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Tuesday, October 4, 2016

[ETG considers splitting in 2; MNT sets new lows vs USD/EUR/CNY/HKD; SGK opens autumn session; and FTSE retains MSE on watch list]

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Tuesday, October 4, 2016

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Jump to: Int'l Market - Local Market - Economy - Politics, Legal - Business - Ulaanbaatar - Diplomacy - Health, Education - Culture, Society - Nature, Environment - Sports - Art, Entertainment - Travel

Headlines in Italic are ones modified by Cover Mongolia from original

 

Int'l Market

EGI closed +7.76% Monday to US$0.289, ETG +5.63% to C$0.375

Entrée Gold Evaluating Restructuring Options, Including Splitting into Two Separate Public Companies

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 3, 2016) - Entrée Gold Inc. (TSX:ETG)(NYSE MKT:EGI)(FRANKFURT:EKA) ("Entrée" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it is currently evaluating options to potentially restructure its business, which may include splitting synergistic assets into two separate publicly traded companies.

Entrée's principal assets include a 20% carried joint venture interest in two of the copper-gold deposits at the world class Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia, 100%-ownership of the Ann Mason copper-molybdenum project in the Yerington District of Nevada, and the exploration stage Lordsburg porphyry copper-gold project in New Mexico.

Stephen Scott, Entrée's President and CEO commented, "Throughout 2016 management has been focussing on eliminating unnecessary costs, while considering strategic options to determine the best path forward for the Company.

Entrée is very fortunate to have three high quality assets, an experienced board and management team, excellent partners at Oyu Tolgoi, and approximately US$15 million in cash. We are currently evaluating the idea of restructuring as a first step towards closing the valuation gap between our current market capitalization and the real value of the Company's assets."

With development of Lift 1 of the Oyu Tolgoi underground block cave under way and much of the infill drilling and pre-feasibility-level metallurgical test work already completed at Ann Mason, management believes the Company has matured to a point where it could be beneficial for the Company and its stakeholders to separate its assets allowing management to execute focused strategies appropriate to discreet projects.

Many original shareholders invested in Entrée to gain exposure to the Oyu Tolgoi project which is well on its way to becoming one of the most significant producing copper-gold mines in the world. Entrée is very pleased with the progress that has been achieved to date by the Government of Mongolia and other project partners including manager Rio Tinto.

More recent shareholders invested in Entrée for exposure to the Ann Mason project which is viewed as having a lower risk profile, potential for further growth, good access to existing infrastructure, and is well situated in one of the most favourable mining jurisdictions in the world. Work needed to bring the Ann Mason project to the pre-feasibility level is already well advanced.

Entrée is currently evaluating several alternative structures, designed to achieve optimal tax efficiency and fairness. There can be no guarantee that this evaluation will result in a spin-out or other similar transaction or, if a transaction is undertaken, as to terms or timing. The Company does not intend to provide further updates until such time as the Board approves a specific transaction or otherwise concludes that disclosure is necessary or appropriate.

Link to release

 

1733 closed +22.08% Monday to HK$0.94

E-Commodities: Interim Report 2016

October 3, E-Commodities Holdings Ltd. (HKEx:1733) --

Link to report

 

SGQ closed flat Monday at C$0.47, 1878 -2.01% to HK$2.44

SouthGobi: Resignation of Hong Kong Company Secretary and Change of Authorized Representative

HONG KONG, CHINA--(Marketwired - Oct. 3, 2016) - SouthGobi Resources Ltd. (TSX:SGQ)(HKSE:1878) ("SouthGobi" or the "Company") announces the resignation of Mr. Cheng Yuk Wo, Erik ("Mr. Cheng") as the Hong Kong Company Secretary and the Authorized Representative of the Company under the Companies Ordinance, Chapter 622 of the laws of Hong Kong (the "Companies Ordinance" and the "Resignation", respectively) and Mr. Cheng's cessation as an Authorized Representative of the Company under the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange (the "Listing Rules" and the "Cessation", respectively), with effect from October 1, 2016. Mr. Cheng has confirmed that he has no disagreement with the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") and there is no matter relating to the Resignation and the Cessation that needs to be brought to the attention of the shareholders of the Company.

The Company is in the process of identifying a suitable candidate to fill the vacancy of the Hong Kong Company Secretary of the Company. Further announcement will be made once the new Hong Kong Company Secretary is appointed.

Following the Cessation, the Company further announces that Mr. Yulan Guo, the executive director and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, has been appointed as an Authorized Representative of the Company under Rules 3.05 and 19.05 (2) of the Listing Rules and the Authorized Representative under Part 16 of the Companies Ordinance, with effect from October 3, 2016.

Link to release

 

Mongolia calls IMF but WA still Rio Tinto's risk No.1

October 3 (Australian Financial Review) Mongolia's request for financial rescue by the International Monetary Fund has done nothing to alter the debt-burdened mining frontier's standing on the Rio Tinto rankings of sovereign risk.

Western Australia remains number one, well out in front of cash-strapped Mongolia, an increasingly volatile South Africa and the even more politically uncertain Madagascar and Guinea.

This unlikely achievement results, as we have noted before, from the commercially obtuse but politically acute plan by the WA National Party to solve the state's very obvious balance sheet problem with a new great big iron ore tax that would suck new life out of the world's biggest iron ore province.

Link to article

 

Ten-Point Plan to Fix Mongolia

By Lee Cashell

October 3 (Frontera News) Mongolia set a foot on the road to stabilizing its economy by formally beginning talks with the International Monetary Fund last week. Here are a further 10 steps the new government and the IMF should take to put one the world's most promising economies back on track.

