Mar 27, 2025 71 min read Daily News Summaries

Mongolia News Summary for March 27, 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 Draft Law on Freedom of the Press Needs Improvement

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The revised draft of the Law on Freedom of the Press has been submitted to the State Great Khural by the Government. In the process of drafting the law, particularly in matters relating to freedom of expression, the authors sought assistance from UNESCO to ensure compliance with international standards. Accordingly, Toby Mendel, the Executive Director of the "Center for Law and Democracy" from Canada, and a UNESCO consultant and lawyer, is providing technical support for the draft law. Toby Mendel presented his findings, based on an evaluation against international standards and best practices ensuring freedom of expression, to the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs, O. Altangerel. Mendel stated, "The purpose of the draft law clearly appears to be aimed at protecting the freedom of the press. However, some provisions need to be amended and improved, for which specific recommendations have been prepared. Overall, it is assessed as having been well done." The minister expressed willingness to support and collaborate on incorporating the recommendations included in the advice if the Parliament endorses the discussion of this draft law and establishes a new working group.

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Draft Law Amending the Law on Permits Introduced

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar, March 26, 2025. Today, N. Uchral, the Chief of the Government Secretariat, introduced to the Speaker of the Parliament, D. Amarbayasgalan, a draft law amending the Law on Permits. Along with this, other draft laws developed in connection with this amendment were also submitted. N. Uchral highlighted that numerous economic crimes such as money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion have been increasingly committed through both online and offline illegal gambling and betting activities across Mongolia. Over the last three years, approximately 350-450 illegal gambling sites have been actively operating, highlighting a pressing issue with foreign legal entities engaged in online and bet-based gambling. Illegal assets obtained through criminal acts have been concealed, transferred, and invested offshore through betting sites. As a countermeasure, access to 6036 domain addresses with illegal online gambling activities from Mongolia has been restricted. To curtail actions causing significant economic damage and negatively impacting the economic security of the country, a draft law amending the Law on Permits and other related laws have been developed. This draft law aims to prohibit organizing lottery, betting games, and online gambling activities. Furthermore, a draft law to amend the Criminal Code has been formulated, which classifies organizing, intermediation in lottery, betting games, and online gambling activities as crimes, N. Uchral emphasized, as reported by the Press Office of the Parliament.

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Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

In Ulaanbaatar, MONTSAME reports that the government has decided to instruct state organizations authorized to issue permissions to process issues related to granting, extending, suspending, renewing, and revoking permissions within the timeframe specified by the Law on Permissions. The aim is to reduce the stages in the permission granting process, adopt administrative regulations consistent with the law, and apply these in their activities. The government also instructed officials to use the public information exchange "KhUR" system to receive requests, verify attached documents, and make decisions. It will also check whether permission holders are conducting activities through the electronic payment receipt system and will deliver decision notifications to citizens through the "E-Mongolia" electronic system. Measures to integrate these services into the "e-business.mn" system are to be implemented by May 1. The "Financial Information Technology Center" and "E-Mongolia" were tasked with providing professional and methodological support to relevant organizations within the system. By switching the permission issuance process to an electronic format, as of March 21, 76 permissions have been granted through "license.mn", 43 through "e-business.mn", and 116 have been issued by authorized organizations through their own systems. The unified permission database now contains information on 151,746 permissions. However, 73 special permissions continue to be issued traditionally via paper by individuals and legal entities, according to the Government Information and Communication Office.

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Decisions from the Government Meeting

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The regular government meeting discussed various issues and decisions related to national development. Selbe Sub-Center to become the first model "20-minute city" The Minister of Mongolia and Head of the Cabinet Secretariat, N. Uchral, introduced the VIII meeting of the capital's Emergency Headquarters established by the Prime Minister's ordinance. The meeting discussed the progress of the "Selbe Sub-Center land clearance and residential development project in the ger area." The Selbe Sub-Center project is planned to cover 158 hectares and include 2,206 units in the Chingeltei and Sukhbaatar districts. The relevant measures have been initiated since 2020. Social and cultural services are planned for 45,610 residents following urban construction norms and standards, making it the first 20-minute model city. The plan is to build 113 residential buildings for 10,068 households, 17.7 km of roads, 43 km of sidewalks, 28.9 km of bicycle paths, 3.6 hectares of playgrounds, three schools, five kindergartens, a hospital, a sports facility, with 30% of the total area designated as green spaces. The construction work of the sub-center is divided into four packages, and tenders for the first two packages have been announced, with openings scheduled for next week. The upcoming two packages will be announced in the first week of the next month. Members of the emergency headquarters exchanged opinions related to the presentation and determined it appropriate to discuss establishing a "Land Clearance Fund" related to residential development in the ger area at the government meeting. Since the first meeting of the capital's Emergency Headquarters on January 14, 2025, a total of 39 issues, including 15 resolutions and 24 presentations, have been submitted to the government meeting to implement the Prime Minister's directives during the headquarters meetings. Export revenue increased by nine percent compared to the previous week Finance Minister B. Jargalan presented updates on mining product exports and the conditions of the foreign currency reserve at the government meeting. In a bid to increase the inflow of foreign currency, the Central Bank of Mongolia decided to increase the utilization of the swap deal with the People's Bank of China by $550 million, attract $300 million from foreign banks and financial institutions with a repayment condition from gold revenues, and accumulate $283.4 million through the trading of Mongolia's government foreign securities held internationally by the Deposit Insurance Corporation and the State Bank. In the last week, total export revenue reached $268 million from March 18-24, 2025, marking a nine percent increase compared to the previous week. The rise in coal exports to 1.9 million tons (an increase of 31%), copper concentrate exports reaching 57 thousand tons (also an increase of 31%), and iron ore exports to 176 thousand tons (an increase of 13%) significantly contributed to this growth. Meanwhile, imports rose by $3 million to $225 million, primarily due to increased diesel and fuel imports. With the uptick in export revenue, the national foreign currency reserve increased by $291 million from the previous week, now standing at $4.7 billion, sufficient to cover over four months' worth of imports. Decisions regarding granting, renewing, suspending, reinstating, and canceling licenses will be communicated to citizens via the "E-Mongolia" system. Decisions on licensing need to be made within the timeframes set out in the Licensing Law. The government meeting tasked authorized state organizations responsible for issuing licenses with reducing the stages of license issuance, enacting compliance administrative norms, and integrating them into their operations. To process requests, verify attached documents, make decisions using the "KhUR" state information exchange system, check licensee operations through the electronic payment receipt system, and communicate decision notices to citizens via the "E-Mongolia" electronic system, these measures must be implemented by May 1, with expert support from the "Financial Information Technology Center" and "E-Mongolia." As of March 21, 2025, the transition to electronic licensure has led to 76 licenses issued on "license.mn," 43 on "e-business.mn," with authorized entities issuing a total of 116 special licenses, resulting in 151,746 unit license records in the unified licensing database. Conversely, 73 special licenses continue to be issued traditionally, requiring direct contact via paperwork. Applications for farming on virgin lands submitted from five provinces The "Atrar-IV Sustainable Development Campaign for Farming," mentioned in the Mongolian Government's 2024-2028 Action Plan, has been initiated, following its 47th resolution endorsed in January 2025. Directives have been given to accelerate the campaign's implementation. The campaign aims to introduce advanced agricultural technologies, adapt new and profitable crops suitable for local soil and climate, increase feed production, and develop the central region into a model agricultural hub. The initiative seeks to maximize resources in the agricultural sector, enhance competitiveness by producing value-added products, provide stable food supplies, and result in tangible economic growth. A comprehensive plan for the "Atrar-4 Sustainable Development Campaign for Farming" has been approved. Key points include reforms in soil and plant protection, seed systems, feed production, cluster cooperatives, storage sales, transport logistics, innovation, technology, consultancy services, human resources, risk management, and foreign trade. The campaign is grouped under the following themes: - Adaptation to Climate Change and Environmentally Friendly Agricultural Production - Regional Development - Production and Value Chain - Innovation and Technology - Risk Systems and Foreign Trade 63 measures will be executed across these five objectives. Several activities are planned for the first quarter of 2025: Agreements are being made with 10 commercial banks to provide concessional loans on working capital and investment interest rates to food and agricultural entities. To stimulate private investment, the government has allocated 52.8 billion MNT for interest rate concessions. A 10% relief on loans aims to attract over 800 billion MNT in private investment into agricultural production. The introduction of virgin lands into farming circulation has begun to ensure a sustainable supply of animal feed, diversify crop types, and enhance production for export-oriented products. Applications have already been received for integrating 63.2 thousand hectares of virgin land from five provinces. Nationally, out of the total 34,930 tons of seed wheat reserves, 32,257 tons are prepared by individuals and businesses for their own use, while 2,673 tons are available for sale. Of the 9,134.52 tons of seed wheat in reserve at the ASEAN Co-op, 3,268.87 tons have been sold, with 5,865.65 tons remaining. There are also 18,199 tons of seed potatoes prepared, of which 6,853 tons are for individuals' needs and 11,692 tons are designated for sale. In developing intensive animal husbandry alongside crop farming, measures are being taken to supply 360 tons of seed from six types of feed crops with 1.4 billion MNT allocated.

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The government will hold extended meetings in the regions with full attendance

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The government's regular meeting traditionally takes place every Wednesday at the State Palace. However, from next month until June 1, it is planned for the entire government to travel to the rural areas of the regions for extended meetings. The extended meetings of the government's regional council are scheduled to begin on April 14. On April 14, it will be held in Arkhangai. On April 18, it will be held in Bulgan. On May 12, it will be held in Dornogovi. On May 26, it will be held in Darkhan. On June 9, it will be held in Dornod. On June 23, it will be held in Bayan-Ölgii. On June 30, preparations are underway to hold it in Ulaanbaatar.

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Economy

EVENTS: Discussion on Increasing Capacity of Tavan Tolgoi Coal Mine

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: ikon.mn

At the State Palace, the regular Cabinet meeting is continuing at 08:00. From 13:00 to 15:00, standing committees will meet. At the Food Safety Reference Laboratory, at 10:00, MP J. Chinburen will be working and will present on how the situation has changed as a result of the drug hearing. At the National Information Center, at 11:30, Advocacy Altargana law firm, the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Educational Committee, the Customs and Tax Educational Institute, and the Administrative Court of Appeal will jointly inform about organizing a Mock Trial in Criminal Court debates with university students participating. Notice: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) are reminded that when using our information in any form, in whole or in part, they must always cite the source (ikon.mn).

