Mongolia News Summary for February 11, 2025

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

Today's Stories

Politics

• The trial of Mongolian officials accused of espionage delayed
• Work group to renew the law on state and local government property will be led by B. Enkhbayar
• The Mongolian Government Must Protect Its Decisions and Focus on Implementation
• Paid 24,000,000 MNT to a Non-working Person from the State Budget
• "Government Resign" Demonstration to Occur Again at Central Square
• Sh. Byambasuren: I will sign to support the dismissal of the Prime Minister
• Members O. Batnairamdal, B. Uyanga, E. Bolormaa, and M. Narantuya Express Support for Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene

Economy

• The Impact of the US-China Trade War on Mongolia
• Trade and Economic Representatives Offices to be Established in Ulaanbaatar, Tashkent
• Unfair Business Competition Environment: Challenges Faced by Entrepreneurs
• Dollar Exchange Rate Increased by 40 Tugriks in a Week
• D. Angar: The country has run out of dollars. Banks can only provide $10,000 to businesses at a time.
• Top 10 In-Demand Jobs in the Mining Sector for the Next 10 Years
• Qatar Airways Announces Recruitment and Training for Mongolian Citizens
• Export Decreases by 23.1%
• The Government Announces Tender to Buy Back Previous Bonds After Issuing New Bonds
• B. Lkhagvasuren: We must adjust the policy rate if inflation reaches double digits
• By 2028, 2 million tourists will be received
• By 2030, Each Tourist in Mongolia Will Generate $4000 in Revenue
• A 25% Tariff Will Be Imposed on All Imported Steel and Aluminum in the USA
• The Exchange Rate of the US Dollar Rises to 3512 MNT
• Trump's Tariff Decision Will Negatively Impact China's Economy
• Can the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry Retrieve Its Project Funds from the National Investment Bank?
• Golomt Bank Secures Long-Term Green Loan Financing from SIMPL Investment Organization
• Aiming to Reduce Sudden Fluctuations

Diplomacy

• Yalta Conference-80 and Mongolia

Infrastructure

• Signing of the "Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Railway" Project Agreement
• The Second Unit of Böröljuut Power Plant to be Commissioned in November
• No Train Travel on Darkhan-Sharyn Gol, Airag-Bor Undur Route
• Flights to be conducted on the Ulaanbaatar-Tashkent route

Society

• Prime Minister expresses condolences for citizens who died from carbon monoxide poisoning and warns to improve accountability
• Number of Tourists Visiting Mongolia Increases by 23%
• Is a position more valuable than life?
• Concealed 239 Grams of Narcotic Substance Smuggled from Turkey in Someone Else's Cargo

Environment

• Warning to implement mega projects without deteriorating river ecosystems
• N. Manduul: If heat loss is addressed, fuel and electricity costs can be reduced by 40-65%, and air pollution will decrease
• 67% of Boilers Lack Air Pollution Control Equipment and Do Not Pay Pollution Fees

Innovation

• C. Baatarkhuu: This Year We Will Introduce 5G Nationwide and Increase the Internet Capacity of Soums Tenfold
• Initiating the Use of 5G Technology and Increasing Internet Speed Tenfold in All Soums
• C. Baatarkhuu: Establishment of a Green Data Center Allows Storage of Foreign Tech Firms' Data
• National Data Center for Artificial Intelligence to be Established
• South Korean Government's 2025 Master's and Doctoral Scholarship Program Announced
• Center to Combat Misinformation to be Established
• National Data Center for Artificial Intelligence to be Established
• Preparing to Increase Internet Capacity Tenfold
• C. Baatarkhuu: A Center to Combat False Information will be Established in the Field of Cybersecurity /LIVE/

Health

• Kwang Woon Lee: There is an Urgent Need to Develop Liver Transplant Surgery in Mongolia

Sports

• Asian Championship Boxing Match to be Held at Asashoryu Arena

Politics

The trial of Mongolian officials accused of espionage delayed

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: isee.mn

The trial related to the case involving Mongolian state secret employees alleged to have collaborated with a foreign intelligence agency has been postponed. Previously, it was reported that three officials entrusted with the state secrets of Mongolia were implicated in an illegal collaboration with a foreign intelligence service. Specifically, Mongolian citizens B. Ariunaa, E. Sarantsetseg, and B. Nergui were allegedly involved in unauthorized cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies, organizations, or individuals. The investigative body on the case conducted investigations and submitted the case to the Prosecutor's Office of the Capital City with an intent to transfer it to court. Subsequently, the prosecutor charged the individuals mentioned under sections 19.4-1 and 19.4-2 of the Criminal Code and transferred the case to court. The primary district court of Bayanzurkh, Sukhbaatar, and Chingeltei districts was scheduled to hear the case. However, the trial has been postponed. Specifically, the defendant's lawyer requested a postponement, and as a result, the hearing has been delayed. Additionally, it should be mentioned that Mongolian citizens B. Ariunaa, E. Sarantsetseg, and B. Nergui, who are accused of collaborating with a foreign intelligence agency, are currently under preventive detention. The specifics regarding their exact positions and which country's intelligence agency they were working with remain undisclosed and classified.

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Work group to renew the law on state and local government property will be led by B. Enkhbayar

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

A working group has convened to draft a new version of the "Law on State and Local Government Property". The working group is led by Member of Parliament and former Minister of Justice, B. Enkhbayar, and is working in collaboration with the Cabinet Secretariat. The new law will aim to align state property relations with the amendments to the Constitution, eliminate inconsistencies and gaps between laws, and improve property registration and oversight. The law is planned to be submitted during the upcoming spring session. The original version of this law was enacted in 1996, and over the past 28 years, there have been 38 amendments and changes, but no major policy reforms. Therefore, it is time to ensure the transparency and accountability of state and local government property, clarify legal issues, and address the obstacles and challenges that are currently faced.

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The Mongolian Government Must Protect Its Decisions and Focus on Implementation

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: news.mn

Member of Parliament D. Batbayar was interviewed. This autumn session of the State Great Khural, which was established with 126 members as a result of a mixed system for the first time, has concluded. What are your thoughts on the characteristics of the autumn session? What is the difference between looking from the outside and working from the inside? As for me, this was my first time being elected as a member of parliament. Hence, the autumn session was a time for me to learn, meet people, and work on certain decisions. For the first time, I chaired the subcommittee on expenditure control of parliament. The autumn session will go down in history for having discussed the budget of Mongolia 4-5 times. We amended the 2024 budget, approved by previous parliament members, discussed the 2025 budget of Mongolia, and because of the president's veto, we had to return to discussions and approve it again. It's possible there might be further amendments. Particularly because we made a decision to increase the loan proportion to be borrowed from the Republic of India related to the construction of the oil refinery. In short, it was a session where I accumulated experience. Experienced members say that new members are handling matters seriously, bravely, and critically. Tackling the budget deficit and ensuring its attention with the public, we achieved an unprecedented defect-free budget with the president's veto in parliamentary history. It indicates that for the first time, the parliament, not built on agreement, but on debate and resolution, has concluded its autumn session by making its initial steps. What laws or decisions made during the autumn session are expected to bring tangible changes to Mongolia's society and economy? During the autumn session, a lot of issues were resolved by the parliament. Each issue discussed and approved was significant. Among them, issues related to 14 mega projects that the government aims to implement attracted public attention. On the other hand, there were many less publicly attended issues that had high socio-economic importance. I categorize them as issues that gained public attention, important legal projects awaiting solutions, and legal projects that needed to be implemented but were delayed. For example, focusing on public attention, Mongolia and France signed an investment agreement on a uranium project. This is a project that should have been launched yesterday, not today. It's our second major project involving foreign investment and a third neighbor since Mongolia's transition to democracy. Although delayed, we discussed it broadly, not depending on one person or one's party, but approved as a collective, which is unique governance-wise. Now what we must focus on is that once Mongolia’s government makes a decision, it must protect it and focus on its implementation. We cannot neglect it like the Khuitenbulag project in Khovd aimag. Although the uranium project is minor compared to the Oyu Tolgoi project in terms of investment and exportable products, it is unique because it models a policy change where the Mongolian government intends to hold a 34% share—a departure from past investment treaty models. By holding this share, Mongolia assumes real responsibility and gain according to calculated outcomes, reflecting lessons from past mistakes as we advance to the next level. Secondly, we will extract raw materials for green energy. In this geopolitical time when green energy is critically emphasized, Mongolia is becoming an actor in processing, exporting, and producing nuclear energy raw materials. Today, powerful countries with strong militaries and economies define world social, political, economic, and geopolitical dynamics. Energy-exporting countries hold notable positions and protect their interests. Mongolia has just taken a step in this direction. We have an opportunity to cover about 2-4% of global uranium consumption, albeit small. Although faced with various pressures, opposition wherever we went, due to the joint government's effectiveness and mixed systems, we advanced the uranium agreement. As the proverb goes, "Better a fool who moved than a wise one who stayed put." That's why I fully support getting stalled projects moving, no matter what. The completion of the oil refinery has been postponed several times. At the end of the autumn session, the issue of additional financing for the refinery was resolved. Is there hope that Mongolia will have an operational oil refinery by 2028? The State Great Khural sanctioned a total loan agreement of 1 billion 236 million USD needed for the project's financing in 2017 and 2019, utilizing 268.8 million USD by the end of 2024 within the project's scope, with a 23.5% performance rate. Post-pandemic transport logistics material cost expansion, distribution, and adaptation to Mongolia's climatic conditions demanded some technical changes, affecting project cost increments, with September 2023's revised feasibility report prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Minerals’ Mineral Resource Council calculating a total cost of 1 billion 698 million USD, up by 462.2 million from the old budget. Following this, the government sought additional financing from India in October 2023. The Indian government formally resolved the loan request, transferring it to the Exim bank on November 16, 2024. The agreement for additional financing of the oil refinery project, amalgamating the previous 236 million USD loan, totals 700 million USD. Terms continued from prior loans, with a 1.75% interest rate, a 0.5 assurance fee, five-year principal payment deferral, and a 20-year payback period. Initially, arguments arose concerning raw material scarcity, potential profitability concerns of running the refinery, and these discussions persist. However, as previous parliaments and governments resolved these, the state's policy continuity must proceed. A premature cessation would be incorrect, given the substantial cost and seven years of ongoing operation; thus, it must be concluded. In this sense, it must be supported. Despite the ongoing project implementation at the Mongolian Oil Refinery State-Owned LLC, issues exist. The project's Feasibility Study (FS) is classified as a state secret, likewise with the conducted audit conclusion. While it can be reviewed, public dissemination is hindered. One observable issue during the autumn session was the need to amend the Law on Secrets, install flexible regulation, and ensure citizens' right to know. Having resolved the refinery's financing allows now to monitor the construction process separately. Moreover, I perceive an amendment to the State Great Khural Procedures Law necessary. Increasing the number of decision-makers simplified the decision process, instead of extensively deliberating issues. This demands adjustment so thorough deliberations are enabled. The decision to increase energy prices directly affects citizens and businesses. What is your stance? The energy price increase influenced all participating in the economy—businesses and citizens alike. Consistently, the decision’s direct effect on citizens’ lives and businesses was addressed. The aim was to implement a mitigation program alongside the decision. Today, we are experiencing the consequences together. Thus, the aim for the next two years is to connect work to this decision. Of course, amidst escalating costs, keeping energy prices constant is unviable. Amidst daily deteriorating power station machinery, modernization is prudent. Though initially a faulty policy, flexibility is critical. Price increments should accompany managerial changes, supporting renewable energy consumption policy encouragement. Electricity price hikes inflate production costs, inevitably raising business sector prices. Certain support requirements arise. Measures to mitigate impacts should have been budgeted. This was evident. Such points were previously addressed. Imagine producing bread; if electricity costs rise, logically, the price rises compensating consumer expenditure. Short-term solutions would include enabling each household to produce energy. Let every household have solar panels. Initially, meet own consumption. Subsequently, variable producers could supply surplus energy to the central grid. We can produce without constructing plants. Meeting a household's power with solar panels costing 12 million MNT is plausible. Initially, address consumption. Then engage as producers. Tactically utilizing both nighttime grid power and daytime solar power is feasible. Given the ineffective insurance system previously, did the autumn session succeed in delivering changes citizens eagerly anticipated? Typically, state budget issues provoke discussions about state revenue generation, taxation enhancements, and public expenditure management. Yet neglected is citizens’ income improvement and building conducive living and business environments. Citizens, too, have embraced this approach. During an autumn session meeting, essential issues for citizens’ lives and livelihoods were discussed. Among them, an example includes a working group formed concerning livestock insurance. Insurance essentially covers risks, acting as a livelihood guarantee, providing peace and safety to citizens. However, understanding the citizens, aligned with an improper system, caused previous inefficacy. Compared to vehicular insurance, which ensures accountability for errors, and mandates insurance due to its critical nature, we must similarly insure certain amounts for livestock owners’ assets. The newly introduced project lacked significant changes; thus, a working group aims for better amendments within parliament’s capacity. A decade hence, citizens' insurance understanding should reinstate fear-free, risk-free living today. Resultant effects manifest in 10-20 years. Given the state’s bulkiness, a problem in state policy is indicated—must partnership between state and private sector be mandatory? Because every issue proceeds through the state, the term “public-private partnership” is articulated. Ideally, clear state responsibilities separate from non-endeavor tasks would minimize tension. Clear demarcation of roles reduces partnership issues to minor points. For instance, at the session's end, the Government and Local Government Owned Company’s Productivity, Transparency, and Governance Improvements Bill were assessed. While state entities historically conducted procurement, bred corruption, and remained prone to political influences, assignment based on private sector ability creating more productivity is advisable. However, the state's bulkiness signals problems in state policy; some seek freedom from political dependence. Establishing any linkage to state-private partnership involves vested interests seeking such proximity. Simply address basic legislative function improvements. Attempt a burdensome state initiative adjustment. Existing legislative context lacks chance for needed reform, hence addressing within the current unified government’s term. Implementing change is proper, despite gradual results. Yet, inherently state-necessitated business remains. Private enterprise desire state-free dependencies, but political interests seek some linkage. Improve legislative environment to facilitate this division. Historically, the majority of revenue arises from merely five state-owned companies. Retain these five while authorizing privatization or liquidation for others, encouraging citizen involvement. While challenging, it aligns with future directions. One of an MP's key duties is active plenary session attendance. How well did you fulfill this duty? This session, I chaired the Expenditure Control Sub-committee. The subcommittee introduces issues every budget discussion. Since every government-related expenditure involves public servants, I focused on effective budget spending control. Adjourning the year’s session budget deficit-free was a responsibility of the subcommittee, achieved accordingly. My legislative initiative was unrealized this session. However, actively participated in every discussion, contributing experiences and conveying citizen insights gathered. My legal initiatives will promptly derive from research-based proposals. Examining foreign aid allocation, as well as assessing utilization results will be prioritized—today’s loans ultimately rely on future tax revenue, enhanced attention required. Finally, several bills, meant for resolution, were returned during autumn sessions. The proposed bill for foreign labor provision should have been addressed. Reflecting reality, refining technology for oil refining involves foreign labor inclusion. Cost increments directly relate to labor expenses. With legal refinement, this policy environment needed work. Politically immobile policymakers hindered progress. Successful bill passage would have significantly benefited large projects.