1. Gold: Stop talking, start digging

While estimates have run wild on the trillion dollar-plus potential from Mongolia's mineral wealth, even the most conservative numbers show huge scope. Now that Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi project is back on track, the mine projects a fivefold surge in gold output this year. Centerra Gold's Gatsuurt mine, another with substantial proven resources, is slated to produce in the coming year. Smaller mines have increased total output by as much as 70% this year. This trend will underpin economic growth in the next couple of years – but it's just the start. Production could surge if Mongolia issues further exploration licenses and removes impediments created by a difficult and rent-seeking bureaucracy.

2. Coal Train to China

Mongolia has around a tenth of the world's coal reserves but the sector contributes little to the economy. That should soon change: coal prices have jumped more than 170% to over $200 per ton for the first time since 2012. An expected boost in production from the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine, near the Chinese border, should create a windfall in 2017. Even so, it won't reach anything near its potential without an efficient means of transport. Plans for a railway across the Gobi Desert to link the mine to the nearest Chinese railhead at Baotou, agreed in 2014, have gone nowhere. Now, the rail project is back under discussion with China for construction from the spring of next year. With this in place, BMI Research estimates production could increase by over 9% a year until 2020.

3. Grow up

With winter temperatures plummeting to minus 40 degrees centigrade, farming is tough – though not impossible. In the Canadian prairies, Saskatchewan has a similar climate but exports are expected to exceed $20 billion in the coming years. Privatization and open sales of Mongolia's agricultural land in the past five years have helped expand farming, particularly in areas close to the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Further gains rely on technology: modern irrigation to enhance grasslands; superior feed and cross breeding to boost cattle productivity. Such investment would pay dividends through food security and an improvement in the balance of payments with China.

4. Import Substitution

While local agriculture could dramatically reduce imports, it's not the only low-hanging fruit. Mongolians use around 2 million tons of cement a year, 70% of it coming from China. At a price of $100 a ton, substituting this with local sales would cut imports by $140 million and contribute to the push for full employment through self-sufficiency in the construction and materials sectors, along with spinoff benefits from bolstering manufacturing capabilities.

5. Taxing times

The government is busy drawing up tax plans to replenish the public purse. Levies are set to increase on tobacco and alcohol. This is a good start. The key message here: stop drinking and start working. It will help increase employment and reduce expensive social programs. But the government also needs to substantially broaden its fiscal base. While generally keeping income taxes low will encourage corporate expansion, the burden should rise for those earning over 2.5 million tugrik, or $111,000. In a similar vein, highpowered cars and other luxury goods should come in for excise duties. Savings on social spending should be ploughed into programs that encourage full employment.

6. Stick to the plan

Mongolia is part of the Open Government Partnership. Each year, signatories submit a National Action Plan to adhere to OGP principles. Mongolia's plan for 20162018 pledged to enhance budget transparency around mining, foreign direct investment and public procurement. All well and good, but Mongolia has some way to go. The OGP reported last year that the country had completed only 24% of its previous commitments, significantly below the global average of 51%. While cuts in highranking officials' salaries have been accepted by parliament, the focus must now be on smaller government, cutting back wasteful social programs and boosting employment.

7. The triple whammy

Mongolia could boost fiscal revenue, tackle corruption and lure back foreign investors in one fell swoop through privatization. State assets ripe for sale include the Mongolian Stock Exchange, State Bank, the Erdenet copper mine and MIAT airline. The government could even sell its 34% stake in Oyu Tolgoi. Case studies show a positive case: the sale of Khan Bank helped boost employment, training and income, yielding further contribution to the government's coffers through taxes on profits. Corporate governance practices at Khan Bank have become the template for stifling corruption and bad banking methods.

8. Foreign Investment Promotion

A small country overshadowed by giant neighbors must make a noise to get noticed. While the Foreign Investment & Foreign Trade Agency has had its success cases, it's mostly been ignored by governments as a potential engine of growth. It should be rejuvenated along the lines of Ireland's model, with aggressive campaigns for investment, and placed firmly under the Ministry of Finance with access and support from the country's embassies around the world. Political appointees should be replaced by fluent, persuasive, Western-educated Mongolians with experience in investment promotion, who are tasked with dramatically increasing and diversifying foreign fund flows. It should have a prominent role in ensuring that foreign investor rights are upheld within the government and the judicial system.

9. Long bonds

The Finance Ministry is projecting around a $2 billion-a-year funding gap until 2018. One obvious solution is to swap debt maturing in the next year or two for longer dated bonds. At the same time, the government should slash a legacy of unrealistic expenditure commitments created by the previous government and dramatically increase revenue-generating activities outlined above. Embracing the IMF should help Mongolia to achieve both while leaning on the lender to provide further credit guarantees that will support government bond issuance. Additional debt from China will help the government to term out debt until Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi project phase II is in full production, substantially increasing its revenue royalties on mineral production as well as income tax on expanded employment among other sources.

10. License to bank

While the history of foreign interference makes Mongolians protective against influence from overseas, appropriately granted licenses to foreign banks could help stimulate competition, reduce fees and challenge the oligopolistic and insular nature of the financial sector in a country in dire need of additional capital and competition. Although the banking system dates to Russian involvement in 1924, the first foreign entrant in modern times wasn't until ING entered in 2008, and that was only a representative office. Standard Chartered followed in 2011 and the next year, along came Goldman Sachs buying a 4.8% stake in the thirdlargest bank, the Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia. Bank of China entered in 2013 but to date it hasn't been able to operate in the country.