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B. Javkhlan: If updating the budget makes coal prices rise and foreign exchange reserves increase, let's do it every day

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: isee.mn

During today's meeting of the government, the regular report of the working group supporting the increase of exports and foreign exchange reserves was discussed. Finance Minister B. Javkhlan introduced this, stating, "The working group was established on March 13. During this time, due to issues related to imports and a decrease in exports, foreign exchange reserves have decreased, bringing negative pressures. We focused on correctly diagnosing this and implementing timely, appropriate measures. Last week, Minister Ts. Tuvaan, Minister B. Delgersaikhan, and I visited key export border points such as Khangi, Gashuunsukhait, and Shiveekhuren. The situations at these three border points are different. At Gashuunsukhait and Khangi, piles have formed both before and beyond the border. Due to lack of offloading beyond, additional exchanges on the stock market are not possible. Along with the drop in coal prices, the importing parties have faced significant losses, making it impossible for them to engage in further stock exchange transactions. None of this is due to us. Nevertheless, there is much to be done at the Khangi-Mandal and Gashuunsukhait-Ganqmod border points. Especially, the cost of transportation needs to be reduced. These two points have new railway lines and roads built through concessions. We have focused on quickly operationalizing these roads, reducing the costs of existing railway infrastructure, and minimizing all costs associated with loading and unloading from the railway, meeting with the parties involved. The cost of the railways was reduced by 50% due to discussions with them. The situation at Gashuunsukhait isn't much different. Beyond the border, one should not store more than 4.5, but it has approached this number. At Shiveekhuren, conditions are somewhat different. There is 100% privately-funded export there. Construction and coal export are proceeding relatively successfully on market principles. From this portal, out of the 25 million tons of coal planned, the goal was to export 5 million in the first quarter. Although we haven't reached 5 million tons, we are getting close. The private sector has committed and has done a pretty good job in setting up cross-border railway constructions. Additionally, comprehensive construction work at station ports on the front side is underway. By promptly making this construction operational, transportation can be increased 2-3 times. Private exporting companies working there plan to export 50 million tons of coal once the point is operational. Currently, 25 million tons of coal are being exported. The percentage from the Windfall Tax has hit hard and has gone beyond the real cost sold, so please reconsider this tax for low-cost coal. They proposed to start using the built infrastructure promptly. If Parliament approves the agreement of the Gashuunsukhait-Ganqmod border project tomorrow, the work on the Shiveekhuren-Sekhee will also link. After ratifying this agreement, further discussions on connecting the Shiveekhuren-Sekhee border railway will be held. This railway connection of Shiveekhuren-Sekhee is totally different from Gashuunsukhait-Ganqmod. It's just a two-month job. Standing there, you can see the connection on the other side. Finishing it in two months will be the second border link since the opening of the Zamyn-Uud-Eren border 70 years ago. The ultimate goal of increasing exports is to increase foreign reserves. There is an opportunity to quickly increase the foreign exchange reserves in the central bank by utilizing financial market opportunities. All available resources will be mobilized. Domestic financial institutions hold 700-800 million dollars from previously issued government bonds. By monetizing this and bringing it domestically, foreign exchange reserves can be increased. The decision was also made to monetize the 230 million dollars on the Deposit Insurance Corporation and the 50 million dollars held by the State Bank and transfer them to the domestic foreign reserve. The Central Bank is set to acquire 18 tons of gold, which at the current rate equals about 1.8 billion dollars. There is a chance to advance this acquisition. Within two weeks, bringing in an additional more than 300 million dollars and thus making it possible to increase Mongolia's foreign exchange reserves by 530 million dollars within a month has been decided. In recent years, we have managed to pay off maturing bonds and defer those that could be deferred. We even prepaid the bonds due in 2025 and 2026. Moreover, we reached an all-time high in credit rating in the fall, matching the levels of 2011, 2012. This earned us trust from external agencies. The companies responsible for exports, including Erdenet, Erdenes Tavantolgoi, and Darkhan Metallurgical Plant, were assigned by the government to increase additional export by 500 million dollars to one billion dollars. Major enterprises were also instructed to defer new constructions and import-related work. Trading of copper, iron ore, and fluorspar has begun. If updating the budget could alone raise coal prices and increase foreign reserves, we would update the budget every day. Before making an update, the government must mobilize all possible resources and see results first. The General Principles of Budget Law article 34.1 states under what circumstances the government can submit proposals to the Parliament for budget adjustments. Article 34.1.3 specifically mentions that if there is a revenue shortfall and deficit, it is a cause for an update to the budget. Currently, the preliminary budget performance is at 95%. Therefore, the government plans to mobilize all resources and then review the results.

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To Support Youth Employment in Collaboration with South Korea

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

With the financial support of the governments of Mongolia and the Republic of Korea, a Youth Employment Promotion (YEP) project is planned to be implemented over a 30-month period. The project aims to analyze the challenges faced by young people in gaining employment and to improve human resource policies, productivity, and workplace management. Given its significance in supporting Mongolia's economic growth and increasing job opportunities, the project will be piloted in the wool and cashmere, and hospitality service sectors. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry, representatives of employers and employees' organizations, the Mongolian Wool and Cashmere Association, the Mongolian Light Industry Workers' Union, professional and technical education and training institutions, selected businesses and enterprises, the Employment Service Agency of the Republic of Korea (KLES), and the Employment Information Service Agency of the Republic of Korea (KEIS). Their aim is to sustainably improve youth employment conditions and productivity in the long term. Within the framework of the project, evidence-based policies and solutions will be identified, and trainings will be organized to support the initiative and participation of young workers and improve workplace management.

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Reuters: Trafigura's Executive in Mongolia Transfers $500 Million to Aunt's Company

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Switzerland's trading company Trafigura is under investigation for a billion-dollar fraud case, which has led to the dismissal of its executive in Mongolia. Former executive E. Jononbayar allegedly transferred more than $500 million to a company owned by his aunt, according to a Reuters report. The company Lex Oil, a major client of Trafigura in Mongolia, is said to be owned by Jononbayar's aunt, Erdenetul. This connection was established by ownership documents and information from three sources close to Trafigura. Last October, Trafigura announced a $1.1 billion loss following internal investigations, which revealed serious breaches by some employees involved in Mongolia's oil supply business. These breaches included falsifying records to inflate payments from Trafigura and hiding overdue debts. While Trafigura reported significant debts due to this misconduct to its main client, the investigation continues, and the company refrained from revealing its main client's name or the individuals involved. However, sources indicated that Jononbayar's aunt's company received fuel sales and loans worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Sources believe Trafigura's risk control department should have examined family ties more closely, raising doubts about the control system of one of the world's largest energy and commodity trading companies. Bank sources financing Trafigura see a major risk that a bigger fraud could be uncovered. Reuters' report is based on information from sources close to Trafigura's operations in Mongolia, interviews with the company's banking partners, and records from the General Authority for State Registration of Mongolia. Jononbayar has been with Trafigura since 2012, according to sources and his LinkedIn profile. He was suspended from his role last year along with a few other employees. His mother, Erdenesuren, worked at the General Customs Administration of Mongolia, which oversees fuel import operations. Sources state that Erdenesuren worked in the risk department of the customs authority until 2018. Internal investigations by Trafigura reportedly found no evidence that Lex Oil and Trafigura enjoyed preferential treatment from customs. Lex Oil was established in 2019 and partnered with Trafigura, using a credit line from Trafigura to grant loans to domestic fuel consumers and selling imported diesel from Russia and Singapore. However, no official documents confirm loans provided by Trafigura. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mongolia's coal exports to China were disrupted, striking a major blow to the mining industry and reducing fuel demand. Despite this, Lex Oil continued fuel import and supply operations and provided loans to local companies, leading to Trafigura's accumulating debt. The newly formed Mongolian government has started investigating the case, although an official conclusion is yet to be made, according to a source. In 2022, Erdenetul transferred ownership of Lex Oil to her husband, Dashnyam Chimbat. This change in ownership has been deleted from the official Mongolian government website but remains available in OpenDataLab's transparency database. What concerns Trafigura's financial backers most is that the $1.1 billion loss occurred in one of the company's smallest markets, Mongolia. This case follows closely after the $600 million nickel fraud in Singapore, adding to the financiers' anxiety. From 2019-2023, some business employees in Mongolia committed serious breaches. The company documented a $358 million loss related to Mongolia in its 2024 report. While Trafigura has assessed risks globally, identifying high-risk locations, Mongolia was not singled out. The company states its intensified oversight measures are being accelerated. In January 2025, Richard Holtum, newly appointed CEO of Trafigura, stated during the FT Commodities Global Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland, that the $1.1 billion fraud in Mongolia served as a "lesson learned." Holtum suggested the immense loss in Mongolia's small fuel market resulted from Trafigura Mongolia's isolated position, where traders and operations worked without additional management supervision—a rarity in its branches. Management's inability to visit Mongolia due to the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by the scarcity of Mongolian-speaking employees outside Mongolia, also contributed. This isn't an excuse for what occurred, Holtum emphasized, but a revelation of the unfolding situation. A more open culture might have led to earlier detection of the Mongolian fraud and the 2023 nickel case. The company is now updating its "internal framework" to protect against potential fraud in parallel businesses.

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D. Dalaijargal: Uranium will be mined starting 2028 and transported via waterways through China

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: ikon.mn

D. Dalaijargal stated that uranium will start being mined from 2028 and will be transported by water through China.

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Boao Forum 2025: Boosting Asia's Joint Economic Growth

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: news.mn

The regularly scheduled Boao conference, known as the "Asian Davos," involving 29 member countries, is being held from March 25-28 this year in Hainan, a southern province of China. The very first conference took place on February 26-27, 2001, with Mongolia's first President Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat attending as a representative of his country. This year, the theme is "Asia in a Changing World: For a Shared Future," and "NEWS" agency is covering the event from the ground. While Western countries debate trade barriers and additional tariffs, a major conference defining Asia's economic policies and cooperative trends is taking place in Boao city, referred to as "Asia’s Hawaii." It was in Beijing on October 8, 1999, that China’s then Premier Hu Jintao discussed with leaders from the Philippines and Australia the establishment of a joint conference for Asia's economic and trade development. Furthermore, China initiated the annual conferences in Hainan, a strategically important region, starting with 26 member countries in 2000. Since 2020, the Communist Party of China’s central committee and the State Council have aimed to transform this region into the world’s largest free trade port. This goal is to increase joint trade among member countries without any tax burdens, fostering stable relations and coordination. By the end of this year, Hainan will complete the first phase of implementing a special customs regime, allowing the free transport of goods abroad, while maintaining normal control over trade with mainland China. Moreover, Hainan is strategically located, within four hours of air travel to 21 countries and regions, and within eight hours to 59 countries and regions. Its location provides easy access via sea to the Indo-Pacific regions, making it an important new global trade route. Hainan's efforts to enhance regional trade have only been in place for five years but are already showing results, observers noted. According to representatives, business magnates, policymakers, and industry experts attending the conference, Hainan's total imports and exports are predicted to reach 277.65 billion yuan by 2024, with an annual increase of 20%. The island's GDP could reach 793.5 billion yuan, with tourism revenue of 204 billion yuan in the same period. Going forward, Hainan aims to focus on four key areas: tourism, modern services, high technology, and tropical agriculture, leading its development. Scheduled for 2025, political and business leaders attending the "Boao Forum for Asia" will engage under the theme "Asia in a Changing World: For a Shared Future" and participate in the "Global Development of Free Trade Ports" sub-forum. During the event, they discussed the significance of free trade zones in Asian integration and the "RCEP" trade agreement between China, Japan, and ASEAN nations. Preliminary statistics show that more than 60 countries and over 2,000 regional representatives are attending this year's conference, along with over 1,000 journalists from around 150 media organizations. Ban Ki-moon, the President of the Boao Forum for Asia, said during the opening, "My team and I have seen firsthand how this region has transformed and modernized. From infrastructure and services to high-tech industries, Hainan is becoming a resource and talent hub. This event, by its scale and level of participation, firmly attests to the importance of free trade and globalization. While international trade can never be 100% free, this significantly expands the global economic opportunities and helps lift hundreds of millions out of poverty and hardship. The level of what the global economy can achieve greatly depends on openness and inclusivity. Implementing free trade port policies is undeniably important and beneficial." Vice Chair of the Boao Forum for Asia, Zhou Xiaochuan, also took to the podium, stating, "Political, security, economic, and technological factors are interconnected and interacting. This creates new challenges for international order. Therefore, Asian countries need to advance regional economic integration and make globalization inclusive and equitable. Adhering to true multilateralism without one-sided approaches in trade and economic policies will ensure stable development for the future of the world." This year's forum aims to support international development and cooperation by increasing open dialogue and exploring innovative forms in each sector to achieve tangible results.

