Pages

Monday, June 2, 2014

[GoM withdraws narrow/broad railway plan, MEC to dispose non-Khushuut assets, MRAM chief removed, and first Mongolian language domain registered]

Please click Display Images or Download Pictures to properly view this newswire

Monday, June 2, 2014

Follow the news on Facebook, Twitter and view archive here

Jump to: Overseas Market - Local MarketEconomyPoliticsBusinessUlaanbaatarDiplomacy - Social, Environmental and Other

Headlines in Italic are ones modified by Cover Mongolia from original

 

Overseas Market

Mogi: announcement seems a little late considering the issue was dropped officially last Friday with GoM withdrawal of the draft resolution.

MEC: UPDATE ON THE ISSUE OF STRATEGIC DEPOSITS AND MINERAL LICENCES

Mongolia Energy Corporation Limited is pleased to announce that its Khushuut Coal Mine has been removed from the proposed list of Strategic Deposits for consideration by the Mongolian Parliament.  

In order to concentrate our resources for development of our Khushuut Project, we have planned to dispose of our deposit in Bayan-Ugii which contains iron resources. Due to the current market condition, we anticipate an impairment of value may arise on the valuation of this exploration licence. In addition, upon expiry of our non-Khushuut related mineral licences, we will not apply for renewal if they have no development potential in order to save unnecessary expenses.

May 30 -- This announcement is made by Mongolia Energy Corporation Limited (the "Company", and together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") pursuant to Rule 13.09 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Listing Rules") and the Inside Information Provisions (as defined under the Listing Rules) under Part XIVA of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong).  

The Company refers to its announcement dated 6 June 2013 (the "Announcement"). Capitalised terms used in this announcement have the same meaning as those defined in the Announcement, unless otherwise stated.  

It was reported in the Announcement that the Mongolian government had proposed to add the Khushuut Coal Mine into the list of Strategic Deposits for consideration by the Parliament of Mongolia. According to our enquiry with our Mongolian legal adviser and its advice on 28 May 2014, we are pleased to announce that our Khushuut Coal Mine has been removed from the proposed list of Strategic Deposits for consideration by the Mongolian Parliament.

In order to concentrate our resources for development of our Khushuut Project, we have planned to dispose of our deposit in Bayan-Ugii which, according to our preliminary exploration, contains iron resources. The relevant exploration licence was acquired by us in 2009 and announced on 10 July 2009. No potential purchaser has been identified for the time being. In the meantime, a valuation on the recoverable amount on the relevant exploration licence will be carried out by an independent valuer. In view of the current market condition, we anticipate an impairment of value may arise; however, such impairment loss is non-cash in nature and will not affect our liquidity, cashflow nor will it have any impact on future operations. In addition, for the purpose of saving unnecessary expenditure, upon expiry of our non-Khushuut related mineral licences, we will not apply for renewal if they have no development potential. The non-renewal of these licences will not have any financial impact on the Company.  

Shareholders of the Company and potential investors are advised to exercise caution when dealing in the shares of the Company

Link to release

 

Mogi: GUF dropped towards the end after being flat in early trading to close -14.3% to 6c. Announcement was made right after close

Guildford Coal Biggest Shareholder Cuts Stake to 12% from 30%

May 30 (Cover Mongolia) Notice released today reveals TheChairment1 Pty. Ltd., Guildford Coal Ltd. (ASX:GUF), had cut its stake substantially through market disposals from early April to late May, resulting in a cut to its stake from 29.54% to 12.17%.

Link to notice

Back to top

Local Market

MSE News for May 30: Top 20 -1.24% to 14,814.37, Turnover 35.3 Million

Ulaanbaatar, May 30 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades held Friday, a total of 22 thousand and 624 shares of 24 JSCs were traded costing MNT 35 million 274 thousand and 820.00.