Lee Cashell is the Founder & CEO of Asia Pacific Investment Partners and Mongolia Properties, the country's biggest real estate firm

Link to article

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Local Market

Mogi: still no weekly trading report from last week

 

MSE Trading Report: Top 20 -0.68%, ALL -0.45%, Turnover 13.1 Million Shares, 91.1 Million T-Bills

October 3 (MSE) --

Link to report

 

FTSE Russell Retains Mongolia on Frontier Watch List for 2017 Review

FTSE Annual Country Classification Review, September 2016

Mongolia

There have been no changes to the assessment of Mongolia against the Quality of Markets criteria. FTSE Russell continues to engage with the Mongolian Stock Exchange as they work towards implementing changes to their settlement cycle. Mongolia is retained on the Watch List, and will be reviewed for possible addition to the FTSE Global Equity Index Series as a Frontier market at the annual review in September 2017.

Link to report

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Economy

Historic highs: USD=₮2,284.39 (2016.09.29). EUR=₮2,568.17 (2016.08.19), JPY=₮22.68 (2016.08.18), GBP=₮3,183.26 (2014.08.13), RUB=₮54.32 (2014.06.27), CNY=₮341.81 (2016.08.18), KRW=₮2.08 (2016.09.29), SGD=₮1,689.56 (2016.08.18), CAD=₮1,769.07 (2016.08.19), AUD=₮1,765.65 (2014.08.14), HKD=₮294.98 (2016.09.30), CHF=₮2,369.87 (2016.08.19). Reds are rates that set a new record low at the time.

BoM MNT Rates: Monday, October 3 Close

10/3

9/30

9/29

9/28

9/27

9/26

9/23

9/22

9/21

9/20

9/19

9/16

9/15

9/14

9/13

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/611b76b6-2b0b-4a23-a444-02f9cb3dd75f.png

USD

2,290.03

2,287.30

2,284.39

2,277.62

2,272.82

2,263.94

2,257.89

2,253.61

2,249.42

2,247.52

2,247.86

2,246.43

2,244.97

2,240.74

2,238.52

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/d90344bf-7731-47f3-bffe-93a4596232a2.png

EUR

2,571.70

2,558.46

2,563.09

2,549.34

2,556.47

2,542.97

2,530.98

2,530.13

2,506.30

2,517.22

2,508.72

2,523.64

2,522.22

2,517.25

2,515.09

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/db4fa868-a5a2-4a14-9cd9-ef3b0081caa7.png

JPY

22.59

22.67

22.50

22.61

22.61

22.50

22.38

22.44

22.00

22.13

22.01

22.04

21.94

21.70

21.97

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/663d9297-6b7b-421b-a2c7-022882ec5691.png

GBP

2,944.41

2,961.82

2,972.22

2,962.39

2,947.96

2,927.39

2,942.82

2,943.55

2,918.17

2,935.37

2,933.91

2,971.13

2,967.06

2,963.49

2,981.26

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RUB

36.63

36.08

36.16

35.60

35.67

35.25

35.40

35.37

34.89

34.75

34.68

34.62

34.34

34.46

34.55

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/ceaa3227-2aea-4575-9f0f-9374539b6e52.png

CNY

343.25

342.91

342.45

341.44

340.86

339.39

338.54

337.89

337.16

336.93

337.06

336.63

336.41

335.91

335.11

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/9366ea6f-cdc8-4c79-87a2-c6de37f4f2db.png

KRW

2.08

2.08

2.08

2.07

2.07

2.04

2.05

2.04

2.01

2.01

2.01

2.00

1.99

1.99

2.00

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/020a3b13-d459-4bf3-b596-f93ff6442059.png

SGD

1,678.29

1,674.94

1,675.33

1,673.31

1,671.68

1,662.28

1,662.84

1,666.44

1,651.25

1,650.40

1,647.21

1,647.97

1,641.24

1,640.55

1,645.12

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/e78a2df0-8efa-4dfa-adb2-9cf7540dfc08.png

CAD

1,746.45

1,736.62

1,744.87

1,723.25

1,721.96

1,717.71

1,728.66

1,727.70

1,708.12

1,703.76

1,707.97

1,706.62

1,697.26

1,705.93

1,711.41

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/ec21d929-99bc-4825-8f98-d8f66d0a4814.png

AUD

1,756.22

1,739.15

1,751.67

1,748.30

1,745.64

1,722.18

1,727.40

1,726.15

1,701.80

1,698.79

1,693.43

1,688.08

1,674.19

1,678.31

1,685.61

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/ce22f7ae-6e61-4961-b249-a66ee1a47c1a.png

HKD

295.28

294.98

294.58

293.73

293.08

291.90

291.11

290.58

290.05

289.74

289.73

289.54

289.36

288.84

288.55

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4296ba475e0a2fd5de8e5bee5/images/9775661f-ece0-420b-843d-58b1b4b23546.png

CHF

2,354.30

2,363.52

2,352.37

2,341.78

2,349.17

2,334.80

2,327.48

2,320.80

2,295.44

2,296.79

2,293.50

2,309.36

2,301.94

2,295.37

2,302.77

Bank USD rates at time of sending: Khan (Buy ₮2,282 Sell ₮2,292), TDB (Buy ₮2,282 Sell ₮2,292), Golomt (Buy ₮2,282 Sell ₮2,292), XacBank (Buy ₮2,284 Sell ₮2,294), State Bank (Buy ₮2,282 Sell ₮2,292)

MNT vs USD (blue), CNY (red) in last 1 year:

Link to rates

 

BoM issues 280 billion 1-week bills, total outstanding -13.4% to 470.05 billion

October 3 (Bank of Mongolia) BoM issues 1 week bills worth MNT 280 billion at a weighted interest rate of 15.0 percent per annum /For previous auctions click here/

Link to release

 

ADB: Mongolia's economy to grow by 1.4 percent

October 3 (Mongolian Economy) The Asian Development Bank forecasts 0.3 percent growth in 2016 and 1.4 percent in 2017 for Mongolia. Yolanda Fernandez Lommen, Mongolia's Country Director of the ADB, cited the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine project and the agriculture sector that is expected to begin to recover from next spring as key factors in economic growth. On September 30, Lommen presented the results of the ADB's 2016Asian Development Outlook. Inflation is forecasted to be around 3.2 percent until the end of this year and will increase to 5.4 percent in 2017. The government measures to keep the prices of staple food products and fuel stable as well as the increased supply of money by expansionary fiscal policy are the main factors for the rising inflation rate. However, Lommen also noted that the main cause of economic decline was off-budget spending.