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The Exchange Rate of the Dollar Reaches 3500 Tögrögs

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: news.mn

The exchange rate of the U.S. dollar was 3,380 tögrögs at the beginning of October last year. However, starting from the middle of last October, the exchange rate for the dollar against the tögrög has steadily increased, reaching 3,500 tögrögs. Specifically, as of today, the buying rate for the dollar in cash at commercial banks is 3,475 tögrögs, while the selling rate has reached 3,500 tögrögs. Last month, the Bank of Mongolia reported that the official foreign currency reserves of Mongolia stand at 4.9 billion, which is sufficient to cover five months' worth of goods and circulation volume. Since last October, as the dollar exchange rate began to rise steadily, economists expressed the view that the increase in imported goods is contributing to the rise in the dollar's exchange rate.

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Providing Concession Loans to Farmers and Producers

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Khan Bank is offering new opportunities for green financing aimed at supporting the development of agriculture, sustainable rural agriculture, and clusters for farmers and agricultural business operators. This loan is open to all participants in the agricultural cluster, such as farmers, equipment suppliers, flour and feed processing plants, and distributors. It is notable for having interest rates that are 1.2 - 3.6 percent lower on average compared to other business loans. Purpose of the Loan Farmers and business operators can receive concessional financing for the following purposes: For Farmers: - Purchase of seeds, fertilizers, and plant protection chemicals - Renewal and improvement of irrigation systems - Provision of spare parts for machinery and equipment - Construction and repair of buildings and facilities - Long-term investment For Business Operators: - Purchase of raw materials - Conduct processing production - Increase production capacity - Technological updates - Finance working capital Loan Terms Khan Bank is working collaboratively to provide favorable loan and financing conditions to participants in the agricultural product production cluster network. This collaboration aims to contribute to the long-term sustainable development and climate change goals of Mongolia. It also provides tangible support to businesses operating in the agricultural sector, taking a significant step towards enhancing opportunities to export products according to international standards. Growth Together – Khan Bank

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B.Delgersaikhan: Railway transport tariff between Khangi-Mandal and Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod reduced by 50%

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: ikon.mn

At today's government meeting, it was reported that a working group aimed at organizing coal transport efficiently, urgently solving the coal stockpiles at the border, accelerating the export of mining products in the short term, and increasing foreign exchange reserves, reviewed the conditions at the Khangi, Gashuunsukhait, and Shiveekhuren ports last week. Regarding this, the Minister of Roads and Transportation, B. Delgersaikhan, mentioned that "The Ministry of Roads and Transport has reduced the railway tariff on the Khangi-Mandal side by 50%. This means that the infrastructure tariff has been reduced by 50%. The tariff for moving compositions running on it has not been reduced. The railway transport tariff between Gashuunsukhait and Gantsmod is also being decreased by 50%. Reduction of railway tariffs is a normal practice in any railway. Previously, the calculated tariff for Tavantolgoi was high, so it was considered that the railway would be used for a long time to cover the costs, hence the tariff was reduced to this extent. Furthermore, efforts are being made to reduce the costs of vehicle transport and the loading costs of coal. The Ministry of Roads and Transport has established a working group to work on-site, expressing the possibility of saving costs for unloading containers, loading onto vehicles, and crossing the border at the border points. At the Khangi port, 300-400 vehicles are passing, and at Gashuunsukhait, 250-300 vehicles are passing. When visiting the Shiveekhuren and Sekhee ports, there were over 600 vehicles passing. Coal output at these ports remains stable and is expected to increase in the future. The place with stockpiles is Gantsmod-Gashuunsukhait. Exports will increase when construction work commences.

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Complaints Regarding Employment and Labor Recruitment from Abroad are Being Addressed

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The General Department of Labor and Social Welfare Services has started receiving complaints and information relating to the employment and recruitment of labor from abroad. Recently, there have been many complaints and reports from citizens, enterprises, and organizations regarding the implementation and activities of the legislation on labor force migration. In relation to this, relevant officials from the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection will be working at the General Department of Labor and Social Welfare Services to resolve the applications and complaints coming from citizens, enterprises, and organizations. Citizens, entities, and organizations can submit their applications and complaints related to obtaining a labor force from abroad, special permits for brokering employment abroad, fees related to foreign workers' job positions, as well as social welfare and employment issues, by accessing the QR code and link provided by the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection. Warning: Media outlets (TV, Radio, Social and Web pages) must mention their source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, either completely or partially.

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Report on the Implementation of Mongolia's Five-Year Development Plan (2021-2025) Evaluated at 67.7%

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The State Audit Organization presented the performance audit report on the implementation of "Mongolia's Five-Year Development Plan for 2021-2025" to the Joint Meeting of the State Structure and Economic Standing Committees of the State Great Khural (Parliament). The joint meeting of the Standing Committees continued and discussed the audit report. By Resolution No. 23 of 2020, the State Great Khural approved the five-year development plan for Mongolia, which includes 9 policies and goals, 47 targets, and 243 actions. The plan also covers 150 projects and actions from the investment program, with 98 needing feasibility studies and design, and 88 requiring resolution of funding sources, all documented in lists. The performance audit report noted that although the basic direction was approved with 95 monitoring, evaluation criteria, and baseline and target levels, it lacks coherence with the 243 actions described. Specifically, 108 of the 243 actions have no criteria, baseline, or target levels, which means they do not fully meet the legal requirements. Based on the evidence collected during the audit, it was evaluated that the "Five-Year Development Plan for Mongolia (2021-2025)" was implemented at 67.7%. It was also concluded that failure to develop the basic direction in accordance with legal requirements affected full implementation within the planned timeframe, causing difficulties in evaluating the real performance, reducing its impact on sustainable social, economic, and environmental development. Despite spending a total of 21.7 trillion tugriks from 2021 to 2024 on the goals, targets, and actions set out in "Mongolia's Five-Year Development Plan," it is unclear what positive changes have resulted in the socio-economic context, the report highlighted. Based on the audit conclusions, the National Audit Office issued recommendations to conduct comprehensive research, calculations, and evaluations for projects and actions included in Mongolia's investment program, in accordance with laws, regulations, and methodologies. The necessity to ensure goals, targets, and activities are prepared in a way that meets legal requirements, based on reasonable planning and with clear timelines and responsible entities, was emphasized. During the discussions, Chief Auditor D.Zagdjav stressed that the audit conclusions are drawn independently in accordance with international standards and noted that the basic direction fails to meet the Development Policy and Planning Law's criteria. Consequently, it was recommended that budget governors should realistically plan their top priorities and state investment, and implement the legal provisions to develop methodologies tailored to each sector. Finally, it was decided to present the suggestions and recommendations of the joint standing committees regarding the five-year development plan and the Government of Mongolia's performance report for the 2024-2028 period to the plenary session of the parliament. Warning: Media outlets (TV, radio, social and web pages) must cite the source (ikon.mn) in any use of this information, whether in full or in part.

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Proposal to Reduce Income Tax on Earnings to 1% Opens for Public Comments

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: isee.mn

A proposal has been developed to reduce the income tax on personal earnings from 10% to 1%. Citizens are now being invited to provide their feedback on this proposal. The petition suggests amending Section 6.3 of the Law on Personal Income Tax to reduce the current tax rate to 1%, which includes the following types of income: 6.3.1. Salary, wage, bonus, incentive, and other similar employment income, 6.3.2. Income from operations, 6.3.3. Income from assets, 6.3.4. Income from the sale or transfer of assets, 6.3.5. Indirect income, 6.3.6. Other income. As of now, the petition has garnered the support of 841 people who have signed it. If 100,000 people sign, a bill can be initiated and discussed in the parliament. Click here to view the petition.

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Tavantolgoi Fuel Company Rejects Coal from Energy Resource LLC

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Tavantolgoi Fuel LLC is collaborating with scientists from the Chemical and Chemical Technology Institute of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, the Scientific Council under the National Committee for Air Pollution Reduction, and foreign scientific organizations to replace the main raw material for compressed fuel, improve its quality, and develop new standards. This year, the company has announced that it will not purchase coal from Energy Resource LLC. Instead, they are using enriched coal from Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC to produce compressed fuel and conducting semi-industrial trials. The aim is to introduce it into use based on conclusions, recommendations, and decisions from the Scientific Council. Preliminary conclusions from scientists suggest that fuel made from enriched, quality coal can reduce air pollution and decrease toxicity. It should be noted that Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC has launched a plant with the capacity to enrich 10 million tons of coal per year by 2024.

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B. Javkhlan: We will convert the $230 million from the Deposit Insurance Corporation and the $50 million held by the State Bank into cash and transfer them to foreign exchange reserves

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: ikon.mn

At today's government meeting, a working group reported on measures to increase foreign exchange reserves. In this context, Finance Minister B. Javkhlan provided information about the decisions made. He stated, "We will use opportunities in the financial market to increase the foreign exchange reserves at the Central Bank in the short term. The Financial Stability Council convened yesterday and made several decisions in this regard. For instance, domestic financial institutions currently hold $600-800 million of government-issued bonds. By converting and bringing these into the country, it is possible to increase foreign exchange reserves. The government has decided to convert the $230 million held by the Deposit Insurance Corporation and the $50 million held by the State Bank into cash and transfer them to foreign exchange reserves. Additionally, the Bank of Mongolia will leverage its potential with gold reserves. This year, the Central Bank plans to purchase 18 tons of gold worth $1.8 billion. By receiving this in advance, it is possible to bring in $300 million within two weeks, thereby increasing Mongolia's foreign exchange reserves by $530 million within a month. Companies such as Erdenet, Darkhan Metallurgical Plant, Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, and Erdenes Critical Minerals plan to collectively increase exports by $500 million this year. The government has instructed these companies to raise this amount to $1 billion. Large state-owned enterprises are directed to prioritize and postpone investments and imports planned for this year. Minister N. Uchral is leading the National Committee working to implement the Law on Savings and increase budgetary spending efficiency.

Warning: Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social media, and Websites) must credit their source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, whether in full or in part.

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XacBank Secures $147 Million to Support Youth Entrepreneurship

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

XacBank successfully concluded a $147 million syndicated loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with the parties signing the contract in London, the capital of the United Kingdom. This agreement represents the highest financing amount provided by the EBRD to Mongolia's banking sector. This financing is aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs under the age of 35 operating in Mongolia. It will enhance access to financial resources, specifically loans, for those starting new businesses and expanding existing ones. Additionally, with the signing of this agreement, conditions are created for the implementation of the "Supporting Young Entrepreneurs in Central Asia" program by the EBRD in Mongolia. Through this program, young Mongolian entrepreneurs will be able to access various training, consultations, advisory services, and establish connections with other young business owners, thereby facilitating the exchange of experiences and know-how, among many other benefits. The $147 million financing is supported not only by the EBRD but also by the following five prestigious international financial institutions: - Allianz Global Investors (London)
- Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO)
- ILX Management (Amsterdam)
- AKA Bank (Germany)
- IIV Development and Microfinance Fund (Germany)

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B.Delgersaikhan: The tariff for the railway infrastructure has been reduced by 50%

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Minister of Road Transport and Development B. Delgersaikhan announced decisions from the government meeting in line with their goal to increase exports by boosting transportation and minimizing transportation and unloading costs, particularly focusing on reducing the additional costs incurred during coal loading and unloading. Last week, the Minister of Road Transport, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation, and the Minister of Finance visited all the ports. They have reduced the tariff for the Hang-Mandal railway, which is part of the Mongolian railway going from Zuunbayan to Tsogttsetsii, by 50%. Some media outlets have incorrectly reported this as a reduction in transportation fees, but it is different. Specifically, we have reduced the tariff for the railway's core infrastructure by 50%.

