fostering responsible mining, industry, and infrastructure development. Otherwise, the attitude of "you make the money, we’ll spend it" is unfair. I will continue to strongly voice against such injustices.

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Electricity from Renewable Sources to be Purchased for 285-300 Tugriks

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

In order to ensure the implementation of regulations related to the distribution of energy produced from renewable energy sources and to update its price tariff, a public discussion was organized by the National Committee on Energy Reform last month to determine future measures. Based on the recommendations and proposals from this discussion, the Energy Regulatory Commission has approved the tariff for one kWh of electricity supplied to the grid from the consumer's renewable energy sources during the day at 285 tugriks and during peak hours at 300 tugriks. Previously, electricity supplied from 06:00 to 17:00 was calculated at a daytime rate of 140 tugriks, and during peak load hours from 17:00 to 21:00, it was calculated at 221 tugriks. The daytime tariff has doubled, and the peak load time rate has increased by 79 tugriks. The government has outlined in its 2024-2028 action program the implementation of measures to support distributed renewable energy sources. The tariff reform is highlighted as one of these measures by the representatives of the National Committee on Energy Reform. With these changes, consumers will have increased opportunities to supply the surplus energy produced from their own sources to the distribution grid and benefit from it. Additionally, the Ministry of Energy has announced that they are working on updating and improving the regulations related to the supply of energy produced from renewable energy sources to the distribution grid.

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The Deadlock of the Gashuunsukhait Railway is Cleared and the Delayers are Distanced

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: news.mn

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene noted that "The Government of Mongolia signed an agreement to connect the cross-border railway at the Gashuunsukhait-Gants Mod port, which was ranked first among Mongolia's 14 mega development projects. I express my gratitude to the President of Mongolia U. Khurelsukh for providing political support for the signing of this agreement, to the Speaker of the State Great Khural D. Amarbayasgalan, as well as all members of the State Great Khural and political parties having seats in parliament." He emphasized how this significant construction, which had been the subject of many issues for years, is finally overcoming the deadlock. The deadlock of the stub railway has cleared, and the work to connect the border has begun. Many are now interested in whether those responsible for Mongolia's lost opportunities over many years will face any accountability. So far, the railway delayers have not been held accountable, it is unclear what happened to them, and some have even started enjoying their privileges again. Let us remind you of those who created deadlock in railway history. COMPLETED CONSTRUCTIONS YET NOT COMPLETELY BENEFICIAL AND DETRIMENTAL! If the Gashuunsukhait railway had become operational as initially planned, preliminary estimates suggested it could have generated around 44 million dollars in annual tax revenue for the state budget and reduced the cost of exporting coal to China from 47 dollars to 12 dollars per ton from the Tavantolgoi mine to the Gants Mod port. Although transport from Tavantolgoi to Gashuunsukhait runs smoothly, the progress halted before entering the Gants Mod port. Repeated requests and proposals from the Chinese side to build on narrow gauges were ignored as former Minister of Road and Transport Development, Kh. Battulga, insisted on continuing the development with broad-gauge infrastructure. Despite lengthy disputes, the 233 km railway was put into operation in September 2022, but the frontier connection possibilities were still limited. This deficiency arose because the broad gauge, instead of the narrow gauge that China could support and invest in, was used on Mongolian soil. As a result, the junction point for coal export to China did not achieve results. It is only now, after two decades of procrastination, that railway construction has progressed, leading to new cost estimates reaching millions of dollars for the missing link and elevation of the track. This is the first stub railway that ended up neither one thing nor another. THE SEARCH FOR EX-PRESIDENT AND N. UDAANJARGAL’S MIX-UP LOSES MOMENTUM. N. Udaanjargal, who, in June 2021, was awarded the title "Hero of Labor" by former President Kh. Battulga for his contributions to society, was recently put under scrutiny. It has become increasingly apparent that his escape abroad prior to any legal action regarding classified state funds and off-take agreements is not coincidental. Multiple people contributed to the muddling of railway construction, including off-take agreement witness B. Gankhuya and "Tenuun-Ogoo" LLC’s A. Gankhuya in connection with the green bus case. Despite search efforts and international outreach through Interpol, pursuit seems to have waned. Questions related to the railway when addressed to ex-President Kh. Battulga receive a rather terse response. He has expressed his backing for mega projects, stating that if narrow-gauge rail had been used, Mongolia would have lost its territory for a century. He emphasized discussing national sovereignty over economic aspects during his response to journalists, stating his prioritization of the nation’s independence. Recalling what notable figures have stated about the construction and involvement of Kh. Battulga and partners: On September 9, 2022, during the railway's opening ceremony, President U. Khurelsukh noted, "Opening the Tavantolgoi-Gashuunsukhait railway, a key outlet for Mongolia’s exports, is a historic event. Roughly 70 years after initially opening up the northern and southern border railway with the Soviet Union in 1955, Mongolians have commissioned a railway meeting global standards. This steel artery will become Mongolia’s developmental and investment lifeline. Interests must not surpass national and public interests. We must not forget the bitter history of losing opportunities and time due to the stagnation of this construction. Further effort is required to accelerate the Zuunbayan-Hangi-Mandal railway development." 'Tavantolgoi Railway' LLC's former Executive Director N. Udaanjargal said, "The Tavantolgoi-Gashuunsukhait railway is a class I railway with seamless intersections, a full range of junctures, signaling, and a digital radio system featuring advanced technology and innovation incorporation." "Bodi International" Group’s Chairman of the Board D. Bayasgalan stated, "We have advanced railway standards to a new level. For instance, European standard rail is used, and the main track is 233 km with an extended length of 312 km from Tavantolgoi to Gashuunsukhait. Mongolia’s longest single-span bridge of 430 meters was constructed. Automatic weighing facilities for moving trains and a centralized control center to manage stations, interlocks, and dispatch points are applied."