Structural reforms needed

"Mongolia's economic prospects are bright if the major projects in the mining sector can take off and if the state budget and balance of payments deficit can become positive in a short time," said Ms. Lommen. The first economic development challenge for Mongolia will be to ensure sustainability and accessibility of the economy dependent on the mining. The ADB mentioned in its report that it is time for the Mongolian government to rein in uncontrolled budget spending and make reforms to the economy.

Debt obligations will burden the 2017 budget

Mongolia's net foreign exchange reserves have started to show negative figures, and the state will start to pay off foreign debt in 2017-2018. These will become a burden on next year's budget, and future budgets will continue to run deficits. Foreign exchange reserves reached USD 1.3 billion at the end of July due to the most recent foreign loan taken by the government. The volatility of gold, coal, copper and iron ore prices on the global market, foreign investment availability and foreign loan repayment are the main economic risks for the 48 countries of Asia, according to the ADB.

Link to article

Related:

Asian Development Bank Outlook projects 1.4 percent GDP growth in 2017UB Post, October 3

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Politics & Legal

Speaker opens State Great Khural autumn session: Time to move forward major projects

October 3 (gogo.mn) Today on October 3, 2016, the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia has commenced its Autumn plenary session that usually continues until February 1st. 

The president of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj has attended the opening ceremony of autumn plenary session. 

Speaker of the Parliament M.Enkhbold delivered opening remarks. He emphasized an importance of straightforward and honest mindset, without politicizing, when it comes to solving the country's critical financial problems.

It is vital in the current circumstances to recover the economic and financial well-being through re-defining the macroeconomic adjustments, promote private sector by all available means and attracting more foreign investment, he said.

The speaker also noted it is the very time for the major projects to be forwarded. As the major factors of depreciated confidence of foreign investors, the Speaker underlined bureaucracy in the public service, political pressure, legal instability, misunderstanding and lack of single window system.

He also addressed the upcoming local elections of citizens' representatives Khurals (councils) and wished people success in their wintering preparations. 

Following party groups in the State Great Khural held meetings. After that, sub-working group of Legal Standing Committee discussed revised draft law against family violation and affiliated other drafts.

Link to article

Related:

Parliament's autumn session startsMontsame, October 3

 

Ulaanbaatar Railway's new director takes office

Ulaanbaatar, October 3 (MONTSAME) D.Jigjidnyamaa, appointed the new director of "Ulaanbaatar Railway" Mongolian-Russian joint venture, received his seal on October 3. He previously worked as the deputy director for freight, transport and traffic of Ulaanbaatar Railway since 2007.

D.Jigjidnyamaa graduated from the Moscow Road Technical University, majoring in transport control engineering, and started his career at Baganuur coal mine by working as an operator, dispatcher and deputy head of office in 1988-1990. In 1990, he started working in Ulaanbaatar Railway, making his way up the promotion stairs from cashier to chief engineer.

He was appointed to Moscow to work at the trade representative office of Mongolia between 1993 and 1998.

Link to article

 

President lays wreaths at S.Zorig's statue on 18th anniversary of assassination

Ulaanbaatar, October 3 (MONTSAME) On October 2, President Ts.Elbegdorj paid a respect by laying wreaths at the Statue of Zorig Sanjaasuren. Eighteen years have passed since the pioneer of Mongolian democratic movement and the prominent politician had been murdered. The case remains open.

Present at the memorial ceremony were his friends, family, relatives and followers.

Link to article

 

UNDP, SDC, State Great Khural formalize Strengthening Self-Governance Project

Ulaanbaatar, October 3 (MONTSAME) A document on the Capacity Strengthening of Local Self-Governing Bodies Project was signed today by the Speaker of Parliament, Mr M.Enkhbold, the Resident Coordinator of the UN Development Programme, Ms Beate Trankmann and the Deputy Director of Cooperation Mongolia of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Ms Gabriella Spirli.

Funded by UNDP and SDC, the project is charted to strengthen organizational capacity of the Citizens' Representatives Khurals (local council), improve local administrations' legal grounds, build a permanent mechanism of practicing the national capacity building program for elected representatives and enhance the capability of the Parliament Secretariat of implementing the Law on Legal Documents.

Link to article

Related:

Speech at the Signing Ceremony: By Beate Trankmann, UNDP Resident Representative Project "Strengthening Representative Bodies in MongoliaUNDP Mongolia, October 3

 

October 19th local election day is a public holiday

October 3 (news.mn) Mongolian local elections will be held on Wednesday, 19th of October. This day has been declared a nationwide vacation. Campaigning has already started across the country. Polling stations will open at 07.00 and will close at 22.00.  

A total of nine parties are participating in the local election. In total, there are 15,212 candidates from the nine districts of the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and the 21 provinces.

Link to article

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Business

First offsets issued in Japan-Mongolia carbon scheme

October 3 (Carbon Pulse) Japan and Mongolia have issued the first carbon offsets under their Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), rewarding two projects for providing efficient heat supply.

Link to article (needs subscription)

 

Mongolia-Japan JCM 4th Joint Committee Meeting in Ulaanbaatar

September 29 (JCM.go.jp) The 4th Joint Committee of the Joint Crediting Mechanism between Mongolia and Japan was held in Ulaanbaatar.

