Mar 28, 2025 77 min read Daily News Summaries

Mongolia News Summary for March 28, 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

State Great Hural to Discuss Law on Ratification of Gashuunsukhait-Ganqmod Border Cooperation Agreement

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Thursday session of the State Great Hural has commenced. Today's agenda includes the discussion of the draft law regarding the ratification of the cooperation agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Gashuunsukhait-Ganqmod border crossing railroad, coal trade, and the expansion of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine capacity. Additionally, the session will review the following issues: - The 2025 first conclusion of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia, concerning whether certain parts of the Law on Parliamentary Elections of Mongolia violate the Constitution of Mongolia. - The 2025 second conclusion of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia, related to whether the legal arrangement in Section 47.6 of Article 47 of the Law on the Judiciary of Mongolia violates the Constitution of Mongolia. - The 2025 third conclusion of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia, concerning whether certain parts of the Law on Parliamentary Elections of Mongolia violate the Constitution of Mongolia. Currently, they are discussing the first conclusion of the 2025 Constitutional Court of Mongolia regarding the potential constitutional violation in the Law on Parliamentary Elections of Mongolia. Notice: Media outlets (TV, Radio, Social and Web pages) are reminded to credit ikon.mn as the source when using our information in any form, whether fully or partially.

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Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

A petition to reduce social insurance premiums is currently collecting public opinions through the D-Petition public grievance system, having been initiated on the 12th of this month. The petition was started by citizen B. Batbileg, who stated: "Please reduce the current rate of social insurance contributions to 12%. I believe there are alternative ways to replenish the social insurance fund. For instance, if employees could voluntarily transfer dividends from their 1,072 shares annually into the social insurance fund, it would allow the rate of social insurance contributions to be reduced to 12% the following year. This would not impact inflation or the prices of goods and products, and would help maintain the stability of the currency exchange rate." He aims to collect electronic signatures from 100,000 individuals, and so far, 4,081 people have supported the petition. If the target number is reached within the valid time frame, it will grant the right to initiate a legislative proposal. As a reminder, citizen Sh. Khureltulga proposed a petition to reduce Social Insurance Premiums (SIP) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) by 50%. His petition was supported by 101,099 people by November 3rd of that year, enabling the possibility of drafting a legal proposal. However, although a task force was formed to investigate the matter, it eventually quieted down. Notice: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social media, and websites) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, whether in whole or in part.

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Tyranny within the MPP

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

According to Article 23.1 of the Constitution, "A member of the State Great Khural is a representative of all people and shall uphold the interests of all citizens and the country." However, in recent years, the Constitution itself has turned into a hollow symbol. The civil rights and freedoms proclaimed in this crucial document have been gradually curtailed by the MPP, and today Mongolia finds itself among countries transitioning to an autocratic regime. The leader of this party seems eager to tighten the noose strangling democracy. Members of the State Great Khural who criticize the government's activities within the scope of their lawful powers are now being subjected to slander, have their reputations tarnished, or face threats to their personal information and security through troll armies.
Now, the MPP has decided to officially turn its faction members in the State Great Khural into "button-pushing robots." They announced a project during last Monday's MPP faction meeting that states, "You will vote according to the party policy, not your own beliefs. You'll receive 10 points for supporting, and lose points for not supporting. The party's interests are paramount, not the interests of citizens as a whole."
In fact, since last year, the MPP has been developing a system to grade faction members. According to this system, a member who raises a hand and gives a "green light" in the plenary session for any legislative project supported by the faction will receive +10 points, while a member who does not support it will receive -10 points. Those with the lowest points will not receive any political support and will not be appointed to any position. They will also not receive the "visa" to run in elections. Even if there's something obviously wrong or unworthy of support, one must raise a hand to maintain the opportunity to run in the next election.
By doing so, the MPP faction attempts to infringe upon the inviolability of a State Great Khural member, as well as the election rights granted by the Constitution. A member who repeatedly votes against the faction's stance or holds a different opinion will first receive a warning, and if they disobey more than three times, they will face disciplinary actions as specified above. Any member who has already taken office must not just raise their hand and push buttons without thinking, or they will be "removed."
The parliamentary role as outlined in the Constitution is meant to be the highest governing body of Mongolia. Yet now, it has turned into a follower organization. Although the country has increased the number of State Great Khural members by 50, there is no opposition, as members of the Democratic Party and HUN Party joined the coalition government and have been silenced. Such moves are perceived as living under an autocratic regime, where the Prime Minister, or government, holds state power. Even if there are a few members who voice their opinions or scrutinize errors, it’s not enough to challenge this.
It is evident that being a parliamentarian should be about expressing one’s stance on various bills and issues freely and without fear. However, any dissent is attacked through social networks and some sites, relentlessly undermining reputations, leading to members being afraid to speak even within the parliamentary hall. Those who were elected to parliament with promises of developing their sectors and solving issues like pollution and congestion have found themselves silenced due to internal pressures.
At this moment, several members have started to realize the folly and are speaking out against these oppressive tactics. For instance, G. Luvsanjamts, a member elected through the MPP list, has criticized the approach, stating, "This attacks the inviolability of a parliament member. Evaluating members based on how they vote in the plenary sessions indicates that the party is placing its interests over the national interest."
Some additional members voiced their disapproval, stating that simply following party lines without multiple perspectives is not acceptable, and promoting diverse viewpoints is vital. On the other hand, loyal supporters of the party leader endorsed the proposed scoring system with dedication, highlighting a discriminatory trend against members elected through lists, expecting them to strictly conform to party policies.
The MPP intends to amend the Constitution again, with preparations underway to ensure victory in the upcoming presidential election, while internal dissent within the party appears to be dealt with through coercive "boxing." Thus, if the MPP faction members acknowledge this system, it would mean they have traded their mandate and the core principles of democracy for personal ambition. Speaking and expressing opinions is equally necessary among parliament members as it prevents them from becoming "robots." Let’s hope sensible and independent-minded individuals among the MPP's members will surface to halt such endeavors, valuing the principle of the Constitution.

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Economy

L. Oyun-Erdene: The Government is About to Approve the Second Port Agreement in 70 Years

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: isee.mn

The plenary session of the Parliament has begun. Today's session discusses the draft law to ratify the agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China regarding the cross-border railway, coal trade, and cooperation to increase the capacity of Tavan Tolgoi's coal mine at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port. The Prime Minister, L. Oyun-Erdene, is participating in the discussion and answering questions from members. Minister of Energy, Industry and Enterprise Development Ts. Tuvaan stated: "We have included provisions in the agreement, the protocol, and the subsequent contract focusing on renewable energy and projects for urban development and housing." The working group on increasing exports is also discussing issues related to the Tsagaan Khad residential area. There are also issues related to Khanbogd sum. The land is specially protected, so it's difficult to resolve. We're working on resolving this and paying attention to the social issues of the people there. We resolved the hospital issue at the Khairkhan bagh. Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene mentioned: "Mongolia first made a railway border connection agreement with China in 1955. Today, after 70 years, the governments of both countries are about to approve the second port agreement." At the Chinese Development and Reform Commission, ports were ranked by economic significance. "With the ratification of this agreement today, the issue of the railway border connection for the third port, Shiveekhuren Sehee, will be discussed. Shiveekhuren will increase its export capacity by 10 million tons. After Shiveekhuren, Bichigt port will be connected. The fifth connection port will be Hangi." L. Munkhbayasgalan stated: "A day comes when the railway war ends. In August 2014, Ts. Elbegdorj led and 'Energy Resource' company made a secret agreement. That agreement is not available today in Mongolian. After 10 years, L. Oyun-Erdene found it in Chinese. That agreement should be disclosed. I want justice. There was an attempt to lease Tavan Tolgoi for 100 years. They were trying to involve a Chinese company in mining and build the railway to a narrow gauge, contrary to the Parliament's decision. In 10 years, over 80 people suffered in terms of work, life, and reputation. Will no one be held accountable? Will Ts. Elbegdorj and Ch. Saikhanbileg not be brought to account? The conspiracy has been revealed today. 15 years is such a long time." Minister of Energy, Industry and Enterprise Development Ts. Tuvaan continued: "We have addressed the issues you mentioned. There will be no third-party mediation between the governments. Shares and licenses of ETT JSC will not be transferred to others. Such proposals will not be made from the other party. Agreements exist for extraction and coal purchase. The issue of gauge size has been resolved, and there will be no further disputes over wide and narrow gauge. Also, it has been stated that no claims for past losses related to railway construction will be made." Minister of Justice and Home Affairs O. Altangerel stated: "There are various forms of accountability. In this issue, it's impossible to apply criminal law for accountability. However, the policy and memory of the Mongolian state should exist. Therefore, concerning the issue related to the Uhaa Khudag mine, the government has formed a working group and is preparing to submit it to Parliament, suspecting a possible violation of the law. The agreement related to a strategic deposit, which is an entire strategic deposit, is not with the state. When discussing issues with the other party, an agreement that we do not have emerges. If this issue is not resolved, it will continue indefinitely." The session of the Parliament continues.

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The Swap Agreement with China or the Burden of Debt

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: news.mn

The government announced that, as part of efforts to increase foreign currency reserves, it would utilize financial resources available in international markets. This includes increasing the usage of the swap agreement with the People's Bank of China by 550 million USD, acquiring 300 million USD with gold income repayment terms from foreign banks and financial institutions, and reallocating 283.4 million USD by trading the Mongolian government’s foreign securities held by the Deposit Insurance Corporation and the State Bank internationally. In essence, in order to increase its official foreign currency reserves, Mongolia is expanding its foreign debt and loans. The Swap Agreement with China or the Burden of Debt Geographically, Mongolia cannot change its position as China's everlasting neighbor. However, it is possible to change the monetary and financial policy that keeps us perpetually indebted to this country. Unfortunately, in the formulation of state policy, there is no concern among policymakers about the loss of national security due to debt policy. Looking back at Mongolia's connection with the People's Bank of China, the swap agreement between the Bank of Mongolia and the People's Bank of China began in 2011 with the primary goals of economic development through trade support and market stabilization through short-term liquidity. Initially, the agreement was for 5 billion yuan (1 trillion tugriks). This has grown to 15 billion yuan after increases in 2012 and 2014, with extensions every three years in 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023. This agreement is set to expire in 2026. The Bank of Mongolia began using the swap agreement in 2012, utilizing a total of 12 billion yuan (approximately 1.8 billion USD at the time) between 2012 and 2016. During this period, Mongolia's foreign exchange reserves continued to decrease, hitting a low of 1.04 billion USD in October 2016, resulting in an inability to repay the acquired loan. Thus, to maintain economic stability and keep foreign exchange reserves at internationally accepted levels, to enhance public confidence in the tugrik, and to ensure sufficient reserves during external sector crises, the swap agreement term was extended from 2017 to 2022, and repayments were postponed by paying interest. As the economic crisis from the pandemic began to recover in the second half of 2022, and with the positive balance of payments in 2023-2024, as well as successful government bond refinancing, foreign sector pressure on foreign exchange reserves stabilized relatively. Therefore, in 2023 and 2024, the Bank of Mongolia made repayments of 1.5 billion yuan and 4.5 billion yuan, respectively, on the swap agreement with China, to ensure stability of the country's foreign debt and reduce the central bank’s interest expenses and losses. The Governor of the Bank of Mongolia, B. Lhagvasuren, stated at the time, "Foreign currency reserves, which had decreased to 2.8 billion USD in 2022, increased to 5.2 billion USD in the first quarter of 2024, enabling the repayment of 4.5 billion yuan of the swap agreement with the People's Bank of China in the second quarter of 2024. As a result, the central bank's foreign debt decreased by 813 million USD, or 42%, compared to the same period last year, and the remaining balance of the swap agreement utilization decreased to 6 billion yuan." However, the government decided to again increase its debt. Most Mongolians describe being trapped in a cycle of debt, living paycheck to paycheck. Similarly, Mongolia is unable to escape the debt trap with its southern neighbor, using one income to cover another's expenses. If Mongolia had a sound economic plan and foresight, it would have relieved some of its loan burden over the past 14 years. Even if it couldn’t completely break free from the debt, it could have been reducing the proportion yearly. On the contrary, increasing the proportions means there's a high likelihood that the swap agreement will be extended in 2026 as well. "Much Ado About Nothing" Regarding recent statistics on Mongolia's foreign debt, the total remaining foreign debt reached 37,117 million USD in the fourth quarter of 2024, a 7% increase or 2,548 million USD higher than the previous year's same period. The government's debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to be 55% in 2025 and 50% in 2026. "Appearances can be deceiving," as the saying goes. In recent years, Mongolia's economy has grown steadily, with discussions about increasing per capita GDP to 10,000 USD. However, budget expenditures have been increased annually, reaching 35 trillion, and thus the government expenditure has also increased. Despite showing growth in macroeconomic indicators, it's clear that Mongolia has become overly reliant on one sector, particularly mineral products. While it struggled to export 30-40 million tons of coal annually, last year saw a historic export of 83 million tons. This year, it is planned to sell this much coal for 105 USD per ton. Unfortunately, the January-February customs figures suggest close alignment with the "Much Ado About Nothing" proverb. The central issue in Mongolia's long-term development documents is diversifying and branching out the economy. Politicians and decision-makers’ sole brand for obtaining points is economic diversification. Yet, until now, dependency on mineral product exports, especially coal, has increased. Celebrating the export of 80 million tons of coal is easy, but without policies to regulate usage, primarily imports, Mongolia faces trade balance deficits and dwindling currency reserves. As exports grew by 6% and imports by 26% last year—with significant rises in imports like vehicles, food, alcohol, and tobacco—the lack of regulation on induced consumption has made the trade deficit and currency reserve shortage a headache for authorities. With declining coal prices and export volumes, the shock to the economy is high and the issue could escalate if this inverse relationship continues. The simplest countermeasure might be to increase foreign borrowing. Consequently, the government has decided to increase its foreign debt. Bankrupt Nations Had Less Debt than Mongolia Surprisingly, Mongolia, rich in natural resources, has seen its national debt grow rapidly since 2017. This is due to poor financial-management decisions regarding natural resource income, evident in research conclusions. Debt is still debt. Nonetheless, Mongolia has tried to make its debt seem smaller by splitting it into categories like government debt, Central Bank debt, and enterprise debt. Typically, the Central Bank and state-owned enterprise debts are not prominently mentioned. According to the IMF's debt calculation method, there is only one concept of "government debt." Hence, it has been suggested to Mongolia to consider the "government's foreign debt" as a whole in forming state policy decisions. Researchers point out that Mongolia's economic risk, reliant on a single sector and one country, can be fully evaluated by adopting this concept. A 2022 study revealed that Mongolia's foreign debt situation was either worse or comparable to countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, which are under heavy foreign debt pressure. The research highlighted that many low-income countries faced debt crises. Following Sri Lanka’s declaration of bankruptcy due to foreign debt pressure in 2022, Argentina and Pakistan found themselves in financial distress. They share the commonality with Mongolia of having failed to effectively manage government foreign debt. However, upon nearing bankruptcy, their debt conditions were comparatively better than Mongolia’s. This serves as a poignant reminder of the gravity of Mongolia's debt situation. Ultimately, as long as Mongolia's policymakers remain insatiably voracious, talking about development is pointless. Despite numerous mistakes to learn from, lessons seem unlearned. Mining product prices rise and fall naturally due to economic laws. But the overarching problem is impulsive spending of any small windfall, only to find ourselves in the same situation weeks later, in a vicious cycle of debt similar to individuals who squander financial aid on instant gratification while staying in poverty. As this government policy of squanderous inconsistency continues, it poses a significant risk.