"Remikon" /10 thousand and 426 units/, "Silikat" /2,500 units/, "Mongolia Development" /1,900 units/, "Uvs chatsargana" /1,478 units/ and "APU" /1,263 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value--"Suu" (MNT five million and 096 thousand), "Bayangol hotel" (MNT four million and 896 thousand), "UB hotel" (MNT four million and 640 thousand), "Uvs chatsargana" (MNT four million and 564 thousand) and "APU" (MNT four million 484 thousand and 940).

The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 516 billion 878 million 507 thousand and 020. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 14,814.37, decreasing by MNT 186.40 or 1.24% against the previous day.

Link to article

 

MSE Weekly Review, May 26-30: Top 20 -3.64% to 14,814.37, Turnover 97.2 Million

Ulaanbaatar, June 1 /MONTSAME/ Five stock trades were held at Mongolia's Stock Exchange May 26-30, 2014.

In overall, 99 thousand and 571 shares were sold of 46 joint-stock companies totaling MNT 97 million 167 thousand and 590.03.

"Remikon" /44 thousand and 932 units/, "Silikat" /8,405 units/, "Asia-Pacific Properties" /6,420 units/, "Hermes center" /5,904 units/ and "Mongolia Development" /3,996 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value--"Asia-Pacific Properties" (MNT 15 million 857 thousand and 400), "Talkh chikher" (MNT eight million 403 thousand and 990), "Tavantolgoi" /MNT eight million 914 thousand and 886/, "Remikon" /MNT six million 770 thousand and 168/ and "APU" (MNT five million 901 thousand and 910).

Link to article

Link to MSE weekly trading report

Back to top

Economy

BoM MNT Rates: Friday, May 30 Close

 

5/30

5/29

5/28

5/27

5/26

USD

1,818.65

1,818.32

1,821.46

1,825.34

1,821.39

EUR

2,475.36

2,471.73

2,481.01

2,491.41

2,484.56

CNY

291.13

291.05

291.01

292.18

292.02

GBP

3,047.15

3,036.96

3,054.86

3,079.90

3,068.68

RUB

52.35

52.49

52.79

53.24

53.45

May MNT Chart:

 

Link to rates

 

Mongolian Economy Headlines 2014.05.26-05.30 

May 30 (Mongolian Economy) --

Link to video

 

2015 budget framework report submitted to parliament

Ulaanbaatar, May 30 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Finance Ch.Ulaan MP Thursday submitted to the Vice Speaker R.Gonchigdorj the 2015 budget framework report and the 2016-2017 budget assumption report.

By the preliminary performance of 2013, the balanced revenue of Mongolia's master budget reached MNT 5,880.6 billion, showing a decline of 503.7 billion or 92.1% against the predicted performance, but increased MNT 1,017.5 billion or 20.9% against 2012.

The performance of tax revenue planning was 89.1%, declining MNT 621.2 billion, whereas the non-tax revenue went up MNT 118.6 billion, showing a performance of 116.9%.

Excise tax income has been underperformed 194.5 billion togrog, the tax from domestic productions and services--337.2 billion, the revenue from external trade--135.2 billion togrog. All this affected the performance of the tax revenue.

The performance of the state budget revenue showed 87.6%, of revenue from local budgets--100.4%, of the Human Development Fund revenue--98.8%, and of social insurance fund--102.5%.

The Minister said the reports will be re-discussed and be considered together with a draft law on debt management.    

Link to article

Back to top

Politics

GoM Relieves G. Altansukh as Chairman of Mineral Resources Authority

June 2 (Cover Mongolia) Regular cabinet meeting held on Saturday, 31 May, decided to relieve G. Altansukh as head of the Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia, without giving any explanation or announcing a replacement.

Link to meeting memo

 

Mogi: wealth-creators, never were so popular as now

GoM working to eliminate all difficulties businesses, wealth-creators are facing says PM

Ulaanbaatar, May 30 (MONTSAME) Within twenty days, the cabinet launched 40 works out of 70 planned in frames of the "100 days for intensifying the national economy", the Premier N.Altankhuyag noted at the "PM's 30 minutes" meeting on Thursday.

