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Friday, November 13, 2015
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Headlines in Italic are ones modified by Cover Mongolia from original
XAM closed -3.33% on the announcement Tuesday to A$0.145
Xanadu Mines bags $8M as Mongolian copper attracts interest
November 12 (Proactive Investors) Xanadu Mines' (ASX:XAM) Kharmagtai copper project in Mongolia is benefiting from additional investor backing with the successful completion of a A$8 million fundraiser to support further exploration.
The funds come from a share placement at $0.125 per share that was strongly supported by both new and existing sophisticated and institutional investors.
In conjunction with the placement, Xanadu is pursuing $2 million of additional funding via a share purchase plan at the same offer price.
Shares in the company were last trading at $0.135, or 80% higher than just two months ago.
The latest funding drive follows more than $15 million in capital raisings since the company's 2014 annual general meeting and builds on a cash position of $2.5 million as of the end of September.
This financial momentum will help reduce the acquisition consideration for Kharmagtai and support a winter exploration program at the project.
Kharmagtai exploration
A comprehensive work program comprising about 15,000 metres of diamond and reverse circulation drilling is currently being finalised to expand the limits and grade of the current deposits not included in the resource.
Earlier this year, Xanadu defined a maiden resource at Kharmagtai of 203 million tonnes at 0.34 per cent copper and 0.33 grams per tonne gold for a contained metal content of 1,500 million pounds copper and 2.2 million ounces of gold.
The program will also follow up recent trenching success at Kharmagtai's Tsagaan Sudal area.
Importantly, the surface mineralisation intersected in the Tsagaan Sudal trenching was consistent with or better than this resource estimate, providing further confidence in the geological interpretation, mineralisation controls and resource model.
Broader intersections from the trenching work confirmed 304 metres at 0.40% copper and 0.23g/t gold (0.55 CuEq) and 280 metres at 0.36% copper and 0.10g/t gold (0.43 CuEq).
Kharmagtai drilling in September returned 484 metres grading 0.57% copper and 0.32 grams per tonne gold from 186 metres, including 158.4 metres grading 0.8% copper and 0.24g/t gold from 342 metres.
New drilling has been planned to test areas of porphyry mineralisation under shallow cover. This program and a technical review are expected to be updated this week next week.
Analysis
The latest cash raising is an extremely encouraging vote of endorsement for Xanadu, especially given the difficult capital environment currently faced by many explorers.
Notably, Xanadu's major shareholder Asia Capital Advisors (ACA) maintained its 27.2% holding in the company.
ACA and Noble Resources International have combined to invest more than A$15 million in Xanadu since the company's annual general meeting last year.
This support has coincided with improved confidence at Kharmagtai, where tourmaline breccia mineralisation is increasingly indicating similarities to some of the world's largest, most endowed porphyry copper deposits.
Upcoming drilling at the site represents a potential price catalyst for the company which has seen its stock gain 80% in the past two months to $A0.135.
More catalysts in the near term include the finalisation of a new geological framework and follow-up of detailed magnetic studies over Central Kharmagtai.
Announcement of project finance for Rio Tinto's Oyu Togloi project in the region is also expected to bring confidence back to investors in Mongolia.
1878 closed +6.67% Thursday to HK$2.40, SGQ last traded C$0.39 on November 11
TRQ closed +0.73% Thursday to US$2.75
SouthGobi Resources Announces Third Quarter 2015 Financial and Operating Results
HONG KONG, CHINA--(Marketwired - Nov. 12, 2015) - SouthGobi Resources Ltd. (TSX:SGQ)(HKSE:1878) (the "Company" or "SouthGobi) today announced its financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. All figures are in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise stated.
Significant Events and Highlights
The Company's significant events and highlights for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and subsequent period to November 12, 2015 are as follows:
· Operating results - The Company continues to operate under difficult market conditions as prices for coal remained weak in the People's Republic of China ("China") through the third quarter of 2015. The impact of these conditions on the Company's operations continues to be exacerbated given the Company's liquidity constraints. The Company sold 0.49 million tonnes of its coal products during the quarter compared to 0.19 million tonnes in the second quarter of 2015. The production for the third quarter of 2015 was 0.71 million tonnes, allowing the Company to position itself to meet its commitments under existing and expected new coal offtake contracts.
· Tax investigation case in Mongolia - On October 6, 2015, the Company was informed by the banks (where $1.2 million deposits with restricted use were placed (the "Restricted Funds)) that they have received an official request from Court Decision Implementing Agency ("CDIA") to transfer the Restricted Funds to CDIA according to the court decision. $1.2 million was transferred to CDIA from the frozen bank accounts subsequently in October and November 2015.
· CITIC Merchant and Swiss Life GP private placements - On June 22, 2015, the Company announced it had negotiated private placement agreements with sophisticated investors to provide additional capital resources into the Company. The terms of the subscription agreements for the private placements allowed for the issue of approximately 55 million common shares of the Company ("Common Shares").
On July 14, 2015, the Company announced it had obtained all the necessary regulatory approvals for the private placement and subsequently successfully closed the Swiss Life GP Private Placement, raising $2.9 million for the issuance of 5 million Common Shares.
On July 14, 2015, the Company agreed to an extension of the closing date of the private placement agreement between the Company and CITIC Merchant until July 20, 2015. However, the conditions precedent to the agreement were not fulfilled and CITIC Merchant informed the Company that it would not be subscribing for Common Shares pursuant to the signed private placement agreement.
· Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") remedial delisting review - On October 30, 2015, the Company received confirmation from the Continued Listing Committee of the TSX (the "TSX Committee") that it will further defer its scheduled meeting to consider whether the Company has met the listing requirements of the TSX until November 23, 2015.
· China Investment Corporation ("CIC") convertible debenture ("CIC Convertible Debenture") -On May 20, 2015 under the terms of the CIC Convertible Debenture, CIC confirmed to the Company that subject to certain conditions and limitations, it would grant a deferral of payment of approximately $7.9 million in cash interest due by the Company to CIC on May 19, 2015 ("May 2015 cash interest installment") until July 22, 2015, subject to a three day cure period which expired on July 27, 2015.
On July 27, 2015, CIC confirmed to the Company that, subject to certain conditions and limitations, it agreed to grant a further deferral of payment of the May 2015 cash interest installment until November 19, 2015 to allow the Company to execute its Proposed Funding Plan (as defined below in the section entitled "Going Concern"). The Company is currently engaged in discussions with CIC with respect to its interest payment obligations.
· Novel Sunrise Investments Limited ("Novel Sunrise") change in ownership - The Company notes the announcement by Novel Sunrise, the largest shareholder of the Company, on July 20, 2015 which reported that China Cinda (HK) Investments Management Company Limited ("Cinda"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Cinda Asset Management Corporation Limited, acquired ownership and control of all of the outstanding voting (ordinary) shares of Novel Sunrise through Hope Rosy Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cinda.
· Shareholder loan extension - On October 27, 2015, Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. ("Turquoise Hill") agreed and signed a Deferral Letter Agreement with the Company, in which Turquoise Hill agreed to a limited and circumscribed deferral of repayment of all remaining amounts and obligations now and hereafter owing under the Turquoise Hill Loan Facility to April 22, 2016 (the "Second Limited Deferral Date"). In the event that Turquoise Hill signs a definitive and binding agreement with a third party for the sales by Turquoise Hill to such party of no less than 49.1 million Common Shares and completes all of the transactions thereunder by no later than November 30, 2015, then Turquoise Hill agrees that the Second Limited Deferral Date shall be deferred for a further six months to October 24, 2016, subject to certain conditions and limitations.
· Notice of claim - On July 2, 2015, the Company announced it had been served with a notice of claim by former President and Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Molyneux. The claim relates to alleged breaches of Mr. Molyneux's employment agreement by the Company and is seeking damages of $1 million. The Company considers the claim has no merit and will vigorously defend the action.
· Short-term Bridge loan - On October 27, 2015, the Company executed a $10 million bridge loan agreement with an independent Asian based private equity fund. The Company drew down $6.3 million on October 30, 2015 and expects to draw down the remaining $3.7 million by mid November 2015.
· Class Action Lawsuit - On November 5, 2015, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the "Court") rendered its decision on the preliminary motions to seek leave to commence the Ontario class action (the "Action") under the Securities Act (the "Leave Motion"). The Court dismissed the plaintiff's Leave Motion as against each of the former senior officers and former and current directors of the Company named in the Action and granted the preliminary Leave Motion against the Company. The Court refused an award of costs for the Leave Motion and the certification of the Action as a class proceeding (the "Certification Motion") to the plaintiff.