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B.Delgersaikhan: Railway infrastructure tariffs reduced by 50%

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: isee.mn

The decision made by the government was presented by the Minister of Road and Transport, B. Delgersaikhan. He noted that, as part of the working group appointed by the government to increase exports, the Ministry of Road and Transport has visited all the border ports to take measures to ensure normal transportation, improve it, and, in the process, reduce transportation costs as much as possible and save on loading expenses. During this period, the Ministry of Road and Transport reduced the tariffs on the railway from Zuunbayan to Tsogttsetsii by 50%. In other words, it means that the base infrastructure tariff has been reduced by 50%. In addition, the tariff for railway transport between Gashuun Sukhait and Gantsmod is being reduced by 50%. Furthermore, they are focusing on reducing the costs of vehicle transportation and the transportation costs of coal being loaded there, and the Ministry of Road and Transport has set up a working group to seek opportunities to save costs on the sections going through the border.

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Implementing the Fourth Atryn Campaign

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The government has decided to implement the Fourth Atryn Campaign following today's cabinet meeting. The Chief of Cabinet Secretariat, Uchral N., informed that, related to this decision, the Prime Minister will be working in the agricultural regions. During this time, issues facing the food and agriculture sectors will be addressed on site, he said. Our country has successfully carried out three previous campaigns to cultivate fallow lands. The first Atryn campaign was initiated by a resolution from the III Plenary Session of the Central Committee of MPRP in March 1959, and the second campaign began in 1976. These early Atryn campaigns were organized under the leadership of the MPRP, with the Central Committee of the Mongolian Youth League actively involving youth and collaborating with newly established State Agricultural Enterprises. The Atryn campaigns have been beneficial for Mongolia in meeting the domestic demand for staple foods such as flour and wheat, while also significantly contributing to the growth of production and technology. In 2008, the government approved National Programme No. 70, "The Third Atryn Campaign." The main objectives of this campaign were to protect and restore soil fertility, accelerate the renewal of seeds and technology, substitute imports, and ensure the sustainable development of agriculture aimed at export.

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Export Revenue Increased by 9% Compared to Last Week

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Minister of Finance, B. Javkhlan, presented the situation on increasing the export of mining products and the state of the foreign currency reserves at today's government meeting. To increase the inflow of foreign currency, the Bank of Mongolia decided to increase the utilization of the swap agreement with the People's Bank of China by USD 550 million, attract USD 300 million from foreign banks and financial institutions under the condition of repayment from gold revenues, and decided to recapitalize USD 283.4 million by international trading of the government’s foreign securities held by the Deposit Insurance Corporation and State Bank. Also, total export revenue reached USD 268 million last week, that is during the period from the 18th to the 24th of this month, which is a 9% increase from the previous week. The increase was mainly influenced by the export of coal reaching 1.9 million tons, a 31% rise, the export of copper concentrate reaching 57 thousand tons, a 31% rise, and the export of iron ore reaching 176 thousand tons, a 13% rise. Meanwhile, imports reached USD 225 million last week, increasing by USD 3 million from the previous week, primarily due to increased imports of diesel and fuel. In connection with the increase in export revenue, the country's foreign currency reserves increased by USD 291 million from the previous week and are now at USD 4.7 billion, which covers about four months of import requirements, according to the Government Information and Communication Center.

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It is possible to export as much coal through Shiveekhuren port as from Gashuunsukhait

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Minister of Finance, B. Javkhlan, provided information about the decision made at today's Government meeting. He stated, "We have presented the latest report of the working group that supports increasing exports and foreign currency reserves to the Government. Last week, we worked on our main export ports, including Khankh, Gashuunsukhait, and Shiveekhuren. Regarding the Gashuunsukhait and Khankh ports, since they are directly dependent on the Erdenes Tavantolgoi exchange, there are piles of coal both before and after the borders. There is no further uptake, so additional trades on the exchange cannot proceed. Mechanically, this is the situation. The root cause, of course, is the drop in coal prices. In connection with this, the importing parties have suffered significant losses. This is not due to us but is related to the coal prices on the international market. However, we have undertaken work on our part, such as reducing transportation costs, urgently putting connected roads into service, and reducing the costs of the already laid railway infrastructure. Comprehensive work at the Shiveekhuren-Sehkh port has been done very well. By urgently putting it into service, transportation can be increased 2-3 times. According to the plans of exporting companies, if around 25 million coal is currently being exported, it becomes possible to export up to 50 million as the port becomes operational. In terms of export capacity, it suggests there is potential to rival or even exceed Gashuunsukhait port."

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What percentage of the cost of grocery items is due to electricity prices?

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Energy Regulatory Commission increased electricity prices last November. Following this, the prices of essential goods increased, directly affecting the purchasing power of citizens. For example, the most purchased bread by citizens is Atar bread. The electricity cost accounts for 3.5% of the total cost of this bread. Product: "Talkh Chikher" company's Atar bread
Percent of total cost before price increase: 3.5%
Percent affecting cost after price increase: 1-1.4%
Price before price increase: 2454 MNT
Price as of March 25, 2025: 2579 MNT
Product: "Atrar Urguu" company's Atar bread
Percent of total cost before price increase: 4.6%
Product: "Suu" JSC's 1 liter of milk
Percent of total cost before price increase: 1.35%
Percent affecting cost after price increase: 0.4%
Price before price increase: 4490 MNT
Price as of March 25, 2025: 4782 MNT
Product: "Makh Impex"'s meat products
Percent of total cost before price increase: 3.6%
Percent affecting cost after price increase: 1.3%
A. Bat-Erdene, the head of the Energy Saving Department of the Energy Regulatory Commission, stated, "We have been disseminating information on how to save energy since last year. We compared the total electricity consumption of 90 smart-metered households in the Songinokhairkhan district. This showed a 6% reduction in peak-load consumption. According to the research, 94% of the households participating in the study received information about the energy-saving campaign, and 34% reported taking energy-saving measures. We worked with the city's Education Department to inform 140,000 children about energy savings to help them understand it from an early age. A drawing competition was announced among children. Starting next school year, the primary school curriculum will include content titled "Use correctly, save a lot." B. Erdenebulgan, head of the Price Tariff Department of EHRC, answered journalists' questions. - Have households and businesses reduced their total consumption since the electricity price increase last November? - Consumption has not decreased. The reason is that electricity consumption increases by 6-8% every year. As new apartments are commissioned and the economy expands, consumption increases. However, there is a positive sign in Khovd Province where peak power decreased from 18 MW to 16 MW. Because the western region imports 80% of its electricity, it seems consumers have conserved energy during peak hours. Nevertheless, the three mines supplying coal to CHP plants have become financially capable of performing maintenance. There are about 90 enterprises in the energy sector, some of which have taken bank loans to pay salaries. Although short-term financial gaps were covered, medium- to long-term losses persist, partly because the government postponed heating and water payments. If tariffs had not been increased, we would have incurred a loss of 355 billion MNT by 2024. Short-term financing through loans is possible but not sustainable long-term. If suppliers in the fuel and energy sector are not paid, they will stop supplying. - Is it fair that some people heat their homes with electricity while others have no power? - Does the state provide subsidies? - Only the western and Altai-Uliastai energy zones and a dozen heat stations in the provinces receive subsidies. The central region does not receive any. - Complaints have been made about many households whose electricity bills increased due to using electric heaters for heating. - According to the government's 2017 Resolution No. 199, households in ger districts qualify for night-time electricity fee discounts. This discount remains, with the government covering a portion of these households' payments, so consumers should manage their usage. How is electrical energy generated? In power plants, coal is burned to produce thermal energy using hot steam, which is then converted into electrical energy. This electricity is transmitted and distributed through networks. However, heating homes with electricity from ger districts, which is more expensive, needs to be addressed. Additionally, the 60-80% heat loss from ger and house insulation needs improvement. The government has improved conditions for night-time discounts, providing favorable news for households heating with electricity. Day-time usage for 12 hours has been made free, potentially reducing their electricity bills by around 30%. For instance, a household paying 600,000 MNT monthly saw bills rise to 1.2 million MNT after the price increase due to high consumption levels of 4,000-5,000 kWh. We increased electricity tariffs last November and cannot reverse them. Investors base their investment decisions on valid tariffs. Price increases for enterprises did not exceed 30%, with the mining sector seeing a 16% increase. The claim that all consumer prices rose by 85% is false. - The plan to raise heating prices was postponed by the government. What are the consequences? - We estimated an 85% average increase but postponed implementation. Currently, a family of four living in a 50 square meter apartment pays 42,800 MNT for heating and hot water in the winter. This was expected to rise to 84,000 MNT. Including 8 months of heating and 4 months of summer hot water, the annual payment totals 820,000 MNT. Last winter, there were several power outages. Is it fair for some to have no electricity while others use it to heat their homes?

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P. Naranbayar: If we save 8% of the officials working at the managerial level in the education sector, we can save 900 million MNT in salary expenses annually

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: isee.mn

The decisions made at the regular meeting of the Government of Mongolia are presented. During this occasion, the Minister of Education and Science, P. Naranbayar, stated, "Today, we had a discussion with the State Productivity Council and identified four main organizations that are leading the management of education. Specifically, these are the Ministry of Education, the Educational Evaluation Center, the General Office of Education, and the Institute of Education Research. The total number of employees in these ministries and departments is 361 people. According to the procedure stated in Resolution No. 22 of the Government, a functional analysis was conducted on these positions. In total, 81 functions were duplicated, and 73 positions need to be reassessed. There is a potential for a reduction equivalent to 8% of 361 people, which means about 30 positions. In monetary terms, this could result in an annual salary savings of approximately 900 million MNT. We have presented this conclusion to the Government." "If we look at our sector, it's like a small head with a large belly and very skinny legs. Therefore, some of the aforementioned 73 positions will be transferred to local areas to reduce the existing workload there. On the other hand, we will support research organizations," he added.

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30 positions in the education sector to be cut, saving around 900 million MNT annually in salaries

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The government's meeting today discussed the overlap of functions among four organizations leading the education sector. Education Minister P. Naranbayar explained, "We analyzed the overlap of functions among the Ministry of Education, General Department of Education, Educational Evaluation Center, and the National Institute of Educational Research that manage the leadership and management of this sector. These organizations employ 361 people. The analysis revealed a total of 81 overlapping functions. We found that 73 positions need to be reassigned and 30 positions can be cut. In monetary terms, this can save around 900 million MNT annually in salary expenses, which was presented to the government today and will later be discussed in the meeting for organizational measures." Looking at the current state of our sector, it has become a small-head and large-stomach with spindly legs. Therefore, some of the 73 positions will be transferred to local areas to invigorate local education offices and reduce the workload of people working there. We will also support research institutions. We will cut or reduce 30 positions. Additionally, the overlap of job functions is planned to continue in the Municipal Education Department and locally.