He also said the cabinet for reforms submitted to parliament some bills on creating good conditions for doing business, now these draft are being discussed. The cabinet is also trying to eliminate all difficulties businessmen and wealth-makers are facing, Altankhuyag said. The cabinet formulated and discussed a bill on giving amnesty in order to disclose hidden economy, he added.

The cabinet backs projects on supporting the import and on augmenting the export. For example, a cement factory has been put into use in Khotol with a capability of producing one million tons of cement a year. An 80 million togrog (Mogi: 80 million?) financing has been allotted from the "Chingis" bonds for this factory. Moreover, the cabinet decided to finance the "Khov Tsav" cement factory at the "Mongoliin Alt" LLC and other joint cement factories, from the Development Bank of Mongolia (DBM).

The Premier said the national importers reached an agreement with the "Rosneft" to have it supply petroleum to Mongolia for five years. He had exchanged views with the Russian President Vladimir Putin on working out a middle- and long-term programme on developing the bilateral strategic partnership relations, he went on. They also had discussed issues of railway exploitation, augmenting the freight turnover and easing visa requirements, the government had expressed its readiness to back a matter on building natural gas pipelines across the Mongolian territory, Altankhuyag said.

Link to article

Back to top

Banner

Business

Mogi: Minister Batbayar's explanation was that minor changes were needed and will resubmit this soon.

Government withdraws new railway construction plan from parliament

May 30 (news.mn) During Thursday`s plenary session meeting of Parliament, speaker Z.Enkhbold announced that the Government took back the draft resolution on building lines of new railways that was submitted to Parliament.

The Government submitted the draft resolution on building 1435 mm gauge lines (Mogi: standard) of new railways in Tavantolgoi – Gashuunsukhait, Sainshand – Zamiin Uud, Khuut – Bichigt, 1520 mm gauge (Mogi: broad) lines of railways between Mogoin gol – Erdenet, Tavantolgoi – Sainshand – Baruun-Urt – Khuut – Choibalsan and Khuut – Numrug to Parliament last April.

The reason behind withdrawing the draft resolution remains unknown.

Link to article

 

Ambassador N.Tulga briefs EBRD Executive Committee on Mongolia's 100-Day Economic Stimulus Initiative

Ulaanbaatar, May 30 (MONTSAME) The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland N.Tulga visited a central office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development /EBRD/ on Thursday.

This action was co-hosted together with the bank's political relations department. The Ambassador spoke about measures our government has been taking within the 100-days of intensifying economy in frames of parliament's resolution.

Among the invited were members of the Executive Committee of the ERBD.

As of today, the ERBD has invested one billion USD in Mongolian private entities. 

Link to article

 

Mining Ministry assures fuel prices will not increase in near future

May 30 (infomongolia.com) On May 28, 2014, the Ministry of Mining hosted its regular monthly "Transparent Mining" meeting, where the 10 major tasks to carry out in 2014 was introduced, besides the Ministry authorities clarified about negotiations held between Russian state-owned Rosneft Company and Mongolian petroleum importers.

It was previously reported the Rosneft signed a 5-year contract for oil products supplies with Mongolian major importers of NIC (Petrovis), Magnai Trade and Shunkhlai companies and a Protocol of Cooperation between Rosneft and Mongolian Petroleum Authority was also inked during the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum held on May 22-24, 2014.

According to the Ministry, this negotiation has been discussed over one year and finally agreed to import petroleum on a new tariff, in detail, the Rosneft offered a new price per unit, which is very competitive compare to other suppliers and the new tariff is based on Singapore Stock Market and will be importing from June 2014.

In order to clarify what means a new tariff, because it is confusing whether the price units of gasoline in Mongolia would be decreased after new contracts established or increased due to foreign currency rates fluctuating daily, InfoMongolia.com contacted with the Ministry of Mining and Director of Fuel Policy Department Mr. L.Radnaasuren gave the following clarification.

