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

Today's Stories

Politics

• Resolution to Approve the Strategic Plan of the State Great Khural for 2024-2028 Adopted
• Uncertainty Remains Over Extension of Visa Exemption Decision
• Drone Laws Expected to Be Introduced to Improve Legal Environment
• Governors and Secretaries Do Not Comply with Court Decisions
• Minister of Law and Interior O. Altangerel Sends Official Letter to the Mayor
• FACT: 140 Government Projects Under Investigation for Budget Increase
• Parliamentary Session Begins

Economy

• Mongolian Brand Opens Outlet in New York's Prime Commercial Location
• TDB Mongolia Issues Its First Green and Social Bonds on the International Market
• Introducing: Mongolia's Top-100 Companies and Key Metrics for 2023
• Receiving VAT Monthly Is a Burden for Enterprises
• E. Mendtuvshin Appointed as Member of the Board of Directors of "Oyu Tolgoi"
• Seven out of ten South Korean companies are interested in hiring foreign workers, including those from Mongolia
• Addressing Criticism Requires Amending the 2025 Budget
• The Top 100 Enterprises of 2023 have been announced
• Today: "TOP-100" Companies to Be Announced
• One of the TOP-100 Enterprises, APU's Subsidiary APU Dairy LLC, Selected for the First Time
• Citizens Can Buy Housing with 30% of Household Income
• Aspire Mining: Confirmed Ovoot Reserves at 130 Million Tons, Secures Global Project Status
• H. Temuujin: Starting a company and doing business is becoming an activity where you voluntarily have your property plundered
• Announcing the Top 250 Enterprises of 2023
• TOP-10 State-Owned Enterprises

Diplomacy

• Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan Meets with Director of Operations Shane Tan of "LAZARD"
• Representative of NHRC Participates in the UN Anti-Torture Committee Session
• SELENGE: Ms. Shannon Cowling on a Working Visit
• NHRC Members Participate in UN Convention Against Torture Session
• Mongolia Presents Report at the 81st Session of the UN Committee Against Torture

Infrastructure

• A Petition to Revoke the Vehicle Registration Restriction Has Been Submitted

Society

• The average time to afford a house with salary income is three years internationally, while in Mongolia it is eight years
• The Regulation Approved by the Mayor is Considered a Violation of Human Rights
• NEWS: Children continue to be victims of human trafficking

Environment

• In the First 10 Months of This Year, 5,520 People Affected by Disasters and Incidents, Causing 35.7 Billion MNT in Damages
• Fire extinguished and 35 people evacuated in Bayanzurkh district
• Discussing the Environmental Studies, Challenges, and Future Plans of the Eg River Hydroelectric Power Plant Project
• Gas Leak Near the Government Palace
• Recommendations and Plans to Reduce Rust in Drinking and Domestic Water

Innovation

• Experts from Mongolia, Japan, and China to Collaborate in the Field of Biomedical Science
• Introduction: Government Scholarship Programs
• Humanities University Implements AI in Curriculum and Launches 2+2 Program

Health

• SELENGE: The Risk of Infection Reduced, Quality and Oversight of Disinfection Improved as a Result of the Project
• LIVE: J. Chinburen Plans to Purchase Commercial Building with 40 Billion from State Budget and Remodel it into Hospital with Additional 5 Billion
• The cases of respiratory syncytial virus have increased by 17% from last week
• Children under four years old are contracting pneumonia

Sports

• Gobi Brand from Mongolia to Partner with World-Renowned "FC Barcelona" Club

Politics

Resolution to Approve the Strategic Plan of the State Great Khural for 2024-2028 Adopted

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

The regular autumn session of the State Great Khural for 2024 began its meeting today at 10:03 with an attendance rate of 54.8% of members. Three issues were scheduled for discussion. Initially, the first reading of the draft law on amending the Nuclear Energy Law, alongside other submitted draft laws, continued. During the plenary session on Thursday, the first reading of the projects was conducted, and the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy presented its opinions and conclusions, with members asking questions and receiving answers according to the names distributed in advance. Therefore, during today’s plenary session, as stipulated in Article 41.5 of the Law on the Procedure of the State Great Khural's sessions, votes were cast on each formulation of the principal disagreements prepared by the Standing Committee. Initially, voting was conducted on the proposals supported by the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy. In connection with the proposal to amend the provision to "decide whether to establish a different percentage and measure of state ownership as specified in Articles 5.4, 5.5 of this law, or to replace it as proposed by the government or on its initiative," State Great Khural member S. Ganbaatar spoke. Subsequently, a vote was held, and the majority of members present supported it. Regarding the amendment proposal to "submit to the State Great Khural the proposal to establish a different percentage and measure of state ownership as specified in Articles 5.4, 5.5," member S. Ganbaatar spoke, and the majority of members supported it when put to a vote. For the proposal to change “the percentage of royalties on mineral resources utilization specified in Article 201.5 of this law will be determined by the State Great Khural, considering the specifics of the deposit and the price level on the radioactive mineral market, at the government’s submission,” the majority of members also voted in favor. Changes to integrate specific sections and add new terms were supported by most members. The draft law on amending the Nuclear Energy Law and accompanying submitted drafts were prepared for final discussions after being submitted to the appropriate Standing Committee for review. The session proceeded with discussions on the "Resolution to Approve the Strategic Plan of the State Great Khural for 2024-2028." In Thursday’s plenary session, members discussed the project and asked questions, expressing statements related to the findings and opinions of the Standing Committee. Today’s general session concluded with a vote on the approval of the project. The majority of the 104 participating members of the State Great Khural supported the "Resolution to Approve the Strategic Plan of the State Great Khural for 2024-2028." At the end of today’s plenary session, as stipulated in Article 46.1.3 of the Law on the Procedures of the Sessions of the State Great Khural, the final formulations of the adopted laws and resolutions were announced. For instance, the announcements included the "Resolution on Approving the Development Plan of Mongolia for 2025," the 2025 budget law of Mongolia, laws submitted and approved together, the national wealth fund's 2025 budget law, the social insurance fund’s 2025 budget law, the health insurance fund’s 2025 budget law, and the final formulation of the "Resolution on Approving the 2024 Autumn Session’s Scheduled Review." These were introduced by the Speaker of the State Great Khural D. Amarbaysgalan during the session. This was reported by the Media Department of the State Great Khural.

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Uncertainty Remains Over Extension of Visa Exemption Decision

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

In connection with the digitization of its operations, the Immigration Office has provided news and information to those in the tourism sector and has listened to their suggestions and complaints regarding any difficulties they face. Since 2021, the office has provided electronic services to over 700,000 people. The visa approval service was fully digitized this year, and from January to October, visas for tourists, cultural and arts events, sports competitions, and transiting travelers were issued to about 85,000 foreign nationals through the evisa.mn system. This is a 3.2-fold increase compared to the same period last year. The government exempted citizens of 34 countries from the visa requirement for visits of up to 30 days to Mongolia from 2023 to 2025 for tourism purposes. Although the "Visit Mongolia Year" initiative is set to continue until 2028, it is still unclear whether the visa exemption decision will be extended. In this regard, the Immigration Office has sent official documents requesting clarification to the relevant organizations.

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Drone Laws Expected to Be Introduced to Improve Legal Environment

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Worldwide, drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are widely used in various sectors, from ordinary citizens to special state departments. Recently, the use of drones in our country has significantly increased. The time when drones were used merely for photography and video recording is long gone. Unmanned aerial vehicles are now involved in all sectors such as agriculture, mining, construction, urban planning, environmental studies, tourism, media, and safety. In our country, drones are used for tasks as difficult as measuring soil moisture, detecting pest infestations, conducting forest and water surveys, and protecting rare animals. Moreover, the role of drones in health, emergency situations, and the armed forces is immeasurable. Despite their widespread use, the legal framework for drone flight remains unclear. Since 2018, the government and relevant authorities have been reporting on the improvement of legal conditions for drone operations. However, there is still no concrete law or regulation. It does not mean there is none at all, though. Some operations are regulated under civil aviation rules. For instance, Civil Aviation Rule 101 governs unmanned aerial vehicles, rockets, gyros, and parasailing activities. Unmanned aerial vehicles include tethered and free balloons, remotely controlled aircraft, wire-controlled, and free-flying model aircraft. In addition to Rule 101, there is Rule 102, which certifies operators of unmanned aerial vehicles and regulates operations not covered by Rule 101. One of the organizations that should actively participate in improving the legal framework is the Civil Aviation Authority. However, due to the lack of attention given to regulating drone operations, the legal environment remains unclear. The work to improve the laws has been progressing at a snail's pace. Simply put, there is no law on drone use in our country. Therefore, the need for an independent law has become urgent. Consequently, the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications has formed a task force to start drafting a bill. Since the project is still in the drafting phase, task force members have declined to provide information. In other words, they are just developing the needs assessment, rationale, and concept of the law. The officials responsible for the law's introduction appear to be quite active. They have been holding meetings and discussions more frequently. For example, the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, the Communications Regulatory Commission, the Civil Aviation Authority, and non-governmental organizations working in this field have become actively engaged in discussing the improvement of the legal environment for drones. Recently, experts held a meeting at the Ministry to discuss drone-related issues. During the meeting, the International Collaboration Officer of Radio Frequencies at the CRC, Ts. Terbish, said, "In our country, small drones with a power capacity of 2.4 and 5.8 GHz are widely used. Such drones can be operated without special permits according to internationally approved frequency bands. However, equipment needs to be certified, and a special permit is required for frequencies other than cellular network bands." Our country operates drones along established routes, while internationally, special airspaces are being created. Therefore, officials highlighted the need for special airspace for drones. Enkhbayer, a specialist at the Civil Aviation Authority, reminded that remote control teams, flights, movement, airspace, and infrastructure should be separate. The Minister of Digital Development and Communications, Ts. Baatarkhuu, previously discussed the possibility of using drones for postal delivery. Recently, he hosted representatives from the Newcom Group of the National University of Science and Technology and Tokyo University to discuss improving the legal framework for drone operations. Drones have been used in the health sector on several occasions. Our country successfully flew a drone designed to quickly transport blood and blood products to hospitals in 2021. In November of last year, a drone transported blood from the Blood Transfusion and Research Center's outer area to the Mongolia-Japan Hospital under the University of Medical Sciences, covering about five kilometers in 12.5 minutes. Additionally, in September of last year, blood products were transported from the Blood Transfusion and Research Center to the National Mother and Child Health Center by drone. In just eight minutes, the smart device reached its destination successfully. Using drones in the health sector, not hindered by traffic, provides fast services and saves many lives. Drones are also used in the emergency management field. Last spring, the government decided on a total investment of 25 billion MNT to enhance the equipment, clothing, and necessary bases of the emergency services. As a result, the department strengthened its equipment with fire-extinguishing drones and robots. Drones prove advantageous both economically and efficiently during forest and wildfires in unreachable areas. The fire-extinguishing drone can fly at a speed of 70 km/h within a radius of 5-10 km at an altitude of up to 500 meters and function in temperatures between -40 and 70 degrees Celsius. However, it remains uncertain whether the emergency services have tested the drone's capabilities. There is no clear information on how many people or organizations in our country use drones. The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for registering drones imported from abroad and those manufactured locally. However, this work is not currently being carried out. It is necessary to determine what technical performance criteria drones should meet to be registered. The need for training pilots to operate these drones in short order has also arisen. Other than the rule prohibiting any drones from taking off within the area of an airport's runway, there are few other restrictions. If the legal environment is not urgently established, there may be numerous questionable issues. Engineers suggest that in a country with vast territories like ours, drones can be utilized in many ways. We all know that countries worldwide are using drones for military and warfare purposes. Regarding this, the head of the Mongolian Aerospace Society, Ch. Ganzorig, said, "Drones are now used in all sectors, including national defense, military, and police. To develop the use of this technology in Mongolia, we need to prepare personnel in aviation, specifically in the field of aeromodeling. We must train our specialists well." The countries that most frequently use unmanned aerial vehicles include the United States, China, Russia, Israel, and Turkey. These countries use drones extensively for military, civil, and commercial purposes. For instance, in the United States, the use of drones by governmental organizations has doubled in the last two years. The U.S. plans to use 20,000 drones annually by 2050. If our country does not pay attention to regulating drone usage and operations, there could be incidents of infringing on human rights. The unrestricted use of drones could lead to unlawful surveillance and monitoring activities. In other words, someone might peek at you with a drone. There are risks of encroaching on personal or organizational space, spying, and espionage. Depending on the capacity of the drone, illegal trades such as narcotics and drugs might "blossom" across borders. Not only that, but the use of drones has led to incidents harming the health and lives of others in several countries. Passing a standalone law regulating drone operations would clarify the legal environment and resolve many issues.