· Changes in Management and Directors
…
· Going Concern - As at the date hereof, the Company, together with its new strategic partner and significant shareholder, Novel Sunrise, has developed and continues to execute on a funding plan (the "Funding Plan") in order to pay the interest due under the CIC Convertible Debenture, meet the Company's obligations as they fall due and achieve its business objectives in 2015 and beyond. However, there is no guarantee that the Company will be able to continue to implement and execute on the Funding Plan or secure other sources of financing. As at November 12, 2015, the Company had cash of $2.0 million.
OVERVIEW OF OPERATIONAL DATA AND FINANCIAL RESULTS
…
KOT closed flat Thursday at C$0.15
Mongolian Government Grants Khot Infrastructure Extended and Expanded Road Building Permits; Khot Applies for Rail Bed Permits
ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 12, 2015) - KHOT INFRASTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, LTD. ("KHOT" or the "Company")(CSE:KOT) announced today that its Mongolian Subsidiary, Ashid Munkiin Zam LLC, ("AMZ"), applied for and has been granted by the Mongolian Government an expanded road building permit, valid until July 2018, with new authorizations to participate in bridge construction and regular road maintenance works, in addition to the previous construction and repair authorizations.
In October, AMZ also applied for a rail bed construction permit, necessary to compete for new rail bed construction opportunities that are currently under bid process as well as other contemplated rail projects.
"These new and expanded permits increase our team's ability to compete for the construction opportunities as the Mongolian government pursues its aggressive regional road construction mandate. There are a number of key concessions that are open to the properly permitted companies as Mongolia moves to meet its commitments under the recently announced trilateral agreement between Russia, Mongolia and China," said James Passin, Chair of Khot Infrastructure.
Khot, through AMZ, is committed to participate in the full range of infrastructure construction concessions and the Company is in active negotiations with several major parties, including Chinese state owned enterprises, who can contribute all the required logistical and financial support elements required of a strategic partner for large road construction projects.
Coordinating efforts with China's larger integrated Silk Road program, Mongolia will participate in the international Economic Corridor linking resources and markets between Russia, China and Mongolia, as well as other Central Asian countries.
James Passin noted, "New infrastructure in Mongolia is a regional necessity and will remain so for the foreseeable future. The opportunity for the Khot Group is enormous." Mr. Passin will be presenting at the Mongolia Projects and Investments Summit in Hong Kong on November 16th and 17th and will be meeting Khot and AMZ partners to further the bidding mandate.
PCY closed flat Thursday at C$0.035
Prophecy Announces $1,000,000 Private Placement
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 12, 2015) - Prophecy Development Corp. ("Prophecy" or the "Company") (TSX:PCY)(OTCQX:PRPCF)(FRANKFURT:1P2) announces that it is undertaking a non-brokered private placement (the "Placement") involving the issuance of up to 25,000,000 units (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.04 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one Common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional Share at a price of $0.07 per Share for a period of five years from the date of issuance.
Company management and directors will subscribe for $100,000, being the equivalent of 2,500,000 Units of the Placement.
The Warrants will be subject to the following acceleration conditions:
(i) | in the event that the closing price of the Shares trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") exceeds $0.15 per Common Share; or |
(ii) | the closing spot price of silver as quoted by KITCO Metals Inc. exceeds USD$25.00 per ounce, |
in either instance, for a period of over 30 consecutive calendar days, at Prophecy's election, the exercise period may be reduced in which case, Warrant holders will only be entitled to exercise their Warrants for a period of 30 days from the date the Company either disseminates a press release or sends written notice to the Warrant holders advising them of the reduced and accelerated exercise period after which, the Warrants will expire.
The Shares will be subject to a minimum hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issue. Finder's fees may be paid in either cash or Units, in certain instances in connection the Placement.
The Placement and payment of any finder's fees are subject to the approval of the TSX and other customary closing conditions.
Proceeds of the Placement are expected to be used to develop Prophecy's mineral projects and for general working capital purposes.
MSE Trading Report: Top 20 -0.48%, ALL -0.35%, Turnover ₮3.5 Million Stocks
November 11 (MSE) --
MSE: ₮10 Billion 52-Week 14.882% Discounted T-Bills on Offer, Closing 17 November
November 11 (MSE) Buy order of 52 weeks Government retail bonds with annual interest of 14.882% starts from 11 November 2015 until 17 November 2015 through brokerage companies.
Click here to see detailed information of Government retail bonds.
Historic low ₮1,997.26/USD set September 11
BoM MNT Rates: Wednesday, November 11 Close
| | 11/11 | 11/10 | 11/9 | 11/6 | 11/5 | 11/4 | 11/3 | 11/2 | 10/30 | 10/29 | 10/28 | 10/27 | 10/26 | 10/23 | 10/22 | 10/21 |
| USD | 1,993.09 | 1,992.84 | 1,992.79 | 1,992.09 | 1,993.15 | 1,992.52 | 1,992.84 | 1,992.09 | 1,991.67 | 1,990.43 | 1,992.12 | 1,991.30 | 1,993.26 | 1,991.70 | 1,992.26 | 1,991.98 |
| EUR | 2,141.38 | 2,144.10 | 2,144.94 | 2,166.10 | 2,159.78 | 2,179.82 | 2,196.91 | 2,200.46 | 2,188.55 | 2,174.54 | 2,200.89 | 2,200.59 | 2,201.46 | 2,212.68 | 2,253.54 | 2,264.68 |
| GBP | 3,022.72 | 3,010.09 | 3,003.53 | 3,026.98 | 3,065.86 | 3,074.06 | 3,076.94 | 3,074.89 | 3,054.43 | 3,038.39 | 3,048.24 | 3,055.25 | 3,055.37 | 3,068.31 | 3,077.05 | 3,075.02 |
| RUB | 30.87 | 30.92 | 30.88 | 31.26 | 31.40 | 31.74 | 31.24 | 31.24 | 30.89 | 31.04 | 30.46 | 31.37 | 31.89 | 32.14 | 31.67 | 31.71 |
| CNY | 313.15 | 313.31 | 313.31 | 313.61 | 314.10 | 314.45 | 314.55 | 314.22 | 314.95 | 313.12 | 313.38 | 313.42 | 313.81 | 313.20 | 313.48 | 313.93 |
Bank rates at time of sending: TDB (Buy ₮1,988 Sell ₮1,996), Khan (Buy ₮1,986 Sell ₮1,995), Golomt (Buy ₮1,984 Sell ₮1,994), XacBank (Buy ₮1,988 Sell ₮1,9945), State Bank (Buy ₮1,986 Sell ₮1,995)
MNT vs USD (blue), CNY (red) in last 1 year:
BoM issues ₮203.9 billion 1-week bills at 13%, total outstanding +0.49% to ₮506.45 billion
November 11 (BoM) BoM issues 1 week bills worth MNT 203.9 billion at a weighted interest rate of 13.0 percent per annum /For previous auctions click here/
BoM buys 2.8 tons of gold in September, 10.2 tons YTD, +16.5% from 2014
November 11 (BoM) --
Amount of Gold (in Kgs) | |||
Month | Amount | Year-to-Date | YTD Change |
2015/09 | 2793.5 | 10196.7 | 1444.2 |
2015/08 | 1993.8 | 7403.2 | 391.8 |
2015/07 | 1647.6 | 5409.3 | 1.5 |
2015/06 | 1344.1 | 3761.7 | -335.4 |
2015/05 | 895.4 | 2417.6 | -663.1 |
2015/04 | 536.7 | 1522.2 | -530.0 |
2015/03 | 287.0 | 985.5 | -680.3 |
2015/02 | 218.4 | 698.5 | -801.1 |
2015/01 | 480.1 | 480.1 | 224.3 |
2014/12 | 920.8 | 12704.7 | 6662.8 |
2014/11 | 1050.6 | 11783.8 | 6043.9 |
2014/10 | 1980.8 | 10733.3 | 5467.4 |
2014/09 | 1741.1 | 8752.5 | 4204.0 |
UB Housing Price Index Falls 2% in October, Down 11.5% from 2015
November 11 (BoM) --
Combined | New housing | Old housing | |
Index change /from 2013.01 base/ | 7.1% | 18.7% | 1.4% |
From previous month | -2.0% | 0.0% | -2.2% |
From year beginning | -10.0% | -6.3% | -12.7% |
From previous year | -11.5% | -6.6% | -14.1% |
Link to release (in Mongolian)
Raising excise tax on petroleum won't raise prices says official
November 11 (UB Post) Head of the Petroleum Authority of Mongolia (PAM) G.Ulziiburen reported that fuel prices will not see any increase, following a government proposal on raising excise taxes on fuel.