"It is true that the 5-year contracts between Rosneft and Mongolian oil importers were made on easy terms and Mongolia enables to import fuel at lower unit prices compare to previous contracts, but it does not mean the gasoline prices would be decreased nor increased, because it all depends on currency rate changes.

To clarify, the Government of Mongolia annulled the Customs and Excise Taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels import in 2011 in order to stabilize the domestic prices, but the Ministry of Finance is requesting to end this regulation, because new tariffs set. If the foreign currencies will not raise and stabilized at current rates (1,800 MNT per 1 USD), it enables to decrease the current fuel prices and simultaneously set taxes, but if the foreign currencies raise we will annul again the import taxes for fuels, which is being under discussion.

In other words, the fuel prices will not change in near future in any circumstances".

As of May 30, 2014 in Ulaanbaatar, the price for A-92 & MGL-93 is 1,660 MNT, A-95 - 1,890 MNT and Diesel - 1,790 MNT per liter since the last increases made in February 2014.

In 2011, the Government of Mongolia annulled Customs and Excise Taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels import, but decided to collect the Excise Tax on import of diesel fuel in 2012.

Link to article

 

Mongolia Business Summit – GROW WITH US     

Bringing together business people, entrepreneurs and investors to discuss how they can collectively take advantage of Mongolia's next phase of growth

ULAAN BATAAR, Mongolia, May 30--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Presented by the Mongolia Economic Forum, the Mongolia Business Summit will focus on global partnerships to facilitate business growth. A "deal-driven" approach enabling entrepreneurs, investors, bankers, both local and international, to interact directly will be used.

A huge focus of next month's summit is to introduce corporations, bankers, investors and entrepreneurs, both local and international, to discover how they can explore the untapped potential of one of the world's fastest growing economies.

International and local business people experiencing success in Mongolia will share unrivalled, first-hand experience of growing their business in this emerging market. One of the participants of the conference Mr. Robert Friedland is also expected to attend.

With one of the world's fastest growing GDP rates at 9.5% in 2014 and 10% expected in 2015 (Asia Development Bank), Mongolia is setting the foundations for a period of high and steady growth expected in 2015/2016.

Mongolia serves as a key platform for markets in China and Russia. This landlocked nation is ideally situated between two influential neighbours with large economies.

The country's target growth sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, mining, real estate and manufacturing, will be explored at the event. Representatives from each of these sectors will also attend.

Participants have the rare opportunity of opting to visit various sites including cashmere factories, agricultural and food processing facilities, manufacturing plants and a mining site.

Join us for the Mongolian Business Summit from June 19-21, 2014 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Grow with us.

For further information please contact or visit www.meforum.mn, www.business-in-mongolia.mn.

Contacts

Mongolia Economic Forum
San Business Center, 9th floor
Sukhbaatar District, 8 khoroo
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Tel: +11 321051
Email: urtnasan.b@meforum.mn, altanzul@meforum.mn
or
The Dilenschneider Group
Orlando Camargo, 212-922-0900
ocamargo@dgi-nyc.com

Link to release

Back to top

Banner

Ulaanbaatar

Factsheet: Urban Services in the Ger Districts of Ulaanbaatar

(The Asia Foundation) -- In May 2012, The Asia Foundation signed an institutional partnership agreement with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to launch various initiatives relating to good governance, health and education across the Asian region. These initiatives are designed with an emphasis on flexibility and adaptability to ensure that they are timely, opportune, and likely to achieve significant impact. In Mongolia, the initiative under the institutional partnership aims to improve urban services in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar. The Foundation is working closely with the Ulaanbaatar City Municipality to support efforts to improve the quality of services to theger districts, and to introduce a more inclusive style of urban governance.

Link to report page

 

Julien Dierkes: New to Ulaanbaatar in May 2014

May 31 (Mongolia Focus) Back in October 2013, I made a list of things that are arriving to/disappearing from central Ulaanbaatar.

I've copied that list here and am adding to it. New items since October 2013 that I'm adding in May 2014 in italics.