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Governors and Secretaries Do Not Comply with Court Decisions

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: news.mn

The "Execution of Administrative Court Decisions" forum was held today at the Supreme Court. During this forum, stakeholders shared their perspectives on pressing issues. D. Munkhtuya, Head of the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court, stated: "This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Administrative Court. As part of this, the Supreme Court is addressing the improvement of the effectiveness of the Administrative Court's operations, enhancing public trust in the judiciary, ensuring transparency and openness in the judiciary's actions, and resolving cases through the Administrative Court when decisions made by government organizations and officials violate the rights and legitimate interests of citizens. The difficulties and many issues related to improving the law on the review and resolution of administrative disputes in the court are being discussed. The main parties responsible for complying with decisions of the Administrative Court are officials and administrative authorities. These senior government officials are supposed to voluntarily and promptly enforce court decisions. However, when comparing court decisions in Mongolia, those from the Administrative Court show the worst compliance rates compared to the Criminal and Civil Courts. This negatively affects the principle of effective governance, enforcement of decisions, and the restoration of citizens' violated rights. This may be due to inadequate legislation, unclear court decisions, or insufficient enforcement mechanisms. Research reveals that the entities not complying with Administrative Court decisions include governors at all levels, ministries, and secretariats. N. Khulan, Head of the Administrative Law Sector of the Judicial Training, Research, and Information Academy, stated: "An important fundamental thing connecting the courts and the enforcement agencies is the enforcement document. When a favorable decision is made for a citizen and needs enforcement, the respondent should voluntarily obtain the enforcement document from the court and take it to the enforcement agency to carry out the decision coercively. However, these enforcement documents are very brief. It remains unclear how the enforcer should implement the decision. For instance, if the decision stipulates nullifying an administrative act, how should an enforcer invalidate a governor's decision in any particular province is left uncertain. There is no such legal regulation. Due to this gap in legal regulation, the percentage of enforced decisions is declining. Moreover, the 2002 Enforcement of Court Decisions law stated that the court monitors compliance, but in 2017, it was revised so that governors now monitor the enforcement of court decisions. This change has led to a lack in regulations on how governors oversee and expedite local court decisions. Judge A. Munkh-Ulzii of the Capital City Administrative Court stated: "Research shows that the resolution of three types of administrative disputes is delayed: land disputes, mineral disputes, and civil service disputes. Court decisions are issued in various ways, such as instructing to grant land or detailing land boundaries. Administrative bodies aligning their operations with these court decisions under the law may be delaying the enforcement process. In civil service disputes, courts determine compensation for wages during unemployment and order health insurance adjustments. However, these payments need to be allocated from the next year's national budget. There is no legal provision for pre-allocating funds for prematurely terminated employees, which contributes to delayed court resolutions. Regarding mineral disputes, issues like extending deadlines or granting special permits cause delays. Because operations are conducted according to legal provisions, waiting for these processes to conclude is necessary."

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Minister of Law and Interior O. Altangerel Sends Official Letter to the Mayor

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

The Minister of Law and Interior, O. Altangerel, has sent an official letter to the mayor, stating that "not issuing national licenses violates the constitutional right of citizens to own property." Mayor Kh. Nyambaatar issued a regulation limiting the issuance of national license plates for vehicles in Ulaanbaatar. Specifically, the decision was made not to issue Ulaanbaatar series license plates for passenger cars imported into the city. However, this regulation has caused significant public discontent and inconvenience, prompting some citizens to petition the Constitutional Court. In response to this situation, the Minister of Law and Interior, O. Altangerel, sent an official letter to Mayor Kh. Nyambaatar, recommending the cancellation of this regulation. The letter argues that the regulation seriously violates human rights. This is the official letter sent by the Minister of Law and Interior, O. Altangerel, to the Governor of the Capital City, Kh. Nyambaatar.

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FACT: 140 Government Projects Under Investigation for Budget Increase

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

The draft budget for 2025 was approved by the State Great Khural (Parliament) last week. It was passed with significant expenditures and a deficit of 1.9 trillion. Included in these expenditures is 18 billion MNT for free entertainment passes for children. The initial budget for building a complex for scientific institutes was 94 billion MNT, but it has escalated to 154.4 billion MNT. Certain members of Parliament demanded a reduction of such expenses during the discussion phase and proposed returning the draft budget to the government, but it was not supported by the majority. Therefore, the Parliament has instructed that the budget be revised again before December. Opposing members argue that expenses should be reduced by 3.6 trillion MNT. Additionally, the 2025 draft budget includes 140 buildings and structures where the budget increased by a total of 992.4 billion, or about 1 trillion MNT. For instance, one school's dormitory and sports hall have been under construction for six years, increasing their budget by 254.5%. In 2025, a total of one trillion MNT from taxpayers' money will be spent on these 140 projects, including those left unfinished both intentionally and unintentionally. To mention some specifics, construction of a complex for scientific institutes in Ulaanbaatar, which began in 2020, is still not complete. The initial budget was 94 billion MNT, which has increased to 154.4 billion MNT and is scheduled for funding in 2025. In 2016, an additional 30 billion MNT was allocated. The budget growth for this single project is 64.4%. A nationwide customs modernization project for the General Customs Administration, branches, and regional offices was started in 2019. The initial budget was 32.1 billion MNT, increasing to 114 billion MNT, with completion scheduled for 2026. The first 84 billion will be given in 2025 and 16.4 billion in 2026. This project's budget inflates by 81 billion MNT, or 254.5%. The construction of the "Central Khalkha" musical theater in Dundgobi Province began in 2011, 13 years ago, but remains unfinished. Initially, 6.8 billion MNT was allocated, and now the budget has increased by 55.1% to 10.5 billion MNT. The construction of the district court complex in the Khan-Uul District began in 2013, 11 years ago, and remains unfinished. The project is scheduled to continue until 2026. The initial budget was 15 billion MNT, now increased by 406.4% to 75.954 billion MNT. Construction of a sports hall in Tsogtsum, Bayantooroi Village of Gobi-Altai Province began in 2019. The initial budget was 250 million MNT, with an additional 937 million MNT to be allocated in 2025. The total budget increased by 374.8%, reaching 1.2 billion MNT. The budget for 140 projects included in the 2025 budget proposal is suspected of including corruption. Parliament member U.Shijir is preparing to request an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Agency regarding these projects. He mentioned, "The state budget for 2025 includes 140 projects and programs carried over from 2024. The total budget for these projects is 992 billion, or 1 trillion MNT. These projects have been ongoing for up to 14 years, with the shortest being three years. Even a kindergarten with only 50 children is included in projects lasting 2-3 years. If we can't build a kindergarten for 50 children within a year, what is the state doing? We must stop teasing and trickling our public funds. Otherwise, the lost opportunity cost for just these 140 projects is 1 trillion MNT. Repeated attention to their constituencies brought us to this situation. In Khentii Province, it increased by 60 billion MNT, in Gobi-Altai by 23 billion MNT, and in Darkhan-Uul by 15 billion MNT. Why is it that the budgets in the constituencies of ministers and leaders are the ones that have increased the most? We need to pay attention to this." See below for more detailed information about other projects.