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Trafigura's Representative in Mongolia Transferred $500 Million to Aunt’s Company

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: isee.mn

Trafigura's representative in Mongolia, E. Jononbayar, was dismissed from his position amidst a billion-dollar fraud investigation concerning the Swiss trading company. According to Reuters, E. Jononbayar transferred more than 500 million dollars belonging to Trafigura to a company owned by his aunt. This company, named Lex Oil, was a primary partner of Trafigura in Mongolia and was owned by Jononbayar's aunt, Erdenetuul, as specified by three close sources to Trafigura and supporting ownership documents. Trafigura previously announced that it had incurred a loss of 1.1 billion dollars following "serious violations" by some of its employees dealing with petroleum products in Mongolia, who allegedly used documents to inflate payments and hide overdue receivables. Although the company confirmed its main customer owed it a significant debt, it did not disclose the names of any parties or individuals due to ongoing investigations. However, sources indicate Jononbayar was involved in selling fuel and borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars through his aunt’s company. Jononbayar's mother, Erdenesuren, was also reported by three sources to have worked at the Customs General Administration, which oversees fuel imports. Lex Oil was established in 2019 and partnered with Trafigura shortly thereafter. Lex Oil received loans from Trafigura enabling it to purchase diesel fuel from Russia and Singapore. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, Mongolia's coal exports came to a halt, adversely impacting mining operations and fuel demand. Despite this, Lex Oil continued importing fuel, blending it, and lending to domestic firms, which further increased Trafigura's outstanding debt. In December, Trafigura revealed in its annual report that intentional fraud had been committed involving manipulated documents and concealed overdue receivables.

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D. Aldarjavkhlan: We need to limit the rapid increase in budget spending as it is all flowing out as foreign currency

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: isee.mn

The Parliament of Mongolia convened today to discuss the ratification of the cross-border railway agreement for the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod border port. During this session, Member of Parliament D. Aldarjavkhlan stated: "Why don't we limit the rapid increase in our budget spending? Last year it was 27 trillion, and this year it has gone up to 33 trillion. The most desired thing for our entrepreneurs is exchange rate stability. To ensure this, why don't we limit budgetary expenditures and rapid increases? All of the budget spending is turning into foreign currency and flowing out. Whether it's building a bridge or buying a car, it's becoming foreign currency. Therefore, we should consider creating a policy to limit the rapid increase in budget spending and consider whether or not to increase it by another 20% next year. As the exchange rate rises, salary and pension increases are becoming worthless. We should focus on next year's budget policy."

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JD.com, China's Largest E-Commerce Platform, Officially Introduced to the Mongolian Market by Stora.mn

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

JD.com, China's largest e-commerce and logistics company, ranked 47th in the Global Fortune 500 companies, reported a total revenue of $158 billion in 2024. Through its subsidiary "Jingdong Worldwide LLC," which manages the expansion of its international operations, the JingZhong platform collaborates with leading e-commerce companies in partner countries to expand its market reach and deliver products and services to 176 countries globally. In line with this strategy, JingDong Worldwide has announced its official partnership with Stora Central LLC, a digital solution provider enhancing online shopping convenience in Mongolia, to enter the Mongolian market. Stora Central LLC is a leading D2C e-commerce platform in Mongolia, selling and transporting products from JD.com. It is a subsidiary of Premium Corporation, a major business entity in Mongolia. Premium Corporation introduced the largest convenience store chain in South Korea, CU, to the Mongolian market in 2015 with 100% investment, and now operates over 420 chain stores across 12 provinces in Mongolia. It is a leading company in the trade and industrial sector. Moreover, Premium Nexus JSC, which owns Stora Central LLC, successfully completed an IPO on the Mongolian Stock Exchange and is now a listed company, categorized as Class II in its stock rating. Stora Central LLC connects global retail giants such as Amazon, eBay, IKEA, Sephora, Costco, and Nike with technological solutions to offer Mongolian consumers access to products from all over the world, a limitless selection of goods, financial savings on prices lower than those sold in Mongolia, and the solution to finding rare and hard-to-find items, all through comprehensive digital solutions and transportation services. As a result of this partnership, Mongolian consumers can now order from over one million products available on JD.com through Stora's electronic commerce platform, with logistics solutions also bundled within this collaboration. Ordering from JD ensures: ✅ No service fees ✅ No worries about receiving low-quality products ✅ Order processing speed: 5-10 days ✅ Free shipping for the first 20kg ✅ Installment payment options via Pocket zero and Storepay... the benefits are endless. The days of worrying about the quality of products ordered from China are in the past. Visit Stora to experience digital solutions that enhance convenience. Website: stora.mn Download the app: stora.page.link/app Warning: Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) must cite their source (ikon.mn) while using our information in any form or in part.

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The Dollar's Exchange Rate is Falling, but the Tugrik Keeps Weakening

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Due to Donald Trump's tariffs, the dollar index has drastically weakened, but the tugrik's exchange rate continues to decline. Because Donald Trump's tariff policy poses a threat not to other countries but to US economic growth, the dollar has had its worst month in about a year. However, its exchange rate against the tugrik is the opposite. Betting Against the Greenback Due to uncertainties about trade tariffs, currency traders have been shorting against the dollar, causing the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index to drop by four percent from its peak last February. The start of the year was marked by expectations that the dollar's exchange rate would strengthen due to the Trump administration's policies, but the situation has done a 180-degree turn. The main indicators of the US economy have generally weakened, with the consumer confidence index reaching its lowest level in four years. Speculative traders had dollar positions at their highest before Trump took office but moved into a short position as of March 18, according to US Commodity Futures Trading Commission data. "Before his inauguration, investors were focused on which of Donald Trump's promises he would fulfill first. But when he took office, he started working on too many things at once, creating significant execution risks," said Bill Campbell, portfolio manager at DoubleLine Capital. As of March, the dollar index has fallen by 2.2%, the highest since November 2023. Last week, currency analysts from Citigroup and Credit Agricole revised down their six- and twelve-month forecasts for the dollar exchange rate. Pressure Continues to Increase The tugrik's exchange rate against the dollar has been weakening almost continuously since last September and is on track to surpass 3500 again. As of 2025, the rate has weakened by about 1.8%, currently hovering around 3480, which marks a 22-month low. Meanwhile, the Mexican peso, Canadian dollar, and euro, all directly affected by US tariffs, have strengthened against the dollar this year. Last year, Mongolia's imports grew by 25.5%, and in the first two months of 2025, they increased by 7.2%, reaching over 1.7 billion dollars. The implementation of government mega projects and the negotiations to join the Eurasian Economic Union are expected to keep the import surge going. Additionally, due to a sharp rise in Mongolian consumption and purchases, the Central Bank of Mongolia and the Financial Regulatory Commission have no choice but to tighten the debt-to-income ratio requirements to control consumer loans. "The impact of excessive growth in consumer loans will be strongly felt in 1-3 years. People are buying smartphones and cars with loans. They're also borrowing to travel abroad. All of this ultimately puts pressure on the exchange rate," emphasized G. Enkhbat, the first vice president of TD Securities JSC, in an interview.

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Ts.Tuvaan: Agreement to export 247 million tons of coal in 16 years

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: isee.mn

The unified session of the Parliament has begun. Today's session will discuss the law project to ratify the agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the cooperation to increase the capacity of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine, the cross-border railway at Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port, and coal trade. The discussion features participation from Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene, who is responding to questions from members. Member of Parliament J.Bat-Erdene stated, "Basically, we have been selling our coal like goods on a cart. Now, we will start selling through an intergovernmental agreement. Exactly how many million tons of coal and over what period will be sold by the governments? These numbers are missing. Secondly, regarding this railway with a capacity of 20-25 million tons. If we transport 20 million tons according to the agreement, how will our businesses export the rest? Are they capable? Will they use the Tavan Tolgoi ownership's existing roads? How many million tons of coal will be exported through the port, combining railway and road? During Minister J.Ganbaatar's time, the mining exchange law was introduced. How many more million tons will be exported through the exchange? It's interesting. The highest price capable of selling on the exchange was available during both falling and rising coal prices. Are we achieving this?" Minister of Industry and Trade Ts.Tuvaan responded, "The quantity and timeline for the coal are clearly specified in the agreement. From 2025-2029, 27 million tons; from 2030 onwards, 20 million tons; totaling 247 million tons over 16 years. Each year is assigned in the protocol. Of 100% of the coal being sold, 55% is coking, etc. The exchange law is being implemented. It fits when coal prices are rising. But in today's falling market, due to the lack of indexing provision, buyers aren't entering. Therefore, we're changing the law. It was introduced at yesterday's government session. When the prices were high, the coal from companies trading on the exchange piled up, and now cannot be sold at fallen prices. Thus, there's a bottleneck. A task force is working to resolve this." The Parliament session continues.