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P. Naranbayar: We will reduce 30 positions with overlapping functions

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

In collaboration with the State Productivity Council, the duplication of functions among the management and administration of four key organizations within the education sector was studied. Specifically, it included the Ministry of Education, the General Department of Education, the Educational Assessment Center, and the National Institute of Education Studies. A total of 361 people work in these organizations. A total of 81 functions overlap, and it is necessary to move 73 positions. Regarding this, Minister of Education P. Naranbayar stated, "We have started the process to reduce unnecessary positions. In other words, as a result of studying the overlap of functions within the four organizations in the education sector, 30 positions have overlapping functions. Therefore, we will reduce these 30 overlapping positions. As a result, we concluded that this will result in a savings of 900 million tugriks in salary expenses. For instance, to give an example of overlapping functions, an employee responsible for textbook research at the General Department of Education is performing the exact same duties at the Educational Assessment Center. We will halt such situations. When we look at our sector, it appears like a small head, large stomach, and skinny legs. Now, 73 officials whose functions and positions are being moved will be transferred to rural areas. We will also pursue policies to strengthen educational offices in rural areas and support the areas that make educational decisions and conduct policy analysis.

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B. Javelan: Factors Affected by Exchange, Price, and Border Reduced by 50 Percent

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

B. Javelan: Factors Affected by Exchange, Price, and Border Reduced by 50 Percent On the decision of the government meeting, a Working Group was established 14 days ago to support the increase of additional export income and to boost the country’s foreign exchange reserves through the increase in mining production. Today, that working group presented their report covering this period to the government meeting. Finance Minister B. Javelan, regarding this, stated, "This working group has visited the conditions at Hangi, Gashuunsukhait, and Shiveekhuren border points. The group, led by myself along with Minister of Industry and Minerals C. Tuvan and Minister of Roads and Transport B. Delgersaikhan, not only provided directives to relevant authorities but also decided to present the proposals from businesses to the government meeting. Upon visiting, it was observed that coal had accumulated on both sides of the border of the two countries. This is linked to the drop in coal prices and the increase in the rate of losses. In other words, parties are unable to participate in exchange trading. Therefore, we have worked to reduce factors related to exchanges, prices, and border points or factors that depend on us by 50 percent.

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Diplomacy

Russia and Ukraine Agree to Ceasefire in the Black Sea

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Russia and Ukraine have separately agreed to cease attacks on ships in the Black Sea, according to the White House. This announcement was made following talks that extended into Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. According to the announcement, the two sides have agreed to ensure the safety of maritime transport, refrain from the use of force, and not use commercial ships for military purposes in the Black Sea. Ukraine's Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, confirmed this news on his X page. He stated that the parties have agreed to ensure navigation safety, halt the use of force, and avoid using commercial ships for military purposes in the Black Sea. Meanwhile, Ukraine has warned that moving Russian warships "beyond the eastern coast" of the Black Sea would violate the agreement mediated by the United States. Umerov mentioned on his Facebook page that Ukraine has the right to defend itself if Russian warships move from the Black Sea coast. Russia has also affirmed its participation in the U.S.-brokered agreement to ensure the safety of transport in the Black Sea. Furthermore, Russia and the United States have agreed to develop a plan to stop attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities for 30 days, according to an announcement from the Kremlin on Tuesday. However, Russia has stated that the ceasefire agreement in the Black Sea will only enter into force following the lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia's Agricultural Bank and other financial institutions involved in international food trade, and once reconnection to the SWIFT international payment system is achieved.

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Mongolian and Slovenian Parliamentary Group Leaders Hold Virtual Meeting

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar. The Member of Parliament of Mongolia and head of the Mongolia-Slovenia Parliamentary Group, B. Tuvshin, held a virtual meeting with Mrs. Suzana Lep Šimenko, a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia and head of the Slovenia-Mongolia Parliamentary Group. MP B. Tuvshin expressed confidence that the newly expanded composition of the parliament of Mongolia, which now consists of 126 members under the Constitution of Mongolia, will actively and proactively work to sustainably develop the relations and cooperation between the two countries in the long term. Member of the National Assembly, Suzana Lep Šimenko, noted the deepening development of relations between Mongolia and Slovenia, citing the celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2023, the visit of Mongolia's Minister of Foreign Affairs to Slovenia, and the state visit of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Mrs. Nataša Pirc Musar, to Mongolia last year. She also informed about the upcoming regular elections of the 90-member National Assembly scheduled for next year. The heads of the parliamentary groups exchanged views on strengthening economic and legal sector relations between the two countries, and discussed collaboration in the fields of agriculture, crop farming, tourism, and forestry. They also agreed to detail these topics in subsequent meetings and involve representatives from relevant standing committees and ministries for practical discussions. The virtual meeting was attended by members of the Mongolia-Slovenia Parliamentary Group, MPs L. Soronzonbold and G. Ochirbat, and the Secretary of the Slovenia-Mongolia Parliamentary Group, Samo Novak, as reported by the press office of the State Great Khural.

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Russian Language Center Opens in Baganuur

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

A Russian language center, the 59th in Mongolia, has been opened at the "Education" school in Baganuur city. Representatives from the "Russian House" in Ulaanbaatar attended the opening. The event began with a warm welcome from students in pioneer uniforms, highlighting the continuity of tradition and culture. As part of the opening, Mrs. B. Buyankhishig, the school principal, and Mr. N. Altansukh, head of the Education Department of Baganuur city's Department of Education and Culture, held a meeting. Participants discussed the prospects for three-party cooperation to develop Russian language and Russian education in Baganuur city. Alexander Kalamin, Deputy Head of the Russian Embassy in Mongolia's "Rossotrudnichestvo" office, emphasized the importance of developing the Russian language among students and expressed interest in providing opportunities to teach and train not only the school's students but also children from nearby districts. He expressed gratitude to the school leadership and the Department of Cultural Education for their support to the center. School principal B. Buyankhishig supported the initiative and expressed gratitude to the heads of "Rossotrudnichestvo" for recognizing the importance of opening the center. She also noted that 3,065 students attend the school, with their numbers growing each year. However, in grades 7-8, students have only 2 academic hours per week, and in grade 9, 3 academic hours, while in high school, Russian is an optional subject alongside English, resulting in fewer students choosing Russian for graduation exams. In this context, the principal expressed confidence that the new Russian Language Center would enable students to study the language in greater depth and attract more interested students. During the opening, a tripartite agreement was signed under which the "Russian House" will provide informational, educational, and methodological support and engage Russian language teachers in internships and advanced training. The opening of the Russian Language Center is an important step towards developing the Russian language in the region and opens new pathways for educational and cultural cooperation.

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Ambassador D. Enkhtaivan Presents Credentials to ASEAN Secretary-General

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Ambassador D. Enkhtaivan, accredited to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from Mongolia, presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on the 25th of this month. Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn congratulated Ambassador D. Enkhtaivan on his appointment as the ambassador to ASEAN and wished him great success in his duties. Ambassador D. Enkhtaivan emphasized ASEAN's important role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Southeast Asian region. He reaffirmed Mongolia's special interest in developing cooperation with ASEAN and its member countries, expressing Mongolia's desire to establish a partnership with ASEAN. Mongolia became a party to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 2005, and Ambassador D. Enkhtaivan is set to become the ambassador from Mongolia to ASEAN after 10 years, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Chairman of the Mongolian-Indonesian Parliamentary Group Holds Virtual Meeting

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Member of the State Great Khural and Chairman of the Mongolian-Indonesian Parliamentary Group in the State Great Khural, L. Soronzonbold, along with member of the State Great Khural and parliamentary group member, B. Tuvshin, held a virtual meeting today with Mr. M. H. Mufidi, member of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia and chairman of the Indonesian-Mongolian Parliamentary Group, and other members. During the meeting, L. Soronzonbold expressed his delight that this meeting is taking place virtually and that they are exchanging views on the future cooperation between the legislative bodies of both countries. He emphasized the importance of parliamentary group relations for the development of bilateral cooperation and the strengthening of mutual understanding. The parties agreed to expand inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries and to exchange good practices. They also discussed the expansion of trade and economic relations between the two nations and reaffirmed the support of the parliament in all aspects, according to a report from the Press Office of the State Great Khural.

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Chinese Nationals Deported for Illegal Work Activities

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Immigration Agency of Mongolia conducted an inspection nationwide and discovered 20 Chinese citizens working illegally without proper authorization at "Arvain Khutag Gobi" LLC in Zamyn Uud district of Dornogovi province. Specifically, 15 of these individuals entered Mongolia on electronic tourist visas of k2 category, and 5 entered without visas using permits for border crossings. They were found to be working as bricklayers, cooks, carpenters, welders, interior decorators, and construction assistants. Consequently, they were fined according to the Violations Law and banned from re-entering Mongolia for 3 years. A foreign citizen visiting on a tourist visa must have a clear travel itinerary, accommodation, and travel program. The visa should be used solely for tourism purposes. However, using the visa for unlawful employment and evading job-related fees is a violation of Mongolian law. Ongoing inspections will continue, and foreign citizens, their sponsors, and businesses are advised to respect and comply with Mongolian law, conducting activities within the legal framework and avoiding putting foreigners and entities at risk.

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Infrastructure

Member of Parliament J. Aldarjavkhlan drafts a bill to establish satellite cities with accessible schools, kindergartens, and hospitals

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: isee.mn

Member of Parliament J. Aldarjavkhlan is drafting a bill to amend the revised version of the "Urban Development Law." Over the past 20 years, urbanization has accelerated, and due to population migration from rural to urban areas, the level of urbanization has rapidly increased to 67.6 percent. For instance, more than 60 percent of the country's total population resides in 23 cities which serve as the capital, regional hubs, and provincial centers, engaging in work, labor, and business activities. Of these, 1.8 million reside in Ulaanbaatar alone, where approximately 70 percent of enterprises and organizations are located, producing more than 60 percent of the gross domestic product. Furthermore, due to the concentration of population, production, and services in major cities such as Darkhan, Erdenet, and Choibalsan, there are numerous socioeconomic issues arising from the overburdened infrastructure and insufficient accessibility of state services in areas such as education and healthcare. Therefore, to decentralize, it has become necessary to develop and implement new policies for sustainable population development through the establishment of local-level cities and satellite cities. This is according to Member of Parliament J. Aldarjavkhlan, who particularly emphasizes the importance of planning new settlements from the beginning with proper organization, aligning the population numbers with adequate provisions for hospitals, schools, and kindergartens. It is also essential to update the legal framework, clarify the rights and responsibilities of participants and implementers in urban development activities, define the roles of professional urban development organizations, and ensure coherence in the legal relationships governing planning and implementation in urban and settlement areas. The bill is to be developed alongside other related bills that complement the proposed amendments, as seen by the law initiator. For more detailed information about the draft bill, click HERE to read.

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Pak Yun Chul: Resolving Land Clearance for Ulaanbaatar City's Metro Project is Critical

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The revised feasibility study for Ulaanbaatar city's metro project was approved by the City Council. Pak Yun Chul, the director of the consulting team from South Korea's "Duha Engineering" company, participated in the meeting. He introduced the risks commonly faced in metro projects across the globe. He stated, "Let me present the experiences from failed similar metro projects. I was involved in the Peruvian metro project consisting of 49 stations in South America. The project's budget was 5.9 billion USD and was planned to be completed in five years. However, it is still not operational, with construction only 60% complete. There are various risks, but the primary reason for the delay was the failure to resolve land clearance by the client country. The main contractor for the Peruvian metro project was a Spanish company. The contractor company was unable to carry out construction work because small areas for metro station entrances and exits were not cleared. Therefore, resolving land clearance for Ulaanbaatar city's metro project is one of the critical issues," he emphasized. "Another issue faced in the Peruvian metro project was that even though engineering technology was agreed upon with the client, the client did not provide clear specifications," he explained. According to the plan outlined in the Ulaanbaatar city's metro feasibility study, the project is scheduled to be operational by October 2030.