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Parliamentary Session Begins

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: news.mn

The unified session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) has begun. The unified session has started, continuing the initial discussion on the draft law to amend the Law on Nuclear Energy. During the session, the members have begun voting on the fundamentally differing proposals in relation to the draft law introduced by the Standing Committee.

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Economy

Mongolian Brand Opens Outlet in New York's Prime Commercial Location

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

Mongolian shoe manufacturer "Chig" has opened a new branch at the "Oculus" center, located at a prime commercial spot in New York City, USA. "Oculus" is a center located at the heart of New York's commercial district, known for its unique style and modern architectural solutions that attract travelers and tourists. "Chig" shoe brand is a company with 20 years of experience, processing 1,490 pieces of cowhide and 3,226 sheep and goat skins annually to produce value-added products domestically. Interestingly, the brand's leather slippers had already been on sale in New York City, USA, and yesterday they officially opened their new branch.

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TDB Mongolia Issues Its First Green and Social Bonds on the International Market

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

For the first time, the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) of Mongolia has issued Green and Social Bonds for professional international investors. This marks the first private sector five-year or long-term bond issued by TDB since 2015. Through this bond issuance, TDB becomes the first private company in Mongolia to attract investment from a "Top 10 Asset Management" company globally, as well as the first Mongolian Green and Social bond registered on the Bloomberg terminal. TDB has a history of responsibly fulfilling its obligations in international contracts, which has enhanced both the bank's reputation and that of Mongolia in the international market. The Trade and Development Bank has joined the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and developed the "Climate 30+ Initiative: Green Revival" program, the first sustainable financing initiative by the Mongolian private sector. Under this program, TDB aims to become a Green Bank with long-term strategic goals and strives to provide 2 billion USD in sustainable development financing by 2030. The proceeds from these bonds will finance green projects such as renewable energy, air pollution reduction, sustainable agriculture, and green buildings, as well as socially-oriented projects like health, food safety, and access to education. As a leading bank representing Mongolia on the international stage, the Trade and Development Bank will continue to increase foreign investments and contribute to Mongolia's sustainable development.

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Introducing: Mongolia's Top-100 Companies and Key Metrics for 2023

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Today, the government of Mongolia and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) jointly introduced the Top-100 business entities of 2023, as is tradition. The "Oyu Tolgoi" company topped the 2023 list of Top-100 Businesses, marking its second consecutive year at number one. In 2023, Mongolia collected 21.5 trillion MNT in tax revenues, with the Top-100 companies contributing 6.29 trillion MNT, or 29% of the total. They also accounted for 73% (50.4 trillion MNT) of the domestic gross product (68.9 trillion MNT). It was noted that these Top-100 companies employ 7% of the workforce in Mongolia, totaling 83.7 thousand people. You can view the business entities alphabetically by clicking on COMPANY, or see the businesses that have moved the most positions forward/backward by clicking on CHANGE. This year, 33 companies have improved their standings, whereas the rankings of 43 companies have decreased compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, 20 companies have newly entered the Top-100 list. Within the 2023 Top-100 company list, Usukh Zoos LLC advanced by 56 places, Bayalag Energy Resource LLC by 50, Building Maintenance Services LLC by 38, Uniservice Solution LLC by 32, and TTGV CO LLC by 32 respectively. Regarding the geographical distribution of the Top-100 companies, Ulaanbaatar accounts for 62, Umnugobi 25, Dornogobi 3, Selenge 3, Darkhan-Uul 2, Khovd 2, Dornod 1, Zavkhan 1, and Sukhbaatar 1. The entry of 25 companies from Umnugobi into this list represents a 150% increase from the previous year when only 10 companies from the province were selected, significantly impacting the reduction of Ulaanbaatar's numbers. Of all entities, 86 are limited liability companies (LLC), and 14 are joint-stock companies (JSC). Top Ten Performing Companies If we consider the companies listed by their parent group, they were represented as follows: - MCS Group - 11 - Shunkhlai Group - 7 - Mongolian Alt (MAK) - 3 - Tavan Bogd Group - 5 - Petrovis Oil LLC - 2 - Premium Group - 2 - Nomin Holding LLC - 2 - Monos Group - 2 Sector Breakdown of Top-100 Businesses Six companies in the financial and insurance sectors were included in the Top-100 list, accounting for 36% of the total profit and 30% of the assets. Meanwhile, the same number of companies from the services sector accounted for only 1% of the total profit. Key Macro Economic Indicators: | Indicator | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |-----------|------|------|------| | GDP (trillions MNT, current price) | 43.0 | 52.9 | 68.9 | | Top-100 sales revenue (trillions MNT) | 35.4 | 38.4 | 50.4 | | Share in GDP % | 82% | 74% | 73% | | Total tax revenue (trillions MNT) | 11.3 | 15.6 | 21.5 | | Top-100 tax contribution (trillions MNT) | 5.1 | 4.3 | 6.29 | | Share in total tax revenue % | 45% | 28% | 29% | | Total workforce (thousand people) | 1,127 | 1,158 | 1,197 | | Top-100 workforce (thousand people) | 99.0 | 71.2 | 83.7 | | Share in total workforce % | 8.8% | 6.2% | 7% | Warning Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social networks, and Websites) are reminded that when using our information, either in full or in part, they must always cite their source (ikon.mn).

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Receiving VAT Monthly Is a Burden for Enterprises

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene worked at the General Department of Taxation. Before the tax law reform, 5,000-6,000 taxpayers were subjected to audits annually, but in 2023 and 2024, this number has reduced to 1,500-2,000, a threefold decrease. Mongolia hosts 158,000 active enterprises, where taxes account for 10.1% of their income, which is not a high figure compared to the region. Taxpayers enjoy 212 types of tax exemptions and reliefs. Efforts to create more favorable conditions for taxpayers are underway. A policy to incentivize responsible taxpayers will be introduced. According to Director of the General Department of Taxation Ch. Chimedsuren, studies are being conducted to establish different taxes by region in line with the government's regional development policy. Officials from the General Department of Taxation expressed their opinions to the Prime Minister. Receiving VAT on a monthly basis causes difficulties for enterprises, generating numerous suggestions. They also pointed out the need to amend the provision about tax evasion in the Criminal Code and update certain governmental resolutions and procedures related to taxes. Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene stated that he will focus on implementing these suggestions into practice and tasked staff with preparing for tax reform. He emphasized that instead of merely focusing on generating budget revenue through taxes, the reform should aim to expand the tax base, create an investor-friendly environment, and promote attitude changes.

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E. Mendtuvshin Appointed as Member of the Board of Directors of "Oyu Tolgoi"

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

E. Mendtuvshin has been appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of "Oyu Tolgoi" company. He is a lawyer by profession and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Beijing University and a master's degree from Harvard University. E. Mendtuvshin is the son of former Minister of Foreign Affairs N. Enkhbayar. After working at the "Davis Polk and Wardwell" law firm in the USA, he returned to his homeland and is said to have already taken on his role as a board member. The reason it's mentioned unofficially is that the government has not disclosed the criteria for E. Mendtuvshin's appointment or the date of his appointment as a board member. The Board of Directors of "Oyu Tolgoi" company consists of nine members. Of these, three members are nominated and appointed by the Mongolian government. Currently, along with E. Mendtuvshin, E. Bayasgalan and N. Tserenbat represent Mongolia on the board of "Oyu Tolgoi" company. E. Bayasgalan was appointed by the government in 2020, and N. Tserenbat in 2022.

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Seven out of ten South Korean companies are interested in hiring foreign workers, including those from Mongolia

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The results of a survey conducted by Saramin and KoMate, job placement organizations, among South Korean companies were published yesterday. Of the 557 companies surveyed, 73.4% expressed their willingness to hire foreign workers. Currently, 44% of them already have at least one foreign employee, and 61% of companies are "satisfied" with their foreign employees, while 11.7% are "very satisfied." The interest in hiring foreign workers is linked to the difficulty of finding labor in the South Korean job market, according to the companies that participated in the survey. In terms of interest in hiring foreign workers, manufacturing companies lead with 42.5%, followed by service companies at 16.1%, international marketing companies at 12%, construction companies at 11.7%, and information technology companies at 8.6%. When asked which country's workforce they are most interested in, 31.3% of companies mentioned Vietnam, 20% mentioned Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries, 18.6% mentioned the Philippines, 16.1% mentioned Mongolia, 8.8% mentioned the United States and Canada, and 8.6% mentioned Japan and India. The biggest challenge in hiring foreign workers was identified as language problems. 50% of the companies surveyed believe that South Korea needs to change its visa conditions to make them more favorable to attract foreign workers. Source: Korea Times Warning: Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social, and Websites) must mention the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, fully or partially.

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Addressing Criticism Requires Amending the 2025 Budget

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene first worked at the Ministry of Finance. Minister of Finance B. Javkhlan gave a detailed presentation on fiscal policy. From 2005 to 2021, budget revenue was 99.9 trillion MNT, while in the past three years, it has become 110.4 trillion MNT. Exports were 78.4 billion USD from 2005 to 2021, but are expected to reach 63.3 billion USD from 2022 to 2025. GDP per capita was 4,657 USD in 2021 and is projected to double to 8,000 USD by 2025. He explained that by organizing debt management efficiently, the pressure from foreign debt payments has been reduced. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance is developing three options to reduce the 2025 budget expenses. Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene stated that the 2025 budget is the first to be passed by a parliament composed of 126 members with a mixed-electoral system. Hence, the budget has moved away from the practice of regionally fragmented allocations and has become an investment in regional development. He mentioned the need to resolve issues that have attracted public criticism and to amend the budget. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of focusing on passing a budget without a deficit. The main income-generating sector of our country is mining, particularly dependent on coal. As the international trend is to phase out coal and transition to a green economy, he noted the importance of preparing and paying attention should coal exports decrease.