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O. Batnairamdal: Construction Companies' Standards Need to be Updated

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: isee.mn

Regarding issues related to construction standards, we clarified some points with Member of Parliament O. Batnairamdal. He stated, "A working group has been established by Directive No. 84 of the Speaker of the Parliament to improve the standards and legal framework. I am leading this working group. Within the framework of the working group, the Mongolian government, particularly the office of the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for standards, is collaborating with us to firstly address the concerns of sector specialists. Currently, 642 construction standards are in effect. An evaluation has shown that 167 of them can be retained as they are. This indicates that only about 26% meet international needs and requirements. The rest need to be revised, reviewed, or cancelled in some way. Besides standards, there are construction codes and norms. Discussions with industry representatives have revealed several issues regarding the legal environment of all these. Therefore, there is a pressing need to update the construction standards swiftly and elevate them to an international level. Also, a revised version of the General Law on Construction is soon to be presented to Parliament. A key regulatory law on construction standards has also been introduced by the government. Therefore, at this point in time, we are conducting today's discussion based on the principle that the voices of experts should be heard in these laws. Recommendations have been made within the scope of this discussion. The working group will deliver these recommendations to the draft laws.

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Discussing the Challenges in the Construction Sector

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: news.mn

An open intersectoral discussion on the topic of "The Implementation of Standards and Legal Environment in the Construction Sector" was held today at the State Palace. Over 150 representatives from the Office of the Parliament of Mongolia, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Ministry of Construction, Urban Development and Housing, the Construction Development Center, the Standards and Metrology Agency, professional associations, enterprises, organizations, and the public participated in a wide-ranging discussion about issues concerning construction standards and ways to reform the legal environment. A report was presented on the inclusion of norms and regulatory documents in the draft of the General Construction Law, urban standards, their implementation, current issues, and the accreditation of conformity assessment in the construction sector. Recommendations were derived from the discussion with all participants. T. Purevkhatan, the director of the "Construction Development Center," emphasized that the norms and regulatory documents concerning construction are strategic and significantly impact other sectors such as mining, transportation, and energy. However, there are issues like the multi-phase and lengthy processes involved in preparing these documents, weak intersectoral coordination, and limited human resource capacity. He highlighted the need to introduce advanced technology into the creation of construction norms and regulatory documents, conduct reviews to eliminate duplications using advanced technology, and ultimately improve the legal environment to adopt international building codes and standards in construction activities.

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The Halzan Buregtei Project Nears Extraction, Requests Government Support