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Reduced Coal Rail Transport Costs by 50%

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

As of the first two months of the year, 10.2 million tons of coal have been exported for 858.8 million USD. The Ministry of Roads and Transport has announced that the railway transportation costs for Mongolia's railways and the Tavan Tolgoi railway on the Gashuun Sukhait and Khangi routes will be reduced by 50% to make them competitive with road transportation. Specifically, the trucking cost for transporting a ton of coal to the Khangi port is currently 92 USD, while the railway cost has been reduced to 90 USD. Khangi and Gashuun Sukhait are the main border ports that are implementing the trading of mining products. Khangi port, which is located among the largest export and import ports of Mongolia, provides a crucial outlet for adding strength to foreign trade turnover, so it has the potential to increase the export of mining products by expanding capacity. Furthermore, by connecting the two countries by railway, it will share the load with the Zamyn-Uud and Gashuun Sukhait ports. When the anticipated mining projects begin production, Khangi port is expected to become the main export outlet. During the past week, 74.9 thousand tons of coal were transported through Khangi port by 563 vehicles. Meanwhile, over 1,000 trucks cross the border daily through Gashuun Sukhait port, which accounts for 55% of coal exports and 60% of copper concentrate exports. "As coal prices are declining, we are focusing on reducing transportation and cost expenses. There is an opportunity to reduce the high costs of moving coal from the mining mouth to the loading area," emphasized the Minister of Roads and Transport. Besides this, the Government is negotiating with the National Development and Reform Commission of China with the aim of exceeding 100 million tons of coal exports, according to the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources. As of the first two months of the year, Mongolia exported 8774.3 kWh of electricity to China worth 14.1 million USD, an increase of 20.9% in volume and 6.4% in value year-on-year. The 2025 budget plans to export 83 million tons of coal at 105 USD per ton, but during the first two months of the year, the price of coal has fluctuated above 80 USD per ton, decreasing by approximately 20%.

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Submission of the Bill for Ratification of the Amendment to the Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Speaker of the Parliament D. Amarbaysgalan has received a bill for the ratification of the amendments to the "Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network" from Member of Parliament and Minister of Roads and Transport B. Delgersaikhan. The amendments to the ratification agreement specify the general principles of exchanging electronic transport information between railways and between railways and customs authorities within the Trans-Asian Railway Network. This new regulation or general guideline aims to coordinate the activities of exchanging electronic railway transport information across the participating countries, as highlighted by the Minister of Roads and Transport B. Delgersaikhan, as reported by the Parliament's Press Department.

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Budget for the First Metro Line is 2.4 Billion USD

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

At the beginning of the first discussion of the special V session of the NIT Council, the issue of supporting the revised feasibility study for the construction of a high-capacity public transportation metro project in Ulaanbaatar was discussed. By the majority vote of the NIT Council's representatives, the feasibility study for the metro construction project in Ulaanbaatar was supported and the draft resolution will be submitted to the government. The chairman of the NIT Council, A. Bayar, stated that discussing and supporting the revised feasibility study for the metro project in Ulaanbaatar, which is significant for Mongolia, is a historic decision. The issue was presented by L. Khosbayar, a representative of the NIT Council and coordinator of the capital's financial, economic, and development acceleration project program. He noted, "The issue of building a metro in Ulaanbaatar was started in 2011, and government resolution No. 411 regarding the establishment of a metro has been made. Subsequently, international expert project management consultancy services have been organized in two stages, and the consortium of South Korea’s leading 'Doha Engineering' Co., 'KORAIL', 'Susong Engineering', and 'Korea National Railway' organizations has been selected, starting work on July 5, 2024, as per the contract." The first metro line is planned to be 19.4 km long with 15 stations and one depot, running along Peace Avenue from Tolgoit to Amgalan. Of this, 19.1 km with 14 stations will be underground, and one station will be at ground level. As the first metro line will mainly be underground, tunneling and station construction will use the cut-and-cover method, with the tunnel boring machine's depth ranging from 10 to 25 meters. The project cost has been approved by professional organizations, with the budget for the first metro line being 2.4 billion USD. Of this budget, 97.7% will be spent on construction work, while the remaining percentage will be used for supervisory and other work including land acquisition. According to L. Khosbayar, who stressed the ongoing negotiations and meetings about financing, 15% of the funding will come from the city budget, while the remaining 85% will be sourced externally. Additionally, he mentioned that during the implementation of the metro project, 28 Mongolian and 56 international standards will be followed, and it is planned to ensure legal and regulatory coherence.

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J.Enkhjargalan: Is there a Plan B if Metro Financing Fails?

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

At the beginning of the first discussion of the fifth extraordinary session of the Ulaanbaatar City Council, the issue of supporting the revised feasibility study for the project to build a large-capacity public transport system, the metro, in Ulaanbaatar city was discussed. By majority vote of the Council representatives, the feasibility study for the project to build the metro in Ulaanbaatar was supported, and the resolution will be submitted to the government. During the meeting, representatives asked questions and received answers. T. Battsogt, head of the Democratic Party group of the City Council, made a conclusion: "It is no longer possible to solve the city's pressing issues temporarily day by day. The need and requirement for a metro in Ulaanbaatar are essential. When implementing any project, it is important to work by prioritizing people, ensuring the safety of citizens, and providing clear and creative news and information from many sides. Our party's group believes that involving city business entrepreneurs in the metro project execution and providing possible job positions to young people is appropriate." Question: Council representative B. Erdenesukh: Citizens want to have a metro. In exactly which year will citizens be ready to travel by metro? Answer: T. Munkhdalai, Director of Ulaanbaatar METRO Project: According to the feasibility study plan, it will be operational in October 2030. Question: Council representative J. Enkhjargalan: If funding stalls, is there a Plan B? Have you done spatial planning for expanding the depot and increasing capacity afterward? Where can citizens and businesses who want to collaborate get open news and information from the project unit? Answer: T. Munkhdalai, Director of Ulaanbaatar METRO Project: As for Plan B, in the announcement of the second phase tender, participants enter having defined the conditions for financing the project themselves. Such proposals have been made by foreign organizations before. Therefore, if a requirement arises, we see the possibility of implementing Plan B. Regarding depot capacity, it is planned so that the distance between metros is 4.5 minutes. It is planned for an average of 15,000 people to travel. In the case that the number of passengers increases, it will reduce the interval between metros to 4 minutes and it is estimated that it will have a capacity to transport 28,000-30,000 passengers per day. If additional metro base is needed, it is planned to make arrangements in the western part of the city.

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CENTRAL: Foundation laid for 300-family apartment complex in redevelopment zone

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The redevelopment project for the 1st and 2nd buildings, which no longer meet usage requirements, in Nomt 1st subdistrict of Zuunmod District was initiated today. The building, covering an area of 6000 square meters, will accommodate 300 families and will be built using the latest eco-friendly green technology. The construction will be carried out by "Gurvan Erdene" LLC, which has 14 years of experience in construction and assembly. N. Enkhbold, Chairman of the Provincial Citizens' Representative Council, stated, "We place the interests of citizens and the public first and will involve collaboration throughout the construction period, supporting and supervising the contractors until completion. This is the beginning of a significant redevelopment project in our province, which has over a century of history. We see this as the start of the new city of 'New Zuunmod'. This apartment building itself will be powered by renewable energy and will feature copper piping." In his speech, Provincial Governor L. Tumurchudur stated that "The Government of Mongolia is pursuing a policy of supporting private enterprises. We will also support private enterprises at the local level. The Central Province has declared 2025 as the 'Year of Supporting Business Development.' This motto and our policies are aligned towards a common goal. As a manifestation of this, the first foundation of the long-delayed redevelopment has been laid today. We have been in constant contact with the company responsible for constructing the 300-family apartment building. Our goal is for the citizens of Central Province to live in a comfortable and pleasant environment and to be employed and have incomes. We express our commitment to cooperating at all state levels to support the construction of a quality building within the set time frame. Citizens' interests should come first. We hope the construction will progress smoothly with the support of the citizens. This building will be equipped with copper pipes, and the metal structures will be incorporated, with windows made of triple-glazed vacuum glass and balconies with black tempered glass, creating a new look and standard. There will be issues related to workforce, and the district and subdistrict governors will organize the provision of human resources."

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B.Anu-Ujin is working as the manager of the Ulaanbaatar tram project

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

As part of Ulaanbaatar's 24 mega projects aimed at reducing traffic congestion, the Ulaanbaatar Light Rail or tram project is being implemented, with B.Anu-Ujin serving as its manager. When asked about the project's progress, she mentioned that the feasibility study (FS) for the first line is 60% complete and the FS for the second line is 80% complete. The plan is to finish the FS by April, incorporate recommendations from international organizations, and have it approved in stages. The goal is to start construction this summer, so an international open tender will be announced before June. The general development plan for Ulaanbaatar city until 2040 aims to develop various modes of public transportation in the capital. The first line of the tram project will be 10.2 km long with 14 stations, stretching from Zunjin to Sukhbaatar Square. Meanwhile, the second line will be 15.8 km long with 19 stations, running from "Steppe Arena" to Sukhbaatar Square.

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The Cost of Building the Border Railway Has Been Reduced by 50 Million Dollars