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The Top 100 Enterprises of 2023 have been announced

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The government and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry annually collaborate to rank and honor the "Top 100" enterprises. This year marks the 23rd time this esteemed event has been organized. To rank the "Top 100" enterprises, the General Department of Taxation, the General Customs Department, the General Department of Social Insurance, the Financial Regulatory Commission, the General Authority for State Registration, and the National Statistics Office all worked together. The contribution of the Top 100 private sector enterprises to the economic and social development of Mongolia has grown significantly in 2023. The sales revenue of the Top 100 enterprises increased by 11.4 trillion MNT from the previous year. The sales revenue of these enterprises reached 50 trillion MNT, accounting for 73% of the GDP, while the amount of taxes paid reached 6.3 trillion MNT, which is 29% of the total tax revenue. The number of employees totals 83,000, making up 7% of all jobs, representing a 1% increase from the previous year. Among the Top 100 enterprises, 89 are limited liability companies and 14 are joint-stock companies. By sector, mining and quarrying take the lead, followed by trade, banking, finance, manufacturing, and construction. Additionally, 27 enterprises involved in export activities, including seven exporting non-mining products, are included in this list. This time, in addition to honoring the Top 100 enterprises, 150 companies were ranked and introduced, notable for competing with them. The total sales revenue of these 250 enterprises is equivalent to 93% of the GDP, and they account for 34% of the total tax revenue. Starting next year, a list of the Top 500 enterprises will be released, aiming to not only reflect the level of entrepreneurship but also to promote small and medium businesses, making them more known to the public and supporting their investment and sales operations. Breaking down the Top 100 enterprises by sector: - Trade and services: 27 - Mining and extraction: 26 - Manufacturing: 15 - Construction and roads: 10 - Finance and insurance: 6 - Information and communication: 5 - Services: 6 - Transportation and warehousing: 3 - Electricity, heating production, and water supply: 3 companies. Moreover, the Top 100 enterprises and the list of state-owned enterprises include publicly traded companies such as: - Khan Bank LLC - Golomt Bank LLC - Trade and Development Bank LLC - Premium Nexus LLC - APU LLC - State Bank LLC - Tavantolgoi LLC - XacBank LLC - Gobi LLC - Tavan Bogd Foods LLC - Suu LLC - Altai Road LLC - Sharyn Gol LLC For 2023, the Top 10 state-owned companies include: - Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC - Erdenet Mining Corporation SOE - Ulaanbaatar Railway SOE - State Bank LLC - Erdenes Mongol LLC - Tavantolgoi LLC - Tavantolgoi Fuel LLC - Ulaanbaatar Power Distribution Network LLC - MIAT LLC - National Power Transmission Grid LLC

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Today: "TOP-100" Companies to Be Announced

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Overview of today's events: - At 11:00 AM: The ceremony to announce the "TOP-100" companies, organized by the Government of Mongolia and the MNCCI, will take place for the 23rd year at the State Palace. Phone: 88107869 - At 11:00 AM: At the administration building of the National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD), information on the situation of influenza and influenza-like illnesses, as well as an appeal from NCCD doctors, will be presented. - At 12:00 PM: A press conference for the concert "Gold Zula" by Bolooj, head of the Urgoo band and composer, will be held at the On'n off production office. Phone: 98897969, 89106929 - At 5:00 PM: A special exhibition dedicated to the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo, "Marco Polo, Kublai Khan, and the Mongols," will open in the 9th-floor hall of the Chinggis Khaan National Museum. Phone: 99051914 - At 7:00 PM: A meeting titled "Jazz Music and Talks for Development" will be held at the coffee shop behind the State Palace's flower shop.

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One of the TOP-100 Enterprises, APU's Subsidiary APU Dairy LLC, Selected for the First Time

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The government of Mongolia, together with the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mongolia, is selecting the TOP 100 enterprises for the 24th year. APU Group, continuously striving upwards, has been selected as one of Mongolia's TOP 100 enterprises, including APU JSC, APU Dairy LLC, APU Trading, and SBB LLC, on its 100th anniversary. Thus, APU Company has been selected as a TOP 100 enterprise for the 20th consecutive year. Combining tradition and innovation, APU Dairy, which consistently works to introduce dairy products into daily consumption and deliver healthy food to consumers, has been selected as a TOP 100 enterprise for the first time since it became an independent enterprise in 2017. This is a noteworthy event of the year. This year, APU Dairy, Mongolia's dairy company, has started producing traditional dairy products made from yak milk under the 'Mont-Yak' brand within the framework of the "Mongol Yak" local production project, implementing the standards of local production that meet hygiene and quality requirements. Additionally, APU Company, which always encourages consuming the best quality and freshest beer, has started producing the 150-year-old Heineken beer from the Netherlands domestically, providing Mongolian consumers with the opportunity to enjoy a globally renowned, premium-class beer fresh from the brewery. Moreover, with a vision for the next 100 years, APU aims to outline the investments, impacts, and values it will create for the earth and Mongolia, systematizing all sustainable development activities and objectives and formulating the strategic leading directions for sustainable development. Thus, we have approved our "Mongolian Pride-2030" five-pillar sustainable development strategy and, based on the achievements and experiences of the historical century, aim to intensify our positive impact on the environment, social economy, and people-centered policy, emphasizing the collaborative progress with partners and stakeholders. In the liquid food market, we will continue to seek innovation and consistently offer the highest quality products to consumers through our partners, making them a part of everyday consumption. ALWAYS UPWARD APU COMPANY Notice to media organizations (TV, Radio, Social and Web pages): Please ensure you mention the source (ikon.mn) if you use our information in any format, wholly or partially.

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Citizens Can Buy Housing with 30% of Household Income

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar. One of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the world is to promote inclusive cities and citizen participation. The 11th goal aims to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe, affordable basic housing and to improve slum areas, measuring by the percentage of people living in slums and informal settlements. Housing costs should account for no more than 30% of household income, allowing citizens to have affordable housing. Ideally, families should be able to purchase a house with three years of income or spend no more than 30% of their income on rent and housing payments. If so, the housing market in a country is considered to have a reasonable level of affordability. This was presented in the "Current State and Improvement Methods of Housing Finance" research report by the School of Finance and Economics (SFE) to economic club journalists. Internationally, housing represents the largest expense and investment for households, accounting for 50-60% of household assets in developing countries. Increased housing finance availability directly influences the growth of the construction sector. From 2006 to 2013, 7.5 thousand units entered usage annually, while between 2013 and 2023, the average increased to 19.1 thousand units annually, expanding the construction sector by 2.5 times. The research was conducted by the SFE research team in collaboration with the Bank of Mongolia and MIK OSC. During the presentation, the research team frequently used the term "Cagamas Berhad," referring to Malaysia's mortgage-backed securities system from 1986, created through Islamic securities to establish a national corporation, financing housing institutions. Financing certain housing conditions, reasons for financing, and targeted funding for specific groups have been effective mechanisms. Senior economist of the Bank of Mongolia, D. Boldbaatar, who worked as a research advisor, emphasized that countries have aimed to promote homeownership among their citizens. For example, China shifted housing from a previous state and welfare system to a private capital-oriented one, while Russia transitioned from state-managed to a commercial system. B. Gantulga, executive director of MIK OSC, stated that by expanding the capital market and reducing credit ratings, housing finance sources can be obtained. Financing mortgages from the international market must ensure that loan yields do not deviate from market conditions. Lowering mortgage interest rates from 8% to 6% reduced citizens' payment amounts by 8%, easing financial burdens, though it increased housing demand and prices, paradoxically leading to a 16% increase in loan payment burdens. Real estate companies offer low or zero-interest installment plans, causing citizens to buy housing at a 20-30% higher cost, creating adverse consequences. Essentially, citizens end up losing. Since 2013, 37% of those using this loan transitioned from camps to apartments. Those who previously had houses and are financially capable prefer waiting two years for banks to approve their loan applications rather than immediately apply, given interest rates are set low. Thus, these adverse outcomes arise only by focusing on subsidized loans rather than improving systemic housing loan provision. The new study concludes that stable pricing conditions can be ensured.

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Aspire Mining: Confirmed Ovoot Reserves at 130 Million Tons, Secures Global Project Status

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Aspire Mining has unveiled the full study results of its high-quality coking coal project "Ovoot" located in Khuvsgul, Mongolia. The total reserves of the deposit are estimated at 130 million tons, of which proven reserves account for 76.8 million tons, and inferred reserves are projected to be 53.3 million tons. The company highlighted that this confirms the Ovoot project as a world-class coking coal project. Based on reserve estimates, the mine is expected to have a lifespan of 31 years from the start of extraction. Additionally, the stripping ratio of the mine is below average, with initial capital costs being low, allowing the investment to be recouped within three years of commencing extraction. Consequently, the net present value or profitability of the project is estimated to be approximately 1.6 billion USD.

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H. Temuujin: Starting a company and doing business is becoming an activity where you voluntarily have your property plundered

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

In today's session of the Parliament, discussions continued on the initial review of the draft law amendment to the Law on Nuclear Energy. During this session, Member of Parliament H. Temuujin stated, "The Government has appended another law alongside the Law on Nuclear Energy and brought it in. The issue related to the legal entity and company law is a fundamental issue for the Legal Standing Committee. But the Legal Standing Committee has not met at all and is unaware of this. The issue that came up in the Economic Standing Committee and the National Security Standing Committee is that for the first time, there is a proposal to change the fundamental principles of the company law and ordinary shares. This is prohibited by company law. Why it is prohibited is because if the financial responsibility and other concepts behind the ordinary shares are resolved by changing the type of shares, the entire company becomes a fraudulent enterprise. Establishing a company and doing business just turns into an activity where someone voluntarily hands over their property to be plundered or robbed. Such a serious issue is unknown to the Legal Standing Committee, the Ministry of Justice is unaware, and the Government has appended another law and brought it in. This is an example of the Government's irresponsibility. Let us clarify the purpose of the Nuclear Energy Law. Otherwise, the fundamental principles will be violated and there will be no point in having a company law in Mongolia," he said.