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Paid 24,000,000 MNT to a Non-working Person from the State Budget

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

N.E., who worked as a public official at the Family Health Center, abused their power and position by appointing others as trainee doctors. Consequently, when the trainee doctor was not actually working, a salary of 24.5 million MNT was paid from the state budget. Additionally, a decision was made to pay salaries to others who were not employed, transferring 13 million MNT to create advantages for themselves and others. The prosecutor's office has filed charges under Article 22.1, Part 2 of the Criminal Code for abuse of power and authority, and the case has been transferred to the first-instance criminal court in Bayanzurkh district. Article 22.1 of the Criminal Code states that if a public official, by abusing their duty, authority, or official position, causes substantial harm, they may be disqualified from holding public office for two to eight years and sentenced to imprisonment for two to eight years.

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"Government Resign" Demonstration to Occur Again at Central Square

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: news.mn

The Freedom Coalition Party organized a demonstration called "Government Resign" at Sukhbaatar Square. Citizens criticized issues such as smoke, air pollution, tax pressure, and economic deterioration, expressing that it is appropriate to hold the government accountable. It has been announced that another "Government Resign" demonstration will take place at the central square tomorrow. This demonstration will be organized by representatives of the citizens, and the demonstrators are urged to come with electronic candles and banners. Last time, the demonstrators caused disorder, blocked roads during the peaceful demonstration, and attempted to storm into the government palace. Therefore, the following recommendations are provided to heed during the demonstration and gathering: - Avoid being provoked or incited by others - Be cautious of slips and falls - Avoid getting caught in crowds and being crushed - Refrain from using force in any situation - Do not consume alcohol - Stay away from fences, barriers, and any sharp objects.

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Sh. Byambasuren: I will sign to support the dismissal of the Prime Minister

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Member of Parliament Ch. Lodoysambuu has drafted an official letter to dismiss Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene and has begun collecting signatures from other members of the parliament. As of today, Member of Parliament J. Bayarmaa has already signed the letter calling for the dismissal of the Prime Minister. Now, Member of Parliament Sh. Byambasuren has announced that he will support the dismissal of the Prime Minister by signing the letter. He stated on his social media page, "Observing the situation and jumping to the side that seems favorable is not the quality of a principled, steadfast politician. I believe that more than protecting the interests of certain officials, the emergence of a political party that protects human rights, pluralism, and a free market is in the best interest of Mongolia. I support any policy that consistently aims to advance large projects to boost the economy, keep politics free from monopolistic influence, create an environment where citizens and businesses can freely compete in the market, and reduce governmental pressure on business. However, today the tax burden is excessive, the government is becoming more bloated, and the liberty to express one’s opinions and publish is increasingly curtailed, which is the stark reality. Therefore, I will sign the demand to dismiss the Prime Minister and head of the government, L. Oyun-Erdene, as I believe he has not adequately fulfilled his duties before the public and the parliament."

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Members O. Batnairamdal, B. Uyanga, E. Bolormaa, and M. Narantuya Express Support for Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: isee.mn

Members of Parliament O. Batnairamdal, B. Uyanga, E. Bolormaa, and M. Narantuya have expressed their support for Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene, stating they will "not dismiss him." Member of Parliament Ch. Lodoyambuu proposed a vote of no confidence against the government led by L. Oyun-Erdene and began collecting signatures of support from other members. Initially, Member of Parliament J. Bayarmaa was the first to sign his proposal, which will be officially submitted to the Parliament once 31-32 members have signed. However, members like O. Batnairamdal, B. Uyanga, E. Bolormaa, M. Narantuya-Nara, and B. Bat-Erdene support Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene and advocate for continuing the current government's work. They have stated, "Do not call me, Lodoy; today, we should unite and move forward together for the future of our country and citizens instead of dividing through politics. There are many issues to solve. Therefore, we strongly support Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene, who is working with the coalition government." In addition, they have shared on their social media accounts messages that criticize Ch. Lodoyambuu, expressing support for L. Oyun-Erdene, saying, "There is no other prime minister who has fought corruption regardless of party lines like L. Oyun-Erdene. Those who used to be presidents and prime ministers are fleeing the country, but L. Oyun-Erdene is unyielding." They suggested that calls for the Prime Minister's dismissal are akin to foreign interference.

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Economy

The Impact of the US-China Trade War on Mongolia

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: itoim.mn

As the term of US President Donald Trump began, the US-China trade dispute intensified, with both countries imposing increasing tariffs and retaliatory measures. This trade war, which began in 2018 when Trump imposed high tariffs on Chinese goods, has had negative impacts on the global economy and decreased profits for companies in both the US and China, presenting opportunities and challenges for other countries. This trade war is not merely a bilateral issue but a significant global economic event. The Process of the US-China Trade War 2018-2019: The two countries imposed high tariffs (10-25%) on billions of dollars of goods. The US imposed tariffs on $350 billion worth of imports, while China retaliated with tariffs on $100 billion worth of US exports. During this period, the US increased its average tariff from 3.7% to 25.8%, while China increased its average tariff from 7.7% to 20.8%. 2020: The US and China signed a “Phase One” trade agreement. In this agreement, China committed to increasing its purchase of US goods and services by $200 billion over two years and promised to improve intellectual property protections. The US reduced some tariffs, but tariffs on over $300 billion worth of Chinese imports remained. 2021-2024: Relations between the US and China stabilized to some extent, but tariffs remained. 2025: The trade war intensified again, with new tariffs and economic sanctions being introduced. Although the trade war and increased tariffs had little direct impact on the GDPs of the two countries, they resulted in rising consumer prices, unemployment, trade shifts, and economic uncertainty. Countries like Vietnam and Mexico increased their exports to the US and China, as companies sought new trade routes to avoid tariffs by choosing third countries not subject to tariffs. The Current Situation of the Trade War in 2025 On February 1, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, claiming it was to address trade imbalances and protect domestic industries. In response, China increased tariffs on coal and liquefied natural gas imports from the US by 15% and imposed a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large automobiles. China initiated actions against Google, restricting certain related services, and began implementing a policy to limit the export of essential minerals crucial to the high-tech industry. The trade dispute is hitting the technology sector hard, threatening many industries that rely on US-China cooperation. Experts warn that if this tension persists, it will cause instability in global markets and bring negative consequences for international trade. How Has the US-China Trade War Affected Mongolia? Though not directly, the US-China trade war has significantly impacted Mongolia’s economy, particularly in the mining and trade sectors. Over 90% of Mongolia's exports go to China, so China's economic downturn had a direct impact on Mongolia. Mining and Exports Demand for Mongolia's main raw materials like coal, copper, and iron ore decreased. With the decline in China’s industrial production, the risk of Mongolia's coal imports dropping increased. However, since China refused to import coal from the US, Mongolia managed to gain to some extent. The trade war destabilized copper prices on the global market, reducing revenues for major mines like Oyu Tolgoi. Copper is a key raw material for China's industry, and China's economic slowdown negatively affected Mongolia's exports. Exchange Rate and Inflation Moreover, global economic uncertainty significantly weakened the Mongolian tugrik. Prices of goods imported from China increased, leading to inflation in Mongolia. Investment in Mongolia China's economic neutralization led to reduced investment in Mongolia, affecting infrastructure and mining sectors. However, some Western investors considered Mongolia a more stable region than China, leading to an increase in small-scale investments. Trade Logistics and Transportation Challenges The trade war increased costs of global maritime shipping and logistics, impacting Mongolia in specific ways. As Mongolia's foreign trade passes through the Tianjin port, the US-China dispute increased international trade costs. Agricultural Exports The US-China trade war prompted China to seek new food suppliers, creating opportunities for Mongolia’s meat and dairy exports. However, due to insufficient infrastructure and production development, Mongolia could not fully capitalise on this opportunity. Although the US-China trade war mainly had negative impacts on Mongolia, it underscored the need for Mongolia to diversify its economy and reduce its dependency on China. In the future, Mongolia must diversify its export markets and develop its infrastructure. Impacts of the Trade War on Mongolia: Since Donald Trump began his presidential term, the intensifying trade war poses potential risks and opportunities for Mongolia. Given Mongolia's heavy dependency on China, any economic disruption in China is likely to have a direct impact on Mongolia. If China's economy slows and its industrial and construction sectors stagnate, Mongolia could face reduced demand for raw materials, and exports of mining products such as coal, copper, and iron ore might decrease. Additionally, revenues from major mines like Oyu Tolgoi and Erdenes Tavantolgoi might drop. If China diversifies its import sources, it could have both positive and negative effects on Mongolia. If China reduces imports of coal and copper from the US and Australia, Mongolia could have an opportunity to increase exports of these raw materials. However, if global demand decreases, this opportunity might be disadvantageous for Mongolia. If the trade war persists, it is expected that the yuan might weaken, potentially weakening the tugrik too, increasing prices of imported goods in Mongolia, contributing to inflation, and raising the cost of living. The US's firm trade policy risks complicating global transportation operations. Consequently, transportation costs for Mongolia's imports and exports might rise, prolonging delivery times and reducing export revenues. If China's economy worsens, there is a likelihood of reduced infrastructure and mining investments in Mongolia, potentially slowing railway, road, and mining projects. There might be an opportunity for Mongolia to increase meat exports if China reduces imports of food products from the US. However, this relies on Mongolia's meat production meeting China’s quality and supply standards. Short-term Risks: Decrease in export earnings, weakening of the tugrik, rising inflation, and reduced Chinese investment. Long-term Opportunities: If China reduces its reliance on the US, Mongolia could boost its exports of coal, copper, and meat. To mitigate the negative impacts of the trade war, Mongolia needs to take the following measures: 1. Diversify trade (expand relations with India, Japan, Europe) 2. Improve infrastructure (increase rail connections to Russia and China) 3. Develop domestic production (reduce dependence on imports) If the US-China trade war escalates, Mongolia could face significant economic challenges. However, with the implementation of proper policies, there are opportunities to capitalise on new opportunities, expanding trade with new markets.