What has arrived?

·         sadly, Louis Vuitton and KFC

·         Mini, Bentley

·         child seats

·         sidewalks

·         parks [these are closely linked to Bat-Uul's election win in 2012]

·         farmers' markets

·         yoga

·         dogs on leashes

·         Sunday morning joggers and bikers

·         coffee culture

Barista Art at the Rosewood in Ulaanbaatar

What has disappeared, or at least nearly?

Note that some of these may be due to seasonal changes, as I hadn't been in Ulaanbaatar in September before my last winter, really only in summer or winter.

·         stationary 80s-office-phone-looking old-granny cell phone booth

·         for-pay scales

·         free WiFi on Sukhbaatar, er Chinggis Khaan Square

·         Sukhbaatar Square

·         open gullys/missing manholes

·         street kids

·         packs of dogs

·         smoking

·         the sixth-floor souvenir shop at the State Department Store (though perhaps seasonal)

·         oversized sunglasses for women that were so popular across Asia (?) some years ago

·         Nescafe (see above on coffee culture)

What will appear in the future

·         navigation systems

·         wheelchair accessibility

·         bike lanes

·         city park along the Tuul

·         new airport (apparently)

·         subway (really, I wish they had selected light rail instead)

·         sports cars

·         Harley-Davidson

·         urban renewal and historical restorations embracing district north of government house (National University of Mongolia, German embassy, etc.)

·         road signs in the countryside

·         street names and signs in the city

·         network of cross-country riding trails

What will disappear in the near future

I'm going out on a predictive limb here… 2-3 years is what I mean by "near future".

·         stray dogs

·         stretched-out hand to signal for a car ride

·         that awkward extra half-step on most stairs

What will disappear in the medium-term future

I mean around 5 years or so.

·         new (to Mongolia) cars that are right-hand drive

·         the neo-classical Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, with its Stalinist (if that's an architectural style) spire

·         deels in the city

·         some of the downtown university campuses

·         buildings of 4 floors or less in the urban core.

Link to post

Back to top

Banner

Diplomacy

Ulaanbaatar workshop highlights 60 years of Vietnam-Mongolia diplomatic ties

May 29 (VietnamPlus) May The 60-year-old diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Mongolia was the main focus of a workshop recently held in Mongolia.

Speaking at the May 27 event, Mongolian Deputy Foreign Minister D. Gankhuyag said that Mongolian leaders and people always treasure and wish to further develop the country's friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.

During the workshop, both sides' scholars delivered reports on the bilateral ties over the past 60 years, highlighting achievements as well as limitations in the fields of politics, economics, trade, culture, science and education.

One of the presentations stressed the importance of the Vietnam-Mongolia ties in helping Mongolia boost its political and economic integration into the ASEAN and Asian-Pacific region.

Regarding the current East Sea issue after China illegally placed its drilling rig deep inside Vietnam's waters, delegates agreed that such small countries like Vietnam and Mongolia should unite and cooperate to form collective strength in regional and international issues.

Ambassador Phan Dang Duong took this occasion to thank Mongolian people and the Mongolia-Vietnam Friendship Association, together with the international community, for raising their voice backing justice and Vietnam's legitimate aspiration to safeguard its sacred sovereignty.

Link to article

 

S.Korea agrees to ease visa requirements for Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar, May 30 (MONTSAME) The eighth consultative meeting between heads of Mongolia and S.Korea Foreign Ministries' Consular departments ran in Seoul May 28.

The meeting was chaired by Department director Mr Sh.Sukhbaatar and by the S.Korean Ministry Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs Ambassador Mr Lee Jeong-gwan.

The gathered shared views on several issues including legal rights protection of Mongolians residing in S.Korea; implementation of treaties and conventions established between the two countries on consular affairs; condition easing for reciprocal travels, and searching for Mongolians who have gone missing in S.Korea.

The sides also reached agreements on reducing deposit money and number of documents requested ahead of the visa issuance, as well as on making shorter the visa issuance period.