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B. Dulgii: Coal Exchange Price Indexing and Flexible Payment Terms Will Boost Purchases

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Due to the drop in the global market price of coal, Mongolia's major export product, there has been a significant accumulation at the border with our southern neighbor. The Mongolian Stock Exchange has made changes to the trading rules of the mining products exchange to increase the volume of coal exports and the activity of buyers. These changes will come into effect from tomorrow. In line with this, the Mongolian Stock Exchange organized an introductory meeting today to inform stakeholders about the changes in the rules. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Finance B. Javkhlan, Acting Executive Director of 'Mongolian Stock Exchange' JSC B. Dulgii, and more than 130 representatives from over 70 domestic and foreign enterprises and organizations in the mining sector. Over 50 companies that purchase our country's mining products also participated to express their views on the updated rules. "Last week, a decision was made to reduce rail freight costs by 50 percent." The Minister of Finance B. Javkhlan highlighted the state's policy on the changes to the trading rules of the mining products exchange: "We are discussing amending the Law on the Mining Products Exchange. It has been one year since we started selling our natural resources through the mining exchange. In the future, trading should happen not only when prices rise but also when they fall. The operation of the mining products exchange should continue consistently in the long term. The target for the physical volume of coal to be exported in the first three months of 2025 has not been missed. Only the exchange trading of mining products has fallen. The physical volume to be sent across the border continues normally. If the exchange trading is not revived, there is a risk that the export volume will decrease when the coal mound dissipates. In connection with the changes in the rules, it is necessary to reduce transport service prices. Currently, railways are not fully connected to the border. Last week, a decision was made to reduce the cost of coal transport by rail by 50 percent. This will make rail competitive with road transport." Continuing on the main changes in the rules, Acting Executive Director of 'Mongolian Stock Exchange' JSC B. Dulgii provided information: "The drop in coal prices is largely due to demand from China. According to the rules that will come into effect from tomorrow, coal prices will change according to the index. For example, if coal is purchased on a 12-month contract, long-term contracts have not been conducted due to caution about the risk of price drops from the third month. Thus, the prices of coal purchased when the market price falls are indexed to fall and rise accordingly. Currently, coal is loaded only after the seller receives 100 percent of the payment. Therefore, payment terms are becoming more flexible. Instead of paying 100 percent upfront, it will be possible to shift to transactions where a certain amount is paid in advance, and the rest is guaranteed. Last month, we introduced the rule changes and gathered opinions when meeting with over 50 buyers. The rule changes were made to incorporate a wide range of feedback." Regarding how buyers received these changes, B. Khishigbayar, General Manager of Inner Mongolia Hongtai Coal Trading Co., Ltd., expressed: "The buyers received the changes made by the Mongolian Stock Exchange, which indexed coal prices and opened up flexible payment terms, very positively. These changes bring us closer to international market standards, creating a more transparent and fair environment. The indexed price reduces the buyer's risk and is suitable for long-term purchases. Opening flexible payment terms adjusts the financial burden for small and medium-sized companies, positively influencing their participation in the mining products exchange. Before the rule changes, coal bought at high prices became uncompetitive in the next market. Our company has slightly reduced the supply of coal we take from Mongolia because we have a coal processing plant and supply products to major steel mills in China. Steel mills have reduced their coal purchases," he said. On how the changes benefit Mongolian businesses, O. Tserendondog, Head of Sales, Marketing, and Transportation at Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC, stated: "The Mining Products Exchange is a transparent, open electronic platform. In the past, when the exchange price was set, it negatively impacted sales because it did not follow the market price. Relevant institutions are now focusing on this to regulate it so that it changes according to the market price." To understand coal purchases, it is necessary to talk about the Chinese market. Currently, there is an oversupplied coal market in China where supply exceeds demand. Previously, Chinese buyers came to buy coal themselves. Now, we have to chase after them to sell our coal. Working closely with buyers will help overcome market challenges. If the accumulated coal at the Gantsmod border is not sold, it will negatively affect our country's exchange trading. Therefore, we are meeting with 17 buyer companies to jointly resolve this issue. Buyers mainly demand that the coal price match today's market rate," he said.

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The Government is Creating New Structures and Positions, Aggravating the Budget Crisis

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

As the budget revenue falls short and the economy faces severe challenges, economists are urging the authorities to address the issue realistically and avoid extravagance and hasty decisions. However, it seems that our government is taking a contrary approach by making a series of rash and questionable decisions that astound us. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth is planning to establish a state-owned business enterprise called the "Tourism Development Center" with a structure of 20 people. It appears that tourism can only be developed by creating such a special structure and funding it with taxpayers' money. In fact, a significant amount of money has already been "poured" into the tourism sector under the guise of the "Visit Mongolia Year" initiative in recent years. Numerous ineffective expenses have been made under the pretext of enhancing foreign marketing and promotion. There are no shortages of organizations tasked with developing policies and plans for this sector. Despite this, the decision to establish yet another new structure under the Minister of Culture, adding pressure to the budget, seems ironic and ill-considered. Soon, they might even create a position called a "Productivity Manager" and appoint numerous people to it. This is because there are plans to appoint "Productivity Managers" with the status of Deputy General Managers in state-owned enterprises, creating over 40 such positions, according to members of parliament. Political parties have already negotiated and discussed behind the scenes about who to appoint as productivity and control managers in major state-owned mining companies, and have started implementing it, starting with the former "Mongolrostsvetmet." Thanks to this "brilliant" decision, it is rumored that the city mayor H. Nyambaatar might even have five deputy or "productivity" managers. Why is the government, led by the Prime Minister and his cabinet who often speak of curbing extravagant spending and downsizing cumbersome structures, creating so many new positions and roles during this time of budget and financial strain? Is this how the government tightens its belt? Is this how they implement the cost-cutting policy? Did they think of the "brilliant solution" to create a position called "Productivity Manager" once there was a demand for productivity and performance? In reality, at this point, instead of discussing positions and seat arrangements, the government should be addressing how to stop the extravagant and luxurious spending. What is more important today than reducing the burden that is weighing heavily on citizens and enterprises and has begun to be noticeably felt in their daily lives and reviving the economy?

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Banks and Financial Institutions to Redirect Foreign Reserves to Domestic Market

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: gogo.mn

A special meeting of the Financial Stability Council (FSC) took place. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Finance B. Javkhlan, with participation from the President of the Bank of Mongolia B. Lkhagvasuren, the Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Commission T. Jambajamts, the acting Executive Director of the Deposit Insurance Corporation S. Batarsuren, and other relevant officials. It was decided to reintegrate reserves placed by Mongolia's banks and financial institutions in foreign markets back into the domestic economy to stimulate economic circulation. In line with this, the government will issue domestic securities through the framework of the Budget Law. The FSC will provide recommendations to the Deposit Insurance Corporation to trade the government's foreign bonds it holds without causing price fluctuations, and to redirect the released foreign currency reserves into the domestic market. The meeting also discussed measures to increase the official foreign currency reserves. Plans were discussed regarding advance funding from international markets as part of the "Gold-3 Campaign" the government intends to implement. It is projected that the national foreign currency reserves will reach 4.9 billion USD by the end of 2024. Source: Bank of Mongolia

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Ulaanbaatar Group LLC Officially Introduces Huawei AITO Brand Cars to Mongolia

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Ulaanbaatar Group LLC has officially introduced Huawei AITO's advanced intelligent cars to the Mongolian market. This strategic move initiates a new era of electric and hybrid engine car technology in Mongolia, offering consumers smart, economical, and environmentally friendly options. The Huawei AITO brand is distinguished by integrating Huawei's advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and intelligent driving systems into vehicles, embodying solutions that have become benchmarks of the "Fourth Industrial Revolution." Ulaanbaatar Group LLC officially represents the brand in Mongolia and is working to provide comprehensive solutions for sales, maintenance, and spare parts supply. Key advantages of the AITO brand include: - Huawei DriveONE intelligent hybrid engine system
- Screen with HarmonyOS intelligent interface and digital control panel
- Advanced safety technologies (ADAS, autonomous driving system)
- High-capacity battery with long-lasting power
- Luxury design and high-quality materials
The AITO brand's M5, M7, and M9 models are officially on sale in Mongolia, with flexible leasing terms offered in partnership with banks. As part of the project aimed at delivering Mongolian consumers the world's latest smart car experience, the brand's official website has been developed, allowing customers to choose and order cars online. For more information, you can contact the sales department:
📞 976-85009977
📍 UB Autocom - Huawei Aito Showroom
FB: Aito Motors Mongolia
🌐 www.aitomotors.mn (Coming soon)
Warning: Media outlets (TV, radio, social and web pages) must cite their source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, fully or partially.

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B. Uyanga: We Must Amend the Misconception of Strategic Deposits and Allocate 2% of Revenue from All Mining Projects to a Savings Fund

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: itoim.mn

According to Clause 1.2 of the Constitution of Mongolia, democracy, justice, freedom, equality, national unity, and the rule of law are the fundamental principles of state activity. Additionally, Clause 6.2 states that the subsoil and its resources are state public property. In this context, the Law on the National Wealth Fund was enacted in 2024, marking a significant achievement for the people of Mongolia, as reported by Member of Parliament B. Uyanga regarding the law. MP B. Uyanga explained that the National Wealth Fund consists of three sub-funds: the first is a fund dedicated to future generations, the second is a development fund for financing infrastructure, and the third is a savings fund dedicated to public health, housing, and education. The Savings Fund is comprised of dividends from strategic deposits and is registered to every citizen of Mongolia starting from 2024. We are aware that this fund is currently limited to income from only a certain number of designated strategic mineral deposits. However, this raises concerns and risks for investors and companies in the mining sector, as they fear that future revenues from their investments may lead their projects to be listed as strategic and thus brought under state and public ownership. Therefore, I believe that it is time to rectify the erroneous concept of strategic deposits, which has existed in the mining sector since 2006, and to propose legislation that from today onwards, a fixed, clear, and specific fee should be collected from all mining projects for the Savings Fund, building an accumulated wealth for future generations. In other words, rather than being limited to only strategic deposits, a certain percentage, possibly two percent, of the sales revenue from all mining projects should be legally allocated to the Savings Fund annually. By doing this, the fundamental rules of the game in the mineral resources sector will become clear to investors. The fear of when the State Great Khural (Parliament) and the Government will list their projects as strategic will disappear. There will be opportunities for the discovery of deposits similar to Erdenet, Oyu Tolgoi, and the large rare earth deposits located near the borders of Mongolia in the future. In this sense, our economy will expand. In 2024, Mongolia's total export revenue was 15.8 billion USD, with 93% depending on mining activities, contributing 14.6 billion USD to the state budget. Had the law demanded 2% of this revenue be allocated to the Savings Fund annually, the fund would have accumulated not 495.6 billion MNT, but 1.1 trillion MNT. Therefore, it is clear that for the next few years, Mongolia will continue to develop based on the benefits of mining projects. Therefore, it is time to amend the subjective and unclear legal regulations that deter investment and to create an environment more open to foreign investment.

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93.5% of Budget Revenue Composed of Tax Revenue, 6.5% from Non-Tax Revenue

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The Budget Inspection and Analysis Department of the Secretariat of the Parliament of Mongolia has released a report on the "Implementation of the Consolidated State Budget for the First Two Months of 2025" to the public. During this period, the total consolidated budget revenue of the country amounted to 4.1 trillion MNT, while expenditures were 4.6 trillion MNT, resulting in a deficit of 565.8 billion MNT. The budget revenue fell short by 167.1 billion MNT compared to the planned amount, with tax revenue falling short by 4% or 155.1 billion MNT, and non-tax revenue short by 4.3% or 11.9 billion MNT. This was identified as a contributing factor to the deficit. By the end of February, total tax revenue had decreased by 22.9% or 1.1 trillion MNT compared to the same period last year. The main reasons for this decline were decreases in income tax by 591.5 billion MNT and value-added tax by 119.8 billion MNT. Structurally, 93.5% of the budget revenue was composed of tax revenue, while 6.5% came from non-tax revenue. Within the tax revenue, 36.1% was from income tax, 20.1% from social insurance, 19.7% from value-added tax, 5.5% from excise taxes, and 1.2% from property taxes. The remaining 17% included revenue from foreign activities and other taxes, fees, and charges.