Decision on issuance of credits

- MN001 "Installation of high-efficiency Heat Only Boilers in 118th School of Ulaanbaatar City Project" for the monitoring period of 20 Sep 15 – 15 May 16

- MN002 "Centralization of heat supply system by installation of high-efficiency Heat Only Boilers in Bornuur soum Project" for the monitoring period of 15 Sep 15 – 02 May 16

Link to release

 

GoGo Mongolia Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with Mongolian National Public Radio

October 3 (gogo.mn) GoGo Mongolia, news website in English aims to promote Mongolia to the world by delivering fair and trusted information release about Mongolia. 

Currently, GoGo Mongolia cooperates with MONTSAME news agency and we have expanded our partnership by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation with Voice of Mongolia, a copy desk of Mongolian National Public Radio. 

In regards, we have launched BROADCAST section, which enables our readers to listen 30-minutes length podcasts hosted by the Voice of Mongolia.

We interviewed with the CEO of Mongolian National Public Radio, B.Bayarsaikhan on cooperation.

-What broadcasts are being prepared by Voice of Mongolia?

-Voice of Mongolia was first established in 1964 as Voice of Ulaanbaatar. Copy desk in English has been operating for 50 years since its establishment in 1965. After 90s, policy and aim of the broadcasts have changed by aiming to promote Mongolia to the world. We prepare 30-minutes length podcasts in English everyday, which includes 10-minutes of latest news summary and 20-minutes of stories about Mongolian culture, tradition, biggest conferences and lifestyle. Also, it covers economy and political reviews, interviews with expats. We deliver concept music podcasts every Sundays. We upload new broadcasts six days a week and repeat the broadcasts on Saturdays. 

-What result are you expecting from the cooperation?

-Compared to the previous years, medias releasing contents in English have been rising in Mongolia. However, our broadcasts with many years of experience are spreading to every corner of the world more widely and significantly. We are the only radio promoting Mongolia in English. We hope that it would be mutually beneficial cooperation as GoGo Mongolia is permanent and rich with contents. I think that this cooperation will contribute to the promotion of Mongolia to the world.

Link to article

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Diplomacy

President Ts.Elbegdorj welcomes Liu Yunshan

Ulaanbaatar, October 3 (MONTSAME) Mr Liu Yunshan, the First-ranked Secretary of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of China, paid a courtesy call on Mr Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, the President of Mongolia, on Saturday. Mr Liu noted in the beginning of the meeting that his visit aims at launching implementations of actions following up the deals and agreements, negotiated during the recent high-level visits between the two countries.

President Ts.Elbegdorj remarked three points in regard of the visit of one of the top leaders of Chinese Communist Party.

At first, the President underlined the composition of the State Great Khural (Parliament) has been changed considerably and the cabinet has been formed with a new composition. However, he wished to highlight, the policies and actions in the relations with China will stand. Relations between the political parties will be essential in defining the cooperation for the next four years.

Secondly, it was agreed by the leaders of China, Russia and Mongolia at the Tashkent meeting to hold the next tri-partite meeting in Ulaanbaatar. "We appreciate Chinese President Xi Jinping's pledge of support. The Mongolian side is planning to host this meeting around May of 2017", said Mr Elbegdorj.

At last, the President asserted the signing of agreement on establishing an economic corridor, which happened during the Tashkent tri-partite meeting, and that Mongolia's proposals regarding this agreement see eye to eye with China's initiatives. What is left is transforming the decisions into reality, the President concluded.

Mr Liu Yunshan responded with gratitude for the importance Mongolia attaches to the relations with the People's Republic of China, and said the Communist Party of China also prioritizes the ties with Mongolia. Thanks to the mutual efforts, he said, the bilateral relations have been undergoing the most prosperous stages in their relationship.

While appreciating the results of the three time tri-partite meeting of the heads of state, Mr Liu promised to devote efforts in realizing the deals.

Link to article

Related:

PM emphasizes Mongolia-China economic cooperation in times of declineMontsame, October 3

China, Mongolia agree to cement partnershipGoGo Mongolia, October 3

China seeks fruitful cooperation with MongoliaUB Post, October 3

Liu Yunshan attends launch ceremony of kindergarten in MongoliaXinhua, October 3

 

Mongolian FM pays official visit to South Korea

Ulaanbaatar, October 3 (MONTSAME) Minister of Foreign Affairs Ts.Munkh-Orgil paid a working visit to the Republic of Korea on September 29 and 30. He had official talks with the South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se.

The dignitaries agreed on boosting bilateral ties in all spheres. Mr. Ts.Munkh-Orgil affirmed Mongolia places a great weight in the developing ties with our close partner Republic of Korea, and emphasized an importance of forwarding bilateral cooperation in the areas of politics, economy, culture, education as well as in the humanitarian areas.

While confirming South Korea's wish to intensify relations with Mongolia, Mr Yun expressed willingness to consolidate bilateral collaboration in the regional affairs.

The Mongolian FM held meetings with the first deputy minister of Strategy and Finance of S.Korea Choi Sang-mok, Chairman and President of the Exim Bank Li Duk-hoon, and President of KOICA Kim In Shik where he highlighted the significance of economic relations and cooperation in overcoming the current economic recession within a short period of time and achieve sustainable growth.

The sides reassured their commitment to introducing S.Korean technologies to Mongolia and promote interaction and investment between the private sectors in order to diversify Mongolian economy through developing agriculture, processing industry and infrastructure.