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The "Critical Minerals, Critical Choices" conference was organized by AMCHAM (the American Chamber of Commerce). In recent years, the term "critical minerals" has emerged in the mining sector, with each country naming the minerals it considers critical. The USA has included a total of 35 minerals in its list of critical minerals. The country has classified them as critical in the short and medium-term, including critical minerals for the energy sector. In contrast, our country only has a list of strategic deposits. The "Erdenes Mongol" company has announced that it considers eight types of minerals as critical. Minerals considered critical such as copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel will play a key role in the new economy. Rare earth elements have also been recognized as critical minerals by many countries. IMPORTANT MINERALS FOR THE USA'S NEAR FUTURE: Dysprosium, lithium, rare metals of the lanthanide group, platinum, steel, nickel, aluminum. Some of these minerals are not found in the USA, so the country is preparing to purchase them cheaply from other countries and ensure uninterrupted supply. Copper has been included in the critical minerals list of the USA, EU, and many other developed countries, raising the question of whether copper will become the most demanded and most expensive metal, replacing oil. The Director of the Mineral Resources Policy Department at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, G. Namchinsuren, stated, "Half of the 14 mega-projects being implemented by the government are under our ministry. We have signed contracts for two of these projects. To initiate the uranium project in cooperation with France, three laws were passed by the State Great Khural and several resolutions by the government. The shareholder and deposit utilization agreements will be established next. We are preparing a draft of the Mining Law by studying good examples from abroad. It will be discussed in the spring session of the State Great Khural and reviewed by the public in May. The Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs has registered the act for issuing exploration permits through selection. We will soon start trials and begin issuing permits. I agree that Mongolia should declare which minerals are critical for it. There is also a need to determine how to cooperate with other countries in this sector," he said. The ministry is set to conduct thematic geological studies of critical minerals. After exploration, extraction will begin. NEW CLAUSES IN EXPLORATION PERMIT PROCEDURES Today, the government is meeting. During this meeting, the new exploration procedures were introduced, stating that 50 percent of the announced areas will be allocated through selection for exploration permits. The bidding ratio for the selection process has been changed from 70/30 to 60/40. Previously, only one participant was selected, and if they did not submit their proposed price, the selection process was void. Now, two participants will be selected. The base price has been increased from 4500 MNT to 7000 MNT. In our country, there are groups that strongly oppose exploration and extraction activities whether funded by foreign or domestic investments. The Halzan Buregtei project is facing this challenge. They have completed their preliminary feasibility study. Located in the western part of our country, this deposit will be the first to extract rare earth elements in Mongolia. This project serves as an icebreaker. Further drilling is needed to conduct industrial trials. The price of rare earth elements is steadily increasing in the global market. The rare earth elements market is niche or specialized. Countries are competing for these elements. Rare earths are classified into heavy and light, with Halzan Buregtei considered heavy. Last fall, some residents of Khovd province opposed this project, and H.Boloramaa, who was elected to the State Great Khural from this province, also criticized it. The project team continues to meet with residents to introduce their exploration work and inform about the economic and social benefits of extracting rare earth elements. They plan to build a mine, two factories, provide 600 regular jobs, and produce value-added products. Khovd province will become a major employer and taxpayer. A large investment will be made in the province. They are working to correct the misinformation that extraction will release harmful gases into the air as dangerous, emphasizing that radioactive substances have been emitting into the air in the area even before exploration. A. Tsolmon has been appointed as the executive director of the project. He will officially take over from the 1st of next month. During yesterday's conference at the Shangri-La Hotel, he stated, "We are close to starting extraction, so we request support from the government. It would be appropriate for a professional organization to conduct a baseline study of radiation. We have invested in this project for the last three years, and investment is needed to take our project to the next stage. Drilling will begin once it warms up." In our mining sector, only coal and copper have generated significant income. However, coal prices began to decline last year. This gap is expected to be filled by the export of uranium concentrate from 2028. Rare earth elements will be extracted, processed, and sold to Japan, South Korea, and European countries. This project will diversify our mining sector, reducing the economic vulnerability of relying too much on the two neighboring countries. For a landlocked country like Mongolia, the export of rare earth elements holds high political and economic significance, making it an integral part of foreign policy. Participants of the conference agreed that creating a legal environment is essential to develop the critical minerals sector in Mongolia. This would allow Mongolia to become a supplier of critical minerals as well.

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Society

How many foreign nationals live in Mongolia?

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Immigration Agency of Mongolia issued visa permissions to 1,724 foreign nationals, visas to 674 individuals, and electronic visas through the evisa.mn system to 2,755 citizens from 24 countries last January. In addition, based on the authorization from the relevant organization, residence permits were granted to 1,217 foreign nationals to stay in Mongolia, the residence permit validity was extended for 3,909 individuals, and the registration of 2,029 individuals was canceled. Moreover, four planned and 12 unplanned inspections were organized, checking the passports and substitute documents of 651 foreign nationals and 43 businesses and organizations, uncovering 18 violations, and taking appropriate measures. Additionally, fines were imposed under the Law on Violations on 1,767 foreign nationals with infractions, and a formal requirement was issued to one business entity. Furthermore, on the grounds of overstaying after the expiration of residence permits, avoiding departure from Mongolia, repeated violations of visa and registration rules, and other causes, 121 citizens from eight countries were deported. As of January 2025, there are 31,092 foreign nationals registered as residing in Mongolia for official or personal reasons. Of these, 12,852 are working, 3,816 are investors, 4,812 are for family and other personal reasons, 1,828 are immigrants, 116 are for religious purposes, and 639 are for official purposes. Source: Immigration Agency of Mongolia

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Things to Pay Attention to When Filling Out the Entry Card for South Korea

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: ikon.mn

We are sharing the advice issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea regarding how to fill out the entry card for crossing the borders of the Republic of Korea. The 'Arrival Card' or 'Entry Card' is a document that foreign travelers to South Korea must complete. This document can be obtained on the airplane or at the 'Document Writing' special section of the airport and must be filled out clearly in English or Korean. ADDRESS OR RESIDENCE The address or residence information on the visa application to South Korea must not differ from the address information noted on the 'Entry Card'. If these details differ, there is a risk of not being allowed to enter. Hotel address, host address, or temporary residence must be written clearly and precisely. If staying at a hotel, the name and address of the hotel must be included, for example, Lotte Hotel Seoul, 30 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul. If necessary, the immigration officer may contact the phone number listed on the 'Entry Card' to verify the accuracy of the address in South Korea and clarify details such as your length of stay. Therefore, if you are staying at a hotel, you should pay the deposit and confirm your reservation. CONTACT PHONE NUMBER In this section, you may write your own phone number or the number of a friend/relative in South Korea or the hotel phone number. Ensure that the phone number listed on your visa application matches the number written on the 'Entry Card'. Additionally, before traveling to South Korea, inform the organization or individual associated with the phone number written on the 'Entry Card' to keep their phone nearby at the time of your entry, so they can provide information about you if contacted by an immigration officer. IMMIGRATION officers may contact the phone number listed on the 'Entry Card' to determine whether the number is related to you and for purposes like your travel reason, length of stay, and address, so your information must be accurate. PURPOSE OF TRAVEL On the 'Entry Card', there are options such as Tourism, Business, Visiting, Employment, and Other. You must correctly select your purpose of travel. According to South Korean Immigration Control Law, immigration officers will verify whether your travel purpose matches the visa status granted. Therefore, it is advisable to carry documentation proving your purpose of travel in accordance with your visa status. Source: Embassy of Mongolia in South Korea Warning: Media organizations (TV, radio, social and web pages) must fully or partially use our information and always mention the source (ikon.mn).