G.Ulziiburen commented, "Information about a fuel price increase was spread among the public without any basis. Due to drops in the prices of fuel in the global market, the government has fully created an excise tax that is fixed. Following the decrease in fuel prices, a space for generating more income from excise taxes was created. We did regulate the issue so that excise tax would generate more for the nation's state budget without touching the prices for fuel."
He added that due to transportation costs, residents in the western regions of Mongolia consume fuel at a higher price than urban citizens. However, PAM is working toward distributing fuel at a lower cost to western regions, Ulziiburen said.
PAM also reported that Mongolia has imported 875,900 tons of oil products as of the first nine months of 2015, and generated 212.1 billion MNT for the state budget in excise taxes.
In 2014, prices for oil products went down by 40 percent, while this year they fell by 25 percent. Statistics show that oil importing companies work with a 13 to 17 percent profit. The state believes that their profit margin should be seven percent. Following this issue, the government submitted a proposal for a 2015 budget amendment to increase excise tax on fuel by 200,000 to 300,000 MNT per ton, not changing the current prices for fuel.
Approval of the amendment will generate 43.5 billion MNT by the end of this year for the nation's budget, and increase budget income in the upcoming year by 200 billion MNT, according to government officials.
World Bank Forecasts Near Flat Growth for Mongolia in 2016
By Michael Kohn
November 11 (Bloomberg) -- Mongolia's economy is expected to expand by a modest 0.8% in 2016 owing to a sharp contraction in mining production even as the country's non-mining sector recovers, the World Bank said in its November Mongolia economic update.
* World Bank forecasts GDP growth of 2.3% for 2015, revised downward from previous estimate of 3.3%; downward revision reflects weak crop harvest and slower-than-expected industrial production in the third quarter
* GDP growth forecasts include 3% for 2017, 6.4% for 2018, 7.9% for 2019 and 11% for 2020
* Mining production is projected to decline in 2016-17 because of lower mineral concentration in ores produced by the Oyu Tolgoi mine and weak global commodity conditions; mining production expected to pick up in 2018
* Improvement of balance of payments in recent months relying on external debt financing has come at the expense of higher external debt, which rose to 180% of GDP in June vs. 162% yr ago: report
* Current account deficit is expected to decline to 5% of GDP in 2015, from 11.7% of GDP last year: report
* Slowing economy has accelerated the deterioration of bank asset quality; share of non-performing loans rose to 7% in September from 5% at the end of 2014: report
* Revenue projections of the draft 2016 budget "entail elements of uncertainty" including optimistic assumptions of coal exports despite weak coal market conditions and China slowdown; budget also relies on uncertain resources from long-delayed privatization of large SOEs, as well as new foreign grant inflows from China
(BFW)
Related:
World Bank: In 2016, Mongolia's Economic Growth Will Slow Further – Mongolian Economy, November 11
Moody's: Mongolia's credit quality constrained by slowing growth and sizeable debt burden
Singapore, November 12, 2015 -- Moody's Investors Service says Mongolia's B2 government bond rating is supported by the country's strong growth potential, driven in large part by its abundant natural resource wealth. However, slowing growth due to falling commodity prices, coupled with sizeable fiscal deficits and a thin foreign reserve cover have weighed on credit quality.
The negative outlook on Mongolia's rating—in place since July 2014—incorporates external pressures, including those stemming from a low level of foreign exchange reserves of $1.4 billion as of September 2015 relative to Moody's estimates of maturing public and private sector external debt in 2015 and 2016.
Moody's conclusions were contained in its just-released credit analysis "Mongolia", which looks at the country's credit profile in terms of Economic Strength [assessed as "Low (+)"]; Institutional Strength ["Very Low (+)"]; Fiscal Strength ["Low (+)"]; and Susceptibility to Event Risk ["High"]. These represent the four main analytic factors in Moody's Sovereign Bond Rating Methodology. The analysis constitutes an annual update to investors and is not a rating action.
Moody's "Low (+)" assessment of Mongolia's economic strength reflects the country's small size and very strong but volatile growth performance.
During 2015, authorities have begun unwinding monetary and quasi-fiscal stimulus undertaken to support growth in the previous two years. Consequently, inflation and credit growth have moderated and the current account deficit is projected to fall sharply, to 3.2% of GDP in 2015 from 11.7% of GDP in 2014.
However, as a commodity exporter, Mongolia still faces considerable external challenges stemming largely from its high exposure to China (Aa3 stable) -- accounting for close to 90% of its exports -- and from the sharp fall in mineral prices over the year.
Further, the recent resolution of a three-year long dispute between the government and Rio Tinto over the development of the second phase of the large Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mining project will boost export revenues once production ramps up. But until such time, Mongolia will remain reliant on support from multilateral and bilateral lenders to bridge its external financing needs.
The "Very Low (+)" assessment of institutional strength reflects the degree of government effectiveness. Inflation levels in Mongolia have been relatively low compared with other sovereigns Moody's rates, but inflation volatility has been high, partly mirroring the volatility in GDP growth.
Moody's "Low (+)" assessment for fiscal strength takes into account the sovereign's moderate but rising debt burden, and relatively strong debt affordability metrics. A high proportion of foreign currency-denominated debt relative to the total adds foreign exchange risk to the government's debt repayment profile. The government's annual refinancing requirements are also subject to shifts in international capital market sentiment.
The "High" assessment for susceptibility to event risk is driven by external vulnerability that has arisen as foreign reserves remain low, even as external debt is edging higher. Exposure to China and falling commodity prices add to these external pressures. Political uncertainty is also likely to increase ahead of parliamentary elections next year.
Subscribers can access the report at http://www.moodys.com/viewresearchdoc.aspx?docid=PBC_185757
Mongolia to adopt comprehensive policy on population development
November 11 (UB Post) Cabinet ministers reached a decision during their regular meeting this week to pursue a package of policy to support population development.
The main target of the policy package will be to provide sustainable population growth, to create a pleasant environment for citizens to live long, healthy, and creative lives, and to improve the quality of family life. The policy package includes goals to prepare for the aging of a population with rapid growth, to preserve favorable population age structures, and to stabilize population growth by forming pleasant conditions to support new births.
In 2014, children between the ages of 0 to 14 made up 28.1 percent of the total population, people between the ages of 15 to 59 made up 65.7 percent, and seniors above the age of 60 made up the remaining 6.2 percent of the total population of Mongolia.
According to updated 2010 to 2040 projections, the population of working age people will remain high over the next ten years. Researchers say this is a factor that will help support population growth, generate income, and intensify social and economic development. However, the percentage of women of active reproductive age in the population will begin to decrease in 2025, and the number of people 60 years and older will grow more rapidly than the number of people in other age groups. The number of seniors in the population is expected to triple by 2040.
Cabinet ministers believe it is best to develop policy focusing on making improvements to living standards in the provinces, as migration to the capital has increased due to insufficient social and cultural services, as well as a shortage of jobs offered elsewhere.
Cabinet meeting in brief
Ulaanbaatar, November 10 (MONTSAME) The cabinet meeting on Monday discussed results of a working visit of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Mongolia on October 22, and obliged the Minister of Foreign Affairs to submit the issue to the National Security Council (NSC).
- The cabinet backed results of the 5th meeting of the Mongolia-Hungary intergovernmental commission for the trade, economy, science and technical cooperation, held September 23 in Ulaanbaatar. An obligation was given to N.Battsereg, the Minister of Environment, Green Development and Tourism and head of the commission for the Mongolian side, to adopt a plan of works to be done in accordance with the meeting's agreement.
- The cabinet approved results of a consultative meeting of the Mongolia-Germany intergovernmental talks on developmental policy cooperation, which was held on October 19 in Ulaanbaatar. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and head of the intergovernmental talks for the Mongolian side Kh.Gantsogt was told to ensure a preparation for the next year's intergovernmental talks.
- The cabinet approved results of the 6th meeting of the Mongolia-Germany intergovernmental working group that is responsible for ensuring realization and monitoring of an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in mineral, industry and technology spheres. The Minister of Industry and head of this group's Mongolian side D.Erdenebat was ordered to adopt a plan of works within the meeting held on October 15 in Ulaanbaatar.