Link to article

 

Speaker Enkhbold receives Ambassador Shimizu

Ulaanbaatar, October 3 (MONTSAME) The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan, Mr Takenori Shimizu was welcomed at the State House today by the Chairman of the State Great Khural (Parliament), Mr M.Enkhbold. The sides discussed about the 2017-2021 Medium-Term Program on Strategic Partnership Implementation and preparation for the celebration of the 45th diplomatic relations' anniversary to be marked next year.

Mr Shimizu noted he has been working as the head of Japanese diplomatic mission in Mongolia for five years, during which many had been accomplished for the sake of expanding the bilateral ties, such as the New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Project and A Thousand Engineers Program.

The Speaker applauded the ever-growing trust and stimulation of bilateral relations in the spirit of the Strategic partnership not only at the bilateral level, but also on the international and regional fora. He highlighted Ambassador plays an essential role in advancing the partnership bonds.

Speaker M.Enkhbold mentioned that Japanese Prime Minister visited Mongolia in July and Mongolian Foreign Minister visited Japan last week. Also, he added, the new head of Mongolian government is set to start his overseas trip with a visit to Japan. This is a vivid indication of a great focus Mongolia is making on the relations with Japan.

The sides went on conversation regarding the cooperation between Mongolian government and the International Monetary Fund, the project on fifth thermal power plant and other timely issues.

Link to article

 

Mongolian and Russia to mark academic cooperation with alumni meeting

October 3 (news.mn) The opening of the 56 Days of Russian-Mongolian Friendship and Cooperation will take place on Tuesday 4th of October at the Russian Science and Culture Centre in Ulaanbaatar. As a part of the Month of Friendship between the two countries, 'The Alumni Association of the Russia (former USSR)" is meeting under the theme of the 'importance of studying Russian and cooperation of education' on 4th of October.

Since 1921, over 60,000 Mongolians obtained degrees in Russia and the former USSR. A total of 70% of Mongolian academics and over 70% of technical specialists have studied in Russia.

Link to article

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Health, Education

IUJ to Participate in Study-in-Japan Fair in Mongolia on October 8-9

September 26 (International University of Japan) IUJ will participate in Study-in-Japan Fair in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on October 8 and 9.  It will be nice chance to know more about IUJ.  Please visit our booth!

Study-in-Japan Fair in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Date: Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9, 2016
Time: 1000 – 16:00
Venue: Mongolia-Japan Center for Human Resources Development

Application for Saturday, October 8
Application for Sunday, October 9

Link to release

 

Hobby School to Stage 'Cinderella Jones' Musical at UB Ensemble

October 3 (news.mn) Students of 'Hobby' school will take stage the musical 'Cinderella Jones' in English at the Ulaanbaatar Ensemble. A total of 46 students, aged 12-16, have been preparing for the musical for six months. The production is the initiative of "Hobby School's" principal Dr D.Oyuntsetseg (PhD). The musical is being produced by D.Batdorj as well as dance teacher Sh.Battuya and singing teacher Ts.Baljinnyam.  

'Cinderella Jones' will be free for audiences at 14.00 on 7th of October and at 16.00 on 9th of October.

"Hobby School" was the first private school in Mongolia and enjoys a high academic reputation; many of the classes are taught in English.

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Culture, Society

Descendants of Genghis Khan fight for survival in Afghanistan and Pakistan

"All Shias are liable to be killed. We will rid Pakistan of [this] impure people. Pakistan means land of the pure, and the Shia have no right to live here." —The Chief of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi in Pakistan

October 2 (Idaho State Journal) Recently ISIS suicide bombers attacked a peaceful protest march by Afghanistan's Shia Hazaras. At last count 80 were killed and 231 wounded, and this atrocity is the most recent in a long history of death and persecution. Last November the Taliban beheaded seven Hazaras, and their coffins were carried down a street in Kabul.

For the first time thousands of Sunnis joined grieving Hazaras in a protest against the current government, which has done nothing to protect the Hazaras from attack. Since 1993 more than 8,000 have been killed in Afghanistan.

Over the past 10 years, there have been 183 attacks on Harazas in Pakistan. Seeking refuge primarily in Iran and Pakistan, tens of thousands of Hazaras fled Afghanistan at the end of the 19th Century after Amir Abdur Rahman's armies reduced their population by 60 percent.

In Quetta, Pakistan, about 2,00 Hazaras have died, 4,000 have been injured, and 200,000 have attempted to flee the country. In February of 2013, the Asian Human Rights Commission issued a report declaring that a religiously motivated genocide against the Hazaras was being carried out. A second genocide of the Hazaras is now underway.

Most of world's Hazaras live in Afghanistan (7 million), Iran (2 million), and Pakistan (1.5 million). As Shia Muslims, one would expect that the Hazaras in Shia Iran would be treated humanely. Many Iranians, however, persecute them as "barbari," a Persian word carrying memories of ancient Mongol invaders. With their distinctive Mongolian features they are easily identified by those who wish to harm them.

The Hazaras claim to have descended from Mongol troops, who were left behind in present-day Afghanistan as the Mongols retreated from their failed invasion of India at the end of the 13th Century. Over the centuries Tajiks and Arabic Sayeds joined the original Mongols through intermarriage.

Although some scholars initially disputed the Mongol descent theory, linguistic, blood type, and genetic evidence is strong. The Mongol army was organized on the basis of ten, and "Hazara" is Persian for the Mongol word for 1,000. The Hazara blood types are also distinct from Afghans, Tajiks, and Uzbeks.

Genetic research has proved the Mongol connection in spades. Today Genghis Khan's genes are carried by about 16 million men, eight percent of Asia males. Incredibly enough, two-thirds of Hazara males carry Genghis Khan's Y-chromosome. This is significantly more than the men now living either in the Republic of Mongolia or China's Inner Mongolia.