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Mongolian Tax Authority to Work as an Advisor to Citizens

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The unified meeting of the management staff of the Mongolian Tax Authority began today. In his opening remarks, Director General of the General Department of Taxation, Ch. Chimidsuren stated, “In 2025, the Mongolian Tax Authority aims to become a 'Tax Advisory Service' that is friendly to taxpayers and focused on risk prevention. As part of the Tax Law reform, public debates and feedback sessions were organized nationwide. This will be submitted to the Parliament in April. Additionally, the medium-term strategic plan for 2025–2028 has been developed based on the 'Vision-2050' long-term development policy of Mongolia, recommendations from the International Monetary Fund, assessments from the International Assessment Body TADAT, and amendments to tax and other legislation. The vision of an organization is a long-term goal set to be achieved in 15–20 years or possibly longer. Therefore, we have set the goal of becoming a 'World-Class Tax Authority' and have updated the vision of the Mongolian Tax Authority.” During the training and consultation: - Thomas Balco, Senior Advisor on BEPS at the OECD, spoke on "Tax Transparency and Country-by-Country Reporting Agreement"; - B. Tseesuren, Technology Director at Mogul Group (Doctor of Software Engineering), discussed "New Knowledge, Information, and Approaches of AI"; - O. Buyanaa, Head of the Gender Affairs Department, talked about the "Gender Equality Program and Gender-Sensitive Workplace Policy"; - N. Odontsetseg, Head of the Vehicle Registration Division of the Transport Police Department, discussed "Vehicle Registration by the Transport Police Department"; - L. Khishigdulam, Senior Specialist at the Water Division of the Ministry of Nature, Environment, and Tourism, presented on "Fee Stamps and Water Division Conclusions by the Ministry of Nature, Environment, and Tourism"; - D. Saikhanchuluun, Director of the International Tax Office at the Directorate General of Taxation, emphasized "Issues to Focus on When Implementing Segment Strategies and Tax Policy Differences by Regional Development"; - B. Buyannemekh, Director of the Taxpayer Service Office, discussed "Taxpayer Registration, Report Reception, and Advisory Activities for Taxpayers"; - B. Batsaikhan, Director of the Risk Management Department, talked about "Risk Management Activities of the Tax Authority"; - B. Badamtsetseg, Director of the Tax Inspection and Methodology Department, outlined "The Future Direction of Tax Inspections"; - B. Altanhuyag, Director of the Information Technology Center, explained "Application of the Integrated Tax Management System"; - R. Myagmarjav, Director of the Tax Collection and Governance Methodology Department, discussed "Tax Revenue Planning, Execution, and Tax Debt Collection"; - D. Togoosmaa, Director of Legal Compliance, gave a presentation on "Factors Influencing Tax Disputes and Issues to Consider." The Mongolian Tax Authority assessed its operations for 2024 at a 94.6% success rate and presented its work plan for 2025 within the framework of the 2025–2028 strategic plan, providing guidance and methodological support to its subordinate units. In other words, the activities organized under the tax authority’s legal mandate to provide information, advice, and conduct training and promotion will be organized on a large scale. Additionally, plans will be tailored to meet the needs and requirements according to the taxpayer’s activity area and industry classification. Moreover, a chatbot based on Artificial Intelligence, named MongolGPT, is ready to be introduced. This will provide advisory services to taxpayers 24/7, regardless of time and location. The chatbot will play an important role in making state and tax services more accessible, faster, and efficient by providing quick, accurate answers to questions on tax laws, regulations, and reporting in a simple and clear manner. The two-day consultation is attended by 58 senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the General Department of Taxation, and tax offices at the provincial, city, and district levels.

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Eco International Tower & AmCham March Networking Night

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Eco International Tower & AmCham March Networking Night The Eco International Tower, in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and Golomt Bank, successfully organized the March Networking Night event at the luxurious Italian restaurant Il Fiore on the 26th floor of the Eco International Tower, commemorating the 30th anniversary of Golomt Bank. This large-scale event included foreign diplomatic representatives residing in Mongolia as well as prominent business leaders, concluding successfully. During this event, foreign diplomats residing in Mongolia, members of the banking and financial sector, and international trade organizations participated, contributing immensely to the expansion of international business partnerships and the improvement of the investment environment. Over 150 representatives from major international and domestic organizations gathered for this free business meeting. Representatives from the US Embassy and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany were present at the March Networking Night event. Singer L. Gan-Erdene from the group "Kameraton" performed a musical greeting. Delegates from international trade organizations, as well as representatives from banks and financial institutions, were also present. Eco International Tower: Location Advantages The Eco International Tower is advantageously located in the city’s most valuable area on Peace Avenue, Ulaanbaatar’s central point, close to the Central Post Office, Sukhbaatar Square, Government House, and various embassies, saving your time due to its convenient location. Office Advantages at Eco International Tower The Eco International Tower provides comprehensive property management services designed for the comfort of its clients, including reception, security, surveillance, and cleaning and maintenance services of both the exterior and interior public spaces. The tower is surrounded by green spaces where you can relax comfortably. Service Advantages of Eco International Tower The Eco International Tower offers services that meet your comfort and requirements. It features the luxurious Italian "IL FIORE" restaurant on the 25th floor, "F CLUB" on the 26th floor, and a "TOM N TOMS BLACK" coffee shop, a Korean franchise, on the first floor. Ample comfort is also ensured through the business branch of Khan Bank. Shopping and Service Centers at Eco International Tower The Eco International Tower provides integrated shopping and service centers from floors 1 to 6, offering a variety of brand name products such as jewelry, eyewear, home goods, and ready-to-wear clothing for you to choose from. Recognized as "Best Building" in Bloomberg 2022 Awards, the Eco International Tower is located at the perfect city location and invites you to expand your business operations and join us.

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Minimum Wage to Increase to 792,000 Tugriks Next Month

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The minimum wage will change to 792,000 tugriks starting from April 1, 2025. However, the contribution rate will remain at 13.5 percent. Parents who are not engaged in work, caring for children under 18 with disabilities requiring constant care, are required to pay contributions based on the minimum wage. The premium for unemployment and industrial accident insurance, totaling 15,840 tugriks, must be paid monthly by the insured individual themselves. Meanwhile, 11.5 percent of the pension insurance contribution calculated on the basis of the minimum wage, which is 792,000 tugriks, amounting to 91,080 tugriks, will be covered by the state budget.

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Diplomacy

Digital Korea and the Strategic Partnership Between Mongolia and the Republic of Korea

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Presented is the continuation of the article written by Professor D. Ulaanbayar from the Humanities University, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Republic of Korea (ROK). In the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the socialist system collapsed and the Cold War ended, a new era began in international relations, including Mongolia's foreign and domestic policy. This transformation was evident not only in Europe, which had been the epicenter of the Cold War, but also in the Asia-Pacific region. In this region, economic power dynamics shifted dramatically, creating space for new international players. These included the newly industrialized "tiger" economies of East Asia such as South Korea (ROK), Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, China. Mongolia made an independent decision and was the first among socialist countries in Asia to establish diplomatic relations with South Korea on March 26, 1990. During an official visit by South Korean President Kim Dae-jung to Mongolia in May 1999, both countries agreed to expand their cooperative relationship into a partnership for development in the 21st century. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) officially recognized South Korea as a "developed country" in July 2021. South Korea is a mid-sized power with significant capabilities in digital technology and soft power. South Korea holds a prominent position in Mongolia's "third neighbor" policy, due to: 1) shared ethnic and cultural ties; 2) common values such as democracy and human rights; 3) complementary economic structures; 4) over 50,000 Mongolian citizens working and studying in South Korea, contributing significantly to Mongolia's socio-economic development and to offsetting labor shortages in Korea's SME sector; and 5) Mongolia being one of the few countries with good relations with both Koreas, capable of playing a role in peace and denuclearization processes on the Korean Peninsula. Currently, there are about 58,000 Mongolian citizens living and working in South Korea. South Korea has become almost like a 22nd aimag (province) of Mongolia, given that Govi-Sumber aimag has a population of 18,042. Additionally, according to the World Bank's Migration and Remittances report, South Korea sends an average of $250-$300 million annually to Mongolia in remittances, which are non-repayable direct investments that benefit Mongolia's economy and households. Therefore, the security of the Korean Peninsula can be directly considered part of Mongolia's national security. Mongolians regard themselves as descendants of the Wolf, while Koreans see themselves as descendants of the Tiger, a symbol represented by the mascot of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. During the inauguration ceremony of Kim Dae-jung as president from the opposition on February 25, 1998, an impressive display featured a tired tiger rising up and growling, symbolizing South Korea's economic resurgence from the deep crisis it faced at the end of 1997 and rebirth in the year of the Earth Tiger in 1998. In 2022, remittances from South Korea to Mongolia averaged $250-$300 million a year as non-repayable direct investments. Modern South Korea is a nation with unprecedented scientific and technological advancements in the new millennium, boasting immense material and intellectual capabilities. South Korea is among the world's leaders in digital technology, high-tech infrastructure, and the integration of major economic structures through digitalization and innovation. In the spring of 2017, the 12th president of South Korea established the Fourth Industrial Revolution Committee. In November of that year, under the patronage of President Moon Jae-in, the major international conference "e-Korea: Towards Digitization" was organized for the first time. Science and Technology Information and Communications Minister Yu Yong-min noted: "The world is undergoing a digital revolution that is transforming the driving forces and distribution processes of industry, as well as the quality and fashion of everyday life." Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Paik Ungyu stated: "Digital revolution is the main force changing the fundamentals and dynamics of Korea's economy and industry." He further stated, "The new industry's future hinges on DT (digital technology), NT (nano-technology), BT (bio-technology), NPM (new and precision materials such as metals, liquids, gases, and solids through technological innovation), ET (environment and new energy technology), Optical sectors (using light energy and wave speed technology for machinery, systems production, laser production, robotics, optical research), and Aerospace technology. Therefore, we will make substantial investments in R&D over the coming years." Rockwell International Group chairman and CEO, Korean-American Davis Dong remarked: "E-manufacturing, driven by digital technology-based e-business models, will usher in a revolution anticipated in future, including in areas such as major power station production, in the cyber environment, elevating massive industrial productivity to the next level. This is the digital economy preparing for the new millennium." According to "Korea Telecom" in May 2021, the developed infrastructure based on high-speed network services fundamentally changes the quality of life, as institutions and universities form governmental and educational digital systems, while SMEs in digitalized networks expand business opportunities and online medical services transform healthcare quality. By 2019, South Korea had launched a national artificial intelligence strategy with the vision "Toward AI World Leader beyond IT," aiming to enhance digital technology development by 2030, improving competitiveness, the digital economy's massive impacts, and people's quality of life through an AI ecosystem centered on its application and human-centric values. Leading universities from the USA, EU, ROK, and China have already started offering professional programs in AI at both bachelor and master's levels. Global Brands Magazine's 2023 ranking listed Samsung Electronics and other industry leaders at the forefront of the global mobile communications market. In GDP-related new research investment, South Korea leads. In 2022, both private and government investment in R&D increased, establishing South Korea as a global leader in intensive R&D efforts. Furthermore, Samsung invested in 6G technology development, and in 2024, ten countries agreed on basic 6G network principles, scheduling official announcements at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. South Korea's economy is rapidly digitalizing, with the digital economy creating new value through big data, smart device integration, and software applications in a cyber-space industry. Semiconductor production is a leading digital technology sector for South Korea, dominating significant global market shares and advancing towards producing nuclear fusion-based energy as the "artificial sun." South Korea has implemented laws and safeguards against cyber-terrorism, acknowledging digital technology's immense influence in communications and digital diplomacy. In September 2021, presidents of Mongolia and South Korea agreed to raise their "comprehensive partnership" to a "strategic partnership," emphasizing political security, trade, investment, and economic collaborations. They plan to further deepen cooperation in education, technology, culture, tourism, regional, and international platforms. Despite the setback of COVID-19, in May 2023, a new trilateral format between Mongolia, the USA, and South Korea laid the ground for collaborative regional security, logistics, energy engagements, and development cooperation. In January 2023, a trilateral strategic initiative targeting important minerals was launched, with the first Mongolia-based discussion on pivotal minerals promoting resource exploration and extraction. In November 2023, an Intergovernmental Committee was established between Mongolia and South Korea to collaborate on rare earth metals, which are pivotal for Mongolia's growth in high-value products. Mongolia's only strategic partner in Northeast Asia, having solidified strategic agreements with regional powers, remains vital for connecting the interdependent world in Northeast Asia. South Korea's development aid and partnership reflect the region's interconnected nature, supporting Mongolia's ambitions and growth. Warning: Media organizations must credit "ikon.mn" when using this information in any form, be it partially or completely.