At the meeting, the Mongolian side included public officers also from the Immigration Agency, Border Protection Authority, the Police, Social Insurance Authority, Employment Center, and management team from the Consular Department of the Embassy of Mongolia in Seoul.

Link to article

 

2nd Intergovernmental Meeting Held between Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan in Ulaanbaatar

May 30 (infomongolia.com) The Second Intergovernmental Commission Meeting between Mongolia and the Kyrgyz Republic on Trade, Economy, Science, Technical and Cultural Cooperation was held in Ulaanbaatar on May 28-29, 2014.

The Mongolian part was led by Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Mongolia M.Tumenjargal and the Kyrgyz part was headed by Minister of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyz K.Sultanov.

The meeting discussed main guidelines and concrete actions for developing the Mongolia-Kyrgyz relations and cooperation until 2016, particularly determined activities to be carried out in the fields of trade, investment, business, agriculture, transportation, mining, regional cooperation, environment and culture and resolved to establish several documents charted to strengthening the legal foundation for bilateral relations and cooperation.

Upon the meeting, Secretary General of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry E.Oyuntegsh and Vice President of Kyrgyz Chamber of Commerce and Industry R.Apasova signed a cooperation agreement and a MOU on setup of a business council between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan.

While staying in Ulaanbaatar, the Kyrgyz delegation paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister of Mongolia N.Altankhuyag and held meetings with Minister of Roads and Transportation A.Gansukh and Deputy Minister of Industry and Agriculture Ts.Tuvaan respectively.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2016 in Bishkek.

Link to article

Related:

Intergov'tal commission of Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan meetsMontsame, May 30

 

Norway supports child health in Bayan-Ulgii

Ulaanbaatar, May 30 (MONTSAME) In Bayan-Olgii aimag, its governor Kh.Darmen met Friday with Mr B.Andersen, a delegate of the Norwegian Assistance Organization /NAO/.

At the meeting, Kh.Darmen thanked the organization for its constant support to the provincial public health sector.

In turn, Mr Andersen said the NAO-funded two projects have started in child rights protection and infants' health in the aimag and asked the locality to actively participate in these projects. 

Link to article

 

L.Bold meets Ministers of Denmark

Ulaanbaatar, May 30 (MONTSAME) In frames of his official visit to the Kingdom of Denmark May 27-28, the Mongolian Minister of Foreign Affairs held official talks with his counterpart of Denmark Mr Martin Lidegaard, and with Mr Mogens Jensen, the Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation. He also met with Lars Thuesen, the State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry for commerce and strategic affairs.

The sides discussed matters on expanding the Mongolia-Denmark economic ties and cooperation and on making investments to new fields.

"Some biggest companies have been running business at Mongolia's market for many years, they are introducing technical renovation in the energy and heating sectors," the Ministers said, adding that the countries have a big opportunity to collaborate in processing agricultural raw materials.

Following the meeting, Mr Bold legged the Denmark's Agriculture and Food Council, the Association of Industries and the Center for Green Energy, and gave to the Danish businessmen details about an investment environment in Mongolia. The sides also exchanged views on possibilities to cooperate in the areas of agriculture, foods including dairy production and re-processing garbage and to introduce the progressive experience of Denmark in Mongolia for green technologies.

By the visiting programme, the Minister has met with members of the Denmark-Mongolia Society that will turn 25 in 2015. He received information from them about their projects, programmes and activities running in Mongolia, and said his Ministry is ready to support the society.

Link to article

 

Foreign Minister L.Bold received by HH Margrethe II & Speaker for Denmark

Ulaanbaatar, May 30 (MONTSAME) Mongolia's Minister of Foreign Affairs L.Bold paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Denmark on May 27-28.

Mr Bold was received by Her Highness Margrethe II, the Queen of Denmark, and by Mr Mogens Lykketoft, the Speaker of the Folketing (parliament).

Her Highness Margrethe II underlined that the Mongolian President's visit to Denmark in 2013 was a historic event that brought the bilateral relations into a newer level.