Discrimination against the Hazaras continued even after the Afghan Constitution of 1931. There was religious freedom for all citizens except the Shias. Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians could celebrate their holy days, but Shia holidays were banned.

In pre-Taliban Afghanistan the worst atrocity against the Hazaras occurred in February of 1993, when over 1,000 were killed by direct orders of President Rabbani. With the rise of the Taliban the Hazaras were part of the Northern Alliance supported by the U. S. In May 1997 Hazaras joined Uzbeks in executing 2,000 Taliban prisoners. In August 1998 the Taliban retaliated by killing 2,000 Hazaras in Mazar-I Sharif.

When the Taliban attacked and gained control over the Bamiyan Valley in September 1998, 500 Hazaras were liquidated. There, in 2001, the Taliban destroyed the world's largest standing Buddhas, which the Hazaras had always viewed as their ancestral protectors.

The Hazaras pride themselves in emphasizing education, and even though many opportunities are blocked to them, they have achieved remarkable results. An Hazara student, Mohammad Qasim, was the highest scorer in the 2015 Kankor Examination. He scored 354 out of possible 360 marks from among 219,145 students.

It is important that the plight of these brave and resourceful people should be more widely known, and the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan should do much more to protect their rights and stop the brutal attacks on their persons.

The conflicts between the Sunnis and the Shias offer an instructive parallel to the long history of interfaith violence between Protestants and Catholics, the most recent in Northern Ireland.

The U. S. invasion of Iraq allowed the majority Shias there to work out decades of resentment because of the Sunni minority rule initiated by the British. Sadly, Sunni militants led by ISIS and Al Qaedaare now fighting back with a vengeance.

Nick Gier of Moscow taught religion and philosophy at the University of Idaho for 31 years. This column is drawn from his keynote address at the Mongol American Association meeting on Nov. 8, 2014.

Link to article

 

The 6,000-Year-Old Tradition Of Hunting With Eagles Is Dying Out

In Mongolia, the Kazakh ethnic group hunts with eagles to supply food and for competition.

October 3 (Newsy) The swiftness, speed and tact of hunting with eagles is pretty amazing to watch. But the more than 6,000-year-old tradition in Mongolia is slowly disappearing.

Eagle hunting is used by the Kazakh ethnic group. It helps supply food in winter, is used as a coming of age ritual for boys and a sport in an annual festival. 

The Golden Eagle Festival has recently drawn in tourists to watch a series of competitions unfold. Tourism in the area has caused tightened wildlife preservation, but that's only part of the reason eagle hunting isn't as widely used. 

There's a lot less wildlife in Mongolia. Now, some family members get jobs outside the villages where livestock farming is a main way to bring in income. 

Only about 250 eagle hunters are left in the region. The partnership between eagle and hunter is a tight bond, but hunters do let the eagles go after 10 years. 

Link to article (and video)

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Nature, Environment

One of the largest dinosaur footprints ever found unearthed in Gobi desert

The print, discovered in a geological layer formed 70m to 90m years ago, is thought to have belonged to a titanosaur and measures nearly 4ft long

October 3 (The Guardian) One of the largest ever dinosaur footprints has been found by a joint expedition of Japanese and Mongolian researchers in the Gobi desert.

The giant print measures 106cm (42in) long and 77cm (30in) wide, according to AFP. It is thought to have belonged to a titanosaur, a group of giant, long-necked herbivores. Researchers said the creature may have been more than 30 meters (98ft) long and 20 meters (66ft) tall.

The print was discovered in August in a geologic layer formed between 70m and 90m years ago by researchers from Okayama University of Science and the Mongolian Academy of Science.

"This is a very rare discovery as it's a well-preserved fossil footprint that is more than a metre long with imprints of its claws," a statement from Okayama University of Science read, according to AFP.

The team is searching the area for the dinosaur's remains, Shinobu Ishigaki, a paleontology professor at Okayama University, told Japan Times. A surreal photo of Ishigaki on the ground next to the print shows it is larger than half his size.

The print is a cast from sand that flowed into dents left by the creature's enormous footprint. Its discovery could help scientists understand how titanosaurs walked.

In 2014, a titanosaur skeleton was discovered in Argentina and was dubbed the largest dinosaur ever discovered. A replica of the dinosaur, which has yet to be named, is currently on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. It weighed about 70 tons and its skeleton is 37 meters (122ft) long.

Link to article

Link to list of similar articles

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Sports

Fearless racers gather for Mongolia vs. Russia drift battle

October 3 (UB Post) Mongolia vs. Russia drift battle of D. Vision Mongolia, the Mongolian Pro Sports Car Federation, and Drift Union of Mongolia took place at Auto Mall in Checkpoint No. 22 last Saturday.

Twenty-eight top racers of Mongolia and four racers from Russia challenged their skills at Mongolia vs. Russia.

The organizers said, "We organized this drift battle in order to exchange experiences between Mongolian and Russian racers. Drifting has been developing fast in Mongolia in recent years. Drifting has already developed in Russia. Russian athletes are taking part in international racings events such as D1 and Formula 1. We invited Russian racers because Russia is the closest country to Mongolia."

Drifting champion of Irkutsk, Russia Max Grossman won first place at Mongolia vs. Russia drift battle. He was followed by Anton Dobrovsky of Irkutsk and Mongolian national drifting champion of 2016 P.Ganbold.

Many collisions occurred during the show and some seemed impossibly dangerous.

D. Vision Mongolia is a part of Russia's D. Vision Continental League, which is being organized in 32 cities of Russia and two cities of Kazakhstan.

The first D. Vision Mongolia took place in 2015, and 30 racers from Mongolia and six racers of Russia took part in the event.

Professional Russian racer Aleksey Goroshko judged the drift battle. He previously judged the D. Vision Siberia in 2015.