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One of Mongolia's Proposals Not Accepted by China in Border Crossing Agreement

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

At a recent meeting of the State Great Khural's Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy, the draft law on ratification of the agreement between the governments of Mongolia and the People's Republic of China on cooperation in increasing the capacity of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine, cross-border railway at Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port, and coal trade was discussed. Member of Parliament and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ts.Tuvaan introduced the bill. According to a 2023 decree of the State Great Khural, measures related to the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway construction project were approved, and in the 2024 meeting on December 27, issues related to the implementation of this project were discussed. The 58th resolution, titled “On approval of the main directions for concluding the agreement on implementation of the cross-border railway project between the governments of Mongolia and the People's Republic of China,” was passed. The draft agreement was discussed at a Cabinet meeting, and a decision was made to consult with the relevant Standing Committee of the Parliament. On January 27, 2025, the Economic Committee and the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy discussed the issue and authorized the government to sign the agreement. Minister Ts.Tuvaan stated that, following the 58th resolution, the Mongolian and Chinese governments signed the “Agreement on cooperation to increase the capacity of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine and trade at Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway” in Harbin, China, on February 14, 2025. In joint meetings between the Mongolian and Chinese working groups, the parties agreed to establish three main levels of documents. The Chinese side proposed to discuss the draft versions of these agreements, while the Mongolian side expressed that the legal environment for discussing other agreements will be established through the intergovernmental agreement. The Minister explained that the Mongolian side presented the following principles to the Chinese side in the agreement: adherence to different gauge standards and rules, transportation of third-party cargo after the railway is operational, and setting the base price according to the most recently confirmed price. The Chinese side accepted the first proposal to adhere to their own gauge standards and rules and suggested setting the initial coal price as the “most competitive price under a long-term agreement.” However, the Chinese side did not accept the second proposal to have a single contractor for construction works; thus, the selection of a contractor is being processed through state procurement law. To reduce the cost of the cross-border railway, meetings were organized with two major Chinese state-owned companies, CRCC and CREC, resulting in the reduction of construction costs from $270 million to $220 million and shortening the construction period from 30 months to 22-24 months. Minister Ts.Tuvaan emphasized that the agreement opens possibilities to connect the other three Mongolian-Chinese ports by rail, increase Mongolia's coal production and exports, and enhance the implementation of the Wealth Fund Law, ensuring fair distribution of mineral wealth benefits to all citizens now and in the future. Members of Parliament raised questions and expressed views in connection with the issue discussed. For example, MP G.Khosbayar raised concerns about water issues in the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod region, asking whether baseline water research has been conducted and when clean water might be accessible. He also inquired about the change in rail and road tariffs upon the railway connection and the situation for more than 10,000 coal transport vehicles and their investors. Minister Ts.Tuvaan acknowledged the challenges with water supply, noting that drilling has yet to reach a viable water source, and portable water is currently in use. During the working group's site visit, discussions were held with the port administration to solve the water supply issue comprehensively in the near future. Regarding railway transport, Minister Ts.Tuvaan explained it is competitive due to its ability to pull multiple wagons with a single locomotive, and tariffs vary based on distance. Once operational, the railway is expected to transport 30 million tons of coal. Even after the railway's launch, the demand for road transport will remain as coal exports increase. The feasibility of employing Mongolian drivers for transportation is being discussed with the Chinese side. MP N.Naranbaatar asked about local development interactions planned with Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, including plans to elevate Gashuunsukhait's international status. Executive Director H.Munkhjargal of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi (acting) replied that cooperation agreements with local authorities are underway, and local development funds are annually supported with 3-5 billion MNT. Decisions regarding 2025 plans will be communicated by local authorities. State Secretary L.Munkhtushig of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted ongoing diplomatic efforts to negotiate border port issues with China over the past decade. According to the 2004 agreement governing port issues, China's stance remains firm on maintaining a bilateral port status. However, diplomatic negotiations are paving the way for the inclusion of provisions for third-country citizen access. Chairman G.Temuulen of the Standing Committee stressed the importance of mutually beneficial agreements between the governments and safeguarding Mongolian interests. He called attention to issues regarding local conditions, national enterprise participation, and emphasized the need for proactive measures. Ultimately, a majority of attending MPs supported the bill to approve the discussed law on the agreement between the governments of Mongolia and the People's Republic of China regarding the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway, coal trade, and increasing the capacity of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine, as reported by the State Great Khural's Media Department.

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Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: isee.mn

The Parliament of Mongolia is holding a session today to discuss and ratify the cross-border railway agreement at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port. During this session, Member of Parliament O.Tsogtbayar stated: The issue of border connectivity is entering its approval stage. The Democratic Party fully supports policies aimed at facilitating trade, increasing export opportunities, and establishing long-term stable agreements. However, the border crossing agreement plays a crucial role in increasing coal exports. Beyond the quantity, price is most important in business trade. Within this agreement pending ratification, how will the prices be set? It is said that the price in long-term coal contracts will consist of the initial price plus seasonal index adjustments. It seems the initial price will be the price before signing this agreement. Is this method of calculating prices in long-term agreements correct? It appears that permission will be given to contract based on the lowest price conditions. Please provide clarification. Member Ts.Tuvaan responded, saying: By ratifying this agreement, the decisions to be made by the Parliament and Government are concluded. After this, it turns to company-to-company agreements. The second company-to-company agreement involves entering long-term coal sale and purchase agreements. I see this agreement as very timely. Due to international trade issues stemming from Trump's tariff war, the coal price on the global market has become unstable. There are international benchmarks that regulate the stability of coal prices in the long term. However, in this agreement, as you mentioned, the initial price plus seasonal index adjustments are based on the price information from five ports in China (which should not be misunderstood as direct exchange prices) and averaged out. Let me say that the long-term price is above the exchange trading price. The exchange price for coking coal is 98 USD. This includes logistics costs up to the border. Exchange trading will not be stopped.

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L. Gantomor Participates in the Boao Forum for Asia in China

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: news.mn

During an official meeting with Chinese State Council Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, he expressed that the relationship between the two countries should be clear and well-defined, and that they should support each other. This includes accelerating border connections, ensuring the stability of exports, and speeding up projects concerning the economic corridor between the three countries. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration in the development of energy and industrial sectors, as well as in science, artificial intelligence, and scientific park development. Chinese State Council Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang stated that they would strengthen practical cooperation in all initiatives benefiting the peoples of the two countries and, as a neighboring country, would work together using economic advantages for green development.

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Mongolian Embassy in Seoul Discusses Visa Issues

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: news.mn

The Mongolian Embassy in Seoul provided information about discussions regarding South Korea's visa issues. Specifically, Ambassador S. Sukhbold met with Yoon Chusok, the Director of the Consular and Security Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea. During this meeting, it was requested to bring a certain progress in using the electronic reference of the national passport provided by the unified electronic "E-Mongolia" system when accepting the visa materials of Mongolian citizens, as communicated several times previously via notes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This would ensure that the conditions under which citizens travel abroad freely are not restricted. Additionally, they discussed not turning back citizens who have obtained visas according to South Korea's relevant regulations and criteria at the border, stopping the inspection of citizens' personal information like mobile phones during border checks, and putting into practice the issue of exempting citizens coming to Korea for medical treatment from visa requirements, which was raised at last year's meeting of the intergovernmental Joint Committee between the two countries. Yoon Chusok mentioned that the host country's law regulates checking valid documents when issuing visas. Therefore, they will continue to consult with the Ministry of Justice on how to handle the retention of passports for a certain period, seek possibilities, increase the number of staff responsible for visa issues at the Korean Embassy, reduce the time for issuing visas, allow the electronic application for medical treatment visas from Mongolian citizens who have been accepted by officially licensed and recognized hospitals, without requiring financial guarantees, among other measures already undertaken, and expressed readiness to cooperate further.

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Ö.Shijir: Our Government Has Started to Destroy Agreements Made With Our Neighboring Country

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: isee.mn

During today's session of the State Great Khural's meeting, the draft law on the approval of the agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on cross-border railway, coal trade, and increasing the capacity of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine is being discussed. Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene is participating in the discussion and answering questions from members. At this time, Member of Parliament Ö.Shijir said, "I am pleased that this project is being discussed in the State Great Khural 17 to 18 years later. Mongolia has two neighbors, and we share a border of 4,307 kilometers with our southern neighbor, which is the longest. Unfortunately, it is regrettable that only after 70 years are we connecting to our second port. The words of Minister O.Altangerel and the Prime Minister have made this clear. It seems our government is signing agreements with our neighboring country and then destroying them. It has become a practice to hide these agreements from our citizens. We have gone through the shameful experience of having to plead with our neighboring country to obtain our own agreements. Responsibility must be taken for this. The agreements destroyed or lost must be transparently exposed. Is it possible to make this transparent? Moreover, we have endured difficult times in the past when many projects and programs supporting export and the economy were stalled due to politicians. I hope such issues will not arise in the future." Minister of Mining B.Tuvaan answered the question. He responded, "In 2014, I will provide the documents made during the state visit of the President of Mongolia to the People's Republic of China to the member. These were not secretly made documents at the time, so they can likely be made public."

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Infrastructure

The Agreement on the Cross-Border Railway of Gashuun Sukhait-Gants Mod Port to be Ratified in Parliament Today

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: isee.mn

The regular session of the spring session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) will start today at 10:00 AM. During the session, the following will be discussed: The bill to ratify the agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China regarding the cross-border railway of the Gashuun Sukhait-Gants Mod port for coal trade and cooperation to increase the capacity of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine, which was submitted on March 17, 2025. The session will also discuss the five-year basic direction for the development of Mongolia in 2021-2025, the 2024 performance report of the Government of Mongolia's action program for 2024-2028, and the performance report of Mongolia's development plan for 2024.

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Ömnögovi: Discussing the Project to Establish an Industrial Technology Park

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Dalanzadgad. The authorities of Ömnögovi Province met with representatives from "Erdenes ÜTP" LLC to discuss and become acquainted with the project aimed at establishing an industrial technology park. The "Coal-Chemistry, Coke-Chemical Complex" is one of the 14 mega projects included in the Government of Mongolia's action program for 2024-2028. As part of this effort, it is planned to establish industrial and technology parks at 6 locations across Mongolia, utilizing state-owned mineral deposits to produce final products with added value. One such planned location is an industrial technology park focused on a coke-chemical complex, to be established in the territory of Tsogttsetsii soum, Ömnögovi Province, based on the coal deposit of "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC, with "Erdenes ÜTP" LLC, under the Erdenes Mongol Corporation, conducting the work. Regarding this initiative, a working group from the Ömnögovi Province, including members of the Environmental and Climate Change Committee, the Mining Committee, and the Land Relations, Urban Development, and Infrastructure Development Committees, met with managers and officials from "Erdenes ÜTP" LLC. They provided an introduction and exchanged views on the project. During the meeting, "Erdenes ÜTP" LLC expressed their desire to work closely with the local community to establish the park, while the provincial and local authorities expressed full support for the establishment of the industrial technology park. Additionally, the project implementation will prioritize resolving surface water issues, employing local residents, sourcing supplies and making purchases locally, preparing qualified personnel locally to provide jobs, establishing local processing facilities within the industrial park to collaborate, and concluding cooperation agreements with the province and local authorities. These are the issues the province leaders emphasized should be addressed urgently.

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The Project for the Cross-Border Railway Connection at Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Port Has Been Ratified

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: isee.mn

In today's plenary session of the State Great Khural, the draft law to ratify the agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China regarding the cross-border railway at Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port, coal trade, and increasing the capacity of the Tavantolgoi coal mine was discussed. Out of 110 members present at the plenary session, 98 supported the ratification of the agreement. With this, the issue of the cross-border railway construction, which has been discussed since 2004 and involved over 60 rounds of talks since 2008, three recommendations from the National Security Council, six resolutions from the State Great Khural, and 45 decisions from the Government, has now been finalized from the state side. Since the agreement has been ratified, companies participating in the construction will be selected, inter-company contracts will be made, and construction is expected to start this spring and finish by 2027. This Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway, which will have multiple direct and indirect impacts on Mongolia's society and economy, is the second cross-border connection project between Mongolia and the People's Republic of China in 70 years since the 1955 agreement on the Zamiin-Uud-Ereen railway. Furthermore, conditions are forming for phased connections with our southern neighbor through the third, fourth, and fifth ports, namely Shiveekhuren-Sekhee, Bichigt-Zuunkhatavch, and Khangi-Mandal. This allows for the implementation of the west and east axis railway projects. The construction will be completed in 1.9 years, and the railway is expected to connect and be operational by 2027.

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L. Oyun-Erdene: Mongolia is Connecting the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Railway After 70 Years

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The plenary session of the State Great Khural has begun. Today's session will discuss the draft law on the ratification of 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 increasing the capacity of the Tavantolgoi coal mine. Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene is participating in the discussion and answering questions from the members. Deputy Chairman of the State Great Khural B. Purevdorj noted that the issue of railway connection was included in the 58th resolution of the State Great Khural. However, in article 11, road connection is mentioned. This road was included to increase coal exports in the western region. Today, 200 trucks are passing through the Bulgan border point. However, the customs director cannot simply decide, "you bring 100, you bring 50." Russia is very interested in the vertical corridor in the western region. Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene stated that Mongolia first made a railway border connection agreement with China in 1955. Today, 70 years later, the governments of the two countries are about to ratify the second port agreement. The Chinese Development and Reform Commission has ranked the ports by their economic importance. By ratifying this agreement today, discussions will begin on the third port, the Shiveekhuren-Sekhee railway border connection. Shiveekhuren’s export capacity will increase by 10 million tons. After Shiveekhuren, the Bichigt port will be connected. The fifth port to be connected is Hangi. Member of the State Great Khural L. Munkhbayasgalan pointed out that, according to Mongolian law, the railway is planned to be built with a broad gauge. Is it true that 20 million tons of coal will be exported annually? They are demanding justice from the Prime Minister and Minister O. Altangerel. Over 80 people have suffered in terms of their jobs, lives, and reputations over the past 15 years. Why is there no accountability for the thieves? Will Ts. Elbegdorj and Ch. Saikhanbileg be brought back and held accountable? It has become clear that these people were engaged in theft and collusion at that time. There is a lot of talk, but no one is held accountable. There is a thief named S. Bayar who talks against Mongolia whenever he wants. He won’t be appointed as a special envoy, will he? There is another thief named M. Enkhsaikhan. Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Ts. Tuvdvan stated that within the 58th resolution, there is a detailed agreement with 12 articles. For instance, it is stipulated that shares of Erdenes Tavantolgoi Corporation cannot be transferred to others. It is planned to export 5 million tons by 2025-2027, 6 million tons in 2028 and 2029, and 30 million tons from 2030. Minister of Justice and Home Affairs O. Altangerel indicated that there are various types of accountability. In this matter, it is impossible to apply criminal law. However, there must be a policy and memory of the Mongolian state. Therefore, regarding the issues related to Uhaa Khudag mine, the government has formed a working group and is preparing to submit its findings to the State Great Khural, considering there might have been a violation of the law. The contract related to a whole strategic deposit does not exist with the government. When discussing issues with the other party, we encounter a contract that we don't have. If these issues are not organized, they will continue indefinitely. Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene said that the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port issue is being resolved after 70 years. We will bring up the Tavantolgoi issue. The government is preparing the documents. Members will draw their own conclusions based on what happened at that time. The plenary session of the State Great Khural is continuing.