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Shelters for Victims on the Verge of Closure

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

A newborn was abandoned in an entryway. A 13-year-old girl gave birth. Minors have become victims of crimes. A girl's biological father, brother, grandfather, or relative raped her. We've become numb to such dark news that we hear every day. Why did a 13-year-old girl, who should be learning, developing, laughing, and having fun with friends, give birth? What are the underlying causes of children becoming victims or perpetrators of crimes, and how are the physical and emotional wounds of children who experience sexual violence being healed? There are no answers to these questions. The issue of child protection has been neglected for many years, and the situation is worsening. In our country, there are over 30 one-stop service centers and temporary shelters for assisting citizens affected by violence. Many of these are run by non-governmental organizations. While NGOs bear the heavy burden of protecting victims, they receive almost no financial support from the government. Most operate under foreign projects and programs. However, the U.S. government's suspension of humanitarian aid, projects, and program funding abroad has severely affected domestic NGOs. For instance, the funding for organizations like "World Vision," "Monfemnet Network," and "Cute Heart" has ceased, making it difficult for them to continue operations. NGOs that assist victims of sexual exploitation and violence primarily rely on foreign aid. If Mongolia had allocated sufficient resources for child protection services and protected the rights of its citizens, the situation would not have deteriorated this way. The National Center Against Violence, which has operated steadily for 30 years, has also become financially constrained and is on the verge of losing its specialists. The director of this center, N. Arvintaria, shared insights on the current situation: “Due to the adoption of the Child Protection Law, amendments were made to the Law on Combating Domestic Violence. This mandates the local government budgets to finance shelters. However, funding for NGOs has not been resolved. There are no knowledgeable people in the government agencies. ‘Meet with that director, I don’t know,’ they say, only to hit empty doors. It’s unfortunate that the government provides no support to those working at the 'hot spots'—with children abandoned by parents, subjected to violence, and victimized by crimes. There is no funding allocated for child protection. We have been trying to resolve the budget issues of our temporary shelter since last November. Despite repeated requests to the city mayor and city council chairman, there has been no response. Due to lack of funding, we are about to lose experienced specialists who are dedicated and have years of experience. In fact, it would be more effective if the government collaborated with NGO specialists. There are many experts capable of performing tasks the government cannot undertake.” The operations of protective shelters of the “Gender Equality” NGO are also faltering. The head of the center, G. Ganbayasgal, noted that, “Due to lack of funds, protective shelter operations have been ceased. The government used to announce tenders annually, and if we succeeded, we were given some money. The risk lies in making child protection, victim assistance, and service financing overly dependent on foreign sources. Mongolia needs to allocate sufficient budgets for child protection and integrate qualified organizations into its system. Child protection is an integral part of state policy. Achieving results requires multi-sector collaboration.” In many countries, family violence prevention centers providing one-stop services are operational. Their primary goal is to offer diverse assistance, including medical, legal, psychological, and social protection services to victims. In countries like the U.S., Canada, and Britain, such assistance and services have been exemplary. Specifically, the U.S. Government supports NGO operations and fights against child abuse together. While we have established protection policies and legal frameworks for victims, their implementation remains insufficient. Starting with improving collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and law enforcement, a system for protecting and keeping victims' information confidential is lacking. Publicizing sensitive information about victims of violence has become a common practice. This results in victims being revictimized. Every single life is invaluable and irreplaceable. There is a lack of government policy to prevent the untimely loss of even one citizen. It is crucial to protect family violence victims and support them in not losing their footing in life. While the government boasts of implementing 14 mega projects, many children are falling victim to violence, living with no shelter in the cold, with nowhere to go, growing up with no confidence in their future. Underage mothers who have given birth due to sexual violence, children with nutritional deficiencies, health problems, children with disabilities, and people who have been beaten and injured find refuge only in these shelters. How tragic it would be if these places closed due to lack of funding. A shelter worker shared about a two-year-old with decayed teeth, abandoned by parents, left for several days in the shelter, and brought to receive medical assistance, yet was rejected by a care center due to a congenital heart defect. What else could be done but keep the poor child from the streets in the cold winter? In our country, the National Trauma and Orthopedics Research Center (NTORC) is a health institution that offers one-stop services. It is the only center providing 24-hour assistance and services to children and adults affected by family violence. Family violence often occurs at night. During these times, temporary protective shelters are crucial. However, this institution also faces insufficient funding and lack of space. At the end of last year, discussions to halt its operations and distribute services to districts took place. If the operations of this center, which serves as the "salvation" for children and women affected by domestic violence, were ceased, where would the victims turn to? Last year, about 1,300 people approached this center for assistance. Among them, 1,129 were adults, and 171 were children. The number of people seeking help has increased by 20-30 each year, according to the center’s social worker. Regarding this, B. Suvd-Erdene, the center's social worker, shared, “At the one-stop service center of NTORC, we have so far served 145 adults and 27 children. All have received medical services. They primarily received treatment in the departments of brain, skull, hand, and wrist injuries. Children affected by violence are enrolled in services connecting with the 108 Child Helpline. Some are placed in shelters. Severely injured individuals are kept here and notified to the National Institute of Forensic Examinations and the police department. Our shelter has four beds, so we cannot accommodate many people. We only keep those in critical need for 72 hours, after which they are transferred to longer-term shelters. Recently, however, shelters have started to refuse, citing ‘No vacancies’ or ‘Full capacity.’” The center has received numerous cases of children affected by family, physical, psychological, and sexual violence, which indicate significant concerns. As the shelter at the center does not meet standard requirements and lacks space, it cannot separately accommodate men and women. Additionally, they accept people who attempted suicide. Since the beginning of the year, 21 people who attempted suicide approached the center. Despite the heavy workload and the many people in need of assistance, the workforce and funding remain scarce after many years, as the center staff point out. The one-stop service center belongs to the Health Promotion Office of NTORC. It recently added a social worker to its five-member team. While social workers work in shifts for 24 hours, they receive no incentive other than their base salary. Furthermore, no household expense funding is provided for the shelter. Due to lack of funding, victim assistance comes from hospital leftover food. After hours, staff use their own money to buy hot tea for victims. "Heaven's Grace" company donates four bags of buns per week, which victims live on. Homeless individuals and people who have experienced violence wear donated used clothes. Children, women, and men who barely escape death, fleeing after getting beaten, need someone's unwavering support and help. Although health care is promptly provided, psychological and social services are often neglected. The center does not have a psychologist. When needed, they call the hospital's psychologist to provide services. Besides NTORC, the only other medical institution offering one-stop services in Mongolia is the Sukhbaatar District General Hospital, also facing funding and staffing shortages. The structure and staffing for the NTORC’s one-stop service center have been approved as is this year, but the future remains unclear. Instead of withholding support, the government should now extend it for victims of violence, especially for child protection.