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Announcing the Top 250 Enterprises of 2023

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The government and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry jointly organized the "TOP-100" enterprises ranking event for the 23rd year. This year was distinctive as they ranked the top 250 enterprises by including 150 additional enterprises to compete with the top 100 enterprises. The ranking of these "TOP 250" enterprises was conducted in collaboration with the General Department of Taxation, the General Customs Department, the General Social Insurance Department, the Financial Regulatory Commission, the General Authority for State Registration, and the National Statistics Office. The sales revenue of these top 250 enterprises is equivalent to 93% of the GDP and constitutes 34% of the total tax revenue. Member of Parliament D. Enkhtuvshin mentioned that starting next year, they will announce the top 500 enterprises. Among the first top 100 enterprises, 89 are limited liability companies and 14 are joint-stock companies. By industry sectors, the mining and extraction industry leads, followed by trade, banking and finance, manufacturing, and construction sectors. Additionally, 27 enterprises conducting export activities, including seven enterprises exporting non-mining products, are included in this list. TOP-100 Enterprises by Operating Sector: - Trade and services: 27 - Mining and extraction industry: 26 - Manufacturing: 15 - Construction and roads: 10 - Finance and insurance: 6 - Information and communication: 5 - Services: 6 - Transportation and storage: 3 - Electricity and thermal production, water supply: 3 companies. Listed Enterprises with Publicly Traded Shares in the TOP 100 Enterprises and State-Owned Enterprises List: - Khaan Bank JSC - Golomt Bank JSC - Trade and Development Bank JSC - Premium Nexus JSC - APU JSC - State Bank JSC - Tavantolgoi JSC - XacBank JSC - Gobi JSC - Talkh Chikher JSC - Suu JSC - Altan Zam JSC - Shariin Gol JSC Mongolia's Top 10 State-Owned Companies for 2023: - Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC - Erdenet Mining Corporation SOE - Ulaanbaatar Railway JSC - State Bank JSC - Erdenes Mongol LLC - Tavantolgoi JSC - Tavantolgoi Fuel LLC - Ulaanbaatar Electricity Distribution Network JSC - MIAT Mongolian Airlines JSC - National Power Transmission Grid JSC

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TOP-10 State-Owned Enterprises

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Government of Mongolia and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry jointly announced the TOP-100 enterprises of 2023 today, as part of their annual tradition. During this event, they also identified the TOP-10 state-owned enterprises of 2023. Main macroeconomic indicators of the TOP-10 State-Owned Enterprises Indicators - GDP (current prices, trillion MNT): 68.9 - Sales revenue of TOP-10 SOEs (trillion MNT): 19.4 - Share of GDP, %: 28% - Total tax revenue (trillion MNT): 21.5 - Taxes of TOP-10 SOEs (trillion MNT): 4.7 - Share of total tax revenue, %: 22% - Total number of employees (thousand persons): 1,197 - Number of employees in TOP-10 SOEs (thousand persons): 27.6 - Share of total employment, %: 2.3% Warning Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social and Websites) should note that any use of our information, in whole or in part, must credit the source (ikon.mn).

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Diplomacy

Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan Meets with Director of Operations Shane Tan of "LAZARD"

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

The Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Protection, L. Enkh-Amgalan, is participating in a high-level conference titled "World Pensions, Social Protection, and Wealth Fund Summit" in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. During this conference, he met with Shane Tan, the Director of Operations of Hong Kong's "LAZARD" Asset Management Company. This company is a major organization operating in 18 countries worldwide, and they exchanged views on collaborating in the framework of technical assistance in support of the National Wealth Fund and Accumulation Fund's financial assets.

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Representative of NHRC Participates in the UN Anti-Torture Committee Session

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

A representative from the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia participated in the 81st session of the UN Committee Against Torture. The UN Committee Against Torture is reviewing Mongolia's third report on the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment during its 81st session held in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 11 to 13, 2024. Representatives B. Enkhbold, a member of the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, and Y. Tselmen, a member responsible for torture prevention, are attending this session. National human rights institutions with "A" status, like Mongolia's Human Rights Commission, independently submit reports to UN treaty bodies, participate in committee sessions, and provide independent information. During a closed meeting on November 11, 2024, the Commission's representatives delivered a presentation addressing issues such as the outcome of legal reform for torture prevention, weaknesses in the current system, the establishment of independent mechanisms to investigate torture crimes, and the need for necessary funding and human resources to resolve these issues. They also discussed the need for legal frameworks to support compensation for torture victims, psychological rehabilitation, and social reintegration, as well as improving conditions in detention facilities to meet the minimum UN standards. The committee members asked questions to the Commission members, concluding the closed session. Following this, on November 12, 2024, during the open session, the committee members asked questions based on independent information provided by the National Human Rights Commission and civil society representatives as part of the government's report review. At the open session on November 13, 2024, government representatives responded to questions posed by the committee members, concluding the review process of the report. (Source: NHRC)

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SELENGE: Ms. Shannon Cowling on a Working Visit

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The leadership team led by Deputy Governor of Selenge province, Mr. J. Saincog, met with Ms. Shannon Cowling, the resident representative of the Asian Development Bank in Mongolia. During the meeting, both sides discussed the current level of cooperation and highlighted future priority sectors. Selenge province is currently working with the Asian Development Bank to implement numerous effective projects and programs in agriculture, education, health, environmental protection, and border customs sectors. At present, the "Regional Project to Improve Border Services," supported by the Asian Development Bank, is being implemented in this province, with the renovation work at Altanbulag border crossing point actively underway. Furthermore, the repair of the paved road on the Darkhan-Sükhbaatar-Altanbulag route is in progress. In the education sector, three component projects titled "Inclusive Education," "School Lunch," and "Combined Training" are being conducted in schools 1 and 3 of Bayangol, Tsagaannuur, and Sükhbaatar sums, and in schools 3 and 1 of Mandal and Saikhan sums respectively. Moreover, various projects and programs are being implemented to aid the economic circulation of raw materials from cooperatives in Selenge province, known for its agricultural areas.

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NHRC Members Participate in UN Convention Against Torture Session

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The UN Committee Against Torture reviewed the third report of the Government of Mongolia on the implementation of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment at its 81st session. The session took place in Geneva, Switzerland, and members of Mongolia's National Human Rights Commission responsible for preventing torture attended and provided information. Specifically, they addressed issues such as legal reforms for preventing torture, their results and shortcomings, establishing an independent investigative system for crimes of torture, changing the attitudes of law enforcement officers, as well as necessary funding and human resource issues, and compensating victims. Furthermore, they highlighted the need to establish legal regulations aimed at supporting psychological rehabilitation and reintegration into normal social life, and discussed the conditions and material resources of detention facilities for target groups such as children, women, and life-sentenced prisoners, emphasizing the necessity to improve these in accordance with the UN's Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

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Mongolia Presents Report at the 81st Session of the UN Committee Against Torture

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The 81st session of the UN Committee Against Torture is being held in Geneva from October 28 to November 22 this year. The committee is discussing the implementation reports of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment from Jordan, Cameroon, Kuwait, Mongolia, Namibia, and Thailand. A state party to the Convention against Torture is required to submit a report to the UN Committee Against Torture one year after joining the Convention and every four years thereafter to demonstrate the measures taken to fulfill its obligations under the Convention. Mongolia submitted its third periodic report, concerning the implementation of the Convention and the recommendations previously given by the Committee, in 2021. A government delegation led by Mr. N. Myagmar, Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs of Mongolia, participated in the open session of this 81st meeting on November 12-13. They introduced the legal reforms, policies, and activities conducted in Mongolia since the submission of the third periodic report and responded to questions from the Committee members. The government delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Permanent Mission in Geneva), Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, State Prosecutor’s Office, Anti-Corruption Agency, General Agency for Court Decisions Enforcement, General Intelligence Agency, General Police Department, and the Immigration Agency. They successfully presented the periodic report. Following Mongolia's review, the UN Committee Against Torture is expected to make public its conclusions and recommendations on November 22, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Infrastructure

A Petition to Revoke the Vehicle Registration Restriction Has Been Submitted

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: news.mn

The decision to set an upper limit on the registration numbers for public transport vehicles in Ulaanbaatar, aimed at reducing traffic congestion, air pollution, and road accidents, came into effect on November 8. However, the public, particularly business owners, have expressed significant criticism of this decision. It has been argued that the decision violates the Constitution and infringes on property rights, leading to a petition being submitted to the Constitutional Court. There are also reports indicating that over 37,000 cars are stuck in customs due to the restriction on issuing new registration numbers. The Minister of Justice and Home Affairs, O. Altangerel, has deemed the restriction on issuing vehicle registration to Ulaanbaatar's cars to be a violation of human rights and discriminatory. Consequently, an official letter was sent to Mayor Kh. Nyambaatar, requesting the revocation of this regulation.