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Trade and Economic Representatives Offices to be Established in Ulaanbaatar, Tashkent

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: montsame.mn

During the meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation between Mongolia and the Republic of Uzbekistan, the task of establishing trade and economic representative offices in Ulaanbaatar and Tashkent was assigned to the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries. This meeting took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the 6th and 7th of this month. The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry noted that this meeting is a sign of the two countries' focus on intensifying economic cooperation with Central Asian regional countries. Uzbekistan is considered a developing country based on economic indicators and, like Mongolia, is landlocked, with many similar characteristics. Therefore, discussions were held on cooperation in infrastructure, transport, logistics, agriculture, and light industry, utilizing mutual strengths and potentials, and reducing trade barriers between the two countries, thereby expanding relations. From the Mongolian side, the meeting was attended by Member of Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister, and Head of the Mongolian side of the Mongolia-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Joint Commission S. Amarsaikhan, Mongolia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Uzbekistan D. Batbaatar, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment, Food, and Agriculture B. Beisen, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Standing Committee on Economy R. Seddorj, President of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry L. Tuya, along with representatives from the business sector.

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Unfair Business Competition Environment: Challenges Faced by Entrepreneurs

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: ikon.mn

In recent years, the environment for fair business competition in Mongolia has deteriorated, and domestic entrepreneurs are becoming overwhelmed by the dominance of foreign competitors, which is becoming a real issue. With the rapid development of technology and digitization, and as globalization increases, international companies are aggressively entering Mongolia's market, creating difficulties for local entrepreneurs. The multi-level state regulations in Mongolia require domestic entrepreneurs to obtain various special permits and licenses to operate. Meanwhile, large foreign corporations are generating profits from Mongolia's market without any oversight or regulation. Foreign technology companies provide digital services in Mongolia outside of the state regulations and earn income without paying taxes, giving them a significant competitive advantage. A clear example of this is platforms like Facebook Ads, YouTube Premium, Netflix, Binance, and Amazon, which collect payments from Mongolian consumers but have not paid a single tugrik in taxes to Mongolia. Competing with these large corporations under the heavy tax burden and restrictive regulatory environment is like a rabbit entering a lion's den for domestic entrepreneurs. It is important for the Mongolian government to implement proper policies and exercise appropriate control over the operations of foreign companies to generate tax revenue. By doing so, it is possible to protect domestic entrepreneurs and create an environment for fair competition. If the government takes actual measures in this direction, Mongolia's economy can grow more steadily and the competitiveness of the business sector can increase. Let's protect the interests of our domestic entrepreneurs and establish an environment of fair competition!

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Dollar Exchange Rate Increased by 40 Tugriks in a Week

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: news.mn

The exchange rate for the US dollar has been stable in recent months. However, over the past week, the exchange rate for the US dollar has increased from 3475 to 3510 tugriks. On February 3rd, the buying rate of the US dollar at the Naiman Sharga was 3468 tugriks, while the selling rate was 3475 tugriks. Today, at the trading center, the buying rate is 3495 tugriks, and the selling rate is 3510 tugriks. As a result, the difference between the official and black market rates has reached 30-40 tugriks. Meanwhile, the exchange rate for the yuan was 471-474 tugriks last week, but today it has reached 476-479 tugriks. According to recent data from the Bank of Mongolia, the exchange rate for the US dollar is 3455 tugriks, and the exchange rate for the yuan is 474 tugriks. Economists have noted that the exchange rate may fluctuate in the coming months.

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D. Angar: The country has run out of dollars. Banks can only provide $10,000 to businesses at a time.

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: isee.mn

Our country's foreign currency reserves reached 5.5 billion USD last December, according to information from the Bank of Mongolia. However, just two months later, economist D. Angar shared on their social media that "The country has run out of dollars. Banks can only provide $10,000 to businesses at a time." We will continue to report on this issue.

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Top 10 In-Demand Jobs in the Mining Sector for the Next 10 Years

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: ikon.mn

A workforce study of the mining sector was conducted by "Mongolia Talent Network" LLC on behalf of the Mongolian National Mining Association (MNMA). The study compiled a list of the top 10 jobs in the mining sector that will be in high demand over the next 10 years. Among these, the comparison of supply for the 10 in-demand jobs in mining shows that dump truck operators, equipment mechanics, and mechanical engineers are in the greatest shortage, meaning these professionals are graduating insufficiently for market demand. The study's results estimate that a total of 31,130 employees are needed in the core sectors of mining based on repeated job counts. Warning: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Websites) must cite ikon's (ikon.mn) source when using our information in any form, either fully or in part.

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Qatar Airways Announces Recruitment and Training for Mongolian Citizens

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: isee.mn

Qatar's national airline, Qatar Airways, has announced it will train and employ Mongolian citizens. Specifically, the Embassy of Mongolia in Qatar, in collaboration with the world-leading airline company Qatar Airways, has implemented a program that resulted in training and hiring 13 young Mongolians as cabin crew in 2023. Following this, the embassy has further facilitated an agreement where Qatar Airways will conduct another selection process to train and employ a certain number of young Mongolians as cabin crew/stewards. The recruitment process, organized together with the Embassy of Mongolia in Qatar, will take applications until the 28th of this month. Representatives of Qatar Airways will then visit Ulaanbaatar in March to conduct the selection process. Applicants are required to have high proficiency in English, both written and spoken, be at least 21 years old, have an armreach height of over 212 cm, be willing to live and work in Doha, and have no health issues.

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Export Decreases by 23.1%

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Mongolia exported goods and raw materials worth 1,019.2 million USD in the first month of this year. This represents a 23.1% decrease compared to the same period last year. Mineral products accounted for 889.7 million USD or 87.3% of the total export value. Pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals, jewelry, and coins amounted to 72.6 million USD or 7.1%, while live animals and products of animal origin constituted 12.7 million USD or 1.2%. These categories made up 95.7% of the total export value according to information from the General Customs Administration.

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The Government Announces Tender to Buy Back Previous Bonds After Issuing New Bonds

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The prices of government bonds maturing in 2026 and 2028 have surged. The Ministry of Finance confirmed that the Government of Mongolia plans to issue a new bond, as reported by Bloomberg journalist Ameya Karve. Following this news, the prices of the Mongolian government bonds that mature in 2026 and 2028 have shown a significant increase. The newly planned bond has been rated "B+" with a "Stable" outlook by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. Moody's has rated it as "B2" with a "Stable" outlook. Starting from February 10, the bond will be offered to international investors. The transaction of the bond is to be executed by banks such as Credit Agricole, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, and JPMorgan. Furthermore, in the management of external debt, the Government has announced a tender to repurchase its bonds, which mature in 2026 and 2028 with interest rates of 5% and 8.6%, respectively. The government plans to use the funds raised from the new bond issue for this buyback.

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B. Lkhagvasuren: We must adjust the policy rate if inflation reaches double digits

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

We spoke with the Governor of the Bank of Mongolia, B. Lkhagvasuren, about external risks and this year's balance of payments and inflation outlook. - The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a 10% tariff on certain goods from China. How will this tariff policy, imposed by the country which accounts for about 90% of Mongolia's export revenue, affect Mongolia's economy? - Although the US applies tariffs on goods from its neighbors Mexico, Canada, and China, we expect this to put pressure on Mongolia's inflation, currency exchange rate, and balance of payments. Imported goods account for 30%, or 3.1 percentage points, of Mongolia's inflation. Last year's 9% inflation included a 2.7 percentage point increase due to imported goods. Thus, Trump's new tariff policy poses a risk to inflation. On the other hand, since over 90% of our exports go to China, the economic growth of that country poses a risk to our balance of payments. China's expected economic growth for last year was 4.5%, aiming to reach 5% this year. Economists believe that due to the new policies of the Trump administration, growth may decrease by 0.5 percentage points, dropping to 4%. This slowdown in economic growth is expected to pressure the prices and quantities of our exports. - China is responding to the "Trump tariff" by imposing some restrictions on importing coking coal from the US. On the other hand, there are expectations that China's import of coal from Mongolia will increase. What is your position on this matter? - China is the world's largest consumer of coal, using more than 4 billion tons annually from domestic production and international imports. In addition to high-quality coking coal used in steel mills, they import coal for energy. A significant portion of Mongolia's exports to China is coking coal. According to our research, China consumes 70 million tons of coking coal annually, of which over 40%, or about 30 million tons, comes from Mongolia. Mongolia, Russia, and Australia are the main suppliers of China's coking coal imports, while the US does not occupy a large market share. However, negative consequences are expected due to the nature of trade wars. Mongolia's service liabilities or deficits amount to 3 billion USD. - Mongolia's balance of payments showed a surplus of 622 million USD at the end of 2024. However, this has halved compared to 2023. How do you view potential external risks to this year's balance of payments? - Last year, Mongolia's exports increased by 4%, and imports by 26%. In other words, there is a high outflow of currency, resulting in a large current account deficit. Services account for a significant part of the current account deficit. Mongolia's service liabilities or deficits amount to 3 billion USD. Without change, this burden will continue. If exports do not increase, there is a risk of stagnation. If high import growth continues, pressure will increase. Despite a lack of business activity, we have high consumption rates, leading to ongoing imports. In January this year, there was a negative balance of 500 million MNT. This early pressure is evident. To counter this, we must increase exports. The 2025 national budget aims for coal exports to reach 100 million tons. Although last year reached a historic high of 83 million tons, revenue decreased due to falling coal prices in 2024 compared to 2023. Simply put, although quantities increased, income fell due to lower prices. If connected to Trump's tariffs, reduced Chinese economic demand will add further pressure on coal prices. Attention needs to be given to economic diversification beyond mining, focusing on higher-level processing and higher-value sales of industrial and agricultural raw materials. - Due to the government's decision to raise energy prices, inflation increased to 9% by year's end. Will inflation remain within the Bank of Mongolia's target level this year? - Last year's inflation showed electricity contributing the most at 1.9 percentage points. This increase began on November 1. Furthermore, 30% of inflation is due to imported goods, influenced by the price rise of a few products. Beef, flour, and milk have seasonal trends, along with significant indirect influences. Thus, inflationary pressure is expected to continue. The Bank of Mongolia forecasts that inflation may reach double digits this year. The second and third quarters of 2025 are expected to see the most significant increases. This means inflationary impacts will compound current inflation levels. Last December, the Bank of Mongolia did not change its policy rate but increased required reserves by 1 percentage point. In January, required reserves were further raised by 2% for both MNT and USD to tighten monetary policy. If inflation reaches double digits, we will inevitably need to adjust the policy rate. - What policy measures should the government implement? - The most critical issue is railway connectivity. Even though coal exports reached 83 million tons, transportation relies on heavy trucks. Thus, as more than 60% of transport companies are foreign enterprises, the cost paid to these companies is included in the service deficit mentioned earlier. Secondly, there is a critical need to improve port capacity and ease access for increasing coal exports. Additionally, tourism creates a negative balance of 1 billion. Although we are developing tourism in Mongolia, many Mongolians travel abroad at high rates. Household income grew over the past two years due to rising pensions and wages, leading to high consumption. Therefore, economic diversification beyond mining and a focus on higher-level processing and high-value sales of industrial and agricultural raw materials are necessary.