- The cabinet backed also draft amendments to the laws on adhering to the law on accounting, on maintaining the law on audit, on state audit and on budget. These drafts will be submitted to parliament.
- State counting and examination of state and local properties will be carried out until this December 31. An obligation was given to the Committee of State Properties to present consolidated results of the counting to the cabinet in fourth quarter of 2016.
- The cabinet discussed and backed a draft Mongolia-France intergovernmental agreement on exploiting a circulating asset of food aid from France. An order of PM will be issued to authorize R.Burmaa, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, to sign the agreement, representing the government of Mongolia.
- In accordance with the cabinet decision, the governmental resolution on excise tax on petroleum and diesel fuels for automobiles was amended. (Mogi: using low oil prices to fill growing budget deficit)
- Based on the law on government, a government member and Deputy PM Ts.Oyunbaatar was appointed the acting Minister of Health and Sport.
PM assigns officials to reduce disparity in petroleum prices at urban, rural areas
November 11 (gogo.mn) Prime Minister held "Decision Time" meeting at 11:00 am on November 11 at "11-11" center, which receives requests and complaints from the public. During the period of the year, total of over 25 thousand requests and complaints have been received, around 500 of which are addressed to Prime Minister.
Minister of Mining R.Jigjid and Chairman of Oil Authority G.Ulziiburen today joined PM at the meeting.
On average, 230-250 citizens daily contact to the center. Majority of them express their opinions about petroleum price increase. In other words, different price range applies to the city and other regions, which means high price in the countryside in contrast to low price in the city. The government must be responsible in order to erase such the disparity in petroleum price.
Major reason behind high petroleum price in far regions is because of transportation cost delivering petroleum, officials claim.
Accordingly, Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg said at the meeting: "One of the major objectives for the government is to reduce a gap in the base petroleum price between the city and other provinces such as Khovd, Gobi-Altai, Khuvsgul, Dornod, Sukhbaatar and Umnugobi.
The government has been working on taking certain approaches to resolve the issues, added Prime Minister. Namely, the exclusive tax imposed on imported oil and oil products to our country was reset at the regular meeting of the government last week.
The government will carry out a flexible approach in order to prevent fluctuation of petroleum price, which has been relatively stable for last three years.
If accomplished, it is safe to assume that prices in other common goods are going to drop, cited Prime Minister.
Moreover, Prime Minister assigned Ministry of Mining and Oil Authority to cooperate on creating oil reserves in connection with the low price of petroleum at international markets. It is crucial to reduce the disparity among petroleum prices within this year, said Prime Minister.
Press and Public Media Division of Government.
Related:
PM orders to reduce petroleum price in localities – Montsame, November 11
Mongolia to hire top int'l firm to audit work done on TT rail
November 11 (gogo.mn) Minister of Road and Transportation M.Zorigt reported at the meeting of the government held on November 9, that the concession agreement arranging matters of establishing fundamental structure of railroad on en route of Ukhaakhudag – Gashuunsukhaat was terminated and relative matters. We had short interview with the Minister over the matter.
Please, inform us about the report you made at the meeting of the government?
I delivered the report over on-going negotiations with investors. We are expected to finalize the selection of investors in upcoming March or April, and to commence development works in next months, with the plan to ensure first transportation of coal in 2017.
Has the railroad development of Ukhaakhudag-Gashuunsukhait route been recently commenced?
It has. Dam establishment prior to railroad development usually takes a lot of time to be completed. It has been 100 percent completed currently. Plus, around 10 iron structures have been constructed for protection purpose. A lot of works have been done in relation to the preparation. But, the government of Mongolia failed to deliver its payments to contractors since last February, which led to halt operations completely. People tend to ask how much money has been invested into the project. I would say that any official is not able to say exact number in regards to the investment.
Will an auditing company be hired?
It is planned to hire a top international auditing company to examine railway operations.
Mr. Batzaya was arrested as the suspect of being involved in the embezzlement of USD 200 million. But is it appropriate to arrest him since the auditing has not been done yet?
As I understand, current investigation is being implemented in relation to previous operations of "Mongolian Railway" state-owned company. I am not sure whether it is related to the matter of USD 200 million. An auditing company must finalize the issue, as we believe.
So, it suggests that a Korean contractor company has done its works worth USD 200 million?
There has been news whether such a company exists or not. I met administrative officials from Samsung, which currently works on three projects of Ukhaakhudag-Gashuunsukhait railroad, Shangrila building and Khushigt Valley. It means that the company's existence is certain.
It is rumored that administrative people of the company were also arrested in relation to Mr. Batzaya?
I have not heard about it.
Social Accountability in Mongolia Gets Boost with New $3 Million World Bank – SDC Project
November 11 -- The World Bank and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) on November 10 launched a $3 million project to boost social accountability in Mongolia in the next four years.
The Mainstreaming Social Accountability in Mongolia (MASAM) project seeks to support government efforts to increase transparency and accountability, and give impoverished communities a greater voice on issues affecting them.
"The project builds on years of innovating and experimenting on social accountability in Mongolia by citizens and government bodies, and follows last year's Glass Account Law that we consider an enabling legal reform for transparency," said James Anderson, the World Bank Mongolia Country Manager. "Through MASAM, we hope to facilitate concerted action around institutionalizing social accountability at all levels."
MASAM will focus on building skills and capacities of citizens and civil society groups in poor and vulnerable regions of Mongolia, and working with local governments to enable sustained outcomes throughout the project, according to the World Bank.
"We believe that civil society and citizens have an important role to play in strengthening the accountability of public officials, reducing corruption and improving public service delivery," said Markus Waldvogel, Director of Cooperation of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. "This project will encourage citizens and civil society to exercise their rights to do so."
The MASAM project will be implemented over four years in 10 aimags and districts of the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. It will benefit poor and marginalized groups by involving them in social accountability processes, empowering them to hold public officials accountable for improving the quality, access and delivery of services in their communities.
The participating aimags and districts will be selected according to poverty rates, health-related risks and access to education, as well as the commitment by local governments to implementation.
At the national policy level, the project will work with the Ministry of Finance and the Cabinet Secretariat to institutionalize social accountability measures in formalized and sustainable ways.
Discussion Held on Institutionalizing Training Programme for Local Elected Representatives
Ulaanbaatar, November 11 (MONTSAME) "Institutionalizing national training programme for local electoral representatives: Course and strategy" discussion took place on Tuesday at the State House in frames of "Empowering local self-governance bodies" project co-implemented by the Parliamentary Office, the UNDP and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Head of the parliamentary Standing committee on state structure A.Bakei opened the discussion, stressing its importance for members of the Citizens Representative Khurals, "this discussion is considering issues such as continuing the training, keeping its financial stability, strengthening the capability, and fortifying a role of workshops held by the project".
The secretary-general of the Parliamentary Office B.Boldbaatar made a related to the theme presentation. "The project has some goals such as to create a mechanism of working out and realizing a national training programme for local electoral representatives, to promote the civil participation in decision-making, to increase a monitoring role of the Citizens' Representative Khurals, to support a cooperation of the councils, and to improve a legal environment for local self-governance bodies by forming a mechanism of exchanging information and knowledge," he said and highlighted details of the project's activities.
The discussion brought together officials from the Standing committee on state structure, the government, the SDC, the Management Academy, the Public Service Council, the Institute of Local Development and representatives of soums and bagas (smallest administrative unit in localities).
12 MPs sign petition to repeal parliament resolution to establish Khalkh Gol FTZ
November 9 (gogo.mn) Independent MPs delivered a report on draft laws scheduled to be discussed this week.
Last Friday, 12 MPs submitted a draft resoltuion to Speaker Mr. Z.Enkhbold. The draft resolution was submitted, with the aim to dismiss parliament's 75th resolution, which was approved on July 9 in order to establish a free economic zone in Khalkh River area.
In regards to the matter, MP Ts.Davaasuren: "The sudden approval of a draft law just prior to national celebration days in order to distract the public also applied to the resolution. The resolution of the parliament to establish a free economic zone in Khalkh River area is different in reality from what Minister R.Burmaa spoke of. The resolution is poised to violate the constitution, the law of protecting cultural heritage and the law of the land. So, the resolution must be terminated.
Also, it is going to be a negative influence for local residents. The agricultural field is one of fundamentals for our country. According to international standards, soil pollution and production of DNA-modified products must be avoided in order to establish a free zone in agricultural area. We must follow the standards.