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Parliament Approves Rail Connection Agreement

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The Mongolian Parliament has ratified the intergovernmental agreement between Mongolia and the People's Republic of China to increase coal exports and construct a cross-border railway at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port. This decision concludes an issue that has been discussed since 2004 and negotiated in over 60 meetings since 2008, ultimately finalizing the construction of this cross-border railway. This will be the second rail connection since one built 70 years ago. Construction began in May this year and is expected to complete by 2027. Once this project is implemented, conditions will be established for the phased railway connection of the Shiveekhuren-Sekhee, Bichigt-Zuun Khatavch, and Khangi-Mandal ports between Mongolia and China. The capacity of the ports is expected to double, increasing coal exports from an average of 83 million tons per year to 165 million tons. This is projected to boost coal sales revenue by 1.5 billion USD annually.

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SESSION: Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Crossing Border Railway Agreement Ratified

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The Parliament of Mongolia has ratified the agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of China on the cross-border railway at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod border checkpoint, coal trade, and cooperation to increase the capacity of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine. This agreement was discussed and approved at the plenary session of the Parliament alongside related law projects. With the opening of the border railway, it is expected that the capacity of Mongolia's border will double, coal exports will reach an average of 165 million tons per year, and annual coal sales revenue will increase by 1.5 billion USD. The government also announced that future projects will include phased railway connections to the Shiveekhuren-Sekhee, Bichigt-Zuun Khatavch, and Khangi-Mandal border checkpoints, creating conditions for the implementation of further projects on the western and eastern railway axes. After members of the Parliament had asked their questions and received answers, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene spoke. He said, "I ask you to support the vote and express my gratitude for the past efforts. As I mentioned earlier, today, instead of looking to justify or blame anyone, solving this issue aligns with the national interests of Mongolia. I want to express my gratitude to the working group that participated long-term in these protracted negotiations. Thanks to the President of Mongolia, former members of the Security Council, the Speaker of the Parliament, Chairman of the Parliament's Standing Committee on Legal Affairs D. Tsogtbaatar, Chairman of the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy G. Temuulen, Minister of Foreign Affairs B. Battsetseg, the parties seated in the Parliament, members of the working group, and the council under the Speaker of the Parliament, as well as all the members of the Parliament. Many aspects were discussed and deliberated. Today's discussion became more informative. The Parliament and the Government have done their best and reached a consensus, culminating in this agreement. It ranked first among the 14 mega projects prioritized by the Joint Government for fast development due to its crucial economic significance." When the vote was conducted, out of 110 members participating in the plenary session, 98 supported the ratification of the agreement. Thus, the issue of constructing the cross-border railway, which has been discussed since 2004 and has involved over 60 meetings over the past 17 years with three recommendations from the National Security Council, six resolutions from the Parliament, and 45 decisions by the government, has been concluded from the government's side. The next step is to select participating businesses, conclude inter-company contracts, and start the project this spring with a plan to complete it by 2027.

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Tavantolgoi Coal Loading Logistics Center Begins Full Operation

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Tavantolgoi coal loading logistics center has begun full operation at technical capacity. Implemented by "Tavantolgoi Railway" LLC, the Tavantolgoi Coal Loading Logistics Center (TCLLC) is a fully automated complex that receives coal from the "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC mine, crushes and classifies it, and has the capacity to load 20 million tons of coal onto trains annually. According to the commissioning loading plan, during the loading on the 21st of this month, one train with 50 wagons and 100 containers was loaded within 2 hours. As a result, the "Tavantolgoi Coal Loading Logistics Center" is ready to load 8 trains, or 400 wagons and 800 containers, with 25,760 tons of coal per day according to its technical capacity. This project is expected to reduce export transportation costs, shorten the timeframe, and make a significant contribution to the economic benefits of our country, according to Tavantolgoi Railway LLC.

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Aviationweek: Chinggis Khaan International Airport to Expand Air Routes to the Middle East and Central Asian Countries

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Ulaanbaatar's Chinggis Khaan International Airport aims to expand its air routes internationally, particularly with countries in the Middle East and Central Asia, according to Aviationweek. G. Geser, the manager of the Strategy and Planning Division of Chinggis Khaan International Airport, stated that the airport plans to expand its services to the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan, and also increase outbound travel from Mongolia, especially during the winter season. In 2024, Chinggis Khaan International Airport handled 2.18 million passengers, of which 1.7 million were international passengers. Despite Mongolia's proximity to Russia, the closure of Russian airspace has not significantly affected the airport, as there has been an increase in passengers from South Korea and China. Chinggis Khaan International Airport aims to handle 2.4 million passengers in 2025, which would surpass the airport's annual capacity of 2.3 million passengers. The airport consists of a single terminal covering an area of 37,000 square meters with 17 aircraft stands. Discussions on infrastructure development may include the addition of more space and aircraft stands. Source: Aviationweek.com

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SESSION: The Construction of the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Railway Connection Will Last 1.9 Years

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Gogo team is working to provide direct information. During the plenary session of the State Great Khural (Parliament of Mongolia), the “Agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on Cross-Border Railway, Coal Trade, and Increasing the Capacity of the Tavantolgoi Coal Mine at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Port” submitted by the government was discussed. If the State Great Khural ratifies the agreement, it will finalize the treaties and agreements between the two governments and transition them to relations between business entities. If the agreement is ratified, a tender to build the railway will be announced. The legal duration for the tender is 30 days. Within one month, a contractor will be selected, and work on the railway border connection will commence. The construction will be completed in 1.9 years, and the railway will be connected and operational by 2027, according to the Minister of Road and Transport Development, B. Delgersaikhan.

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SESSION: Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Railway Agreement Approved

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: gogo.mn

During the plenary session of the State Great Khural, the agreement between the Governments of Mongolia and the People's Republic of China regarding the cross-border railway at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod checkpoint, coal trade, and the cooperation to increase the capacity of the Tavantolgoi coal mine was ratified. It is estimated that with the operation of the connecting railway, the capacity of Mongolia's checkpoints will double, coal exports will reach an average of 165 million tons per year, and annual coal sales revenue will increase by 1.5 billion US dollars. Additionally, conditions will be created for phase-wise rail connections of the Shiveekhuren-Sekhee, Bichigt-Zuun Khatavch, and Khangi-Mandal checkpoints, and for implementing the next projects of the western and eastern axis railways.

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METRO PROPOSAL BY O. ZUNDUIDORJ: USING OYU TOLGOI MINE WORKERS WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

During the Capital City Citizens' Representation Meeting, the amended technical and economic feasibility study (TEFS) for the "Metro" project, a high-capacity public transportation system in Ulaanbaatar, was discussed. During this meeting, representative O. Zunduijorj made the following statement: "Instead of seeking help from others, let's utilize what we have. Our nation has experience in underground infrastructure. We have a people with experience in mining 200 kilometers underground at depths of 1,300 meters. This is not our first time digging underground. I propose a way to reduce the project's cost by 20-30%. Currently, there are 5,200 workers at the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine. Before announcing the tender, the government and the city mayor, along with the executives of 'Oyu Tolgoi' LLC, should bring this manpower and their machinery to Ulaanbaatar. The most costly expense is digging the 19-kilometer tunnel underground. Doing this beforehand could save nearly 200 million USD. It is essential to bring the engineering knowledge and experience of Mongolian youth to Ulaanbaatar. Instead of wasting money on training new engineers, we should leverage the existing workforce. 'Oyu Tolgoi' LLC has been preparing its human resources for many years and has been exporting natural resources. This is a necessity we must utilize at least once. If this responsibility is recognized at the level of the government and parliamentary members, it could potentially save around 200-300 million USD. I propose that we employ the workers currently at Oyu Tolgoi in Ömnögovi and support this initiative." Warning: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) must credit the original source (ikon.mn) when using any part of this information.

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Minister Ts.Tuvaan Absent, Border Railway Project Postponed

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: news.mn

The regular session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) began today with more than 70% of members supporting the government's proposal to urgently discuss and pass the draft law on amending the Law on Permits and other related laws submitted to the Parliament yesterday. Consequently, this draft law was referred to the Economic Standing Committee of the Parliament. Subsequently, the session was scheduled to discuss the draft law on approving the agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on border-crossing railways at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port, coal trade, and the cooperation to increase the capacity of the Tavantolgoi coal mine. However, the discussion of the project was temporarily postponed due to the absence of Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Ts.Tuvaan from the parliamentary session. The draft law was submitted by the government, and during the parliamentary discussion phase, the relevant minister is supposed to present the issue and answer members' questions. Currently, the regular session of the State Great Khural is discussing the first conclusion of the Constitutional Court on whether certain parts of the Law on Elections of the State Great Khural violate the Constitution of Mongolia. The conclusion of the Constitutional Court states that the criterion requiring independent candidates for parliamentary elections to collect 801 or more signatures from their constituency is considered too strict or high. The reasoning is that although it is required to collect signatures from 801 citizens to form a political party, the same requirement of collecting signatures from 801 citizens for an independent candidate from the same constituency within 21 days violates the principle of equality. This conclusion of the Constitutional Court was discussed by the Standing Committee on Law and was deemed "appropriate to accept."

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New Ring Road to Connect Bayan-Zurkh Bridge and Tuv Province via Tunnel

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Under the framework of 24 mega projects to be implemented between 2025 and 2028 in Ulaanbaatar, the preliminary feasibility study of the New Ring Road is being developed. Preliminary plans indicate that the New Ring Road will stretch over 50 kilometers with four to six lanes and will be constructed as the first and second ring roads. The first ring road is expected to extend over 20 kilometers, while the second ring road is planned to be 24.4 kilometers long, with preliminary route choices being assessed. A tender was announced to select a contractor for developing the feasibility study and design, and providing consulting services, with "CSC and AECOM Consultants LLC" selected. As of today, foundational research, basic mapping, engineering geological studies, current traffic flow analysis, the city's general development plan, integrated environmental assessment, and engineering network studies for the New Ring Road are ongoing. Preliminary plans suggest that the New Ring Road will connect to the Tuul Highway on the west side, and via tunnel to the Bayan-Zurkh Bridge and Tuv Province on the east side. By June, the feasibility study for the New Ring Road will be finalized and discussed by relevant professional councils. Once implemented, the project is expected to increase the average speed of traffic movement by 23.3%.

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The Tuul Highway will have Intersections with Two Levels in Eight Locations

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Within the framework of 24 mega projects to develop Ulaanbaatar city, one project to expand and develop the city's road network is the Tuul Highway. This highway stretches 32 kilometers with six lanes from the eastern part of the city, starting from the Bayanzurkh toll station and the Ulaanbaatar-Nalaikh road, to the western part of the city, up to the safety circle leading towards the western provinces. It is a project of high significance for reducing the load on the city's central roads, improving traffic efficiency, supporting economic growth, saving citizens' time, and developing a modern-standard road network. The Tuul Highway is part of the New Ring Road and is planned to include intersections with two levels at eight locations, bridges totaling 9,870 meters in length at 13 locations, and tunnels with a total length of 370 meters at seven locations. For instance, the intersection at Bayanzurkh toll station will include a major gateway regulating the entry and exit traffic from the city and movements related to the second ring road connecting to the northern direction of the city. The planned multi-level intersection at the front section of the National Garden Park, including entry and exit parts, will be linked to the Uuduu Tumulukh bridge, Bogd Mountain tunnel, and Khunnu city, facilitating the flow of city traffic outward. The entry and exit section on the western part of Yarmag Bridge will balance the central road's load by connecting to the main road. Sections linking to the TPP-4, Naadamchdiin Bridge, first ring road, Songinokhairkhan road, and Auto Trade Center will regulate the flow of entry and exit traffic from the city, creating the opportunity to manage traffic in the central areas. In addition, the planned multi-level intersection at the safety circle in the western part of the city, which connects to the western provinces, aims to connect Ulaanbaatar's vertical axis road with ring roads 1 and 2, establishing a ring road network around Ulaanbaatar. The construction of the project is planned for 2025-2027, with phased implementation according to international standards.