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By 2028, 2 million tourists will be received

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: news.mn

Today, the National Tourism Conference was organized in collaboration with the relevant ministry and related agencies. During the event, ongoing and future goals in the tourism sector were discussed. Mongolia is planning to develop tourism as a leading economic sector. To achieve this, the "Year of Visiting Mongolia" initiative, aimed at promoting Mongolia internationally, has been implemented since 2023. As a result, the tourism sector generated $1.2 billion in 2023 and $1.6 billion in 2024, contributing these amounts to Mongolia's economy. Executive Director of the Professional Association of Tourism, M. Narangerel, stated: "The Government of Mongolia has declared 2023-2025 as the Year of Visiting Mongolia. As a result of this initiative, we received 808,956 tourists in 2024. Compared to previous years, this is an increase of over 20%. Consequently, last year we were able to centralize $1.6 billion into the economy. If we maintain this momentum, we are likely to achieve our goal of welcoming one million tourists in 2025. Therefore, the Year of Visiting Mongolia initiative has been extended until 2028 by the National Tourism Council's resolution." If the number of tourists visiting our country continues to increase, it will be possible to receive two million tourists by 2028. The development of the tourism sector not only contributes revenue to the economy but also increases job opportunities and boosts the income of the service sector. However, there are several issues that need to be addressed to further develop the sector. For example, the tourism industry's resource capacity needs to be increased. Currently, there are over 5,000 beds available nationwide. As the number of incoming tourists grows, there is a need to increase accommodations to ensure comfort for visitors. There are also issues with domestic flight availability and air transportation, which need to be addressed. These matters are planned to be communicated to the relevant agencies and government. Additionally, policies to increase human resources will be implemented. Furthermore, favorable visa conditions will be provided. At present, citizens from over 50 countries can travel to our country without a visa. Currently, citizens from countries such as South Korea, China, and Russia are visiting the most. In general, beyond developing summer tourism, we plan to work with relevant ministries and agencies to implement multi-faceted programs and policies for stable year-round tourism development." Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth, Ch. Nomin, mentioned: "For Mongolia, the tourism sector has been chosen as one of the leading economic sectors. We are aiming to create a new, diversified economy. Additionally, we aim to increase the revenue generated from each tourist from $2,000 to $4,000. By doing so, it is possible to make up 10% of the GDP. To increase tourist numbers, infrastructure development is necessary. Policies to attract tourists based on domestic resources will be implemented. For example, specialized policies will be developed to attract tourists based on nomadic culture and natural scenic areas."

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By 2030, Each Tourist in Mongolia Will Generate $4000 in Revenue

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Last year, Mongolia received around 810,000 foreign tourists, marking the year with the highest number of tourists received, generating an income of 1.6 billion USD for the domestic economy. By 2030, the number of international tourists is expected to exceed 2 billion, and the growth of tourism's GDP over the next 10 years is expected to be twice the average growth of the global economy, said Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth, Ch. Nomin. The Minister highlighted these achievements and future plans at the opening of the "Tourism Week-2025" event organized by the "Tourism Professional Association." He continued by saying, "Eco-tourism is expected to reach 945 billion USD by 2034, growing 14% each year; Adventure tourism is expected to reach 1.7 trillion USD by 2032, growing 10% annually; and Wellness tourism, which supports a healthy lifestyle, is expected to surpass 1 trillion USD by 2024, with an annual growth of 13%." 47% of tourists visiting us come for eco-tourism and adventure tourism, which are rapidly growing global trends. Therefore, we should see this as an opportunity to align with the global market. Additionally, solo travel has become a trend, with searches increasing by 36% within a year, and artificial intelligence increasingly integrating into every stage of tourism, with personalized suggestions, chatbots, and virtual assistants gaining momentum. The 1.6 billion USD generated by the sector last year was the result of comprehensive promotional activities such as "Welcome to Mongolia" and "Go Mongolia," which promoted Mongolia internationally. This represents an increase of 183% or 2.8 times compared to 2022. In order to increase flight routes and capacity for tourist transportation, new air transport agreements with high-efficiency market countries are being established, and the process of granting flight permissions is being accelerated. By 2024, the opportunity to operate direct flights to 155 destinations has been established, and for the first time in history, over 2 million passengers were transported by air. United Airlines from the USA will start operating flights to Mongolia from next May. By 2030, it is aimed to receive 2 million tourists and to double the spending of one tourist in Mongolia from 2000 USD to 4000 USD. Thus, by 2030, tourism sector revenues could reach 8 billion USD, contributing 10% to GDP. To achieve this goal, growth of over 15% annually is required. This is not an impossible number; unified, effective strategic planning, close collaboration, and stable investment are crucial," said the Minister. The "Tourism Week-2025" event will last for five days, with more than 600 representatives from around 400 enterprises in the sector participating under the theme "Regional Development and Tourism."

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A 25% Tariff Will Be Imposed on All Imported Steel and Aluminum in the USA

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

President Donald Trump of the USA announced that a 25% tariff will be imposed on all steel and aluminum imported into the country. The Canadian government has stated that it will not take any responsive measures on Trump's announcement until the official order is issued. The leading countries importing steel into the USA are Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, and Vietnam. In addition, it is expected that the "reciprocal tax" policy will be announced in the middle of this week. In other words, if any country imposes a certain tax on US goods, the USA will start to impose the same level of tax on that country. Regarding this, Trump said, "Simply put, if they impose a tax on us, we will impose it on them as well." Source: Reuters

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The Exchange Rate of the US Dollar Rises to 3512 MNT

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: isee.mn

According to the official exchange rate announced by the Bank of Mongolia today, one US dollar is equal to 3455 Mongolian tugriks (MNT). This marks an increase of 35 MNT since the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, commercial banks are buying one US dollar for 3466 MNT and selling it for 3471 MNT. In contrast, at the "Naiman Sharga" currency exchange center, one US dollar is being purchased for 3495 MNT and sold for 3512 MNT.

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Trump's Tariff Decision Will Negatively Impact China's Economy

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: news.mn

We spoke with B. Lakshmi, Executive Director of the Center for Economic Competitiveness and Research, economist, and doctoral candidate, about how the U.S. President's decision to impose a 10% customs duty on certain Chinese goods would affect Mongolia's economy. - The U.S. President Donald Trump immediately imposed tariffs on imports from countries like Canada, Mexico, and China upon taking office. How do you interpret this decision? - Donald Trump included import tariffs in his campaign platform during the presidential election, suggesting tariffs on many countries. Initially, he mentioned tariffs of 60-65% on Chinese goods but later reduced it to 10% after taking the oath. Tariffs of 25% have been set for Mexico and Canada. Implementation may be delayed by a month. However, some countries have begun imposing tariffs on American goods. This decision is clearly challenging for many countries. Global economies are recovering following the pandemic, and facing severe economic hurdles and tariff issues will likely increase prices of certain goods. Consequently, there is a trend toward reduced export volumes. This issue might lead to significant economic challenges. - International analysts predict that Trump's tariffs will slow China’s economic growth, with GDP growth reaching 4% by 2025 and 3.5% by 2026. Last year, China's GDP growth was 5%. - Imposing tariffs on China is likely to significantly impact their GDP, especially affecting economic growth negatively. In recent years, China's economy has been rapidly growing with many innovations. However, real estate market issues have caused problems. High tariffs imposed by Trump will have further negative effects. Additionally, high tariffs could intensify market competition, particularly in the electric vehicle sector. A large number of electric vehicles manufactured in China will need to be sold. If high tariffs are imposed, sales might decline. Thus, to sell their vehicles, China might aggressively enter the European and other markets. - Mongolia's economy is about 90% reliant on exports to China. How will these tariffs affect Mongolia? - Although a 10% import tariff is set, it could change. This decision has dual potential effects on Mongolia's economy. Prices of goods exported to us may increase. Alternatively, to sell more products in our market, prices may drop, and export tariffs could be reduced or eliminated, benefiting Mongolian consumers. In such cases, the influx of cheaper goods might harm national manufacturers. Expensive goods might cause inflation, raising end-product prices domestically. A significant concern is the potential decrease in Mongolia's export volume. Ninety percent of our exports go to China. If China's economic growth slows, their purchase volume of our goods might drop. - How might Trump's decision affect Mongolia's inflation, which was at 9% in 2024? - The decision could significantly impact Mongolia's economy, especially export and commodity prices. Export has recently doubled from 83 million tons of coal in the past five years. Unfortunately, these figures might decline, reducing foreign currency inflow, weakening the Mongolian tugrik, and increasing national debt. However, projects like Oyu Tolgoi could help stabilize our economy despite Trump's influence. - President Trump has ordered audits of U.S. government projects. How will this audit impact the $461.76 million Millennium Challenge Corporation project in Mongolia? - Trump's decision to audit projects will commence within three months. The Millennium Challenge Corporation's project in Mongolia might remain relatively unaffected as Trump targets gender equality projects, while this is primarily an economic project. It may experience slight delays over three months.

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Can the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry Retrieve Its Project Funds from the National Investment Bank?

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

In 2015, the Government of Mongolia and the Asian Development Bank signed loan agreements for "Additional Financing for Agriculture and Rural Development Projects." Under this project, in 2017, it was decided to centralize the repayment of loans granted to enterprises by opening an account with the National Investment Bank, in accordance with the decision of the Ministry of Finance. However, in October 2019, the Director of the Treasury Department of the Ministry of Finance issued an official notice to close the account. According to Article 16.1.1 of the Banking Law, "The bank is required to fully maintain customers’ monetary assets and provide or transfer them upon their first demand." Yet, the National Investment Bank violated this provision by not transferring the money to the relevant unit of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry, which was responsible for the project, and closed the account instead. Since then, formal demands were repeatedly made to the National Investment Bank, but were unsuccessful until 2022. Eventually, on February 22, 2022, an agreement was made to settle the payment with bonds secured by mortgage loans, agreed upon in an arrangement to clear the remaining balance of more than 1.3 billion MNT from the project's funding account with bonds secured by mortgages held by the bank. However, the National Investment Bank failed to fulfill its contractual obligations, leading the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry to claim over 1.5 billion MNT, including principal of 877 million and accrued interest and penalties, and take the matter to court. Judge D. Batkhuuyag, presiding over the case in the First Instance Civil Court of Sukhbaatar District, decided to recover 648.8 million MNT from the National Investment Bank and to dismiss the remaining 932 million MNT. Dissatisfied with the primary court decision, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry appealed to the Civil Appeals Court of the capital, resulting in the decision to recover more than 1.3 billion MNT from the bank. Opposing this decision, G. Nasanjargal, authorized representative and acting CEO of the National Investment Bank, filed a complaint under the review procedure. However, the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court of Mongolia declined to examine it. Thus, the decision to recover 1.3 billion MNT from the bank and allocate it to the project's implementing unit at the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry was confirmed. Now, the only question is when the bank will fulfill the payment. Since 2019, the National Investment Bank has not fulfilled its duty to keep state funds intact in its account and return them upon initial request, thus putting the loan interest and fees owed to the Asian Development Bank at risk and negatively impacting the reputation of the Government of Mongolia. It is known that 11.2% of the National Investment Bank is owned by D. Sumiyabazar, a member of the State Great Khural and former Governor of the capital city, while his son owns 4%, and M. Otgontsetseg, a private citizen, owns the majority 41.14%, with the rest registered under three enterprises.