There are over 20 drifting clubs in Mongolia and 13 of them are registered with the Mongolian Pro Sports Car Federation.

Link to article

 

Marat Gafurov Rematches Narantungalag Jadambaa in Second 'ONE: Defending Honor' Title Fight

September 29 (MMA Weekly) ONE: Defending Honor is set for the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Nov. 11 and a second title match was announced on Thursday with featherweight champion Marat Gafurov set to rematch Narantungalag Jadambaa.

The card will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between reigning champion Shinya Aoki and ONE Championship veteran Eduard Folayang. The Japanese fighter is set to defend his belt for the first time in over a year.

The other title fight currently on the card will pit Gafurov (14-0) and Jadambaa (12-4) together for the second time. The first match was a thrilling back-and-forth affair, which finished with a fourth-round submission win for the Russian.

Since then, Gafurov has successfully defended his title against Kazunori Yokota, maintaining his record of finishing every single ONE Championship fight with a rear-naked choke. Meanwhile, Jadambaa has claimed two more stoppage wins, at the expense of Kotetsu Boku and Eric Kelly.

The card will also feature a fight between two of ONE Championship's top lightweights. Eddie Ng (7-4) will be looking to snap a three fight losing streak when he faces Australian veteran Adrian Pang (22-9-2), who is also looking to rebound from a recent loss.

Former lightweight champion Boku (24-11-2) will be fighting for the promotion for the ninth time when he takes on Timofey Nastyukhin (10-2). The heavy hitting Russian needed just 6 seconds to finish Rob Lisita in his most recent outing.

There are two other fights currently on the card with Amir Khan (5-2) set to face Samir Mrabet (5-0) in the lightweight division and promotional newcomer Michelle Nicolini (2-1) set to face Mona Samir (1-2) in a strawweight match.

Link to article

Similar:

Narantungalag Jadambaa vs. Marat Gafurov rematch to take place on November 11UB Post, October 3

 

Dornogovi residents gift apartment to Paralympic medalist B.Uugankhuu

October 3 (UB Post) Dornogovi Province residents met with bronze medalist of the Rio 2016 Paralympics B.Uugankhuu on October 1 to pay honor to the judoka.

Chairman of the Dornogovi Province Council and Member of Parliament B.Delgersaikhan handed B.Uugankhuu a key to a two-room apartment in Ulaanbaatar.

The Dornogovi Province Council, the Mayor's Office of Dornogovi Province, and local residents presented a 30 million MNT cash gift to B.Uugankhuu.

B.Uugankhuu was born in Sainshand soum of Dornogovi Province in 1991. He started training in freestyle wrestling at first but fell in love with judo at a young age. He is the second athlete of Mongolia to win a medal at the Paralympics.

B.Uugankhuu seized a bronze medal in the men's -60 kg event of B3 classification.

He has previously won a silver medal at the Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games.

Link to article

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Art, Entertainment

FOBI Contestant from Zambia: "Mongolian people have shown me love"

October 3 (gogo.mn) We interviewed with Brandina Lubuli, the contestant from Zambia for "Face of beauty International 2016" the worldwide pageant. 

-Are you enjoying in Mongolia?

-Yes. I am enjoying very much. It is more than what I expected. I was really scared when I have to visit the country that I never been there before. But just when I got here, the weather received me at the airport was really warm. It felt like my home. So I love being here.

-What has impressed you most in Mongolia?

-The people and their hospitality. They are so kind and caring. I think the most important thing is how people come out. To me, Mongolian people have shown me love, they shown me the importance of life. That is what I learnt about Mongolia.

-Who is your strongest contestant?

-I do not think I have anyone. It is about more of my challenge. Because my country chose me to represent because they know I am good and they believe in me. So if my country can believe in me, why I should not I believe in myself. I feel I am okay. I do not have anyone that I feel as my challenge. 

-This year`s Face of Beauty International is going under slogan of Save the Mazaalai. How well do you know about Mazaalai? What project would you implement?

-This is the only place in the world for Mazaalai. Therefore I want to spread the messages and spread the word about the Mazaalai in Mongolia. We have so many other countries out there, have a same species as other countries. But this is the different animal. We should not let anything happen to it because it would soon become a history and we just have to read about it in the books. But we can do something about it by saving it.

What I want to do is start by spreading the word through family and friends especially the internet. It would be easy, because I am from Zambia, Africa, not only for my country people from other countries know me. It would be easy for me to make connections from all over the world. I have a people to come in and I will try to find the best projects to save Mazaalai.

-What is your best beauty secret?

-The first important thing is stress. Stress causes so much things. For other people stress is get to change their moods and change how they look at life. The most important thing is you have to work not stressing yourself. 

The other thing is you need to know who you are. If you know who you are you will believe in yourself and you will stay beautiful no matter how people saying. You will always be yourself. 

The other thing is taking enough water. Water is life. I believe water does a lot of magic to my skin. Because I take lot of water everyday. So it is a good and healthy way to keep your beauty. When you just do this three things, life will always good.

Link to interview

 

"Moscow Dolphinarium" travelling aquatic circus coming to Mongolia

October 3 (news.mn) The 'Moscow Dolphinarium' travelling aquatic circus is coming to Mongolia. For first time, Mongolians will be able to witness dolphins leaping out of a pool and knocking a ball through a basketball net. A total of three dolphins and one seal will arrive in Mongolia later this week. The aquatic circus will be open on 12th of October at National Amusement Park. Tickets will cost MNT 10-30 thousand.

Travelling dolphinariums are banned across much of the world but remain popular in the ex-Soviet bloc where forms of circus entertainment prohibited in the West, such as acts with wild animals like lions and bears, continue to thrive despite concerns about animal welfare.

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1 comment:


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