The FM and the Folketing Speaker reached an agreement to implement specific works to enhance the inter-parliamentary ties. Mr Mogens Lykketoft paid an official visit to Mongolia last year.

Link to article

Back to top

Banner

Social, Environmental and Other

FAO: GIEWS Country Briefs - Mongolia

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

·         The 2014 wheat harvest forecast to recover

·         Wheat imports to increase in the 2013/14 marketing year

·         Prices of beef and mutton at near-record levels

May 30 (FAO) --

The 2014 wheat harvest forecast to recover

Planting of the 2014 winter wheat crop is nearing completion. The total area planted to wheat this year is officially estimated at a record level of 304 500 hectares, 11 percent above last year's level, which was reduced due to a delayed onset of seasonal rains. Assuming good weather conditions, and about average yields, FAO's preliminary forecasts point to a strong recovery from last year's lows, with the 2014 wheat production increasing by 22 percent to 450 000 tonnes.

Wheat imports forecast to increase sharply the in 2013/14 marketing year (October/September)

Wheat and rice are the two major cereals imported, mainly from the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. Cereal imports in the 2013/14 marketing year (October/September) are forecast to increase by one-third from last year's low level and reach 156 000 tonnes. The increase reflects larger wheat imports, which are expected to grow by 50 percent to 120 000 tonnes, due to lower domestic availabilities. Rice imports in 2014 are anticipated to remain at last year's average level.

Prices of beef and mutton on the increase

The price for wheat flour, which remained relatively stable between December 2013 and March 2014, increased in April, reflecting the peak of the lean season and higher export prices in the Russian Federation, the country's main supplier. In Ulaanbaatar the capital city market, prices of wheat flour in April were 12 percent above last year's level. Bread prices, generally subsidized, have remained comparatively stable since March 2013.

Prices of beef and mutton meat in Ulaanbaatar continued their upward trend of the last six months, reaching near-record levels in April. Continued strong domestic demand, associated with the economic growth, is supporting prices.

According to the Central Bank of Mongolia, the overall inflation in April 2014 reached 12.3 percent on yearly basis.

Link to report

 

999 Children Parade in Mongolia on World No Tobacco Day

Ulaanbaatar, May 30 /MONTSAME/ A parade of 999 pupils took place on the Central Square of Ulaanbaatar to back the tobacco control law.

This event is marked on occasion of the World No Tobacco Day which is celebrated annually by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 31. The parade included the pupils from the "Leader" club at the Union of Mongolian Pupils (UMP) and three city schools.

The pupils raised boards with mottos "Let's be an athlete instead of smoker" and "Please save us from smoke". They protested a proposal for altering the current tobacco law to lessen the no-smoking area to 250 meters away from educational organizations.

The parade was attended by L.Erdenechimeg MP. She talked about hazards of smoking. "The present law on tobacco control must be kept as it is," she said.

The parade was supported by the unofficial group of women MPs, Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, the City's Police Department and Health Center.

Link to article

 

National Geographic Expeditions - Mongolia: Land of the Nomad

June 30 – July 12, 2014, July 05 – 17, 2014

·         13-day adventure to the steppe, the wetlands, and the desert

·         Witness the age-old competitions of the Naadam Festival

·         Explore Ulaanbaatar, the Gobi Desert, and Gün-Galuut

Expedition Details

Amid the stark beauty of Mongolia's varied landscapes lives one of the world's last surviving nomadic cultures, whose customs pre-date the age of Genghis Khan. On a journey from the mystical steppe to the remote dunes of the Gobi desert, experience an ancient way of life. Ride horseback across wetlands, hike in a dramatic oasis, and watch the sun set on the Flaming Cliffs. Stay in traditional ger camps and witness the exhilarating contests of the Naadam Festival.

Trip Highlights

·         Experience Naadam, Mongolia's most celebrated festival, and see wrestling, archery and horse racing competitions.