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Golomt Bank Secures Long-Term Green Loan Financing from SIMPL Investment Organization

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Golomt Bank has successfully secured long-term green loan financing from Singapore's Saison Investment Management Private Limited (SIMPL) for the second time. The funds from this green loan will be used to finance environmentally friendly projects and support various green loan initiatives such as renewable energy and green building, in accordance with Mongolia’s Green Taxonomy. SIMPL was established in 2021 and is a subsidiary of Saison International Pte. Ltd., which handles international investment activities for Credit Saison Company Limited, a leading credit company based in Japan. Golomt Bank secured its first loan financing from this organization in 2024, aiming to create and enhance financial accessibility. The financing was used to provide loans for clean water, water purification plants, small and medium enterprises, and women entrepreneurs. In 2015, Golomt Bank implemented the Sustainable Finance Policy and Environmental and Social Risk Assessment of Borrowers into its lending operations, maintaining a leading position in Mongolia’s sustainable finance sector. Additionally, Golomt Bank has set medium and long-term goals to increase its green loan portfolio by 5% by 2030 and by 10% by 2050 compared to the 2023 baseline level, ensuring the implementation of these goals. Financing for Good

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Aiming to Reduce Sudden Fluctuations

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: news.mn

The exchange rate of the US dollar has remained stable in recent months. However, over the past week, the rate has risen to 3,475-3,510 MNT. The buying rate of the US dollar at Naiman Sharga was 3,468, and the selling rate was 3,475. Currently, at the currency trading center, the buying rate is 3,495 MNT and the selling rate is 3,510 MNT. As a result, the difference between the official and black market rates has reached 30-40 MNT. Meanwhile, the yuan's rate was 471-474 MNT last week, but today it has reached 476-479 MNT. Regarding this issue, the Bank of Mongolia provided the following explanation: as of January 21, 2025, the exchange rate of the MNT against the US dollar announced by the Bank of Mongolia has reached 3,433.03 MNT, weakening by 12.57 MNT or 0.37% since the start of the year, and by 26.52 MNT or 0.78% compared to the same period last year. Seasonal fluctuations are observed in the Mongolian economy, particularly in the currency market. Due to increased travel for the Lunar New Year and foreign destinations every January and February, along with the slowdown in mining activities during the cold season, foreign exchange income decreases while demand increases, leading to a depreciation of the MNT against foreign currencies. Considering the current macroeconomic conditions, according to the foreign currency transaction data passing through the banking system, as of January 20, 2025, the outflow has been higher than the inflow. Specifically, export income as of January 20, 2025, decreased by 47% compared to the same period last year. According to Bloomberg, the price of coal on the international market decreased by 7.61% compared to the same period last year and by 6.81% since the start of 2025. Coal sales revenue on the mining exchange decreased by 80% compared to last year. The total value of imports of goods and products increased by 6%, while outbound tourism increased by 39% during this period. In Mongolia's foreign exchange market, a few large enterprises provide the foreign currency supply, while the demand consists of relatively many small enterprises. Therefore, the Bank of Mongolia participates in the currency market as needed to reduce short-term, sudden fluctuations in exchange rates.

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Diplomacy

Yalta Conference-80 and Mongolia

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The international recognition of Mongolia's independence was laid at the Yalta Conference in 1945, where the status quo of Mongolia was accepted. With special permission from the MPA agency, this academic conference titled "Yalta Conference-80 and Mongolia" was organized today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Researchers discussed the historical importance and impact of the Yalta Agreement and reviewed the research findings from different perspectives. When asked about the historical significance of the Yalta Agreement, Dr. D. Ulambayar, a professor at the University of Humanities, commented, "A critical agreement was made at the Yalta Conference related to the Soviet Union's involvement in the war against Japan. The reason for involving the USSR in the war against Japan was because it was extremely costly for the US to conduct military operations against the Kwantung Army, especially on Chinese territory. With 1.2 million troops and years of fortifications in Northeast China, it was necessary to involve the Red Army's military units. The USSR had a neutrality pact with Japan, so certain conditions were required to enter the war against Japan. Firstly, it involved maintaining the status quo of outer Mongolia (MPR). On November 26, 1924, Mongolia adopted its first constitution and established a republic. It was necessary for the great powers to recognize this reality because, until 1945, Mongolia's international legal status was ambiguous. While it was under Soviet influence, it was legally a part of China. Article 5 of the 1924 Soviet-Chinese agreement recognized Outer Mongolia as an integral part of the Republic of China. Due to this dual-status issue, it was essential to definitively resolve it. The term status quo refers to the current reality. By accepting this, the great powers endorsed this provision of the Yalta Agreement, which was concretely debated during the Soviet-Chinese negotiations in Moscow in June-July 1945. As the USSR prepared to intervene militarily in China against Japan, a treaty with China became necessary. During these negotiations, the Chinese side strongly opposed the Yalta Agreement's provision on Outer Mongolia’s status quo, stating that Outer Mongolia was an integral part of China and should not be allowed to become independent. Chiang Kai-shek proposed conditions such as granting the highest level of autonomy, allowing Outer Mongolia to independently handle its foreign relations, and the possibility of Soviet troops being present in Outer Mongolia. However, I. Stalin insisted on accepting the status quo of the Republic of Mongolia, which implied recognizing its independence. Ultimately, in order to gain the USSR's participation in the war against Japan, the Chinese side reluctantly accepted Stalin's conditions. In exchange, a condition was set that after Japan's surrender, if the people of Outer Mongolia confirmed their independence through a plebiscite, the Republic of China's existing borders would recognize the Republic of Mongolia's independence. In effect, the status quo of the Republic of Mongolia, highlighted in the Yalta Agreement, formed the principal legal basis for the Soviet-Chinese negotiations in Moscow during June 1945. Accordingly, on October 25, 1945, Mongolia held a referendum where 100% voted for independence. Based on this, on January 5, 1946, the Republic of China under Chiang Kai-shek recognized Mongolia's independence de facto, and diplomatic relations were established on February 15, with the two countries acknowledging each other de jure. This legal foundation was reaffirmed in 1949 when the People's Republic of China was established, and in 1950 during the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the USSR and the PRC, China's acceptance of the 1945 Mongolian plebiscite results provided further assurance. Thus, the process which began with Mongolia’s declaration of independence in 1921 and the adoption of the first constitution on November 26, 1924, was finally formalized under international law through the Yalta Agreement, the Moscow Soviet-Chinese negotiations, and the October 20, 1945, independence plebiscite. Since 1945, Mongolia emerged as a fully independent international legal entity, free from China. Prof. D. Bayarkhuu: "During negotiations with the Republic of China, I. Stalin had three requirements to recognize Mongolia's independence." With special permission from the MPA agency, the conference on "Soviet-Mongolian-American negotiations and agreements on the Mongolian question" was highlighted by Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Professor D. Bayarkhuu: "During the time, it is known that there were 3-5 requirements set by Stalin. Personally, I focused on three requirements. Among them, there was no mention of the friendship between Mongolia and the Soviet Union. There were three geopolitical and military requirements presented to the Chinese side. First, Mongolia had to be a geopolitical buffer zone to protect the eastern part of Siberia. Being a critical military strategic area, the Soviet Union wanted a legal basis for protection according to this law, wishing to separate Mongolia from China. Secondly, Mongolia wanted its independence recognized because it did not wish to join either China or the Soviet Union. Therefore, it was rightful for China to recognize its independence since neither could represent the other. Thirdly, given the USSR-Japan relations, there is always the threat of Japan regaining power and initiating war again in 20-30 years. Hence, military operations might happen in the Far East and possibly Mongolia in the event of another USSR-Japan war. Hence, removing Mongolia was insisted upon. After the Yalta Conference, Stalin kept this issue secret without immediately presenting it to the Republic of China. Only leaders from three countries were aware. In June 1945, the US ambassador presented Chiang Kai-shek with the Yalta secret arrangement officially, urging negotiations with the USSR." Dr. D. Zolboo, Director of the Institute of International Studies, SRA, remarked, "80 years ago, the Yalta Agreement was made on the Crimean Peninsula. Some call it an agreement, others a settlement. Our scheduled conference to commemorate this event is taking place today. The conference also discussed the events at the time of the end of World War II, Buryat-Mongolia's participation in the war against Japan, the plebiscite for independence in October, and highlighted the 1945 February 4-11 Yalta Conference as the main turning point for many events. We organized academic conferences on the 70th and 75th anniversaries of the Yalta Agreement. Our research is progressing, bringing us closer to historical truths. There should be no "blank spots" in history, despite any shaded areas; it should be close to factual truth. At present, materials which were once confidential, for example in Russia and America, are now progressively being released under law. This reflection can only benefit by being more realistic. Moreover, during the discussions, scholars emphasized how not only did foreigners assist Mongolia, but also how Mongols worked from the revolution of 1911 through the 1921 revolution until 1945 to cement national independence. In 1913, Prime Minister of Bogd Khan Government, T. Namnansuren, met Czar Nicholas II of Russia to discuss Mongolia's independence and support. It was in that room in 1945 that leaders of the three great powers convened and resolved to recognize the MPR. Mongols worked diligently for their independence, not solely accepting gifts from external forces, as highlighted by our scholar teachers." Note: Media sources (Television, Radio, Social and Websites) that use our information in any form, whether entirely or in part, must attribute the source to (ikon.mn).

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Infrastructure

Signing of the "Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Railway" Project Agreement

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

At the regular meeting of the Government, it was decided to grant signing authority to Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ts. Tuvdendorj, and Minister of Road and Transport Development, B. Delgersaikhan, for the "Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Crossed Railway, Coal Trade, and Increasing the Capacity of the Tavantolgoi Coal Mine." The Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources announced that the agreement on the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod border rail connection will be finalized with the Chinese side between February 13-15, 2025. The construction of the railway is planned to begin in April. The funding will be provided not from coal, but from the "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" company. During the consultation process with the relevant Standing Committee of the State Great Khural on the draft "Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Crossed Railway, Coal Trade, and Increasing the Capacity of the Tavantolgoi Coal Mine," the suggestions made by the members were forwarded to the Chinese side and the agreement was finalized, according to the Ministry of Road and Transport Development.