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: news.mn

At the meeting of the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy of the State Great Khural, the bill to ratify the agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the cross-border railway at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port, coal trade, and cooperation on increasing the capacity of the Tavantolgoi coal mine was discussed. By ratifying this agreement, the construction of the border connecting railway will begin, and a tender will be announced next May. The plan is to build the border railway at a cost of 220 million US dollars. During the discussion, members of parliament asked questions and received answers. Member of Parliament S. Erdenebold stated, "By implementing this project, the amount of freight exported by railway will increase beyond 30 million tons, the coal export of Tavantolgoi deposit will increase by 70 million tons annually, the revenue from sales will increase by 1.5 billion US dollars, the economic growth will rise by 0.8% each year, and the GDP per capita will reach 10,000 US dollars. Now, when we ratify the contract through parliament, how long will it take for the bridge structure to be built? Has any calculation or research been done on how long it will take for the economic benefits to materialize? "Secondly, besides Gantsmod Gashuunsukhait, what level of economic expansion will be achieved when Khangi Mandal, Shiveekhuren, Sekee, Bichigt, and Zuunkhatawch come together? Also, when will construction be completed, and when will the benefits be realized? Please provide information on this. "The ground at the structures we built is leaking water with chalky elements, and after testing the water, it appears to have unnatural chemical elements. They say, 'It is seeping through deep geological formations from the Chinese side.' Since this is an environmental and standard issue, is there a possibility for the government to pay close attention and jointly solve this problem? The side neighborhood of Tsogttsetsi sum has over 20,000 inhabitants. The land itself is a special protected area, so it is not possible to establish an administrative unit. There is no police station there; only contracted police officers work. Human rights violations and social issues have increased. Without a large inter-departmental program from the government, these problems cannot be solved." Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Ts. Tuvaan replied, "We have calculated the projection in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Development. The actual impact will become evident when we start selling the initial 5 million tons of coal this year. By calculating one ton of coal at 80 US dollars, selling 5 million tons will bring an additional revenue of 400 million US dollars. Starting from 2030, selling 20 million tons will have a quadrupled effect. By establishing the intergovernmental agreement, many direct and indirect issues between the two countries will be resolved. "Many obstacles encountered in previous meetings with the southern neighbor are now being addressed more flexibly and favorably. Once the border railway work begins at Gashuunsukhait, there will be discussions about connecting Shiveekhuren, Sekee, Bichigt, Zuunkhatawch, Khangi Mandal, and even further, a western and eastern corridor by railway. This will have a significant economic impact. The joint aim of the governments is to reach 10,000 US dollars per capita GDP; these project operations will significantly contribute to this goal. "There are complications with the land issues concerning Khairkhan neighborhood in Umnugovi province. When establishing a police, medical, and emergency response unit at Khairkhan center, the land issue is always discussed. Therefore, in today's government meeting, Minister B. Tulga has been instructed to address the land issues and consider amendments to the law. "Regarding the water leakage, there is a difference in altitude where the Chinese Gantsmod side is much higher. The rain and floodwater from there flows into the Mongolian side causing difficulties. It is said that used wastewater from the Chinese side might be seeping into our side. I can inquire with the experts and provide an answer. "Constructing the bridge structure at a challenging location will take time. The highest point is equivalent to a 10-story building, with double railway tracks running on concrete pillars of the railway, and there are specific distances to note. "The Ministry of Road and Transport, after discussions with the other side, has decided to reduce the planned budget for the structure from 270 million dollars by 50 million dollars. "The construction and assembly work was initially planned to last for 2.6 years but has been reduced to 22-24 months. A tender will be announced by May 1st for this work to begin." Member of Parliament U. Shijir questioned, "In the event one side wishes to terminate the agreement, it must notify diplomatically and obtain permission from the other side. If the cross-border agreement is terminated, it seems that the contracts attached to it will not be annulled. Can you clarify this legal redundancy? "Also, the clause that the mineral license shares of 'Erdenes Tavantolgoi' JSC will not be transferred to other entities is not included in this agreement?" Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Ts. Tuvaan responded, "Once this agreement is ratified by the State Great Khural, legal proceedings are complete. Following this, contracts will proceed between state-owned enterprises of the two countries. There is one railway contract, one coal purchase and sale contract, and one contract to increase the capacity of the coal mine. Additionally, long-term contracts implemented with 'Erdenes Tavantolgoi' JSC are unrelated to this. "In case of a dispute, specific clauses to settle it are incorporated in the contracts. The main guideline for this agreement was ratified by the State Great Khural without deviation, and every provision is included. "Intergovernmental agreements at the international level are not detailed confidential documents but address major issues. Three levels of documentation are planned. The first is the intergovernmental agreement, the second is the protocol between working groups. The protocol was signed in Harbin. The third matter encompasses the contract among the involved state-owned enterprises when this agreement is ratified by the State Great Khural. "Clause 4.3 in the protocol states that the China Energy Group has expressed and confirmed its intention to not propose any participation in licensing ownership of the Tavantolgoi deposit. In the main guideline discussion, the issue of selective extraction from the deposit was addressed. This deposit contains coal from 13 layers. "For non-enriched coal types that are traded on the exchange, namely coking, one-third coking, and thermal, each type will be assessed as per the respective context and will be sold in a ratio of 55, 35, 10 as specified in protocol clause 5." Member of Parliament D. Ganbat noted, "There is no place where a foreign company extracts coal, transports, and utilizes it by itself; yet this is what is being done. If everything is handed over to one company, it cannot be corrected. Attention should be paid to the geopolitical conditions of the country and the world."

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Environment

Will Uranium Mining Destroy the Environment?

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: news.mn

At the beginning of the article, I would like to emphasize that as Mongolians, we need to learn to trust in science and align ourselves with global progress. All development and advancement on this planet take place based on calculations, research, and meticulous planning, and are implemented successfully. Particularly, the mining sector serves as a foundation of development, providing the basis for technological advancement. It is crucial to utilize resources and ensure their restoration to their natural state, implementing activities that are harmless to humans and animals, which many countries have successfully done, living alongside us. For the first time, Mongolia is about to start mining uranium using one of the most advanced and environmentally least harmful technologies in the world. Therefore, NUM and MAS have jointly conducted various foundational research studies. For instance, several studies have been conducted on the quality of groundwater and soil surrounding the Zuunbayan-Ulaanbaatar deposit in Ulaanbadrakh soum, Dornogovi province. These studies even calculated whether the environment at a depth of 170 meters could return to its natural state after mining uranium by the in-situ leach method, using a diluted sulfuric acid solution. Let's review the results of this research. First of all, it's important to understand that Mongolia will extract natural uranium, or yellowcake, for export, without any further processing to produce nuclear fuel. Nuclear fuel production is not an easy task. There are a total of five stages to obtaining nuclear energy, and only Canada, China, the USA, France, and Russia can produce nuclear fuel. Therefore, this is a distant concern for us. Since natural uranium will be mined, there is no radiation hazard. This is because radioactive substances are extracted as they are found in nature. Now let's return to the topic of environmental monitoring. According to five studies conducted since 2013, changes in water wells were minor. Dr. Odsuren, the scientific secretary of the Institute of Geography and Geoecology at MAS, presented the results of groundwater quality monitoring in the Zuunbayan-Ulaanbaatar deposit of Ulaanbadrakh soum, Dornogovi province. The academy conducted water quality studies in 2021 before the production test of the Zuunbayan-Ulaanbaatar project, during the test in 2023, and after the test in 2024. The study included 18 wells located 5.6-48 km from the licensed area, with depths of 2-12 meters, two of which were situated within the mining site. During the production test of the Zuunbayan-Ulaanbaatar project, samples were repeatedly taken from the same points in 2021, 2023, and 2024 for comparison. Wells for testing were chosen from layers at a depth of 130-170 meters and from upper and lower aquifers, as shown in diagrams. The monitoring showed that there were no significant changes in the layers above and below the uranium mineralized layer designated for mining. Regarding heavy elements, there were no changes in water-sand layers, with natural standards being high in the three studied years. After mining, elements such as uranium, arsenic, and manganese increased in the mining site, but decreased again by 2024. Rare earth elements, however, increased during the in-situ leach process compared to 2021, Dr. Odsuren noted. Regarding pastoralists' wells, the three-year study compared to major study findings by government task forces conducted in 2013 and 2020. Most wells showed minor changes, with some showing slight increases or decreases in mineralization and hardness, linked to the season. Gobi region wells, located on gravelly areas, are shallow and easily affected by floods and precipitation, hence certain fluctuations. Groundwater in the area naturally has high heavy metal content due to geological formations, with little fluctuation over the three-year study period. Surface water is rare in the Gobi, and comparisons were made with past research on the area's sole spring since 2009. The spring showed high mineralization, hardness, and levels of fluoride, arsenic, and phosphorus, due to its location on a fault line. The research team determined that out of 18 wells located 5.6-48 km from the licensed area, 8 were unsuitable for use, 6 could be purified for use, and water from 4 wells could be used directly for drinking. There were wells suitable for use close to the mining site and others less suitable farther away, Dr. Odsuren emphasized. The soil in the area was evaluated as uncontaminated, according to Dr. Zoljargal, head of the Soil Laboratory at the Institute of Geography and Geoecology at MAS, who presented the findings on soil monitoring around the Zuunbayan-Ulaanbaatar deposit. The soil is alkaline, low in carbonates, humus, and conductivity, with minimal changes in calcium, magnesium, and ionic content between the three years. Soil phosphorus and potassium levels decreased on average during these years. Nine indicators of soil salinity, a measure of soil degradation, showed levels typical of the Gobi's light brown soil. Toxic heavy metal content remained below standard levels, with molybdenum within acceptable national standard limits. Soil heavy metal content reflects either human activity or natural factors, and the geo-accumulation index shows insignificant risk of future pollution, with a very low index across the 61 analyzed samples. Thus, the entire uranium extraction process is conducted under strict standards with minimal environmental impact, as evidenced by detailed studies, analyses, and monitoring from before, during, and after production tests. These findings are based not on speculation or emotional judgments, but on scientific evidence, rigorous calculations, and detailed laboratory analyses. In conclusion, it is time to trust science and be prudent, rather than being influenced by social media or believing anyone's words without evidence.

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Established the Foundation for Long-term Cooperation in Combating Desertification

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, S. Odontuya, met with Her Excellency Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Mongolia, Ms. Shen Minjuan. During the meeting, Minister S. Odontuya, as the Chairman of the National Committee responsible for organizing the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in 2026 in Mongolia, presented the preparation plan and policy proposals and initiatives being put forward by Mongolia. They also exchanged views on cooperating with China in combating desertification and organizing the COP17 conference. Ambassador Shen Minjuan expressed that since China hosted COP13 in 2017, they are pleased to share their experience and support Mongolia in this endeavor. She also highlighted that the two countries have initiated a project and established a Desertification Research Center, which lays the foundation for long-term cooperation in combating desertification, as reported by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

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Health

The Danger of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria is Threatening the World