Also, independent MPs are concerned that a large number of foreign people are expected to enter into the free economic zone.
The Amnesty Law: A poor eraser for government's mistakes
November 11 (UB Post) Mongolia had nearly 7,000 prisoners in its jails in 2015, and out of the 3,084 who were forgiven under the newly adopted Amnesty Law, 2,071 were released last Friday.
The sixth draft of the Amnesty Law was approved in August 2015 as a part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the first free democratic elections. The law had originally been drafted by 24 Members of Parliament in 2013. At first, the law was focused on business owners and bureaucrats, but the most recent version granted amnesty to those being investigated and those imprisoned for financial crimes and charges of corruption. After much debate and a veto by the President, the law was amended, but it remains an issue of concern for many.
"Because laws are confusing and complicated, business owners avoid paying taxes, hide their income, and do what economists call 'money laundering'. When the economic recession hit, the hidden income had to come out, and so the Amnesty Law had to be enacted. After Altankhuyag's government fell, the new government created a tax amnesty law, but then turned it into a more general amnesty that applied to the public," MP M.Temuujin, the former Minister of Justice who first introduced the law to Parliament, told news.mn in an August interview.
Generally speaking, amnesty laws are used when a nation's constitution, courts, or government is failing itself. It's mistakes are made right by giving those wrongly convicted amnesty. Teachers use the same tactic in classrooms. They sometimes fail to give students well asked questions or accurate answers, so they give students an extra point on a test for a wrong answer that was their fault. Both systems are very similar, but instead of taking home a disappointing grade on a test that can be changed later, prisoners wait and spend years of their lives incarcerated before they get their "bonus point".
M.Temuujin said that the Criminal Code is "prison-ified", that it has a lot of faults and loopholes in need of reparation. "That was the initial plan, to clear the effects of the faulty Criminal Code," said the MP when talking about the reason behind the first draft of the 2015 Amnesty Law.
After much talk about how the Amnesty Law should resolve problems within the Criminal Code, the Parliament approved a law that contradicted the Constitution. Clause 10.7 of the Amnesty Law called for releasing criminals if the suspects, prisoners, and convicts confessed to their crime and paid monetary damages. Clause 2.16.14 of the Constitution states that it's forbidden to demand a confession implicating oneself in a crime during a trial, investigation, or any other time.
Clause 5.1 of the Amnesty Law deducts two years from the sentence of a convict, regardless of the classification of their crime, including felonies, which means that level two and three felons had sentences reduced by two years when level three felons should have been released.
Although faulty, the law doesn't apply to who people who have been convicted for first degree felonies, such as kidnapping, terrorism, rape, murder, and treason. The law actually applies to first time offenders, women and kids under the age of 18, and the disabled who have lost 70 or more percent of their ability to work.
The public is unaware of the background stories behind the individuals released, and the lack of information has made them vulnerable to common misconceptions and fears that are widely being spread on social media. People have been talking on Facebook about allegedly being threatened by individuals released. In Darkhan, the provincial government banned the sale of alcoholic beverages for 10 days, in what it believed would help decrease the chances of the recently released committing crimes under the influence of alcohol.
According to the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs D.Ganbat, as of November 9, none of the released people have committed crimes. But he didn't deny that a number of them are considered likely to commit a crime again. "Lately, many have been posting about threats and crimes committed by the released felons. But I checked with law enforcement offices and found no charges filed against those released.
"Statistics show that only five to seven percent of felons go back to jail. If these statistics apply in Mongolia, then 100 to 140 people are likely to commit crime again. But this is a very small number. You have to understand the other 1,900 are living a better life and contributing to society," said D.Ganbat.
Are people on Facebook lying about being victims of crime, are the police lying, or are people committing crimes using the names of the forgiven?
On one hand, the law is beneficial, as it forgives first time offenders who might have been innocent and falsely accused of a crime, or those who are now smart enough to not commit crime again. The state believes it is forgiving people of crimes after they've been reformed, so they can really contribute to society.
It is also economically beneficial to tax payers, as our money is no longer toward feeding prisoners. It's also good because the individuals released can enter the workforce and help strengthen the economy.
The state reports that it is saving approximately 4.1 million MNT for every year that one prisoner would have spent in prison, according to a story published on baabar.mn. If you deduct the total amount saved from the 13 million MNT being spent on prisoner rehabilitation, we're saving a lot of money.
While the state is spending money to rehabilitate the released prisoners, the public has a negative view on this. People have asked why if the state can't even provide jobs to people who haven't been in prison, how can they expect to provide jobs for those newly released?
The public remains unaware of the scope of the law and its details, and fear now resides in many people when they're out at night. There's talk among the public that prison is like college for criminals; the ones who are in for small crimes go to prison and end up learning more from advanced criminals, rather than understanding their own faults.
Some people even believe that the law filled the criminally minded with anticipation. If someone was planning to commit a crime, they could hurry and act before the Amnesty Law's deadlines for eligibility were effective, so that they could be released when the law was adopted later.
The law making process and approval of the law itself was very complicated and confusing, damaging public trust in the government and the justice system.
A video taken when some prisoners were released showed a man hugging his disabled wife, and lifting her and her canes into his arms. The image warmed my heart, and showed that amnesty was one of the best things to happen for some people. We don't know the stories behind every prisoner released, and we have no right to judge them.
For others, including the victims of crimes committed by those who were released,i t was also one of the worst things to happen. Many believe that the widespread prisoner release poses a great danger to their safety and security. There is the probability that more crime may occur, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it will happen.
Issues like these have many sides; some will be in favor, some may benefit, some may hate it, and some may be hurt by the decisions made. Only time will tell what was right and what was wrong.
Mongolia puts Liberty Partners' Ch.Ganbat on Interpol wanted list
November 12 (UB Post) The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) is in pursuit of Mongolian citizen Ch.Ganbat, who is wanted by the judicial authorities of Mongolia and accused of money laundering and appropriation of property by fraud.
Ch.Ganbat served as an advisor to the former Minister of Roads, Transportation, Construction and Urban Development, Kh.Battulga. Ganbat, current director of financial and legal advisory firm Liberty Partners, is being investigated for a case involving B.Batzaya, former state secretary of the Ministry of Roads and Transportation.
B.Batzaya was arrested on the suspicion of embezzlement on October 30. He served as the former head of Mongolian Railway's managing board, and he participated in choosing the contractor for the 267 km railroad connecting Ukhaakhudag to Gashuunsukhait.
Ch.Ganbat was the head of the working group selecting investors for the Tavan Tolgoi Project. He was also a member of the working group for monitoring the implementation of railway policy at the time. Some sources say that Ch.Ganbat's involvement in the case may be related to holding the simultaneous positions.
McKinsey & Company, BNP Paribas Corporate & Investment Banking, and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman were selected for advisory services team members for Tavan Tolgoi, but while funds were being distributed from Chinggis Bonds, Liberty Partners joined the consulting team. As founder of Liberty Partners, Ch.Ganbat owns 85 percent of the company, and the remaining 15 percent is owned by Liberty Management Trust, an entity owned by the management team of Liberty Partners.
Former deputy chairman of Mongolian Railway P.Bat-Erdene was planning to complete the construction of the Ukhaakhudag to Gashuunsukhait railroad's infrastructure through private funding from Energy Resources, but former Minister B.Battulga transferred the project to Mongolian Railway. Although around 200 million USD was issued from Chinggis Bond funding, the project remains incomplete.
Some local media reports say that Ganbat may be in Singapore. Currently, nine Mongolian citizens are wanted by Interpol for crimes involving murder, fraud, and embezzlement. N.Enkhtuya, sister of former president of Mongolia N.Enkhbayar, is also on Interpol's wanted list.
Invest in Mongolia - Company Incorporation
By Invest Mongolia Agency
November 12 (gogo.mn) ESTABLISHMENT PROCEDURE OF A NEW BUSINESS ENTITY WITH FOREIGN INVESTMENT
The incorporate of new business entity with foreign investment (BEFI) in Mongolia takes place at the General Authority for State Registration of Mongolia (GASR). Below are key steps of incorporation a new company in Mongolia:
LIST OF DOCUMENTS TO INCORPORATE A COMPANY
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Coming to Mongolia - Visa Type & Process
By Invest Mongolia Agency
November 10 (GoGo Mongolia) Mongolia has 11 types of visas. The type of a visa shall be indicated on the visa slip as Latin letters "D", "A", "T", "O", "B", "S", "J", "HG", "SH", "TS", "H" in conformity with the purpose of a foreign citizen or a stateless person.