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The Second Unit of Böröljuut Power Plant to be Commissioned in November

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

A meeting of the city management was held to discuss the construction of the second unit of the Böröljuut power plant and the progress of the power plant project being built in Bayan Soum of Tuv Aimag. A 660 MW power plant with 2 units will be built on the border of Bayan Soum in Tuv Aimag and Bagakhangai District in the capital. The construction site of this plant will be approximately 3 km from Bayan Soum in Tuv Aimag and 2 km from the center of Bagakhangai District. R. Dagdan, the director of the energy project unit, stated, "We are preparing the feasibility study, preliminary research, and preparations for the Bayan power plant project. Conditions have been created to establish the PPA contract, fencing of the project site, and start construction and installation works. Detailed design development and approval are progressing according to schedule." Meanwhile, the construction and installation of the Böröljuut power plant's second unit started in 2023, with the boiler installation 40% complete and the overall construction 25% complete. The boiler building and the main building enclosing works have been finished. This unit will be commissioned by November this year. Additionally, this year, the production of electrical transmission line equipment for an 84.5 km long 220kV transmission line in the Sergelen direction will commence, aiming to establish a ring circuit in the central region's power system. The foundations for the Böröljuut power plant's third unit will begin construction, with plans to also build green spaces and landscaping for the plant. Source: Ulaanbaatar City Governor's Office, HMONX

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No Train Travel on Darkhan-Sharyn Gol, Airag-Bor Undur Route

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The "Ulaanbaatar Railway" joint venture officially announced that starting from the 7th of this month, trains will no longer run on the Darkhan-Sharyn Gol and Airag-Bor Undur routes. Specifically, due to a significant decrease in passenger numbers and a lack of customers, services on these two routes have been halted. It is reported that tickets for passengers have been canceled and their bookings refunded. For example, passenger trains used to travel twice a week, on Fridays and Saturdays, to Bor Undur, a district in Khentii province, which is approximately 310 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar city. In recent years, the number of people traveling between cities by private car has increased, and they have almost stopped using train services. While it takes a full 12 hours to reach this district by train, it takes only 3-5 hours by car. Furthermore, ticket prices have increased, with sleeper car prices reaching 42,900 MNT. Previously, local bus services were offered from Ulaanbaatar to Bor Undur, but those have been stopped. Now, with the train service also ceasing, intercity passenger transport services have shifted to private individuals. Interestingly, in 1956, when direct railway connections from the USSR to China were opened across the territory of the MPR, branch lines on routes such as Darkhan-Sharyn Gol, Salkhit-Erdenet, Bagakhangai-Baganuur, Airag-Bor Undur, Sainshand-Zuunbayan, and Ereentsav-Bayantumen were constructed and put into operation.

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Flights to be conducted on the Ulaanbaatar-Tashkent route

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The first meeting of the Mongolia-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation was held in Tashkent. The meeting was attended by representatives of the ministries and agencies of both countries, led by Mongolia's Deputy Prime Minister S. Amarsaikhan and Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister J. Khodzhaev. During the meeting, both sides agreed to continue working closely to increase the export and supply of agricultural products, including leather, wool, and cashmere products, to the Uzbek market. It was also agreed to organize the "Made in Uzbekistan" exhibition and fair in Ulaanbaatar this year. The parties emphasized the importance of developing cooperation in the field of transportation and noted that the scheduled flights on the Ulaanbaatar-Tashkent route would commence in the second half of this year as part of implementing the "Air Relations Agreement" established during the state visit of Mongolia's President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh to Uzbekistan in 2024. Additionally, within this commission meeting, the first session of the "Mongolia-Uzbekistan Joint Transport Commission" was organized, where it was decided to establish new auto corridors and routes linking the two countries and start trial transportation of goods. Furthermore, the parties have agreed to expand cooperation in the energy and mining sectors, including geological research, exploration, extraction, processing, and mineral enrichment. In addition, the intention to deepen cooperation in the fields of education, culture, science, and technology was expressed, with plans to enhance partnerships between relevant institutions, research centers, and universities, increase exchanges of scientists and researchers, and jointly organize symposiums, scientific conferences, cultural and artistic performances, and cultural days. There was also an agreement to align Mongolia's "Billion Trees" national movement with Uzbekistan's "Green Space" project, looking into possibilities such as introducing Uzbekistan's fruit and berry tree seedlings to Mongolia, establishing model gardens in the Gobi region, developing new seedling greenhouses, and constructing a "Mongolia-Uzbekistan Friendship Park."

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Society

Prime Minister expresses condolences for citizens who died from carbon monoxide poisoning and warns to improve accountability

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The fifth meeting of the Emergency Staff under the Prime Minister was held. At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene expressed condolences for the loss of life due to carbon monoxide poisoning and warned the members of the Emergency Staff to pay special attention to reducing air pollution and ensuring the safety of citizens, urging them to work with increased accountability. During the meeting, Head of the Cabinet Secretariat N. Uchral presented on the implementation of tasks. He stated, "We reviewed the implementation of the Licensing Law. There are issues such as some permits being issued by regulation, a lengthy permit issuance process, lack of digitalization, and governmental agencies requiring unnecessary documents. Therefore, it is considered appropriate to carry out regulatory reforms based on risk assessment, such as transferring some types of permits to professional associations." Streamlining and expediting the permit issuance process is crucial for urban development projects, noted some members of the staff, who emphasized the need to simplify and reduce redundancy and procedural hurdles. MP N. Nomtoibayar stressed the need for a unified foreign policy and leadership to implement mega projects. Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene also instructed to continue working on financing sources for major projects in the Capital, to study opportunities to switch to gas fuel utilizing domestic resources, support businesses, and collaborate. Additionally, to refine the related legal framework and develop proposals on how state-owned enterprises can support urban construction in Ulaanbaatar. Furthermore, relevant officials were reminded to address the pressing issues of the Capital comprehensively in the general plan for Ulaanbaatar's development up to 2040, incorporating solutions accordingly.

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Number of Tourists Visiting Mongolia Increases by 23%

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: montsame.mn

“Tourism Week 2025” was launched with the “Regional Development and Tourism” conference. Organized for the second year by the Tourist Union, this conference is held to ensure sectoral coordination and strengthen public-private partnerships. Issues, solutions, and prospects in the tourism sector, which is crucial to economic growth and development, are being discussed. Participants emphasized the importance of regular transitions and reforms to promote sustainable tourism and the need for timely inter-sectoral information delivery. The tourism sector, which came to a complete standstill during the pandemic, had suffered a loss of 1.6 trillion MNT but has now increased its revenue by 65%. Specifically, this sector generated 1.2 billion USD in 2023 and welcomed 808,956 tourists last year, contributing 1.6 billion USD to the national economy. Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth, Ch. Nomin noted, "The income of the tourism sector increased 2.8 times compared to that of 2022. Last year, we began collaborating with 'trip.com' to provide international customers with direct access to flight bookings and travel products. Additionally, we have been actively negotiating air transport agreements with some countries to increase tourist transport capacity and expedite the process of obtaining flight permits. As a result, we enabled direct flights to 155 locations. For the first time in history, we transported over 2 million passengers by air. Of the tourists coming to Mongolia, 47% are interested in eco and adventure tourism. Solo travel is becoming a trend globally, and it's important for us to develop these tours according to international market standards. It is also the time when artificial intelligence is developing extensively, so it is appropriate to integrate technologies such as chatbots into our operations." Regarding winter tourism, Executive Director of the Professional Association of Travel Agents, M. Narangerel, said, "Our country has an extreme climate. There are opportunities for sustainable travel and leisure throughout the year, not just in summer. In January alone, 33,462 tourists visited. The reception of such a number of tourists for the first time indicates the revival of winter tourism. To develop tourism throughout the four seasons, it is necessary to improve infrastructure, invest and prepare human resources step-by-step. One of the challenges in this sector is the capacity of domestic flights and national carrier companies. Due to Mongolia's vast territory, planes are often the only option for certain areas. However, high flight costs complicate the planning of tourist products." Mongolia aims to receive 2 million tourists per year by 2030 and increase sector revenues to 8 billion USD. To achieve this, tourism development is planned regionally. For example, the central region will be developed into a sub-region focused on agriculture and related industries, while the eastern region will be developed into a sub-region focused on historical tourism and intensified agriculture. More than 1,000 representatives from over 600 companies are participating in the "Tourism Week-2025" activities. They will conduct discussions on themes such as tourism strategies, infrastructure, accommodation services, and product development throughout the week.

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Is a position more valuable than life?

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Member of Parliament Ch. Lodoisambuu has drafted an official letter to dismiss Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene and has begun collecting signatures. According to Article 43.1 of the Constitution, at least one-fourth of the total members of parliament must officially submit the proposal, and with the majority's support, the government can be dismissed. This means that 32 members must sign in order to bring the issue to discussion in parliament. He views the government crisis and the restriction of freedom of speech, which are core democratic values, as the main reasons for the prime minister's dismissal. His patience was exhausted after six members of a family living in Khoroo 22 of Bayangol District were poisoned by gas and died. “This is just one of the many reasons for his dismissal. There is no mega project more valuable than human life, freedom, and democracy,” he stated. It is unfortunate that instead of expressing condolences, apologizing, and taking responsibility for these tragic events, the prime minister preferred to suppress the information and keep his position. A public hearing about the smoke issue was held in the State Palace, revealing the grim statistic that 779 citizens have died from gas poisoning between 2017 and 2024. Since the introduction of the refined coal, Mongolians have suffered hundreds of deaths. Even in war-torn countries, citizens do not die in such numbers. This is a horrifying statistic. After the hearing, on the 6th of this month, the only surviving child of the family made a public statement to inform what happened. Until then, no one spoke of it, as the police had made the relatives sign a document stating, “Do not speak to the press about this.” MP Ch. Lodoisambuu, in his statement, said, “Over 700 people have died in just a few years. The person who has been prime minister since 2022 has now started to spread the message that ‘the refined coal was wrong from the beginning.’ If he knew this, why didn’t he stop the use of this coal? Due to his inaction, so many people have died. Why is he not apologizing or expressing condolences, and why is he not answering journalists’ questions directly?” However, instead of accepting responsibility, the prime minister seems to be trying to find another scapegoat, which seems to be MCS Company. The poor quality of the refined coal and its chemical binding agents causing loss of life is blamed on the company. One man even attempted self-immolation by burning refined coal in front of the company’s headquarters. But many view this as a staged drama. In fact, the “Tavantolgoi Fuel” state-owned company, established by a government resolution, produces the refined coal. The government has banned the use of raw coal and imposed the use of refined coal. Therefore, the executive government and its head should be responsible for human lives. Yet, the safety of positions and power is apparently more important to him. There was even a precedent where the government was dismissed after transporting a postpartum mother and her child in winter wearing a robe and slippers—compared to that, loss of human life is more serious. The prime minister implements tactics of blaming and spreading various messages through media and social networks against anyone who opposes him. Using these tactics, he began defaming Lodoisambuu. They even falsified a flag resembling our national flag, which is one of the distortions. He speaks courageously against big groups and mechanisms, showing that opposing voices still exist in Mongolia. When MP J. Bayarmaa expresses criticism, they spread information linking her to personalities like S. Bayar and Ts. Elbegdorj. During the budget discussions, they even falsely linked her to health issues. Moreover, the prime minister is planning to visit China from October 13-15 to initiate the construction of the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod border checkpoint railway and sign an intergovernmental agreement. Thus, they claim that the companies are trying to obstruct this developmental work. However, the two MPs declare their support for moving these large projects forward. When citizens demand their right to live in a healthy and safe environment, these demands are viewed as foreign manipulation or company interests. He seems convinced that no one will be able to continue these mega projects except him, and he claims that demanding, protesting, and voicing criticism against him are attempts to seize power illegally. The Democratic Party is not a subsidiary club of MPP. In a democracy, every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression. However, over the eight years of MPP’s absolute majority rule, this freedom has been suppressed. Now a member of parliament with special immunity granted by law is facing difficulty expressing their opinion. The leader of DP, L. Gantomor, stated that they would discuss penalties for Ch. Lodoisambuu and J. Bayarmaa, who supported the proposal to dismiss the prime minister. He, who had said that they would join the coalition government to monitor from within, now revealed by this statement that he is a staunch protector of MPP after receiving a position. “MP Ch. Lodoisambuu is reacting emotionally. They acted against party policy. Especially MP J. Bayarmaa always criticizes the coalition government,” it is said. Is it not normal for at least two or three members inside DP to criticize the failings of the government and speak out for correction? Instead, these two MPs are proving that the DP has not been completely silenced and are preserving the party's image. Yet, the party leader expressed that he wants to defend the coalition government and punish the two dissenting MPs, proclaiming loyalty, which is surprising. In response, Ch. Lodoisambuu said, “DP is not a club of MPP. It should be a party protecting democracy and its values.” He used to work in the press office when L. Gantomor was Minister of Education, Culture, and Science in 2012-2016. It was said that L. Gantomor paved his path into politics, and he was his person. But now, by submitting a proposal to the coalition government, it’s reported that he has defied his ‘master.’ MP Lodoisambuu commented, “I have been tagged as everyone’s man. I’m also called L. Gantomor’s man. If that were true, would I be pursuing a dismissal? Time reveals the truth. A party is a union of ideas.” A prime minister without confidence. Our prime minister is particularly sensitive to anything related to his interests. A politician should endure criticism with resilience. Constructive criticism has value in a democratic society. Whether 32 signatures for the dismissal of the prime minister will be gathered is unclear. Even if achieved, the 118-member strong “thick group” will likely retain the majority. Members such as E. Bolormaa and O. Batnairamdal posted on social media, “I will not support the government’s dismissal. Do not call me,” and stated clearly. Therefore, be confident, and let the parliament discuss and debate the dismissal. Speak about what you have and have not done. Do not try to stifle the parliament members' right to speak and express their opinions. They have a mandate to protect the rights of all people, not just yours, regardless of whether their party is part of the government. Criticizing and proposing a dismissal of the prime minister is healthy behavior in a democratic government. Yet, as described by Ch. Lodoisambuu, the young dictator, he is panicking, which is pitiable. Stop blaming the deceased citizens as drunkards and thieves. At least acknowledge the error of inaction, apologize, and express condolences. Only after the soldier son provided information and public outrage and demand, two days later, during the smoke and traffic congestion headquarters meeting, did the prime minister finally express condolences. A political position is not forever. If you cherish power so much, be an approved and respected prime minister.