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Proposal to Ban Access to Facebook, TikTok for Children Under 16 Supported by 92%

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Minister of Education, P. Naranbayar, has announced that a study has begun to draft a bill that would prohibit children under 16 from accessing social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. GoGo.mn conducted a poll asking, "Do you support the prohibition of social media access for children under 16?" As of 10 a.m., 2878 people had participated in the poll: - In favor: 2649 - Opposed: 205 - Don't know: 24 This means that 92% of the total votes are in favor of the proposal. Minister P. Naranbayar reiterated the initiation of the study to draft the bill that would ban children under 16 from accessing social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. The poll conducted by GoGo.mn showed the following results: - In favor: 2788 - Opposed: 215 - Don't know: 25 Total votes: 3028

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Environment

Collaboration with the UN to Restore 23,800 Hectares of Pasture and Forest

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

On February 18, 2025, Minister of Environment and Climate Change S. Odontuya met with the Acting Representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Ahuja. During the meeting, they discussed Mongolia's main environmental issues, especially strategies to reduce factors affecting land degradation, promote sustainable agricultural development, and preserve biodiversity. At the end of the meeting, the parties signed a document for the project "Restoration and Protection of Mountain Landscapes in Mongolia's Khangai Region to Improve Ecosystem Services and the Livelihoods of Local People." Minister of Environment and Climate Change S. Odontuya emphasized, "This project will both effectively protect natural resources and support the sustainable livelihoods of local residents. Additionally, it will enable the reduction of land degradation and the optimal organization of land use to create a stable, prosperous future." Acting FAO Representative Vinod Ahuja stated, "The FAO is ready to support addressing the issue of ecological imbalance Mongolia faces. Our collaboration aims to equip local people with the necessary knowledge and skills for proper utilization and restoration of land resources, which is our main goal." The main tasks of the project are to plan land use in a unified manner, activate the participation of local people, and ensure the implementation of sustainable management policies for natural resources. The project will be funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, with the key partner being the Society for the Protection of Nature and Wildlife. All relevant parties, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and local administrative bodies, will participate. 76.8% of Mongolia's total land area is affected by various degrees of land degradation, negatively impacting biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and the livelihoods of local people. With FAO's support, the project aims to restore degraded land and make environmental policies more optimal and effective through the participation of local people in the proper use of natural resources. The project will restore 23,800 hectares of pasture and forest and improve management on 634,000 hectares of land, contributing to the reduction of 1.72 million tons of CO2-equivalent emissions and benefiting over 10,000 citizens. The joint implementation of this project reaffirms the commitment of the Government of Mongolia and the FAO to ensure environmental sustainability, preserve biodiversity, and enhance the resilience of local communities.