Type "T" visa shall apply to:
· A foreign investor;
· A senior manager in a joint venture, branch, or representative
· office of a foreign corporation.
Type "B" visa shall apply to:
· A foreign citizen or stateless person visiting Mongolia with business purpose;
Type "HG" visa shall apply to:
· A foreign citizen or stateless person with the purpose of working in Mongolia under an employment agreement irrespective of his/ her passport type.
VISAS SHALL BE ISSUED BY THE FOLLOWING AUTHORITIES:
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Russian Railways – Bombardier JV wins rail control system contract in Mongolia
November 11 (Think Railways) United Electrical Engineering Plants (Elteza) will install radio-based rail control and centralized traffic control systems on more than 1100 km of Mongolia's Ulan Bator Railway network.
The contract for the design, supply and installation of signaling, centralization, blocking modules (SCB) was signed in late October, according to RZD. The value of the contract was not disclosed.
Elteza is Russia's largest signalling equipment producer. Bombardier – BT Signaling (BTS) purchased a 50 minus 1% stake in Elteza for RUB 1.9 billion in 2011.
Mongolian tech startup heads to Silicon Valley to compete
November 11 (gogo.mn) Founding members of Alchemist Technologies LLC are heading to famous Silicon Valley in USA.
They, who founded the company with the support of the incubator program by National Technology Park of Mongolia, are leaving for San Francisco, with the goal to discover opportunities such as fund-raising and employment, to study from their peers and to be looking for potential business partners.
Alchemist Technologies LLC is the first, given the opportunity of visiting Silicon Valley by National Technology Park of Mongolia.
They will attend an investors meeting and compete for "Global Startup - 2015" during their two month stay in USA.
Related:
Mongolian IT company to be represented in Silicon Valley – Montsame, November 11
Altanbulag FTZ delegation pays working visit to Istanbul Thrace Free Zone
November 11 (infomongolia.com) Delegation of "Altanbulag" free trade zone headed by Mr. P.Togtokhbaatar, Governor of Altanbulag Free Trade Zone, is paying a working visit to the Republic of Turkey from November 10-12, 2015.
During their visit, the delegation will visit the Istanbul Thrace (Tracia, Trakya) Free Zone and get acquainted with its activities.
In March 2015, Ambassador of Turkey to Mongolia, Mr. Murat Karagoz paid working visit to Altanbulag free trade zone and held bilateral meeting. During the meeting, authorities of Altanbulag free trade zone suggested to cooperate with free trade zones of Turkey to share experience.
The visit of Mongolian delegation will put the beginning for the cooperation between "Thrace" and "Altanbulag" free trade zones.
Related:
Altanbulag free trade zone authorities visiting Turkey – Montsame, November 11
RC Inspection Mongolia receives ISO 17020 accreditation
November 12 (World Coal) RC Inspection Mongolia has been officially accredited by the international ISO/IEC 17020:2013 norm.
The accreditation of compliance with ISO/IEC 17020:2013 acknowledges that the policies, practices and procedures of the company can be ensured with consistent quality and excellent expertise in the knowledge of the commodities and the services which are provided.
The accreditation is provided by the official Mongolian Agency for Standardization and Metrology (MASM).
This follows recently obtaining their ISO17025 accreditation for RCI Analytical Services – Mongolia in October.
The evaluation process for the company included quality management system development, a management system documentation review, pre-audit, initial assessment and clearance of non-conformances, all of which work to identify corrective actions that eliminate non-conformance to the quality management standard.
To maintain the certification, the MASM will annually perform audits to ensure compliance and to assess initiatives for continued improvement.
RC Inspection Mongolia is now the second group member of RC Inspection Group with full ISO 17020 accreditation.
Bajuna making felt dresses, shoes and scarves for everyday wear
November 11 (gogo.mn) When you hear the word "felt", you might imagine something thick and hard. By mixing sheep wool with different types of material, not only scarf, dress, hat, bag, shoe, jacket but also tie can be produced.
B.Batsuh who is studying as a designer in order to make her childhood dream come true has been creating felt products named "Bajuna".
We have invited her to our "Mongol Mind" section and interviewed about her "Bajuna" brand.
"BAJUNA" BRAND WAS RELEASED AFTER SIX YEARS OF CONSISTENT HARD WORK
Even tough B.Batsuh qualified in finance and previously worked for a company as an accountant, one day she decided to study the technology of creating felt products driven by her childhood dream.
Her Holland friend came to Mongolia and told that the felt products purchased from Mongolia attracted many attentions, which inspired her to produce more felt products.
Then, she became disciple of art historian, artist, designer B.Munhsoyol and learned her general technology and painting for felt products researched for 20 years.
At first, she was doing small items such as earrings and six years ago she received her first order of products from Germany. In addition to the product, she employs two people.
ANIMAL PRODUCTS ARE NOT ONLY LIGHT AND WARM BUT ALSO IT FITS PERFECTLY TO BODY
We highlight her felt shoes because warm shoe is considered as the most important thing to cope with Mongolian harsh winter.
"Bajuna" brand has produced various outfits from colorful ankle boots to knee high shoes. Moreover, she produces children boots.
Compared to the Russian felt shoes, "Bajuna" shoes are lighter and more attractive. She noted that we dye the felt by its dedicatory painting, so there is no need to be worried of fading. Moreover, the shoes will not dampen due to its double felt layer at sole.
Care for felt shoe is not that difficult. Specifically, it is enough to rub shoes with brush and wet towel.
Prices for the shoe and bag range between MNT 170.000-250.000. The shoe with extra painting and modish is at MNT 250.000. She has planned to cooperate with designers to improve the shoe design and sole.
Another featured products are felt jacket, scarf, hat, dress and coat. Scarf, hat and dress are thin and resilient. In other words, it was produced by mixing sheep wool with other thick material which became natural, attractive and warm.
Interestingly, prices for scarf range between MNT 20.000-60.000 depending on its length while hat is priced at MNT 30.000-50.000.
THEY WORK FOR MAKING FELT PRODUCTS AS DAILY NEEDS
B.Batsuh is working until now driven by her childhood dream. During the past years, she participated in Goyol fashion festival with her felt products and was awarded the Best Young Designer for twice.
"We focus on bringing our products to daily needs. Felt products have many advantages. The most important thing of felt product is its natural and suitable feature for daily needs. In addition, it is warm, light and perfectly fits to body. We have huge opportunity to use our rich raw materials by producing it, exporting and employing many people. It is just a start. There are many opportunities for us in the future." she stated.
After expanding her industry and selling the products at affordable prices in domestic while making the felt products as daily needs, she aims to export the products to markets abroad.
Moreover, she is planning to give more attention on the product designs and to organize an independent fashion show.
If you want more information on her product, please click HERE.
"Bajuna" felt products are available at "Made in Chingeltei" store located on the opposite side of Flower Center.
Mongolian imports to quench China's forage thirst
November 12 (China Daily) China will import more than 400,000 metric tons of forage from Mongolia next year to cope with the growing demand for dairy and other high-protein products, officials said on Wednesday.
Shipments have already started with eight trucks carrying 200 tons of forage reaching the Zuunkhadavchi Land Port of Xilin Gol League in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Wednesday. This is also the first time that China is importing forage from Mongolia.
Since Mongolia's eastern region is rich in stockbreeding resources, the government of Xilin Gol League signed an agreement with three Mongolian provinces－Omnogovi, Dornogovi and Suhbaatar－to import forage.
China will import 100,000 tons of forage from Mongolia by the end of this year and the annual import volume of forage is expected to exceed 400,000 tons in 2016.
Limited by its poor forage crop production, China used to import forage from the United States and Australia to support its stockbreeding industry. Rising prices of imported forage, alfalfa and corn silage have affected the nation's raw milk output in the past two years. Most of the Chinese dairy farms lack access to quality feed for their cattle and cows.
"Since most of the farmland in China is used for growing grains and vegetables, the cultivation of forage crops is far behind that of developed countries. The country largely depends on imported forage and alfalfa to supply domestic dairy and cattle farms," said Navchimaa, deputy head of Dong Ujimqin Banner of Xilin Gol League.