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Concealed 239 Grams of Narcotic Substance Smuggled from Turkey in Someone Else's Cargo

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Prosecutor's Office last week filed indictments in 233 criminal cases and transferred them to the court. Some of the cases transferred to the court include: The Capital Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment related to D.O., who forged an official document with the seal and printed sheets of "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" JSC and, being aware of its forged nature, used it to send a notification about the establishment of a coal sale and purchase agreement to certain legal entities in China from similar email addresses of the above-mentioned company. This case was transferred under Article 23.2.1 of the Criminal Code (Forgery of documents) to the first instance district criminal court for Bayangol, Khan-Uul, and Songinokhairkhan district. L.D. and K.N. were charged under Article 20.7.2 of the Criminal Code (Illegal use of narcotic and psychotropic substances) for receiving and storing 239.4 grams of a narcotic substance smuggled in someone else's cargo from the Republic of Turkey with the intent of sale, and their case was transferred to the same district court. L.C. was charged with facilitating prostitution and providing transportation for this purpose from 2022 to September 2024, under Article 12.3.1 of the Criminal Code (Sexual exploitation and the organization of prostitution), and their case was transferred to the district court for simpler criminal and civil proceedings. G.T. was charged under Article 20.14.2 of the Criminal Code (Illegal production, export, import, supply, and sale of medicine, raw materials, biopharmaceuticals, and medical equipment) for smuggling and selling a caffeine-containing substance from China to Gashuunsukhait border crossing in Umnugobi province without proper permits, and their case was transferred to the first instance criminal court of the same province. E.J. was charged under Article 22.5.1 of the Criminal Code (Bribery) for giving a bribe to a specialist of the State Procurement Agency to obtain certificates for qualified procurement officers without properly involving them in training and exams during the public procurement processes conducted by the State Procurement Agency, and their case was transferred to the first instance criminal court of Bayanzurkh district. Source: UEPG

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Environment

Warning to implement mega projects without deteriorating river ecosystems

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The Wild Salmon Center, based in the United States, in collaboration with the Center for Wild Animal Research and Conservation, organized a discussion on "Ensuring the Sustainability of Fisheries in Mongolia" last Friday, together with the Institute of Geography, Geo-ecology, and Biology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. Researchers noted that this discussion was significant as it coincided with the ongoing work of updating the assessment of the "Red List" of fish in Mongolia. Twenty years ago, an assessment was made that included 64 species of fish, of which 14 were classified as rare and 16 as data deficient. However, due to the impacts of climate change and ecological degradation, the number of rare fish species may have significantly increased. Researchers particularly highlighted the need to implement the planned major projects, such as the Erdeneburen and Eg River hydropower plants, Orkhon-Onge, and Kherlen-Toono developments, with minimal negative impact on river ecosystems, fish populations, and habitats. This requires conducting well-founded research and planning, and ensuring the involvement of professionals in these mega projects. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change should pay attention to this and work closely and openly with researchers. This meeting and discussion are crucial for determining policies and funding for the conservation, restoration, and management of fish habitats in Mongolia, and for improving the participation, cooperation, and coordination among parties involved. Ts.Uranchimeg, Head of the Natural Resources Policy Implementation Department of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the importance of this. Approximately 50 people participated in the discussion, including fish researchers, representatives of national and international organizations working in nature conservation, professional fishing clubs, and basin specialists.

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N. Manduul: If heat loss is addressed, fuel and electricity costs can be reduced by 40-65%, and air pollution will decrease

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: itoim.mn

CHINGELTEI DISTRICT LAUNCHES “INSULATE” CAMPAIGN As part of the "Insulate" campaign implemented by Chingeltei District of the capital, the heat loss of houses in the ger district is being meticulously measured with special equipment in collaboration with engineers and specialists. The precise measurement of heat loss and the collection of data on which building has what issues will be completed before Lunar New Year. The main goal of the campaign is to utilize the cold winter period to compile this data and, in the coming heating seasons, to collaborate with professionals and advise residents on how to insulate their homes effectively, efficiently, and at a low cost. Specialists have calculated that if households in the ger district completely solve their heat loss issue, they can reduce their fuel and electricity costs by 40-65% depending on the specifics of their building, in addition to reducing air pollution. By implementing the first steps of the "Insulate" campaign, households will be able to prepare for the next winter, develop the motivation to insulate their homes, and ensure that knowledge and advice from professionals in this field are accessible to every household.

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67% of Boilers Lack Air Pollution Control Equipment and Do Not Pay Pollution Fees

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: isee.mn

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Sector Control Department, together with the City Environmental Department and the Ulaanbaatar Air and Environmental Pollution Control Department, conducted inspections on 139 facilities using steam and water heating boilers with a capacity of over 100 kW. Of these, 34 facilities were not in operation due to seasonal work, 5 facilities had switched to central heating and gas heating, and the remaining 100 facilities were inspected, including 6 power stations and 94 boiler-using facilities. The inspections revealed a total of 496 violations and deficiencies among the 100 facilities. Expressed as percentages, the deficiencies included: - 35% did not have an environmental impact assessment, - 70% lacked an environmental management plan for the current year, - 66% did not report or evaluate the previous year's environmental management plan, - 61% did not conduct environmental monitoring of air, soil, or water, - 30% had not installed filters on chimneys, - 60% had not installed smoke suppressors and ash traps as per design, - 75% did not analyze pollutants in waste emissions, - 67% lacked air pollution control equipment and did not pay pollution fees, - 20% lacked permits for drilling or digging wells, - 76% did not have a water use assessment or permit, - 70% did not pay water use fees, - 42% did not separate ashes and waste from boilers. Violations of laws concerning Environmental Impact Assessment, Water, Waste, and Air Quality have been confirmed, and enforcement actions are underway against 50 businesses. Orders from the State General Inspector have been sent to the military units of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, prison groups of the General Directorate of Court Decisions, and other state institutions to correct deficiencies in water heating boiler facilities. Notices and recommendations have also been sent to businesses with seasonal operations that were not active to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

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Innovation

C. Baatarkhuu: This Year We Will Introduce 5G Nationwide and Increase the Internet Capacity of Soums Tenfold

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: ikon.mn

C. Baatarkhuu, the Minister for Digital Development, Innovation, and Communication, provided information today about the activities he is implementing. Mongolia is hosting conferences and discussions involving all researchers in the field to define its future policy on artificial intelligence. Following these, the government will adopt a national artificial intelligence strategy. The Ministry for Digital Development, Innovation, and Communication is preparing to introduce the 5G network nationwide by 2025. Autonomous vehicles, automation, and robotic technologies in the industrial sector will not be usable without 5G. Without 5G, the disparity between rural and urban areas will persist, emphasized Minister C. Baatarkhuu. Our country has 52,480 km of fiber optic cables, but internet services reach approximately 23% of the total territory. This year, we will increase the internet capacity of soums tenfold by 2025. Furthermore, with the advent of 5G and the Internet of Things, household electric and water meters will become automated, producing accurate calculations without the need for a person to manually record them. Warning: Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must cite their source as ikom.mn whenever using our information, in full or in part, in any form.

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Initiating the Use of 5G Technology and Increasing Internet Speed Tenfold in All Soums

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Digital Development, Innovation, and Communications Minister T.Baatarkhuu presented on ten significant projects planned for 2025. Since 2019, countries have started implementing 5G technology. A total of 344 mobile network operators across 127 countries have launched 5G networks in compliance with 3GPP standards. By 2030, the global 5G network connection is expected to reach 6.3 billion, equivalent to 67% of all mobile connections. In Mongolia, the legal framework was established and relevant tests were conducted in 2021. In 2025, the national radio frequency allocation table was revised and approved, and efforts are underway to implement 5G technology. With the introduction of 5G technology: - The possibility of transmitting and exchanging large amounts of data with minimal delay will be achieved. - It will be possible to connect the Internet of Things (IoT) and develop and use smart systems in every sector. - By 2030, 5G technology is expected to boost the global economy by $2.1 trillion and increase GDP by an average of 1.7%. The internet in soums will be increased tenfold. Currently, 325 soums have 52,480 km of fiber optic cable with a network capacity of 1 Gbps. This will be increased to 10 Gbps by 2025. By increasing it tenfold: - Services based on Internet Protocol, such as IPTV requiring high internet speed and capacity, similar to those in Ulaanbaatar and provincial urban areas, can be introduced in soums. - It will establish a foundational infrastructure to successfully implement and evenly distribute the "Digital Nation" program promoted by the Government of Mongolia nationwide. INITIATING A PROJECT TO ESTABLISH A TIER IV GREEN DATA CENTER BASED ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE The national data center currently boasts 95% utilization, 65% electricity use, and can host 5 servers based on artificial intelligence. In contrast, the backup center in Darkhan-Uul aimag has a utilization rate of 20%, 34% electricity use, and can host 15 AI-based servers. In 2025, a "green" data center of renewable, efficient, and reliable operation at the international "TIER 4" level will be established. Housing the state's electronic technology, programs, and databases within Mongolia supports digital transformation, technological advancement, and national security. The global data size utilized is projected as follows: - 2 zettabytes in 2010 - 64 zettabytes in 2020 (64 billion gigabytes) - 149 zettabytes in 2024 - 394 zettabytes in 2028 This increases demands for data storage and processing, leading to the establishment of vast data centers worldwide. Possessing a new green data center enables the development of big data infrastructure that meets TIER IV standards while facilitating hybrid and multicloud infrastructures. With a Tier 4-standard data center, it becomes possible to host products from companies like Microsoft and Google within Mongolia. ENHANCING THE SYSTEM FOR ENSURING TRANSPARENCY OF STATE INFORMATION AND IMPLEMENTING OPEN AND BIG DATA IN CIRCULATION Currently, 23% of budget institutions do not sufficiently provide information as per public information transparency laws. Policy-wise: - Amendments to the "Open Data Law" and related laws will establish a legal environment for open data. A national data strategy will be developed, aligned with a unified metadata standard. Policies will safeguard data protection and confidentiality. Institutional and leadership-wise: - Strengthening data governance. - Establishing safety and confidentiality units or personnel at national and organizational levels. Human resources and capacity: - Promoting data education and training human resources. - Supporting a culture of data. Technology and Infrastructure: - Introducing systems related to centralized state information banks, - Metadata systems, - Introducing technologies for data storage and protection into practice.