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Society

20 Chinese citizens engaged in illegal labor deported

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Immigration Agency conducted a nationwide inspection and discovered that 20 Chinese nationals were working without authorization at the 'Arvaikhutag Gobi' LLC in Zamiin-Uud soum, Dornogovi province. They were deported yesterday. Specifically, 15 of these individuals entered Mongolia with a K2 tourist e-visa, and five with border resident permits allowing visa-free travel. They were found performing various jobs such as masonry, cooking, carpentry, welding, interior decoration, and construction assistance. Accordingly, they were fined under the Law on Violations and barred from re-entry for three years. A foreign traveler with a tourist visa must have a clear travel plan, accommodation, and itinerary, and the visa should be used solely for travel and recreation purposes. However, using such visas for illegal work and evasion of employment fees is a violation of Mongolian law. These inspections will continue, and foreign nationals, along with their sponsors and business entities, are advised to respect and comply with Mongolian laws. It stresses the importance of operating within the legal framework to avoid putting both foreign nationals and their hosting businesses at risk. Source: Immigration Agency Warning: Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages) are reminded to always cite the source (ikon.mn) when utilizing our information in any form.

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Janghi Lee: Unemployment Rate Among Youth in Mongolia is Extremely High

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: montsame.mn

A project to support youth employment was launched today in Ulaanbaatar. The project aims to identify the causes of issues facing youth, improve collaboration between employers and employees, and implement solutions, which is of great importance. In Mongolia, the knowledge and skills of graduates from technical and vocational education and training institutions do not meet employers' expectations. There is a significant cultural and understanding gap between employers and young employees, leading to young people being unemployed or not maintaining stable employment positions. By joining the International Labour Organization's Employment Policy Convention No. 122, Mongolia commits to ensuring universal, productive employment. However, experts indicate the need to refine employment policies and programs based on job seekers' needs and strengthen institutional capacity. The project aims to work with the government and social partners to improve youth's working conditions and productivity sustainably over the long term. The Director of the Labor Policy Department, D. Renchindorj, said, "With the grant aid of the Korean government, this project will be implemented over two years. It will conduct a detailed study of the human resource employment status in the wool and cashmere sector and provide recommendations on employment policies suitable for Mongolian youth. Our project has a funding of 400,000 USD. The unemployment rate in our country stands at 5.3% for the fourth quarter." Directing the ILO Office for China and Mongolia, Janghi Lee stated, "Youth unemployment is an issue facing all countries, not just Mongolia. The unemployment rate among youth in Mongolia is extremely high. Interestingly, employers report experiencing a shortage of workers. The mismatch between employee and employer expectations causes high turnover. We will work towards solving this issue in this sector." The project's goal is to analyze the issues facing youth employment and disseminate methods for improving human resource policies, productivity, and job management. It will be piloted in the wool and cashmere and hospitality sectors, which are crucial for supporting Mongolia's economic growth and increasing employment.

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A Project to Improve Employment Preparedness for Ages 15-29 to Be Tested in the Wool, Cashmere, and Hospitality Sectors

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The opening ceremony of the Youth Employment Promotion (YEP) project was held today. By 2035, young people born after the year 2000 will account for 43 percent of the working-age population. This necessitates a drastic reform in human resource policies. By 2035, the working-age population born after 2000 will be 1.3 million. The working-age population born between 2000-2009 is 476.2 thousand, and those born between 2010-2020 will be 816 thousand. In Mongolia, the knowledge and skills of graduates from technical and vocational education and training institutions do not meet the expectations of employers, and significant cultural and perceptual gaps exist between employers and young employees. As a result, many young people are either unemployed or unable to stay stable in their jobs, according to the project team. Mongolia, having ratified the ILO's Convention No. 122 on Employment Policy, has committed itself to ensuring full and productive employment for all. However, it recognizes the need to refine employment policies and programs based on job seekers' needs and strengthen institutional capacity. Therefore, the Youth Employment Promotion project aims to identify the causes of the aforementioned challenges and contribute to solutions by improving cooperation between employers and employees. Funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea, the project will be implemented by the International Labour Organization over a 30-month period. It will be tested in the wool, cashmere, and hospitality sectors, which are considered crucial for supporting Mongolia's economic growth and increasing employment opportunities. The project aims to achieve the following two outcomes: 1. Improve the employment and employment preparation of young people aged 15-29. 2. Enhance the knowledge and skills of youth, improve labor conditions and productivity by supporting employment services, and improve human resource policies and job management. Notice: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Websites) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, either fully or partially.

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Kh.Batkhuug: If You Are Planning to Organize an International Festival to Attract Tourists, Announce the Date at Least Six Months in Advance

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Kh. Batkhuug emphasized the importance of announcing the date of an international festival well in advance in order to attract tourists. He suggested that revealing the timing at least six months before the event is necessary. This would allow better planning and preparation, making the festival more successful and drawing more visitors.

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An Initiative to Support Children with Disabilities

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The Ministry of Education has initiated a selection process for organizers of an impact initiative as part of the "Creating Equal Opportunities for Learning" project. This initiative aims to support children with disabilities in collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). From the ten organizations that submitted applications, six were selected to partner on the initiative. These include the "National Center for Child Rights," the "Association of Parents of Children with Disabilities," the "Child Rights Forum," "Gerelt Andagan," and the "New Century Talent Center," among others. As part of the project, they will organize an advocacy activity in 18 schools to "Increase Knowledge and Understanding of Supporting Peers with Disabilities" among all students.

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Citizens' Lives are not a Gamble for Betting

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: gogo.mn

"Citizens' lives being ruined by online gambling should not just be watched passively by the government," stated Member of Parliament and Head of the Cabinet Secretariat, E. Uchral, on his official social media page. Specifically, losing money in online gambling can be dismissed as a personal choice. However, it is crucial to inform the public about the significant harm it is causing. People are falling into debt and financial crisis due to losing excessive money in online betting and gambling. Those addicted to online gambling are increasing, leading to a rise in illegal money-making activities, fraud, theft, and deception. Addiction to online gambling has led to an increase in stress, depression, and suicides among those involved. Families are being torn apart, and loved ones are suffering. Every year, 500 million dollars leave the country unchecked, severely affecting the national economy and everyone's work and life. There's a growing tendency among the public to seek easy money instead of earning income through work, leading to decreased productivity of the workforce. The state simply watching as online gambling destroys the happiness and built lives of the masses makes no sense. Countries like China, South Korea, and Australia also have restrictions on online gambling. In the Asia-Pacific region, of the 46 countries, 21 consider online betting and gambling illegal, 7 have legalized it, and 6 regulate it partially. The remaining 13 have no regulations. Thus, it is time to create laws against online gambling and take necessary measures. Therefore, a relevant bill was submitted to the Speaker of the Parliament, D. Amarbayasgalan, requesting urgent discussion. With the passage of the legislation, online gambling platforms would be banned in our country, and advertising and agencies' activities would cease completely. Consequently, the number of youth playing will decrease by 65%, and there will be an opportunity for financial and legal institutions to monitor the 500 million dollars flowing out annually. Behind all this, it's clear that many are upset by the interest profiting from the tears and suffering of the people. We urge every citizen to support and collaborate in this legislative effort.

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Environment

New Dinosaur Species Discovered in the Mongolian Desert

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: montsame.mn

A peculiar new species of dinosaur with only two fingers on each of its front limbs has been discovered by paleontologists. Specifically, the remains of a plant-eating, two-legged giant therizinosaur with long claws were found in the Mongolian desert. Unlike other therizinosaurs with sharp, three-fingered claws, this new species has two fingers. Based on its unique body structure, this new species has been named "Duonychus tsogtbaatari." "Duonychus" means "two digits" in Greek, while "tsogtbaatari" is named after the Mongolian paleontologist Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar. "The discovery of a two-fingered species among therizinosaurs was unexpected," said researcher Darla Zelenitsky. The dinosaur's front limbs are very well preserved, with complete finger and wrist bones found. Therizinosaurs were dinosaurs that lived during the late Cretaceous period (100-66 million years ago) in what is now Asia and North America. Therizinosaurs are part of the theropod group, which includes carnivorous dinosaurs, but they are herbivores. These dinosaurs had enormous claw-like structures resembling sickles, with some species having claws that grew up to 50 cm long. All other therizinosaurs discovered so far, such as Therizinosaurus and Beipiaosaurus, had three fingers, making the two-fingered "D. tsogtbaatari" an extraordinarily rare find. "Therizinosaurs are already considered some of the most unusual dinosaurs, but the discovery of a new species makes them even more fascinating," emphasized Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, a paleontologist at Hokkaido University. "This newly discovered species from Mongolia, which differs from the three-fingered therizinosaurs by having two fingers, provides an opportunity to study in greater depth how theropod front limbs evolved and adapted. However, what truly makes this find exciting is the well-preserved keratin sheath on the claw. This is the first instance for medium to large-sized theropod dinosaurs," Kobayashi explained.

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Innovation

TODAY: The 'Mongolian Geology Exploration-2025' XVI Conference Will Take Place

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Overview of today's events: 9:00 AM: A plenary session of the State Great Khural (Parliament of Mongolia) will be held at the Government Palace. 9:00 AM: The 'Mongolian Geology Exploration-2025' XVI conference and exhibition will be held at the Corporate Convention Center. 10:00 AM: The opening ceremony of a youth employment promotion project in collaboration with South Korea will take place at the Tuushin Hotel. 11:00 AM: The opening of 'Brain Awareness Week' will be at the Eco Campus of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. Contact: 88711320 5:00 PM: The 'Silver Tree-2024' festival to select cultural and art elites will be held at the National Academic Drama Theatre. 5:00 PM: A day event entitled 'Theatre Yesterday and Today' dedicated to World Theatre Day will be held at the National Academic Drama Theatre. 7:00 PM: A play based on the work 'To Live' by renowned modern Chinese author Yu Hua will be performed at the Independence Palace. In the provinces: - In Moron, Khuvsgul Province, the 'Unified Training and Conference for Child Advocates' continues. Abroad: - The 'Chinggis Khaan' international exhibition is on display at the National Museum of the Czech Republic until June 22. Follow @montsame.mn

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Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: gogo.mn

A working group tasked with studying the regulation of relationships related to virtual assets and providing recommendations, including drafting a law if necessary, was established by Resolution No. 329 of the Speaker of the State Great Khural. This group met today. The meeting was attended by Members of the State Great Khural, including the head of the working group, L. Soronzonbold, members S. Erdenebold, P. Ganzorig, G. Uyangakhishig, and Sh. Byambasuren. L. Soronzonbold, a member of the State Great Khural and the head of the working group, chaired the meeting. The discussion focused on international experiences and research regarding the regulation of relationships involving virtual assets, as well as the issues concerning the support team. During the meeting, researcher B. Nurgul from the Parliamentary Research and Development Institute presented their study and report on "The Legal Regulation of Virtual Assets and Central Bank Digital Currencies: International Experiences." Additionally, the structure and organization of a support team to provide expertise and methodological support in preparing a plan for drafting a law on managing relationships related to virtual assets were discussed, as well as conducting preliminary research on needs and evaluating the impact of legal implementation, according to information from the Press Office of the State Great Khural.

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Support for Joint Development of Artificial Intelligence and Science Parks

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: montsame.mn

On March 27, 20247, in Ulaanbaatar at the Boao Forum for Asia held in Boao, Hainan Province, China, a delegation led by Mongolia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development, L. Gantumur, participated. During an official meeting with China's Deputy Premier of the State Council, Ding Xuexiang, Minister L. Gantumur emphasized the importance of clear and defined relations between the two countries, mutual support, and proposed cooperation in three areas, according to the Ministry of Economy and Development. Specifically, these areas include expanding cross-border connectivity, ensuring stable export conditions, and accelerating the implementation of the trilateral economic corridor project, as well as jointly developing the energy and other industrial sectors, alongside artificial intelligence and science parks. The Chinese Deputy Premier fully supported these initiatives, and both parties expressed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in all areas benefiting the citizens of both countries, utilizing the economic advantages of neighboring nations for green development.