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The Air around MNB and Tolgoit Area is "Heavily Polluted", Negatively Impacting Human Health

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: isee.mn

Here is the air quality report for Ulaanbaatar. As of 9:00 AM today, the air around MNB and Tolgoit area is heavily polluted, with an index of 275-344. However, the air is reported as clean around the 5 Buudal and Erdenet 2nd kindergarten area. Clean: Has no adverse effects on human health. Normal: Meets air quality standards. However, some highly sensitive individuals may show symptoms of respiratory diseases. Low Pollution: Adversely affects the health of highly sensitive individuals. People with chronic heart, lung diseases, especially those with asthma, are more susceptible to its effects. Polluted: Adverse health effects start to appear. Highly sensitive individuals may experience severe health effects. Very Polluted: Prolonged outdoor exposure may have noticeable negative effects on human health. Heavily Polluted: Negative health effects are present. Interestingly, internationally, an air pollution level is considered normal when it is at 25, while in our country, a level of 50 is considered normal. During the "High Pollution" period, people with chronic heart and lung diseases, the elderly, and children should avoid any physical activity outdoors. People with chronic illnesses need to regularly monitor their blood pressure, stay under medical supervision, and take their medication on time.

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Golomt Bank's Head Office Receives LEED O+M 'Gold' Certification from USGBC

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The head office building of Golomt Bank has successfully obtained the prestigious international "GOLD" level LEED O+M (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Operations and Maintenance) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), recognizing it as an environmentally friendly and sustainably managed building. This certification is awarded to buildings that meet criteria such as reducing negative environmental impacts, improving energy efficiency, ensuring proper water usage, maintaining adequate air quality, and implementing advanced technologies. Golomt Bank's head office is now the third building in Mongolia to receive the LEED certification. By developing and approving the "Sustainable Green Operational Standard," Golomt Bank continues to implement goals aimed at making its operations environmentally and socially friendly, adhering to standards such as green procurement, cleaning, and maintenance. Additionally, in its head office and other branches, the bank is incorporating LED lighting for energy savings, using renewable energy, and utilizing water-saving equipment to foster water conservation. Furthermore, waste sorting is carried out in the offices and branches, with recyclable waste being transferred to contracted organizations. Notice: Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when using this information in any form, whether fully or in part.

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Innovation

Today: Oxford University Researchers Present Study on Mongolia's Cyber Security Level

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Events happening today: At 9:00 AM: Researchers from Oxford University will present their report on the current state of Mongolia's cyber security. The presentation will take place in the "Grand" hall of the Ulaanbaatar Gallery. At 11:00 AM: Citizen Kh. Sonintsetseg will hold a press conference at the "Mongol News" information center regarding the repeated illegal actions committed despite court orders, which have harmed the owner. The organization is being claimed for damages of two billion tugriks incurred over seven years. At 11:30 AM: At the "Century News" information center, the Mongolian Horse Racing and Owners Association will provide information on organizing the first 1700-meter short-distance horse race in Mongolia aimed at developing the sport of professional horse racing. - At the invitation of Badr Bin Hamad Bin Hamoud Al-Busaidi, the Sultanate of Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mongolia's Minister of Foreign Affairs B. Battsetseg is on an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman from February 18-20, 2025. - Artist Kh. Uuganbayar, known for creating a unique artistic style in oil painting, is exhibiting his solo exhibition "Footsteps on the Cloud" at the Union of Mongolian Artists' Exhibition Hall. - A VAT lottery will be held. Follow @montsame.mn

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S. Javkhlan: State agencies will have a budget for cybersecurity

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Researchers from the University of Oxford presented a study evaluating Mongolia's cybersecurity. According to this study, the country ranks 103rd out of 193 countries in terms of cybersecurity as of 2024. The Director of the Public Center for Combating Cyber Attacks and Violations, S. Javkhlan, stated, "The study concluded that the market for cybersecurity in our country is quite small. There are issues with technology and investment. The required investment in this sector is very high. For instance, a single license for a program costs 400-500 million tugriks per year. Therefore, significant investment is needed. In our country, this market is very small, and budget allocation is an issue. Expenses for information technology in state agencies should be categorized separately, and a dedicated budget for cybersecurity should be allocated. All state agencies should conduct risk assessments and audits every two years. We also face a shortage of cybersecurity experts. Both investment and training of personnel are important." Warning: Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social pages, and Websites) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, in whole or in part.

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A Program to Improve English Skills of Children in Bayan-Ulgii, Bayankhongor, and Sukhbaatar Provinces

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Yesterday, the Ministry of Education and UNICEF signed an agreement to implement a program to improve the English language skills of children in Bayan-Ulgii, Bayankhongor, and Sukhbaatar provinces, with financial support from the British government. As part of this program: - 320 teachers will receive training in teaching English. - Quality English education will be provided to over 12,000 primary school children. - Research will be conducted on teaching methodologies suitable for remote areas, and future actions will be outlined, according to information provided by UNICEF. To recall, last August during her visit to our country, the UK's Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, Catherine West, announced that the UK would allocate 500,000 pounds sterling to a scholarship program for preparing English teachers in Mongolia's rural areas. Warning: Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must cite their source (ikon.mn) when using our information, whether in full or in part.