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Society

The average time to afford a house with salary income is three years internationally, while in Mongolia it is eight years

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The housing market in a country is considered affordable if the average price of a house does not exceed three times the annual household income. Specifically, if citizens can buy a house with three years of income, the market is considered accessible. To calculate housing affordability indices, countries compare the median price of a house with the median annual household income. If the ratio is 3 or less, it is deemed affordable; 3.1 to 4 is considered less affordable; 4.1 to 5 is unaffordable; and above 5.1 is highly unaffordable. In Mongolia, this ratio is 7.8, indicating that Mongolian citizens have limited capacity to purchase housing, which is notably higher than the international average by 1.32 and from the optimal level by 2.6 times. Households would need to save their entire income for eight years to buy a medium-sized dwelling. However, this capability is not available to everyone in the country. Due to inflation and the mismatch in the growth of salary income, many people struggle to meet basic needs and live in poverty. To improve citizens' ability to purchase homes and reach a reasonable level of this indicator, it is necessary to increase their income by 2.6 times or to decrease housing prices by the same amount. Additionally, it is advised to address the factors that are driving up housing prices and to increase the availability of housing suited to average consumption, according to researchers. This indicator, likened to a "barometer," highlights the significant social and economic pressure under which Mongolians live, as determined by teachers and researchers from the School of Finance and Economics (SFE) in their study "Current status of housing finance and ways to improve it." The study included participation from economists, analysts, and experts from the Bank of Mongolia and MIPECC. While the central focus of this research was on housing finance, it provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the market conditions. Let's review some of the key and notable findings. HOUSING PRICES HAVE DOUBLED In recent years, housing demand in Mongolia has exceeded supply, and insufficient financing has been identified as the main factor driving up prices. Economists have noted that during the implementation of the "Program for establishing a stable system for mortgage financing" in 2013, the median house price was 111.4 million MNT, but by 2023, it has reached 222.3 million MNT, effectively doubling in 11 years. During this time, average household income increased by 2.2 times, but this was outpaced by the rising costs of goods and services, effectively diminishing purchasing power. In the early years of implementing the mortgage program, house prices rose sharply by 15-25%, and since then, price fluctuations have followed the issuance and availability of loans, affecting supply. Between 2013-2016, an average of 18,000 to 26,000 houses were commissioned annually in Ulaanbaatar, while loan issuance decreased to 11,000 to 15,000 between 2017-2020. Since 2021, this has increased back up to 23,000. The global pandemic from 2019-2022 led to increased construction costs, further contributing to rising housing prices. Between 2022 and the first quarter of 2024, the price of old apartments in the capital increased by 2.5 times, reflecting heightened demand, according to researchers. 17.4 THOUSAND ON THE WAITING LIST FOR MORTGAGE LOANS The "Housing mortgage program" has provided many positive impacts, such as improving living conditions, offering long-term, low-risk loans, and stimulating economic growth and employment. Over 120,000 households have improved their living conditions with 7.7 trillion MNT of mortgage loans. Among these, 68.1% accessed loans under preferential conditions, and 40% moved from ger districts to apartment complexes. The accessibility of mortgage financing is indicated by the ratio of outstanding mortgage debt to GDP, which was 5.1% in 2012, 10.1% in 2013, 16.8% in 2016, and 10.9% by the end of last year. Even though mortgage loans have increased housing finance accessibility by 3-6 times, there is a decreasing trend in recent years. The current mortgage accessibility ratio (10.9%) is comparable to those of developing and middle-income countries like Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia. Due to decreased financing, the processing time for mortgage loans has lengthened, causing inconvenience to citizens. According to the survey, 45% of banks and about 60% of residents reported that the average processing time for such loans is 1-2 years. Currently, 17,400 citizens are in the "waiting room" at banks for mortgage loans. AN ISSUE OF CONCERN While mortgage loans have brought many positive changes to people's lives and the socio-economic landscape, researchers highlight that further attention and changes are needed for continued success. For example, a regulation limits the preferential loan cap to 150 million MNT and the maximum area of the apartment to 80 square meters; most borrowers have taken out loans of 20-80 million MNT. Going forward, it is advised to provide more flexible options and refine the target groups of the program to offer conditions suited to their characteristics and opportunities. While the mortgage program was initially aimed at providing housing opportunities for low-income citizens, it has been reported that the benefits have been lost in application, with non-target groups often gaining undue advantage. The state has made several modifications to preferential loan conditions, aiming to improve housing accessibility and reduce financial burdens for citizens. For instance, the loan term has been extended to up to 30 years, and the interest rate reduced from 8% to 6%. Recently, the government also decided to reduce the interest rate for rural residents to 3% to encourage migration from cities to rural areas. However, researchers concluded that these measures are ineffective given the constant increase in housing prices. Lowering interest rates will increase housing demand, which will in turn raise prices, and ultimately increase the financial burden of loan repayments on citizens. When the mortgage rate was 8%, citizens paid an average of 532,000 MNT monthly, whereas at 6%, this rose to over 621,000 MNT. To truly support citizens and reduce financial pressure, a comprehensive policy is needed rather than just reducing interest rates. STATE SUPPORT OR BURDEN? The UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 emphasizes "inclusive, safe, and affordable housing," aiming for adequate, affordable housing and basic services for all by 2030 to reduce poverty. As such, flexible and comprehensive policies with regard to the housing market, especially in property ownership, should be emphasized. It is common practice for the state to be involved in this market to some extent, and our state might have overdone "support and care" in certain cases, as illustrated by decisions made during the pandemic. For instance, the government deferred loan repayments five times, under conditions of no "accumulation," affecting 63,200 households for about 33 months. Although it did not directly burden the state budget, it severely impacted MIPECC. The state-regulated companies under its control had to spend around 470 billion MNT, leading to depletion of reserve funds and complicating program implementation. SOLUTIONS AND PROPOSALS As preferential housing programs have the highest government support cost, they should ideally expand market health, according to international practices. For the next five years, researchers recommend equalizing the size of market-rate and preferential loan packages. The stabilization of housing finance systems significantly depends on the construction sector supply and the rise of housing prices. Currently, housing finance is limited by the refinancing of mortgage-backed securities. Therefore, converting these into market-oriented mortgage conditions and attracting domestic and international investors is deemed effective. If implemented, this would increase loan accessibility, shorten waiting times, stabilize prices, and enhance citizens' purchasing capability. The development of competitive interest rates, long-term asset-backed securities would attract more investors, fostering both the primary and secondary markets, as suggested by the research team.

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The Regulation Approved by the Mayor is Considered a Violation of Human Rights

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs, O. Altangerel, has sent an official letter to the Mayor of the Capital City, Kh. Nyambaatar. Related to the order of the Mayor of the Capital City dated October 23, 2024 (A1230), "On Approving the Criteria for Issuing State Registration Numbers for Motor Vehicles in the Capital City," the Auto Trade and Car Business Entrepreneurs' Association and the Eco Car Importers' Association have each submitted a request to the ministry. The request states that "Once the order becomes effective, city residents' rights to purchase and own new cars will be restricted, leading to issues such as standing in line every month to get a car number, increased bureaucracy and corruption in the state bodies and officials responsible for allocating numbers, illegal trade of numbers, increased corruption, and limited free competition in the market for many citizens engaged in car trading, creating conditions for the market to shrink and giving dominant status to a few large companies, thus causing various negative consequences. The order not only limits citizens' constitutional rights to acquire, own, and possess movable property fairly but also poses obstacles and restrictions on citizens' economic and social relations (owning new vehicles and registering to get national numbers), increasing conditions for corruption and bureaucracy. Additionally, the regulation was not subject to discussions and feedback collection among the groups whose rights and lawful interests could be affected, which does not meet the requirements stipulated in Articles 60, 61, and 62 of the General Administrative Law, thereby leading the ministry to refuse to register the administrative normative act." Following this, after reviewing the Mayor's order, the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs deemed the regulation restricting the issuance of serial car numbers in Ulaanbaatar as violating human rights and being discriminatory in nature. Therefore, it was recommended to the Mayor to organize discussions within the scope of General Administrative Law, Article 62, Sections 62.2 and 62.3, to revise, approve, and submit the decision for registration and supervision.

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NEWS: Children continue to be victims of human trafficking

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Let's bring you real cases of sexual exploitation crimes. The first case of human trafficking involving two Mongolian women occurred in 1999 in Yugoslavia. Since then, children have also become victims in addition to adults. CASE NO.1 In 2008, children aged 10-14 were hidden in a train's toilet in an attempt to smuggle them across the border. Inspectors found them during a check, but at the time, the children could not tell the truth, claiming that they "boarded the train midway." However, international trains do not stop mid-journey. Questions arise about why so many children were crammed in the toilet, why they remained silent for 7-8 hours, and why passengers did not use the toilet during that time. It was later discovered that they were being secretly smuggled across the border and had been instructed on what to say if caught. G. Ganbayasgalakh, head of the "Center for Gender Equality" NGO: "This case exemplifies how children, not just adults, are being victimized by human trafficking crimes. When traveling abroad with a child who is not their own, adults must have an attested guardianship letter. The lack of restrictions on how many children an adult can be responsible for is risky. A more realistic limit should be set based on the number of children an adult can safely accompany. Also, the letter of guardianship is valid for an entire year, which is too long. It should cover a single trip. Frequent travelers should have a letter issued for each journey. By having the guardianship letter cover only one trip, children will have more real protection. Additionally, information about the necessary paperwork and the responsibilities when traveling with children should be provided." CASE NO.2 A case was uncovered with the collaboration of "Anbou Mongolia" NGO and the police before the COVID pandemic: Two minors attempted to travel to the neighboring country. They worked together in a restaurant and one friend proposed the trip, covering the other’s travel expenses. A Chinese contact was supposed to meet them across the border. As soon as we received this information, we notified the police, and the girls were not taken across the border. An investigation confirmed that the intention was to make the girl a victim of human trafficking. Shortly after, the border was closed. If she had gone and stayed, we still wonder what would have happened. She lived with her sister. We first ensured the safety of the suspicious children and adults. We do not directly tell them "You might become a victim." EXPERT ADVICE G. Ganbayasgalakh, head of the "Center for Gender Equality" NGO: "People tend to believe friends who tell them they can earn a lot of money by working abroad in service jobs in Asian countries. Human trafficking crimes often involve using victims as recruiters for more victims, promising them return home in exchange for bringing more people back. They deceive and never reveal the truth to lure others. Unfortunately, conditions change, and victims are forced to work under oppression and exploitation. Be cautious if planning to go abroad; the place you go may differ from your expectations. Carefully investigate the safety of your intended foreign destination. Familiarize with the country’s laws, learn the language, and ensure direct contact with your intended place of work or study to establish official agreements that protect you. Everyone has the opportunity to take precautions to prevent themselves and their close ones from becoming involved in human trafficking crimes. When traveling abroad, thoroughly research whether the promises made to you are true. Verify the credibility of the recruiting agency as well." "Anbou Mongolia" NGO Director G. Munkhsaruul: "Human traffickers typically target children who are poor, financially needy, orphans, or moved from rural areas to the city and have poor relationships with their parents. It is necessary to thoroughly research whether the promises made to you about traveling abroad are genuine. Also, verify the legitimacy of agency arrangements. Some teenagers rashly decide to go abroad without informing their parents. But everyone dreams of a better life. Offenders manipulate children by fulfilling their desires such as studying abroad, wearing fancy clothes, dating, or seeking attention and care, promising to cover travel expenses, passport arrangements, and providing accommodations. They even persuade that working abroad will earn them millions of dollars a month. Such promises often hide dangers behind them, so investigate thoroughly." CASE NO.3 In Darkhan-Uul Province, a family lost the mother, leaving the father with a teenage daughter and son. The daughter was offered a babysitting job in Ulaanbaatar by a friend. Initially, she was in contact with her father, but later disappeared without a trace. Thus, the father sought help from friends living in the capital. A friend reported the case to the Youth Development Center. Then, the center's staff found the girl working in a suburban hotel in the Bayanzurkh District, city outskirts. EXPERT ADVICE This is an example of sexual exploitation. One common form of human trafficking is sexual exploitation. The internal occurrences of human trafficking prove this case. There are incidents of inducing underage girls into prostitution in the country. According to the "Center for Gender Equality," 42% of victims who received health and legal aid were sold domestically and became victims of sexual exploitation, with half of them being minor girls. "Anbou Mongolia" NGO Director G. Munkhsaruul: "People move from rural areas to the capital city, from the capital to the countryside, or within the city. During such transitions, children may make wrong choices due to lack of information and risk becoming victims of trafficking. From cases resolved between 2017-2022, it is regrettable that a 13-year-old child was affected. Half of the victims of resolved cases were children up to 17 years old. We don't know the ages of victims in unresolved cases. Offenders exploit the gullible and trusting nature of children." CASE NO.4 An investigation was conducted in a criminal case where five women were forced into subjection from a young age and sold to others for long-term sexual exploitation. The Organized Crime and Human Trafficking Division of the Criminal Police Agency investigated the case. On January 2, 2019, the First Instance Criminal Court of Songinokhairkhan District sentenced P. Zagdsuren to 10 years, O. Darkhanbayar to 8 years, daughter O. Dolgoontuul, and son O. Garmagai to five years each based on grounds provided in Article 13.1, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Mongolia for "trafficking multiple persons." LET'S MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON KNOWLEDGE According to the 2023 Human Trafficking Report posted on the U.S. Embassy's website: "The Government has not fully met the minimum requirements to eliminate trafficking but has made significant efforts in the area. Considering the impact of the pandemic on its capacity to combat trafficking, the Government has increased their overall efforts compared to the previous reporting period. As a result, Mongolia remains at the second tier. Compared to previous reports, a considerable number of cases such as forced labor were investigated, many traffickers were prosecuted, and coordinated actions among ministries, international key organizations, and NGOs were carried out to bring many victims back to their homeland."