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Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The government instructed the relevant state organizations during yesterday’s meeting to resolve issues regarding granting, extending, suspending, revoking, and cancelling permits within the timelines stipulated by the Permit Act, and reduce the associated bureaucratic procedures. These organizations were tasked with aligning their operations with the law by adopting the necessary administrative regulations. Specifically, they are to ensure all notifications related to the decision-making process at every stage, from receiving special permit applications to registration, verification, suspension, extension, and revival, are communicated to citizens promptly through the 'E-Mongolia' system, to avoid any inconvenience. Additionally, it was mandated to integrate all this information into the government service’s 'e-business.mn' system by May 1st. The Ministry members, provincial and city governors were instructed to carry out this integration, while the Finance Information Technology Center and 'E-Mongolia' Public Institution were tasked with providing technical and methodological support to the related organizations. Since the digitization of the permit issuance process, a total of 151,746 new licenses have been registered in the unified information system, with 76 types of permits issued via 'license.mn', 43 through 'e-business.mn', and 116 by the competent authorities through their own electronic systems. It was noted that the remaining 73 types of special permits are still being issued through the traditional paper-based method.

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500,000 USD Support to Develop Mongolian Studies at Cambridge

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Our country has decided to provide support amounting to 500,000 USD to develop the Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies Center at the University of Cambridge and has already transferred the initial funding. During his official visit to the United Kingdom, the Speaker of the State Great Khural D. Amarbayasgalan visited Oxford and Cambridge universities, where he met with leaders and Mongolian students. The leaders of the University of Oxford mentioned that they are committed to working closely with relevant institutions and researchers from our country in fields not limited to linguistics and literature, but also including geography, climate change, and advanced technological research and development. Moreover, the university's Department of Geography and the Environment announced that it will hold the "Development of Mongolia" conference for the seventh time next month in Oxford. Meanwhile, the University of Cambridge expressed a particular focus on developing research focused on the history of Chinggis Khan and the era of the Mongol Empire. The parties have already reached a consensus on supporting this initiative with policies and funding, and investments from Mongolia have already begun. This project will be implemented based on the Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies Center of the University of Cambridge, with plans to facilitate the exchange of experience and research between scholars from the two countries.

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Mobi Challenge contributes significantly to the development of new Startups

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The winners of the "Mobi Challenge" competition, announced by "Mobicom Corporation" with a prize fund of 370 million MNT for innovators, developers, researchers, and creators, were announced yesterday and received their awards. "Core Tech" company was selected as the winner of the competition with their "Big data lakehouse" project and received a prize of 40 million MNT. "Nubisoft" company won second place with their "Automated payment process" project, and a team led by B. Amarbold came in third with their "Recommendation Engine" project. In connection with this competition, which was organized in cooperation to solve the internal issues of the corporation, I. Batbayar, Director of the Corporate Strategy Department of "Mobicom Corporation," stated, "Since 2019, we have been implementing a program to nurture startup companies, integrate their innovative ideas and innovations into Mobicom, and initiate new business opportunities. For this purpose, we launched M-Office operations. After providing startups with offices and mentors for five years, our next plan was to provide financial support. In this context, we selected and worked on solutions to internal problems of "Mobicom Corporation" and provided financial support to startups developing those solutions. We selected four startups for five projects and worked in collaboration, with all projects being implemented 100% as required. There were things needing improvement during the progress, and it is necessary to enter into long-term cooperation to sustainably carry out these projects in the future," he added. The five teams participating in the competition completed their projects and received funding of 60 million MNT each, and based on the project results, three teams were awarded additional bonuses of 10-40 million MNT each. Initially, 43 startups offered proposals for 11 issues presented by the project implementers. Of these, four startups were selected to work on projects addressing five issues. The project was announced in August 2024, development started in December, and teams had around three months to implement their solutions. A. Temuulen, the founder of "Core Tech," the company that took first place, said, "We worked on two projects together. The first was a big data lakehouse project that prepared the necessary data infrastructure for organizations to undergo digital transformation and introduce AI. Our solution was more flexible, cost-effective, and capable of integrating with various technologies compared to other lakehouses. The second project was "AI based customer segmentation," where we helped Monpay better understand their users. It should be noted that the time to complete the project was short, and there was a significant delay in defining goals by the clients. It was a brave move by a large corporation like Mobicom to decide to work with startups. In these times, when technology is rapidly changing and it is difficult to regularly employ talented young people in one place, it was a good decision to work with a capable team for a short period. This program will significantly contribute to the development of new startups looking for sustainable partnerships in the future. Even for us aiming to work with corporations, this project was a great experience," he stated. The project teams consisted of 2-7 members, mostly composed of young developers. The five projects implemented were reported to be solutions related to artificial intelligence and big data according to the project implementers. During the closure event of the projects, each participant's feedback was heard, and discussions were held on the challenges faced and areas for improvement during the cooperation. "Nubisoft," which came in second place, had a project manager, E. Odontsetseg, who stated, "We worked on an automated payment process project where we developed a web solution to automate tasks usually done by accountants by hand. We developed a system that receives invoices from client organizations and automatically connects with information in Mobicom's internal system, then batches the payments to the financial system. In other words, we automated the work that three of Mobicom's accountants would do over a month." Participants highlighted the commendable outsourcing model used by a large corporation like Mobicom for such a short-term collaboration. The organizers expressed their intention "to continue on," believing that "sufficient results have been achieved."

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Health

Deaths from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Increase in Spring

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

In connection with the arrival of spring, the use of fuel by households in ger districts decreases, but cases of death due to carbon monoxide increase, according to a warning from the National Center for Public Health. Statistics from the last five years show that fatalities due to carbon monoxide poisoning are predominantly recorded from January to May. Experts say that factors such as decreasing vigilance of residents with the onset of the warm season and unstable weather conditions contribute to this. Specifically, during spring, the temperature difference between inside the house and outside decreases, and chimney draft is reduced, creating a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, there have been numerous cases of people dying from carbon monoxide poisoning because households remove their chimneys and seal their stoves when it rains. Moreover, between the 21st and 24th of this month, 13 people received medical assistance due to acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Specifically, 13 residents from six households in the districts of Songinokhairkhan, Bayanzurkh, Bayangol, and Nalaikh were poisoned by carbon monoxide. Of these, 31% were children aged 0-17.

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93 Cases of Measles Recorded in Ulaanbaatar, Umnugobi, and Dundgobi

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The number of cases of measles continues to increase, with laboratory tests confirming that 93 children have been infected. A total of 85 children were infected the previous day, indicating an increase of eight cases in just one day. According to representatives from the National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD), the disease is primarily spreading in general education schools. Cases of measles have been registered in Ulaanbaatar city and the Umnugobi and Dundgobi provinces. Although this disease spreads quickly, it can be prevented by vaccination. Children are scheduled to be vaccinated at nine months and two years old. While the vaccination coverage is at 95 percent, a significant number of children are delayed in receiving the first and second doses, according to O. Dashpagma, head of the NCCD's Immunization Department. In other words, five percent of children who should be vaccinated have not been vaccinated at all, and there are many incomplete cases. Therefore, vaccinations are being conducted in family and district health centers, regardless of location affiliation.

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S. Byambatsogt: The nation must be prepared for any potential disaster

Published: 2025-03-27 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The inaugural meeting of the sub-working group tasked with developing a comprehensive national resilience strategy was held at the Ministry of Defense yesterday. During this first meeting, the work plan was presented and discussions were held regarding the content and structure for drafting the "Comprehensive National Resilience Strategy" policy document. Member of the Parliament and Minister of Defense S. Byambatsogt participated in the meeting, stating, "Countries around the world develop long-term multi-sector policies to enhance national resilience, reduce disaster risks, increase economic flexibility, ensure information security, and improve public protection. Therefore, the nation must be prepared for any potential disaster. As such, the policy document for the comprehensive national resilience strategy is of critical importance. In strengthening national resilience capacity, it is essential for government agencies, the private sector, civil society, international cooperation, and citizens to collaborate actively." Additionally, he emphasized that the unified action, integrated information, and responsible participation of these parties are crucial for ensuring Mongolia's security and sustainable development.

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Today's Stories

Politics

Economy

Diplomacy

Infrastructure

Society

Environment

Innovation

Health

Politics

State Great Hural to Discuss Law on Ratification of Gashuunsukhait-Ganqmod Border Cooperation Agreement

Collecting Public Opinions on Reducing Social Insurance Premiums

Tyranny within the MPP

Economy

L. Oyun-Erdene: The Government is About to Approve the Second Port Agreement in 70 Years

The Swap Agreement with China or the Burden of Debt

Trafigura's Representative in Mongolia Transferred $500 Million to Aunt’s Company

D. Aldarjavkhlan: We need to limit the rapid increase in budget spending as it is all flowing out as foreign currency

JD.com, China's Largest E-Commerce Platform, Officially Introduced to the Mongolian Market by Stora.mn

The Dollar's Exchange Rate is Falling, but the Tugrik Keeps Weakening

Ts.Tuvaan: Agreement to export 247 million tons of coal in 16 years

B. Dulgii: Coal Exchange Price Indexing and Flexible Payment Terms Will Boost Purchases

The Government is Creating New Structures and Positions, Aggravating the Budget Crisis

Banks and Financial Institutions to Redirect Foreign Reserves to Domestic Market

Ulaanbaatar Group LLC Officially Introduces Huawei AITO Brand Cars to Mongolia

B. Uyanga: We Must Amend the Misconception of Strategic Deposits and Allocate 2% of Revenue from All Mining Projects to a Savings Fund

93.5% of Budget Revenue Composed of Tax Revenue, 6.5% from Non-Tax Revenue

Mongolian Tax Authority to Work as an Advisor to Citizens

Eco International Tower & AmCham March Networking Night

Minimum Wage to Increase to 792,000 Tugriks Next Month

Diplomacy

Digital Korea and the Strategic Partnership Between Mongolia and the Republic of Korea

One of Mongolia's Proposals Not Accepted by China in Border Crossing Agreement

O.Tsogtgerel: There are issues related to pricing in the border crossing agreement

L. Gantomor Participates in the Boao Forum for Asia in China

Mongolian Embassy in Seoul Discusses Visa Issues

Ö.Shijir: Our Government Has Started to Destroy Agreements Made With Our Neighboring Country

Infrastructure

The Agreement on the Cross-Border Railway of Gashuun Sukhait-Gants Mod Port to be Ratified in Parliament Today

Ömnögovi: Discussing the Project to Establish an Industrial Technology Park

The Project for the Cross-Border Railway Connection at Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Port Has Been Ratified

L. Oyun-Erdene: Mongolia is Connecting the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Railway After 70 Years

Parliament Approves Rail Connection Agreement

SESSION: Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Crossing Border Railway Agreement Ratified

Tavantolgoi Coal Loading Logistics Center Begins Full Operation

Aviationweek: Chinggis Khaan International Airport to Expand Air Routes to the Middle East and Central Asian Countries

SESSION: The Construction of the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Railway Connection Will Last 1.9 Years

SESSION: Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Railway Agreement Approved

METRO PROPOSAL BY O. ZUNDUIDORJ: USING OYU TOLGOI MINE WORKERS WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT

Minister Ts.Tuvaan Absent, Border Railway Project Postponed

New Ring Road to Connect Bayan-Zurkh Bridge and Tuv Province via Tunnel

The Tuul Highway will have Intersections with Two Levels in Eight Locations

Society

20 Chinese citizens engaged in illegal labor deported

Janghi Lee: Unemployment Rate Among Youth in Mongolia is Extremely High

A Project to Improve Employment Preparedness for Ages 15-29 to Be Tested in the Wool, Cashmere, and Hospitality Sectors

Kh.Batkhuug: If You Are Planning to Organize an International Festival to Attract Tourists, Announce the Date at Least Six Months in Advance

An Initiative to Support Children with Disabilities

Citizens' Lives are not a Gamble for Betting

Environment

New Dinosaur Species Discovered in the Mongolian Desert

Innovation

TODAY: The 'Mongolian Geology Exploration-2025' XVI Conference Will Take Place

Plan to Develop Draft Law on Regulation Related to Virtual Assets

Support for Joint Development of Artificial Intelligence and Science Parks

All notifications related to permits will be delivered via 'E-Mongolia'

500,000 USD Support to Develop Mongolian Studies at Cambridge

Mobi Challenge contributes significantly to the development of new Startups

Health

Deaths from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Increase in Spring

93 Cases of Measles Recorded in Ulaanbaatar, Umnugobi, and Dundgobi

S. Byambatsogt: The nation must be prepared for any potential disaster

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