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C. Baatarkhuu: Establishment of a Green Data Center Allows Storage of Foreign Tech Firms' Data

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: montsame.mn

MONTAME reports that Mongolia is aiming to establish a new green data center. By creating a suitable legal and regulatory environment in its vast territories with favorable climatic conditions, a new economic corridor and opportunity appear to be emerging through which it aims to securely store data from major foreign technology companies, as reported by C. Baatarkhuu, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology. During a press conference related to the presentation of the national strategy project on big data and artificial intelligence, he stated, "If we wish to introduce new technology, we must establish an international-level green data center because there's a risk of hindrance in digital transition otherwise. Moreover, due to the shortage of energy, reforms are necessary in this sector to successfully execute digital transformation. If we succeed in establishing a green data center, many economic opportunities will open up, allowing the reliable and secure storage of big data calculations processed by artificial intelligence processors." The plan is already in place to establish the new data center in Zuunmod city, Tuv province, and currently, around 4000 government websites are being consolidated under gov.mn. The national data center is currently operating at 90% capacity.

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National Data Center for Artificial Intelligence to be Established

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communication, Ts. Baatarkhuu, presented the plans and works to be implemented in 2025. This year, they will establish a "TIER-4" national data center for artificial intelligence in the new Zuunmod City, also known as Khunnu City. Additionally, the websites of approximately 4,000 government ministries and agencies will be integrated into the unified Gov.mn system. The government is also working on approving a national strategy for artificial intelligence. Ten tasks to be carried out under the approval of the national strategy for artificial intelligence: - Initiate the use of 5G technology in Mongolia and increase the internet speed in all soums by ten times. Currently, there are 325 soums with 52,480 km of fiber optic cables with a network capacity of 1 Gbps. The goal is to increase this to 10 Gbps by 2025. - Start a project to establish a TIER IV classification green data center based on artificial intelligence. Currently, the National Data Center has a utilization rate of 95%, with electricity usage at 65% and the capacity to host 5 AI-based servers. A new green data center will allow for the development of big data infrastructure, meeting the TIER IV standard, and creating Hybrid and Multicloud infrastructure. - Improve the system for ensuring transparency of government information and promote the circulation of open data and big data. - Introduce blockchain technology in areas such as national registration, land registry, health, and courts to build a fair and corruption-free society. - Accelerate the digital transition of government operations and introduce an AI agent on the E Mongolia platform. - Improve Mongolia's international ranking in cybersecurity and move to the "emerging" category. - Promote national e-mail communication and increase the use of digital signatures tenfold. - Define satellite policy and regulations to lay the foundation for the space economy. - Establish an international drone flight testing zone and create a training center for operators to develop a qualification system. - Initiate the establishment of a national investment fund to support innovative startups and develop the digital economy.

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South Korean Government's 2025 Master's and Doctoral Scholarship Program Announced

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has announced the selection process for the 2025 scholarship program for international students to study for master's and doctoral degrees. Application materials can be submitted in person to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (ROK Embassy) from the 17th to the 28th of this month during working hours. Duration of the scholarship program: Master's: One year of Korean language preparation, followed by a two-year main program Doctorate: One year of Korean language preparation, followed by a three-year main program Researcher: Six months or one year Fields of study and criteria: For Korean language: CLICK HERE to learn more. For English language: CLICK HERE to learn more. Documents required: CLICK HERE to learn more. Fill out the form and submit a total of 4 copies of all supporting documents (1 original copy authenticated by Apostille + 3 simple copies). Working hours of the Embassy: Weekdays 08:00 – 17:00 (Lunch break 12:00-13:30) Address of the Embassy: Ulaanbaatar, Khan-Uul District, Mahatma Gandhi Street 39 Phone number of the Embassy: 70071020 For more information, contact the following email addresses: International Education Center's Scholarship Program: kgspniied@korea.kr Scholarship Officer at ROK Embassy: kormg_cul@mofa.go.kr Source: Ministry of Education Notice: Please note that media organizations (TV, Radio, Social and Web pages) must indicate the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form in full or in part.

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Center to Combat Misinformation to be Established

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Ministry of Digital Development and Communications will establish a center to combat misinformation. "This is because misinformation can cause societal division, jeopardize national unity, and create significant conflicts. Hence, an official center will be established to verify whether information is confirmed.
It is also necessary to train skilled specialists to work in this center. Government websites and web pages are constantly being attacked in various ways daily. Therefore, all government agencies need to have cybersecurity specialists, and both public and private sector organizations need to adopt officially licensed software," said Minister Ts. Batarkhuu of the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications.
Mongolia currently ranks 103rd in the world for cybersecurity, classified as being at a "risky" level.

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National Data Center for Artificial Intelligence to be Established

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: news.mn

Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communication, Ts. Baatarkhuu, gave a briefing today. He highlighted that "A 'TIER-4' national data center for artificial intelligence will be established in the New Zuunmod City or the Hunnu City. Additionally, about 4,000 government ministry and agency websites will be integrated into the unified Gov.mn system."

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Preparing to Increase Internet Capacity Tenfold

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Ministry of Communications, Information Technology and Innovation is preparing to roll out the advanced 5G mobile network nationwide this year, with the selection process starting in March. This year, the internet capacity in soums will be increased tenfold. This will allow modern services to be accessed and enable children in soums to study via all educational platforms and improve their foreign language skills. Additionally, local citizens will be able to receive healthcare services without delay. Mr. Ts. Baarkhuu, the Minister of Communications, Information Technology and Innovation, stated that, "By introducing 5G, we will have the opportunity to discuss driverless transportation and the integration of robotic technology into the industrial sector. Furthermore, automatic solutions for household monthly water and electricity usage will be provided, delivering accurate calculations and information to families and businesses. There will be no need for individuals to manually record meter readings." Mongolia's soums and settlements have a network of 53,000 km of fiber optic cable, covering 23 percent of the country's territory with internet service.

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C. Baatarkhuu: A Center to Combat False Information will be Established in the Field of Cybersecurity /LIVE/

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: isee.mn

The Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communications, C. Baatarkhuu, gave a briefing on current issues today. Minister C. Baatarkhuu stated, "The E-Mongolia Academy is creating an artificial intelligence agent for public services. This agent will independently identify what services should be received next. Since the establishment of the E-Mongolia Academy, services have been provided 65 million times, counted without duplication. Currently, two million people are using this application to receive government services. If we protect the privacy of citizens' age, name, and personal information, and make open the data on which routes are most traveled in the morning and what services are most used, a brand new data economy can be established. This will enable the training of artificial intelligence." There are several contentious issues in our country. For example, the most numerous complaints relate to land certificates and real estate certificates. The main way to resolve these issues is technology. We will completely resolve this controversial issue through blockchain technology. Our country advanced 28 places in the e-government development index, reaching 46th place. Additionally, in the realm of cybersecurity, we are planning to establish a center to combat false information. Recently, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, it was announced that by 2030, the greatest global risk will be false information. Therefore, our ministry is planning to establish an official center to verify whether information is scientifically true or false.

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Health

Kwang Woon Lee: There is an Urgent Need to Develop Liver Transplant Surgery in Mongolia

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Doctors at the National Cancer Center (NCC), in collaboration with doctors from Seoul National University Hospital, are performing laparoscopic surgery to remove a donor's right liver. This marks the first time such an operation is being carried out in Mongolia using 3D laparoscopy to facilitate quick recovery and prevent complications such as wounds, according to N. Erdenekhuu, the General Director of NCC. He stated, "Since 2018, we have been performing liver transplants. Additionally, we are planning to conduct kidney and pancreas transplants. Laparoscopic surgery is crucial for performing surgeries with minimal harm to the patient. Today, for the first time, we performed laparoscopic surgery on a liver donor. This method is important for quicker healing and preventing wounds and other complications." Kwang Woon Lee, a consultant professor at Seoul National University Hospital, added, "The incision from surgery affects the donor's psychology, which is why we introduced laparoscopic surgery. Together with Mongolian doctors, we are performing liver transplants on two patients today. First, to assist Mongolian doctors in liver transplantation, and second, to sign a memorandum of cooperation." Mongolia ranks first in the world for liver diseases and leads in liver cancer cases, highlighting an urgent need to develop liver transplant surgery in the country. The National Cancer Center performs approximately 70-80 liver transplants annually. In Korea, over 70% of donor surgeries are from living donors, while the remaining 30% are from deceased donors. Living donor liver transplant surgeries began in 1999, and since then, Seoul National University Hospital has performed over 3,000 liver transplants. In this type of surgery, the donor plays the most important role. Voluntary organ donation is a significant honor, but open donor surgery can result in large scars, leading to potential depression. Therefore, the incision from surgery does affect the donor's mental state. Since 2016, Seoul National University Hospital has been performing laparoscopic surgery on donors, and today, the donor surgery was successfully completed. The surgery for the recipient is currently ongoing. "Donating one's organ to save another's life is a heroic act," said G. Unenbat, Head of the Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas Surgery, and Transplantation Center at the NCC. "A donor is someone who undertakes a heroic act. To remove the liver from a donor in a liver transplant surgery, open surgery with a large incision is performed, leading to large scars. Therefore, we have introduced laparoscopic methods for our heroic donors, considering post-surgical recovery and aesthetics. Today, surgeries are done not only by laparoscopy but also using robotic surgery in highly developed countries to remove donor livers." Our First State Central Hospital has begun laparoscopic kidney donor surgeries, and this time, we are starting laparoscopic liver donor surgeries at the NCC.

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Sports

Asian Championship Boxing Match to be Held at Asashoryu Arena

Published: 2025-02-10 | Translated from: isee.mn

The "Night of Champions, Ulaanbaatar-2025" Central Asian Championship boxing match organized by the WBA will take place on February 15, 2025, at ASA Arena. Remarkably, this event features Mongolia's own Merited Sports Master Tsogbadrakh Erdene, who will contend for the WBA's Central Asian Championship belt, marking the first time a Mongolian boxer fights for a championship belt in their home country. In the event's main fight, Tsendbaatar's opponent is Pedro Bernal Rodriguez, who boasts a professional record of 17 fights with 14 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws, including 6 victories by knockout. Rodriguez, a 26-year-old Mexican boxer, is the WBC Youth World Champion in the lightweight category. Adding further excitement to the event is the participation of Olympic and World Championship silver medalist and IBO World Champion professional boxer N. Tögstsogt, who will also compete. Tögstsogt began his professional boxing career in 2015 and has since amassed a record of 12 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw across 15 fights. Additionally, the preliminary matches will feature 6 top Mongolian boxers across different weight categories, facing high-ranking competitors from Mexico, Russia, the Philippines, India, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The matchups are as follows: - E. Tsogbaatar (MGL) vs. Pedro Bernal (MEX) - N. Tögstsogt (MGL) vs. Mark Anthony (PHI) - B. Tögöldör (MGL) vs. Rakhmatilloyon Sharipov (UZB) - B. Misheel (MGL) vs. Sunil Kumar (IND) - O. Byambatsogt (MGL) vs. Ruslan Kirichenko (RUS) - Kh. Beknür (MGL) vs. Tuktoshon Uulu Bekbolsun (KGZ) - E. Bayarsaikhan (MGL) vs. Ibrahim Abdullaev (UZB) - Kh. Enkh-Amar (MGL) vs. Michael Escobia (PHI)

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