She said demand for milk, beef and mutton in China's western region, particularly in the Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions, and Qinghai and Gansu provinces, has grown in the past five years, as it is becoming more expensive to raise cattle and cows in western China, where the economy and livestock industry are less developed than in the eastern provinces.
Due to the limited grazing lands and breeding cycle, China's sheep breeding sector has also lagged behind consumer demand, resulting in higher lamb prices over the past five years, according to a report released by Beijing-based Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in June.
Eager to meet domestic demand for various foodstuffs, the Chinese government has increased international trade in food products through trading arrangements such as free trade agreements or non-tariff deals for certain agricultural products with its trading partners in Central Asia, Europe and South America.
"As China has found it impossible to grow all of the food it needs and has consequently formed closer ties with its trade partners, demand for dairy products, beef and mutton will certainly provide many opportunities for forage suppliers and other agricultural businesses in Mongolia," said B Bayanmagnai, director of Mongolia's Bichigt Custom district.
Under the agreement, Xilin Gol League and Mongolia will also start horse trading in eachother's land ports. The two sides plan to trade 20,000 horses next year, as well as open moremarket channels for breeding cattle and sheep.
Talk with Me: Uyanga Ts., Partner, M.A.D. Mongolia
November 8 (Star TV) --
MYLP Silicon Valley November 13-14: Role of Technology and Entrepreneurship in Mongolia's Development
We are excited to announce the 10th Mongolian Young Leaders Program under the topic "THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN MONGOLIA'S DEVELOPMENT" which will take place in SILICON VALLEY, CALIFORNIA on NOVEMBER 13-14, 2015. The program will bring together 16-18 distinguished Mongolian young leaders from diverse academic backgrounds to discuss how technology and entrepreneurship can reduce our dependence on the volatile mining industry and further accelerate Mongolia's socio-economic development.
In the recent past, we have witnessed disruptive technologies rapidly transforming how people are informed, communicate, and make friends, how leaders make decisions, and how businesses deliver goods and services. Innovation and advancement in technology are drastically changing the dynamics of competition among businesses and nations. Top 5 of 10 most valuable brands in the world now are technology companies.
Silicon Valley has been the epicenter of innovation and is pulling the best talents, revolutionary ideas, and billions of investments to itself like a black hole. Tech companies in Silicon Valley are now worth over $3 trillion, and just last year, venture capital firms in the U.S. invested over $48 billion for new tech ideas. Policy makers and business leaders all around the world are trying to imitate and establish their own Silicon Alley, Silicon Steppe, and Silicon Fen.
Members of our Mongolian Young Leaders Network and other Mongolian professionals, who will be the guest speakers during MYLP, are already working in some of the top Silicon Valley tech companies, start-ups, and VC firms. Participants will visit the headquarters of Facebook, Google, and Start-up incubators to meet our guest speakers at work. MYLP in Silicon Valley is a great opportunity for Mongolia's best minds to meet and network with one another, learn from the industry leaders, exchange their opinion and ideas, and inspire one another to become the intellectual leaders and entrepreneurs.
COST
We will provide for the incidentals during the three days of the program, including food and hotel accommodation. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to/from Silicon Valley, California.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
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10 bicycle racks installed as Ulaanbaatar seeks to become bike-friendly
November 10 (gogo.mn) Number of citizens riding bikes to their homes, workplaces and schools has been increasing noticeably for recent years, which leads city buildings to install bike parking racks in their outside areas. Then, Ulaanbaatar Administration has installed bike-parking racks in 10 areas of the city in order to keep safety of citizens' bikes and to support bike-riding culture.
10 bike-parking racks are installed in rear of Cultural Palace, in front of Khangarid Palace, in Tserendors street, in front of SDS, Beijing street, in front Music and Dance College, in front of Sport Palace, in front of Chinggis square, in front of University of Arts and Culture, in front of Independence square, in right of NUM 2 building. In upcoming spring, additional 10 bike-parking racks will be installed in 9 districts.
Press and Media of Ulaanbaatar Administration
S.Unen: Domestic investment is best way to fund new sewage treatment plant
November 11 (UB Post) Many residents in the capital are concerned about sewage and water issues in the city. According to these people, the stench from the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWTP) used to reach the western part of the city but now it has spread further into the city center. Some speculate on whether the plant is operating properly.
Below is an interview with Director of the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Water Authority) S.Unen about current operations and future plans for the CWTP.
Can you tell us about the current condition of the CWTP?
Our authority receives 10 to 15 complaints about the CWTP's smell every day. We've improved the stench considerably by taking appropriate measures.
On October 17, I spent a whole day at the CWTP to determine the main cause of the stench. Ulaanbaatar's sewerage has two central collectors. I assigned a work group to research what kind of waste from which areas come through these two pipes.
The amount of wastewater flowing to the CWTP increased by 30,000 to 40,000 cubic meters a day last September. The working group is analyzing whether this increase was due to water absorbed in the soil or other reasons. It discovered that wastewater flowing to the CTWP is five to seven times more than the standard level.
Water from car wash centers, meat processing factories, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage industries, restaurants, and other factories are extremely dirty and polluted. The facility is unable to conduct biological treatment as very toxic wastewater is going into the CWTP.
Are you saying that the stench is related to the increase of wastewater?
…
What is the interest rate of France's concessional loan?
It's around 1.2 percent [annual rate] and China's loan has a much lower rate than this. In fact, we should search for other sources for resolving the financing of the new facility. There are many international funds that support environmental protection and green technology.
Will the old facility be able to cope until a new one is constructed? What will happen if the CWTP temporarily stops like it did last spring?
The situation is very dire. It's unclear whether the CWTP is able to operate until a new facility is built. Although it will not collapse immediately, the renewal work should hasten. A high level of wastewater causing overload at the two collectors is the most serious problem. This has degraded the facility's technology. The technology is likely to degrade further so the facility will need considerable amount of maintenance until a new facility is established.
The Ministry of Construction and Urban Development initiated a project to improve the capacity of the CWTP. It's crucial to hasten this project to add two filters and build a bio-pond filter. The government allocated 8.5 billion MNT for this project and the winning bidder was executing it when the government cut off the budget this year and stopped the project. This issue should be resolved.
The Law on Water Pollution Fees was passed in July 2012. Yet relevant regulations and standards in this law still haven't been approved. If these legislations aren't complied with, leather and meat processing plants, car wash centers and other service centers will continue to operate without being charged for polluting water.
Source: Unuudur
Ger Area Tour #2, November 21
We are excited to announce the second Ger Area Tour!
When: Saturday, November 21th
Time: 12:30 - 15:30
Where: Meet in front of Sky Department Store
Tickets:
Location: Khaan Deli Central
Availability: 6 tickets per tour
Price: ₮35,000
Stay tuned for more information about the route!
The guide will the Ger Community Mapping Center's (GCMC) very own Batdorj, who knows the ger area and the communities better than anyone else in town. The translator will be his colleague, Enkhtungalag, who also works at GCMC.
We will get around in a comfortable van, but we will be spending some time outside, and we may have to walk short distances, so please make sure to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoe!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us!
Phone: 9911-1741, 9633-8871
E-mail: germapcenter@gmail.com
Or just message us at this page!
Xi holds welcoming ceremony for Mongolian president
November 10 (CCTV) Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting Mongolia President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj agreed during a meeting Tuesday to push bilateral comprehensive strategic relations to a new height.
Xi urged deeper cooperation between the two sides in politics, economy, military and culture and said China will spare no efforts in boosting cooperation with Mongolia.
Elbegdorj said that developing relations with China is Mongolia's first priority and the country will keep developing relations with its neighbor.
The two presidents also witnessed the signing of 11 agreements and memoranda between government agencies and businesses from the two countries. The documents covered areas of economic and technological cooperation, bank loans for Mongolia to buy Chinese commodities, and energy projects.
China, Mongolia to push blueprint for economic corridor link to Russia
Nations to bolster efforts for economic corridor link to Russia
November 11 (AsiaOne) China and Mongolia vowed on Tuesday to strengthen efforts on the blueprint for an economic corridor linking the two countries and Russia.
President Xi Jinping and visiting Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj made the remarks during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Xi also said China respects the development path chosen by the Mongolian people.
He suggested the two governments work out an agreement on the details of integrating China's Belt and Road Initiative with Mongolia's Steppe Road plan.
Elbegdorj said his country will make ties with China a priority for its foreign policy.
After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a series of co-operation documents covering infrastructure, energy and financing.
Chen Hai, deputy director-general of the Department of Asian Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said of the meeting, "We reached consensus on further pushing forward big projects, including the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine, gas and power stations."