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Mobicom Launches AI-Based Xplore Platform

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Mobicom Corporation LLC is launching the AI-based Xplore digital innovation platform in collaboration with Circles, a Singapore-based company. This function, which contains useful and interesting content suitable for the lifestyle of its users, has been introduced to the Mobicom app and is currently being tested by a specific group of users. The Xplore menu of the Mobicom app includes: - Over 80 types of games - Event news and horoscopes - Many mini-apps such as quick writing challenges, quizzes, and puzzles Koji Kurushima, CEO of Mobicom Corporation LLC, stated, "We aim to not only provide telecommunications services to our customers but also offer everything that suits their lifestyle and interests, making their digital usage more valuable. Therefore, we have begun testing the Xplore function that allows users to spend their time enjoyably by accessing daily news, horoscopes, playing games, and answering questions through our app." Sanjay Kaul, Vice President of Sales at Circles, said, "We are delighted to collaborate with Mobicom to bring new services to Mongolian users. We believe that the Xplore function will offer enjoyable and useful information in line with people's interests, elevating their digital experience to a new level." Circles is a technology company providing digital innovation products and services in the Singapore, Australia, and Japan markets.

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70 Percent of Government Agencies Cannot Assess Their Cyber Attack Risk

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

In collaboration with the Cybersecurity Capacity Centre for Southern Africa at Oxford University, an assessment was conducted on the current level of cybersecurity in Mongolia. Mongolia received a score of 56 on the Global Cybersecurity Index compiled by the International Telecommunication Union, ranking 103rd out of 193 countries, placing it at a strengthening medium level. In 2021, an evaluation was conducted on 605 government agencies in Mongolia according to the MNS ISO/IEC 27001 standard. Among the organizations surveyed, 35% had an information security policy, while the remaining organizations were deemed insufficient. It was determined that 53% of the organizations had resolved property management issues, although the remaining 47% required improvements. About 43% of the organizations were appropriately addressing human resource issues, but it was noted that progress in this area is necessary. Additionally, 23% of the organizations indicated inadequate levels of information security regulation. A cybersecurity survey was also conducted among 67 government agencies in Mongolia. In detail, 32.35% of these agencies had a dedicated unit responsible for IT concerns, and 29.41% had experienced some form of cyber attack. Moreover, 50.33% did not follow any standards or frameworks to ensure information security, and 30% did not conduct any risk assessments. The most concerning statistic is that 70.59% of these agencies do not know their risk of being exposed to information security threats, and 56.67% have not developed information security policies or documentation. This research evaluates the attitudes and preparedness concerning information security within government agencies. The study included five organizations of the State Great Khural of Mongolia, 28 government agencies, 14 central agencies, 14 local government entities, and 5 other organizations.

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Mongolia ranks 103rd in cyber security level

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, in collaboration with JICA, has implemented a technical cooperation project to strengthen human resources in cyber security and presented a study on assessing Mongolia's cyber security level in cooperation with the Cyber Security Capacity Centre at the University of Oxford in England. The report of this research highlights the need to improve the coherence of cyber security policies and legal frameworks, increase public knowledge and awareness, enhance human resources for cyber security, and expand international cooperation. The report concludes that investments in standards and technology are necessary, while the cyber security policies and strategies of Mongolia showed high performance. Additionally, cooperation in combating cybercrime and the legal evaluation was rated as "stable and good." The study recommended creating a national-level methodology and standards for assessing cyber security risks, increasing investments, implementing programs to provide knowledge and skills, and expanding cooperation with government, private sector, and international organizations to combat this type of crime, thereby establishing Mongolia's cyber security ecosystem. In carrying out this study, over 200 experts from the UK government, international organizations, research institutions, the public, private sector, and civil society organizations participated, using a "Cybersecurity Capacity Assessment Model." Cyber security ecosystems were assessed in five key areas: - Cyber security policy and strategy - Cyber security culture and societal impact - Developing knowledge and skills in cyber security - Legal and regulatory environment - Standards and technology Each dimension of cyber security capacity was categorized into five levels: nascent, formative, established, strategic, and dynamic. To evaluate Mongolia's current level of cyber security, over 110 experts from government and private sector, universities, research institutions, and organizations responsible for dealing with cyber threats and incidents were involved. Mongolia ranked 103rd out of 193 countries with 56 points in the Global Cybersecurity Index published by the International Telecommunication Union, assessed at a middle "emerging" level. Ts. Purevnyam, director of the Cyber Security Policy and Regulatory Directorate of the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, stated, "It is commendable that there has been improvement in the legal environment and cooperation, but attention needs to be given to personnel, infrastructure, and equipment. Protecting cyber and information security is not only a government task but also requires involvement from the private sector. Since 2021, Mongolia University of Science and Technology and since last year, the National University of Mongolia have been training specialists at the master's level in cyber security, growing this field as an independent sector. By conducting information security audits, analyzing risk assessments, and implementing activities based on recommendations, risks will be reduced."

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Health

Cases of Measles Reported in Asian Countries Frequented by Mongolians

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) reported that one suspected case of measles, related to travel in countries where the disease has been recorded, has been isolated and subjected to diagnosis and treatment, with monitoring and investigation underway. As of January 2025, 3,106 cases of measles have been recorded worldwide. In Thailand, a country frequently visited by Mongolians, there have been 103 cases; in South Korea, 1 case; and in Vietnam, 114 cases. Due to these outbreaks, it is recommended that you get vaccinated against measles before traveling abroad. Citizens can receive vaccinations at the NCCD's Volunteer Immunization Unit. Children who are 9 months and 2 years old should receive free vaccinations against measles, mumps, and rubella according to the national schedule. These vaccinations can be obtained at their family health centers or soum health centers.