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Please note that the views, information, and conclusions mentioned in this campaign are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official views of the United States Department of State.

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Environment

In the First 10 Months of This Year, 5,520 People Affected by Disasters and Incidents, Causing 35.7 Billion MNT in Damages

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

According to the National Statistical Committee, 4,469 cases of disasters and incidents were registered in the first 10 months of 2024. This is an increase of 868 (24.1%) compared to the same period last year. As a result of disasters and incidents, 5,520 people were affected, and 35.7 billion MNT in damages were caused in the first 10 months of 2024. When considering disasters and incidents by type, in the first 10 months of 2024, 474 cases of water and weather-related disasters, 64 cases of geological disasters, 73 cases of biological disasters, and 3,858 cases of incidents related to human activities were registered. Definitions: Disaster: Refers to severe snow and dust storms, droughts, zuds (severe winter conditions), floods, thunderstorms, earthquakes, fires, outbreaks of infectious diseases in humans, livestock, and wildlife, and the spread of pests and rodents. Catastrophe: Refers to damage that exceeds the internal resources and capabilities of the government and local economy and society, causing significant harm to human life, health, livestock, and property, as well as historical and cultural heritage and the environment as a result of disasters and incidents. Warning: Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) are reminded that they must cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, either in whole or in part.

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Fire extinguished and 35 people evacuated in Bayanzurkh district

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

The General Emergency Management Agency received a call at 02:18 on November 15 regarding a room fire in the 36th khoroo of Bayanzurkh district. Following the call, firefighters and rescuers from the district's Emergency Management Unit, specifically the 63rd Fire and Rescue Division, responded to the scene. They found that furniture had caught fire in the large room of a 64-square-meter, three-room apartment owned by a citizen named O. The firefighters inspected the situation, and 35 people (23 adults and 12 children) were evacuated to a safe area from the smoke-affected zone.

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Discussing the Environmental Studies, Challenges, and Future Plans of the Eg River Hydroelectric Power Plant Project

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

A consultation meeting for the Eg River Hydroelectric Power Plant project, aimed at drafting a general roadmap, was held today at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. Representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Development, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, the Water Authority, an implementing agency of the Government of Mongolia, and the National Commission of UNESCO of Mongolia participated in the meeting. On October 9th of the previous year, the Member of Parliament and Minister of Environment and Climate Change, S. Odontuya, worked in Moscow at the invitation of the Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology, A.A. Kozlov. During this visit, both countries agreed to immediately start research on the impact of the planned Eg River HPP project on Lake Baikal and its environmental impact assessment, with the participation of scientists and researchers from their respective academies of sciences. They also agreed on the procedures, work plan, responsibilities, and timeline. In today's meeting, participants discussed the progress of the "Eg River Hydroelectric Power Plant" project, the research work conducted so far, the environmental studies conducted as part of the Eg River HPP project, the challenges, and future plans. As part of the project, researchers will provide assessments on the studies of the impact on the biological diversity of the Selenge River and Lake Baikal, exchange findings and reach mutual agreements. The plan is to intensify the work of joint working groups involving scientists from both countries, organize joint seminars and meetings with participation from both the scientific working groups and state administrative bodies responsible for the Eg River HPP project, and aim for mutually agreed resolutions to ensure a unified understanding and collaboration.

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Gas Leak Near the Government Palace

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

In the territory of the VI district of Sukhbaatar, a gas leak occurred in the entrance of the first building on the north side of the Government Palace, alarming the residents. Consequently, the police secured the surrounding area and called in experts for inspection and monitoring. According to reports, specialists measured the area with special equipment and concluded that no toxic substances hazardous to humans were detected. When inquired about the matter, authorities stated: "We received a report that gas was released in the third entrance of the first building, causing breathing difficulties. A detailed investigation is currently underway."

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Recommendations and Plans to Reduce Rust in Drinking and Domestic Water

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Representatives of the Millennium Challenge Corporation of Mongolia and the Institute of Geography and Geoecology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences have signed a consultancy service agreement to develop a long-term plan and recommendations for reducing rust in Ulaanbaatar's drinking and domestic water. The purpose of this agreement is to study and determine the causes, conditions, occurrences, scope, and negative impacts of rust formation across the city and to develop recommendations and long-term operational plans related to improving water quality. Once developed, these recommendations and plans will be forwarded to the city authorities and the organizations implementing environmental and water policies.

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Innovation

Experts from Mongolia, Japan, and China to Collaborate in the Field of Biomedical Science

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Countries around the world are focusing on improving human health and promoting the development of medical sciences by ensuring cooperation in fields of clinical sciences, biomedical science, biotechnology, and similar areas. The National University of Mongolia (NUM), the Institute of Medical Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, and the Tokyo Institute of Technology of Japan jointly organized the inaugural international biotechnology and biomedical symposium today with the aim of enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration. The goal of the conference is to increase cooperation in the fields of biotechnology and biomedical sciences, discuss opportunities to widely incorporate their research results into the healthcare sector, and focus on developing innovation. Specifically, they exchanged views on topics of Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, and the Environment. "With the agreement between the three countries, opportunities for student exchanges are being created," highlighted professor B. Batjargal from the NUM Department of Biology. "At the first joint conference of Mongolia, Japan, and China, we discussed how to develop biotechnology and biomedical research and education. Achievements in the sciences of biotechnology significantly impact living in a healthy and secure environment. Our researchers are presenting their work here and getting acquainted with new works of renowned individuals recognized at the international level." Additionally, an agreement was established to organize joint training involving students from the three countries. This will allow our students to visit Inner Mongolia University and the Tokyo Institute annually to participate in research exchange programs," he emphasized. Professor Susumu Kajiwara from the Tokyo Institute of Science and Technology of Japan remarked, "Our institute is relatively new. Therefore, participating in this conference is seen as a crucial step to extend our international collaborations. We presented our research on fungal studies. Many people die due to drug-resistant chronic fungal infections. While foundational research is done and new medicines are developed, drug-resistant fungi and bacteria persist. Therefore, it's essential to constantly update our information and address the challenges." "We hope our collaboration will yield positive results in this work," he concluded.