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: gogo.mn

In the intensive care unit of Tribhuvan University Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, doctors are working with patients infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One such patient, Radha Lama, has been receiving treatment for complications from an antibiotic-resistant infection since August. Radha Lama had been purchasing antibiotics in bulk from a pharmacy near her home for many years. Her daughter, Pratikchya Lama, shared that Radha would take these antibiotics without consulting a doctor or nurse for ailments like headaches or stomach aches. Now, at 57, Radha Lama is on a ventilator in the ICU at Tribhuvan University Hospital in Nepal. She has been unable to breathe on her own since August. Despite being lucid, she is unable to move her arms and legs and communicates only with her eyes. A catheter has been placed in Lama's bladder, and doctors suggest she may require it for life, as removing it would immediately expose her to infections. For others, common infections can be treated with standard antibiotics, but for Lama, they pose a threat to her life. “We have no other antibiotic to give her,” Dr. Pushkar BK noted. Research is underway to identify strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria specific to Mexico. A gene database of these bacteria has been established, and efforts are underway to develop antibiotics capable of combating these resistant strains. Radha Lama is not the only one suffering. 3,200 kilometers northeast in Mongolia, Tsendiin Dashzeveg has similarly been purchasing and using antibiotics whenever needed for his entire life. In October, Dashzeveg was admitted to the hospital with a fever and a boil-like swelling in his groin. Doctors diagnosed him with a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to methicillin (MRSA), a super bacteria resistant to several types of antibiotics. Now, he is bedridden, requiring constant oxygen, catheter, and IV drips. The threat of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections has become one of the major health issues of our time. The World Health Organization reports that bacteria, which medicines are designed to kill, have developed resistance, leading to the deaths of five million people annually. The Fleming Initiative, which studies antibiotic resistance in the UK, predicts that by 2025, deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria will surpass those from cancer. Lorenzo Moja, who leads WHO's Essential Medicines and Health Products List team, noted that thirty years ago, common causes of death were broadly categorized as cancer or heart disease and stroke. “Today, antibiotic resistance is the third category,” Moja stated. Dr. Corina-Diana Seja, head of the microbiology lab at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, explained that the lab uses various displays as part of an augmented reality application called 'Living with Molecules.' This app aims to educate the general public, chemistry students, and medical professionals about the interactions of resistant bacteria and provide relevant information. Anyone hospitalized for cardiovascular issues, bone fractures, or any condition weakening the body is at high risk for acquiring a resistant bacterial infection. Although various antibiotics may be tried, resistant bacteria may render them ineffective, turning medicine into nothing more than ineffective substances, Moja mentioned. The reasons for antibiotic resistance are complex. People can contract bacteria from contaminated water or malfunctioning sewage systems. Misuse by doctors prescribing incorrect dosages or inappropriate antibiotics also contributes. Pharmacies and unofficial vendors sell antibiotics to people who use them like candy due to financial limitations. Additionally, antibiotics used in livestock may enter the environment through animal waste. As a result, bacteria evolve resistance to even the most potent treatments. Sometimes, it is unclear why a patient's body cannot combat the infection. Meanwhile, the bacteria continue to grow stronger, leading to the patient's death. People who rarely use antibiotics can still be at risk. "Healthy people might feel this is a distant problem, but antibiotic resistance is spreading rapidly and affects not only those currently suffering but has wider implications," noted Abdullahi Tunde Aborode, a research director at the Healthy Africans Platform in Ibadan, Nigeria. In Matugga, Uganda, Zipiora Mavege is at home bottle-feeding her newborn with her husband, Lauryn Mavegesh. Their family has been battling gonorrhea for months, as the infection is no longer treatable with traditional penicillin, having affected even their newborn, causing his eyes to become sticky and unable to open. Diagnosis is rare and complex. “Many of us have lost family members to resistant bacteria,” noted Anahi Dreser, a researcher on resistance from Mexico's National Institute of Public Health. Just like other issues, this one does not affect everyone equally. Factors contributing to antibiotic resistance predominantly occur outside wealthy nations. These disparities are not linked to resistance itself but to politics, corruption, or systemic health services and sanitation issues, pointed out Isabella Impalli, a research analyst for One Health Trust, a research firm supported by the WHO and major organizations. Impalli authored a major report on resistance published in the Lancet in 2024. A Lancet study revealed that in low- and middle-income countries, antibiotic resistance is the major cause of mortality in children under five, with those south of the Sahara in Africa being particularly vulnerable. Compared to their counterparts in high-income countries, they face 58 times higher risk of mortality due to resistance. Poverty nurtures the problem. The WHO includes over ten antibiotic-resistant pathogens on its 'warning list,' including tuberculosis. In Africa, TB causes half a million deaths, constituting over 30% of global TB-related deaths, marking a serious concern. In Zimbabwe, Taurai Chingoma was diagnosed with TB 20 years ago. Now 62, he constantly feels weakened and unable to perform any physical labor. Formerly a carpenter, he now has no regular income. He worries about TB recurrence since he cannot afford full treatment courses of antibiotics. "Every day, I was taking 14 tablets!" he exclaimed. "With no financial means, we sometimes skip medicine to afford daily meals," he confessed. Unlike the few days or weeks typical of most antibacterial treatments, TB treatment requires at least six months, sometimes up to two years, following a strict regime, creating a long-term challenge for many. When patients stop taking antibiotics, bacteria remain in the body, growing more resistant. At the Mutare health center, Taurai Chingoma receives his daily medication. Diagnosed with TB two decades ago, he relies on this center for consistent treatment. The consequences of resistance in TB cases are severe. Most TB sufferers show no symptoms, becoming carriers, causing both infection and the resistant strains to spread widely. One-third of deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria result from drug-resistant TB. Like Chingoma, many Zimbabweans lack access to primary health care. According to the Zimbabwe Health Service Funders' Association, 93% of the populace lacks health insurance, due to high premiums. Without insurance, public hospital visits cost $5, while private clinics charge $15. For many financially constrained Zimbabweans, the only remaining option is buying antibiotics from counters without prescription or guidance. These medications are often counterfeit. The Zimbabwe Medicines Control Authority found that both unofficially sold and even officially prescribed drugs lack active ingredients. “Such drugs can exacerbate conditions, potentially leading to death,” warned public relations officer Davidson Kayyo. In Harare, Zimbabwe, a woman walks past a pharmacy and health center. Many face significant challenges accessing primary health services, without the financial means for insurance. For most, antibiotics can only be acquired from unregulated vendors, sometimes without prescriptions or appropriate directions. Many Ugandans struggle to pay for medical visits. A report from Makerere University, Johns Hopkins University, and collaborators noted that most borrow money or sell assets to meet healthcare needs. Even those who can afford treatment sometimes receive incorrect medicine. Pharmacists provide antibiotics without lab testing, diagnosing on the spot and suggesting to try this, noted Dr. Katherine Abala, a pediatrician at Mulago National Referral Hospital. “Using antibiotics inappropriate for their infection, people perpetuate resistant bacteria,” she explained. Across Africa, many patients initially lack access to appropriate antibiotics. The WHO categorizes antibiotics into three types: 'access' for common infections, 'watch' for serious infections, and 'reserve' as a last resort for multi-drug-resistant infections. The African Union's August report indicated only 14% of the continent's reserve antibiotics are accessible, while 80% of total antibiotic use falls under the access category. The report noted disproportionate use of limited available antibiotics for treatment. Half of Ugandans face difficulties with medical costs. According to research from Makerere University, Johns Hopkins University, and partners, most need to borrow or sell goods to afford medical care. Incorrect prescriptions are common globally. Escherichia coli (E. coli), causing kidney and urinary tract infections, poses a particular challenge due to its high antibiotic resistance. The WHO lists E. coli as a resistant pathogen. Interviews with people abroad, conducted by Global Press Journal, revealed habits of purchasing antibiotics following each presumed kidney or urinary tract infection. Since 2012, Carmen Ana Gonzalez Miranda has been taking antibiotics with each such infection, leading to improvement, then recurrence, and requiring more antibiotics. “In Puerto Rico, we believe any small issue can be fixed with antibiotics," she claimed. When her symptoms worsened, Gonzalez consulted numerous doctors, including a gynecologist, then a urologist, followed by an internist. Finally, an infectious disease specialist confirmed her lifelong antibiotic resistance, endangering her life with future infections. In Hatillo, Puerto Rico, Carmen Ana Gonzalez Miranda resides. She takes precautions like timely vaccinations to prevent other infections, with her antibiotic-resistant E. coli infection threatening her life if another infection occurs. International guidelines specify when antibiotics are necessary and when to avoid them. Antibiotics don't treat viral infections like colds or flu. Broad-spectrum antibiotics shouldn't be first-line treatments, nor typically prescribed for long-term use. Yet, the issue of inappropriate prescriptions is widespread. Some seek treatment solely based on urinary tract infection symptoms without microbial testing. Multiple-drug-resistant E. coli strains have spread globally, reducing effective treatment options. Living in Nepal, Bishnu Raj Karaki underwent bladder surgery in 2020 for chronic urinary infections. Post-surgery, he contracted another kidney and urinary infection, which didn't improve with antibiotics. He traveled across borders to India for treatment, diagnosed with a kidney infection, receiving a 42-day antibiotic regimen. His condition worsened. The recurring infection brought symptoms of chills, high fever, nausea, and more. Now 71, he remains unwell, undergoing dialysis thrice weekly, having spent over 2 million Nepalese rupees on treatment. “If my kidney infection recurs, I know I can die anytime,” he confessed. According to Dr. Prabhat Adhikari, responsible for Karaki’s treatment at the Center for American Medical Expertise in Nepal, antibiotics are often misused like candy. Prescribing a 42-day regimen for urinary tract infection is bad practice, possibly contributing to Karaki's resistance and subsequent kidney failure. Dr. Adhikari noted high resistance levels in urinary infections, stating a 2021 study revealed 84% of diagnosed urinary infections in Nepal were resistant to at least one antibiotic, 54% to multiple drugs. “Urinary patients’ life quality is declining,” he remarked. Urken Khyelmo undergoes rehabilitation therapy in Kathmandu, Nepal. Khyelmo faced kidney failure two years ago, worsened by high-dose antibiotic use and subsequent resistance, his doctors reported. Despite a successful kidney transplant, he returned to bedridden status with additional infections requiring care in September. Often, antibiotics have potent magic. In 1928, Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin marked a scientific triumph of the century. From 1945, penicillin's broad use transformed health services. Diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and less severe sore throats became much easier to treat, allowing people to live longer. Today, reckless antibiotic use poses “a greater challenge than HIV,” observed Tapivanashe Kujinga, Executive Director of the Pan-African Movement for Treatment Access in Zimbabwe. Ameliorating the effects of resistance and preserving life-saving antibiotics starts by slowing bacterial spread. Research analyst Impalli stated that simple habits like hand washing can instigate major change. In Seguku, Uganda, Maria Shasha washes her hands with friend Catherine Birungi waiting. They plan to visit a public dining area. Put simply, soap might be more impactful than the strongest antibiotics. Access to clean drinking water and proper sewerage management is crucial, Impalli emphasized, alongside widespread vaccination. “We speak of resistance as an insurmountable issue,” remarked Impalli. “It's vast, interrelated across sectors. Hence, spotlighting proven tools to tackle the problem is crucial.” The global movement to find solutions for resistance is ongoing. The UN Deputy Secretary-General stated that during a recent High-Level Meeting on Resistance, over 90% of countries had plans to combat resistance. It's critical to push this issue forward. “As things stand, infectious diseases linked to resistant organisms will become a leading cause of death,” warned Leandro Martin Redondo, coordinator of the resistance project at Argentina's National Institute of Agricultural Technology. Planned surgeries may become impossible, he stated. This moment, foreseen by Fleming, is coming. In 1945, Fleming warned of “overuse” as the public demand for antibiotics would grow. He clearly outlined the risk: “To recklessly play with penicillin makes one morally responsible for the person who succumbs to a penicillin-resistant organism infection.” Leandro Martin Redondo and colleagues aim to create alternatives supporting animal growth against the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria development.

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Sports

"Bishrelt Metal" becomes the first Mongolian team to defeat the home team in an international league

Published: 2025-03-26 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The "Bishrelt Metal" team, runner-up of the 2023-2024 season of the Mongolian Basketball Premier League, has won their first match in the group stage of the 2025 Asian Champions League. Specifically, the team, placed in group "A" of the league, visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and defeated the home team, "NS Matrix Deers," with a score of 98:86 at the "MABA" sports complex. This victory marks the first time in the history of Mongolian professional basketball that a top league team has visited an opponent's home court in a major international league and won. In this game, Byron Wesley led all players with 34 points, while Devon Scott added 24 points and A. Enkhbayasgalan contributed 21 points, significantly aiding their team's victory. In this match, "Bishrelt Metal"'s captain, T. Uuganbayar, could not play due to a nasal injury sustained during practice, and N. Munkhchudur was unable to participate due to a leg injury. The team is expected to return to their home country tomorrow and will play their first game of the playoff semifinals against "APES" the day after. Meanwhile, their second group stage match of the Asian Champions League will be held on the 5th of next month in Jakarta, Indonesia, where they will face the national league champion "Pelita Jaya." As for the home team, five players scored over 10 points, but it was insufficient to defeat "Bishrelt Metal." "NS Matrix Deers" is a two-time champion of the Malaysian Premier League and is sponsored by one of Malaysia's top companies, the "Matrix" group.

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"Bishrelt Metal" becomes the first Mongolian team to defeat the home team in an international league

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