·         Go horseback riding and spot wildlife in the wetlands of the Gün-Galuut Nature Reserve.

·         Attend a performance of traditional Mongolian throat singing, and visit with nomads in their traditional ger camps.

·         Explore the site of one of the world's most prolific dinosaur fossil quarries at the Flaming Cliffs.

Itinerary - 13 Days

Link to expedition page

 

Officer returns back lost wallet with $4,200 to Khurd guitarist B.Naranbaatar

Ulaanbaatar, May 30 (MONTSAME) An officer at the Court Decision Implementing Authority Mr Batzorig returned a lost wallet with 4,200 dollars and 380,000 togrog to its owner on May 27.

The owner turned to be a guitarist of "Khurd" rock band B.Naranbaatar, who had been carrying that large amount of cash in his wallet to buy medical equipment to donate later to a children's hospital. Naranbaatar thanked the noble man and gave him their golden album and promised to invite him as an honor guest to their soon-to-come concert.

Link to article

 

Khentii Aimag to Construct 18-Storey Chinggis Tower in Capital Chinggis City

May 30 (infomongolia.com) The Governing Administration of Khentii Aimag proclaimed to name its center of province as Chinggis city following the Citizens' Representatives Khural (Council) decision made on November 18, 2013. Before, the center of Aimag used to name as Undurkhaan.

So on May 29, 2014, the Aimag Council at its regular meeting has resolved to construct a "Chinggis" Tower and the ground breaking ceremony was held on the same day, which was marked as the first day of the first summer month by a Lunar calendar.

At the ceremony, Governor of Khentii Aimag J.Oyunbaatar, Aimag Council Chairman S.Purevjav, Governor of Chinggis city N.Bazarkhand and other officials along with locals and representatives from "Shadavdarjaalin" and "Gundgaravlin" monasteries and "Khan Khentii" ensemble have attended.

The new tower will have a 18-storey building featuring a stupa design and would cost about 7 billion MNT, which will be executed by "Khos Bar" LLC at its own expenses and during the ceremony, Governor J.Oyunbaatar said, "After the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, Erdenet and Darkhan cities are considered to be leading urbanized centers, so in the eastern region of Mongolia, the Chinggis city will be a leading developed center".

According to blueprint, Chinggis Tower will have an underground parking, convenience centers, offices, hotels, guest reception hall as well as apartments including luxury residences. In addition, the building will be covered with white surfaces and on the front panel "Chinggis" will be written vertically in a Mongolian traditional script.

The construction is started on Thursday, May 29 and is planned to be accomplished by the end of 2015. Before, it was prohibited to construct buildings over 4-story in the center of Khentii Aimag, but following the advanced technology progress it is now able to construct sky-buildings in this region.

Link to article

 

Mongolia Parliament Becomes First to Obtain Domain Names in Mongolian Cyrillic

May 30 (infomongolia.com) Two years ago, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) officially announced that preparations for .мон (mon) and .мн (mn) Mongolian Cyrillic domains were successfully completed especially for Mongolian use.

So on May 29, 2014, a national Datacom LLC, which is providing a service to introduce Mongolian Cyrillic domains, handed over its first Certificate to the Secretariat of the State Great Khural (Parliament) to utilize eight Mongolian domains of the Parliament namely улсын-их-хурал.мон, уих.мон, монгол-улсын-их-хурал.мон, муих.мон, парламент.мон, нээлттэй-парламент.мон, их-хурал.мон, and хурал.мон.

For visitors who used to apply for parliament.mn, this domain name will be remained simultaneously.

The Certificate was presented by Director General of Datacom Company G.Enkhbold to the Secretary General of Parliament Secretariat B.Boldbaatar.

Currently, all state organs and organizations granted with a Certificate of Intellectual Property are being registered to have Mongolian Cyrillic domains and according to Datacom, these organs will have their new domain names concurrently by October 15, 2014 and after, registration for companies and private entities will be started.

Link to article

Back to top

---

Email: info@covermongolia.mn

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

No comments:

Post a Comment