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Introduction: Government Scholarship Programs

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: news.mn

Presenting the information consolidated for scholarships and programs available in 2025. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE AWARDED TO 69 NEW INDIVIDUALS For the 2025-2026 academic year, the Government of the People's Republic of China will provide scholarships to 220 individuals from Mongolia. Among these, 151 are existing students who are continuing their studies in China, while 69 new scholarships will be awarded to new entrants: 12 undergraduates, and 57 master's and doctoral students. The scholarships are organized as follows: 1. Requirements: - Must be a citizen of Mongolia and be in good health; - Undergraduate students must have a high school diploma or higher with good academic performance, and be up to 25 years old; - For master's studies, candidates must have a bachelor's degree or higher with a GPA of at least 3.0 and be up to 35 years old; - Doctoral students must have a master's degree or higher with a GPA of at least 3.0 and be up to 40 years old; - Applicants must contact the university they intend to apply to and specify their subject of study and language of instruction in advance. Applicants who have previously studied at Chinese universities in Chinese are not required to submit a Chinese Language Test (HSK) certificate. However, the academic qualification certificate obtained from China must be included in the application materials. Applicants must liaise with the admissions office of the university they have chosen and obtain a document verifying their admission or express admission interest. Applicants should provide at least one document proving provisional admission or the willingness to accept, such as a preliminary admission invitation or a document approved by a mentor. Scholarship recipients are prohibited from receiving simultaneous funding from any other scholarships or admission organizations established by the Chinese Government. If simultaneous funding is received from other scholarships or admission organizations at any level set by the Chinese Government, the eligibility for the Chinese Government's scholarship will be revoked and cancelled. Registration will continue from November 15, 2024, to December 15, 2024. Click HERE for more information. RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT Registration is open for individuals wishing to study in Russia for the 2025-2026 academic year under the Government of the Russian Federation's scholarship. Detailed information related to the scholarship selection process can be accessed by clicking HERE. Registration will continue until January 15, 2025. Scholarship applicants must prepare the following documents: - A passport /valid beyond March 1, 2027/ - High school graduation certificate with supplements /students in the final grade of general education must have their transcript certified by the school principal/

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Humanities University Implements AI in Curriculum and Launches 2+2 Program

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Humanities University has pioneered the incorporation of artificial intelligence into its curriculum and has launched a 2+2 program in collaboration with a South Korean university, marking these achievements in anticipation of its 45th anniversary. This was highlighted during the "Interdisciplinary Research in the Digital Age" academic conference organized for the occasion of the university's anniversary. The university prioritizes contributing to social advancement and empowering creative intellect through transformative education and impactful research in the humanities and social sectors, with a focus on interdisciplinary research as a key direction. Regarding the effective utilization of artificial intelligence in their curriculum, Associate Professor Dr. B. Bat-Erdene from the Department of Computer Science at Humanities University explained, "Our university is successfully implementing two artificial intelligence projects, both protected by our copyright and used internally. One is a machine translation system, and the other is an intelligent system. The machine translation system is used in translation technology research by linguistics master's students. The AI program can be used in undergraduate, master's, and doctoral courses for project writing, assignments, coding, or summarizing research. We also use educational systems from top universities worldwide. Despite limitations due to certain technologies and energy constraints, we plan to expand these systems further." At the "Interdisciplinary Research in the Digital Age" conference, researchers from Humanities University (HUIS), National University of Mongolia (NUM), and Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) discussed interdisciplinary research works suited to the digital era’s characteristics. Presentations included topics such as Professor and Doctor of Science D. Ullambayar from HUIS on "The UN Future Pact and Global Digital Compact: Purpose, Nature, and Criticisms," and Professor A. Amarjargal on "Modeling the Interdependence of Pastoral Household Production and Caregiving: A Case Study of Mongolia," as well as Dr. B. Bat-Erdene's "Using UH AI: AI-assistant Teacher Program in Education," NUM Associate Professor Dr. Ch. Altangerel's "Language Technology," and MUST Associate Professor Dr. B. Dolgorsuren's "Graph Structures and their Applications in Interdisciplinary Research." The conference was attended by representatives from the Educational Certification National Council, NUM, Mongolian University of Education, Mongolian University of Agriculture, Mongolian University of Art and Culture, and Video Art University of South Korea. This academic year, Humanities University has enrolled its first batch of students in the 2+2 program with a South Korean university. When asked about the 2+2 program, Vice President Yu Ju Hyeon of the Video Art University of South Korea explained, "The program was not started suddenly. Our university has closely collaborated with Humanities University since 2000. Although we previously conducted student exchanges, we studied what direction would be suitable for future collaboration, leading to the launch of this program this school year. Students will study theory at Humanities University for the first 2 years and, upon meeting the required scores, in the fall of 2026, they will conduct practical training at our country's Video Art University for the next 2 years, where they can deeply study broadcasting, content preparation, and technical aspects. We are confident that our schools will successfully implement this program. From my perspective, it is important for each student’s development beyond the growth of our two institutions. We wish them successful studies." The Video Art University has also successfully implemented the 2+2 program in China and Taiwan.

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Health

SELENGE: The Risk of Infection Reduced, Quality and Oversight of Disinfection Improved as a Result of the Project

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The representatives from the Asian Development Bank in Mongolia, led by Ms. Shannon Cowlin, familiarized themselves with the results of a project implemented at the provincial General Hospital during their visit to Selenge province. At the General Hospital of Selenge province, under the "Health Sector Development Program-5" project, a comprehensive set of activities were implemented including the "Blood Collection Center, Microbiology Laboratory, Disinfection Department, and Temporary Medical Waste Storage Facility." As a result of the project, the blood department building was renovated, and the equipment updated, increasing the variety of blood and blood products, and the technology for preparing these products reached a new level. Consequently, blood transfusion became safer, and the quality, supply, and accessibility of blood and blood products reached satisfactory levels. Furthermore, renovation of the microbiology laboratory and disinfection department, equipped with modern and efficient equipment, led to reduced risk of infection among medical staff and patients, and improved the quality and control of disinfection practices, yielding positive outcomes. Another implemented activity was the construction of a temporary storage facility for hazardous medical waste, allowing waste to be discarded safely and securely. Additionally, sequential measures to improve the skills and education of hospital staff were undertaken, leading to improved working conditions and a better environment for the employees.

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LIVE: J. Chinburen Plans to Purchase Commercial Building with 40 Billion from State Budget and Remodel it into Hospital with Additional 5 Billion

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

We previously reported that 17 members of Parliament formed a working group and sneakily included 212 projects in the 2024 state budget. Among these 17 members were J. Chinburen and E. Bat-Amgalan, elected from Bayanzurkh district. They allegedly conspired to purchase a building, originally started as a commercial project 10 years ago opposite the 'Thousand Students House', to convert it into a district hospital. Specifically, a six-storey commercial building constructed by "Bayantegsh Impex" LLC, located in the 32nd khoroo of Bayanzurkh district, was included in the 2024 state budget for purchase at the cost of 40 billion MNT, with the first financial tranche of 15 billion MNT planned for the 2025 budget. After acquiring the building, an additional 5 billion is planned for renovations to make it suitable as a hospital. In an explanation given to us, he stated, "There is no state hospital in Bayanzurkh district. Therefore, the Bayanzurkh District Health Department conducted a study and presented the results to our five members. They showed us that there is an 8,000 square meter building that can be renovated into a hospital for under 40 billion MNT, allowing us to have a hospital in a short period of time." The location also seemed convenient, being near residential areas. "Such a good proposal was made, and it's understandable why it was supported and included in the budget proposal," he explained. The owner of the building, "Bayantegsh Impex" LLC, is a member of "Suu" JSC's Board of Directors, P. Mendsaikhan. The most concerning aspect is that the purchase of goods, products, or buildings with taxpayers' money should go through a tender selection process. However, J. Chinburen and others prearranged their building purchase and then had it approved in the budget. It seems they even tailored the tender and selection criteria to match the building. For example, on April 18th, when the Bayanzurkh District Procurement Agency announced the tender, the requirements specified that the hospital buildings must be located within a 100-200 meter radius from the main paved road, be more than 70% completed construction-wise with relevant real estate certificates partially or fully issued, never previously used in any form, with ceiling heights of 4-4.5 meters, suitable for hospital loans. The hospital should be a building of no more than six floors, occupying at least 3,360 square meters, with a parking lot, and never previously used, featuring a glass façade. The building that Chinburen and his colleagues intend to acquire is indeed located within 100-200 meters from a paved road, features a glass façade, and meets other criteria outlined in the tender.

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The cases of respiratory syncytial virus have increased by 17% from last week

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

In light of the onset of the flu and flu-like illness season, the Virology Surveillance Information was reported by the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID). This week, respiratory samples were collected for surveillance purposes from patients who visited hospitals due to flu-like symptoms in Ulaanbaatar, Khentii, Sukhbaatar, Dornod, Umnugovi, Selenge, and Uvs provinces. Of the cases studied, 63.3% showed symptoms of flu-like illnesses, which is an increase of 13.3 times from the previous week. Currently, the flu virus has not yet become active, but the following five types of flu-like viruses have been active for about a month. Last week: - Rhinovirus 10% - Syncytial virus 3% - H flu virus 7% This week: - Rhinovirus 20% - Syncytial virus 20% - H flu virus 10% Adenovirus and SARS-CoV, which causes COVID-19, are also active but have decreased since the previous week. Warning: Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) must always cite their source (ikon.mn) when using our information in whole or in part.

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Children under four years old are contracting pneumonia

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: news.mn

The NCCD (National Center for Communicable Diseases) provided an update on the current situation of influenza and influenza-like illnesses. Dr. D. Oyungerel, an epidemiologist at the Influenza National Unit of the NCCD, stated: "According to the latest weekly surveillance data, about six percent of all outpatient visitors are diagnosed with influenza or influenza-like illnesses. This reflects an increase of 1-2 percent from the previous week. Among all hospitalized patients, 22 percent are diagnosed with pneumonia. This is an increase of 2-5 percent compared to the previous week and the average of the last three years. There has been no change in the age group affected by the disease. Similar to the previous week, about 80 percent of those affected by influenza and influenza-like illnesses are children under the age of 15. Of those, 50-60 percent are children under the age of four. Additionally, around 60 percent of children hospitalized with pneumonia are under the age of four. The disease incidence has increased compared to the previous week, with approximately 60 percent of cases reported in Ulaanbaatar. In Ulaanbaatar, around 400 additional beds have been set up to quickly provide medical assistance to young children."

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Sports

Gobi Brand from Mongolia to Partner with World-Renowned "FC Barcelona" Club

Published: 2024-11-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

For the first time, the "Gobi" brand from Mongolia has decided to collaborate with the world-renowned "FC Barcelona" club. During his visit to Mongolia, Mr. Joan Laporta, the President of "FC Barcelona," stopped by the Gobi's Galleria branch store where the two parties agreed on the terms of their collaboration. This marks a new chapter in the history of the "Gobi" brand as it becomes the first from Mongolia to officially partner with such a prestigious global sports club. This collaboration is expected to significantly promote the high-quality cashmere products of the Gobi brand on the world market, bringing the value of Mongolian cashmere to international consumers. Soon, football enthusiasts, especially the loyal fans of "FC Barcelona," will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive cashmere designs featuring their favorite team's logo from all Gobi retail stores.

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