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Suspected Case of Measles Reported

Published: 2025-02-19 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) reported that they have isolated an individual with suspected symptoms of measles for diagnosis and treatment, and are conducting an epidemiological study. The person had traveled to a country where measles cases have been reported. Last month, 3,106 cases of measles were recorded worldwide. Among them, 114 cases were reported in Vietnam, 103 in Thailand, and 1 in South Korea, where many Mongolians travel. Therefore, the NCID advises those traveling abroad to get immunized against measles. Citizens can visit the Voluntary Immunization Cabinet at the center to receive the vaccine. This disease is highly contagious. For example, it is reported that 98% of individuals who have not been vaccinated, who are in close proximity, or in the same room as an infected person, risk contracting the disease through airborne droplets.

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Today's Stories

Politics

Economy

Diplomacy

Infrastructure

Society

Environment

Innovation

Health

Politics

The Government Meeting Resolved the Following Issues

If Violations of the Law are Proven, MCS's License Will be Revoked

FACT: "Officials who allegedly traveled at the invitation and expense of the CU company were on a business trip to South Korea at their own expense"

Provisions of the New Regulation on Exploration Licenses

O.Altangerel: MCS Group Conducted Illegal Operations and Breached State Secrets

Why Was the Head of Legal Department of "MCS Group" Detained by Intelligence?

Ts.Tuvaan: Decision Made to Resume Issuing Exploration Licenses Stalled in 2024

Strategic and Inherited Resource Holders, Related Members of the State Great Khural

N. Uchral: Seven Ministries' 36 Regulations Overridden by Law Have Been Cancelled

Discussion on 'Implementation of Standards and Legal Environment' to be Held

Member of Parliament E. Bolormaa Demands Reinstatement

Economy

Wants to Collaborate on Oil Exploration in Mongolia to Increase Reserves

The Economic Development Council Will Focus on Attracting Foreign Investment

Sxcoal: Reasons for the Decline in Mongolia's Coal Exports

Government Issues New Bond and Manages Debt for Two Existing Bonds

Discussions on Dividends from "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC

Household and Electricity Consumers' Tariff Increase Discussion Underway

"Mongolian Stock Exchange" JSC to Distribute 47 MNT Dividend per Share

"Mongolrostsvetmet" to Work in Critical Minerals Sector and Announce Exploration Areas Before PDAC Conference

Study on the Prospects of Zinc in Mongolia Published

N. Uchral: The Dividend for 1072 Shares Will Be Distributed Quarterly

Ts.Tuvaan: Despite Increased Coal Exports, Revenue Has Decreased

Will Citizens Choose to Cash Out or Keep Their Dividends from the 1072 Shares?

OPEN TENDER INVITATION

N.Ukral: Proposal to distribute dividends for 1,072 shares quarterly submitted to Erdenes Tavantolgoi company's board of directors

Implementing "Gold-3" Campaign

'XacBank' JSC will distribute a dividend of 27 MNT per share

Kh. Munkhjargal: Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC Will Distribute 1.1 Trillion MNT in Dividends to Citizens

Diplomacy

Met with World Bank Consultant to Discuss New Projects

Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg Meets with the Leadership of Oman's Investment Authority

The Foreign Minister Met with the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment of the Sultanate of Oman

Infrastructure

Plans to Expand Chinggis Khan International Airport Discussed

"The Project to Bring Water to the Gobi Included in Government's 14 Mega Projects"

Electricity from Renewable Sources to be Purchased for 285-300 Tugriks

The Deadlock of the Gashuunsukhait Railway is Cleared and the Delayers are Distanced

O. Batnairamdal: Construction Companies' Standards Need to be Updated

Discussing the Challenges in the Construction Sector

The Halzan Buregtei Project Nears Extraction, Requests Government Support

Society

How many foreign nationals live in Mongolia?

Things to Pay Attention to When Filling Out the Entry Card for South Korea

Shelters for Victims on the Verge of Closure

Proposal to Ban Access to Facebook, TikTok for Children Under 16 Supported by 92%

Environment

Collaboration with the UN to Restore 23,800 Hectares of Pasture and Forest

The Air around MNB and Tolgoit Area is "Heavily Polluted", Negatively Impacting Human Health

Golomt Bank's Head Office Receives LEED O+M 'Gold' Certification from USGBC

Innovation

Today: Oxford University Researchers Present Study on Mongolia's Cyber Security Level

S. Javkhlan: State agencies will have a budget for cybersecurity

A Program to Improve English Skills of Children in Bayan-Ulgii, Bayankhongor, and Sukhbaatar Provinces

Mobicom Launches AI-Based Xplore Platform

70 Percent of Government Agencies Cannot Assess Their Cyber Attack Risk

Mongolia ranks 103rd in cyber security level

Health

Cases of Measles Reported in Asian Countries Frequented by Mongolians

Suspected Case of Measles Reported

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