China Shenhua Energy Co Ltd has been involved in developing the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine in southern Mongolia, one of the world's largest untapped coal deposits.
He also said that China has decided to increase imports of beef and mutton from Mongolia.
China has been Mongolia's largest trading partner and largest source of foreign investment for more than a decade.
Last year, two-way trade volume stood at $7.3 billion. Mongolia mainly exports mineral products and live-stock to China.
Tsedenjav Sukhbaatar, the Mongolian ambassador to China, said ahead of the visit that his country closely follows China's Belt and Road Initiative.
It expects to link it with Mongolia's Steppe Road plan and Russia's national development plan to involve Mongolia with the economies of China and Russia.
He said the blueprint for a China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor is about to be released.
Once the project is launched, Russian resources will enter China through Mongolia before being trans-ported to Southeast Asia, according to the ambassador.
Elbegdorj started his China visit on Monday in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province and the start of the ancient Silk Road.
In August last year, a joint declaration was signed by Xi and Elbegdorj on an all-around mutually beneficial co-operation relationship focusing on mineral resource exploration, infrastructure construction and the financial sector.
China will enhance ties with Mongolia, Premier says
November 12 (AsiaOne) Li made the remarks while meeting with visiting Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj on Nov 11 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the relationship with Mongolia, and China respects the development path chosen by the Mongolian people, Li said.
Elbegdorj began his China visit on Nov 9 in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province and the start of the ancient Silk Road.
The Premier mentioned the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Elbegdorj on Nov 10, saying that China is willing to maintain high-level communications with Mongolia, enhance exchanges in all aspects, and strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs.
China is willing to work with Mongolia to achieve fruitful goals during the Asia Europe Meeting to be hosted by Mongolia next year, Li said.
He pointed out that the global economy is fluctuating continuously, and developing countries should work hand-in-hand to deal with the pressure of economic slowdown.
China is willing to enhance production capacity co-operation with Mongolia, offer a hand in resources exploration, infrastructure construction and industrialization, achieve win-win results, and transfer the political consensus to more practical results, Li said.
Elbegdorj said the two countries have been implementing the consensus reached by the leaders and co-operation in all areas has been enhanced.
Mongolia is willing to make full use of the cooperative mechanism between the countries, enhance co-operation in energy and resources and livestock trade, push forward co-operation in big projects including hydropower, enhance finance and investment co-operation, try to start free trade pact negotiation, and enhance construction of cross-border economic zone and transportation, Elbegdorj said.
While meeting with Elbegdorj on Tuesday, President Xi Jinping suggested on Tuesday that the two governments should work out an agreement on the details of integrating China's Belt and Road Initiative with Mongolia's Steppe Road plan.
Related:
Premier Li meets with Mongolian president in Beijing – CCTV, November 12:
China, Mongolia issue joint statement on all-round cooperation
BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China and Mongolia issued a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership on Wednesday as Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj wrapped up his three-day visit.
Invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Elbegdorj made a state visit to China and held meetings with Xi and other senior leaders on cooperation in bilateral and multilateral fields from Monday to Wednesday.
The current China-Mongolia relationship is the "best ever" in history, the joint statement said, stressing that the two sides will unswervingly push forward exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
The statement touched on cooperation in politics, defense, counter-crime, economy, trade, investment, people-to-people exchanges, global and regional affairs, and so on.
Both sides will actively promote signing a treaty on aligning China's Belt and Road initiative and Mongolia's Steppe Road plan, the statement said, adding the two sides support financing cooperation between Mongolia and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund in big infrastructure projects.
China backs Mongolia's efforts to join the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), supports it to actively take part in East Asia cooperation and supports it to participate in the East Asia Summit and the China, Japan, ROK cooperation in an appropriate manner, said the statement.
The statement vows support for trilateral cooperation among China, Mongolia and Russia and calls for completing the drafting of a program for the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor.
China also agrees with Elbegdorj's initiative to host a dialogue on Northeast Asia security in Ulan Bator, it said.
Mongolia invited China's leader to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in the country next year, the statement said, noting China has provided significant support for the event.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told Elbegdorj earlier in the day that China is ready to work with Mongolia to promote the summit to yield results on cementing peace and stability, strengthening unity and mutual trusts and boosting growth and prosperity.
As for economic cooperation, Li said that China would like to work with Mongolia to give full play to the complementary advantages on economy, conduct cooperation on production capacity, provide assistance to Mongolia on resource development, infrastructure construction and the industrialization process.
Stressing that the global economic and financial situation keeps fluctuating recently, the premier said developing countries need to make joint efforts to deal with the economic downward pressure.
For his part, Elbegdorj said Mongolia is willing to make the best use of bilateral mechanisms including the intergovernmental joint committee, expand trade on energy resource and livestock product.
He also called on both sides to forge ahead with cooperation on major projects and financial investment, explore to conduct negotiation on free trade agreement, enhance building of cross-border economic zone and transportation construction.
In the morning, China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang also met with Elbegdorj.
Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body, said the two countries should further strengthen parliamentary cooperation.
He said the NPC was ready to work with Mongolia's State Great Hural, the highest legislature, to strengthen their exchanges and make full use of a regular exchange mechanism, scheduled to be initiated at the end of this month.
Elbegdorj echoed Zhang saying Mongolia would further enhance the bilateral parliamentary exchanges.
It is Elbegdorj's second trip to China this year. The Mongolian president visited Beijing in September to attend the commemoration marking the 70th anniversary of the victory of Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Signing ceremony of Mongolia-China cooperation agreements held
November 11 (gogo.mn) President of Mongolia Mr. Tsakhiagyin Elbegdorj is paying the state visit to People's Republic of China. In the frame of the state visit, two sides have signed cooperation documents and agreements in order to expand bilateral economic relationship.
Documents and agreements signed by two sides include:
- Intergovernmental agreement between Government of Mongolia and Government of China in regards to economic partnership.
- Exchanging documents of the projects, which will be implemented with CNY 300 million grant from Government of China
- MOU to establish cooperation in trade and economic sectors between Ministry of Industry of Mongolia and Ministry of Commerce of China.
- USD 1 billion loan agreement between Government of Mongolia and China export-import bank
- The agreement between Ministry of Energy of Mongolia and National Electricity Transfer Corporation of China to jointly develop feasibility study for Shivee-Ovoo project.
- Exclusive agreement to establish pass-bridge near Police Authority in Mongolia (Mogi: this is the railway crossing on the corner of the amusement park)
- Exclusive agreement to establish new bridge and refurbish current bridge in Yarmag area
- MOU between Special Inspection Authority of Mongolia and Quality Monitoring, Inspection and Quarantine Authority of China, to establish cooperation on exporting and importing products between two countries.
- The agreement between Civil Flight Authority of Mongolia and Civil Flight Administration of China to cooperate on exploration and rescue operations in the sector.
- Cooperation agreement between Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia and Development Bank of China.
Press and Media Department of Presidential Office
Related:
Documents on Mongolia-China cooperation signed – Montsame, November 11
Asian Liberals Conference successfully held in Ulaanbaatar
November 11 (infomongolia.com) The 2015 Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) conference was successfully held under the theme "Sustainable Development Goals and Post 2015 Development Agenda" at the conference hall of Corporate Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from November 06-10, 2015. This is fourth conference held by CALD in Mongolia.
Currently, parliament member and Chairwoman of Civil Will Green Party (CWGP) of Mongolia, Ms. Sanjaasuren OYUN is leading CALD. She was elected as its chairperson in 2014 with three-year term. This year, Secretary General of Liberal International, Mr. Emil Kirjas and President of Cambodian National Rescue Party, Mr. Sam Rainsy and representatives of CALD member parties have attended the conferece.
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) was established with support of former Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and South Korea's Kim Dae-Jung on October 15, 1993 in Taipei city, Taiwan. CALD offers platform for dialogue and cooperation for liberal and democratic political parties in Asia with dynamic forums promoting discussion and exchange of ideas regarding trends and challenges affecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the region.
Mongolia pays tribute to Ataturk on 77th anniversary of his birth
Ulaanbaatar, November 11 (MONTSAME) In Ulaanbaatar on November 10, a ceremony ran of paying tribute to the memory of Ataturk, the founding father of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal on occasion of his 77th birth anniversary.
Present were officials from Turkish Embassy in Ulaanbaatar and Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) along with pupils and teachers of the fifth secondary school and students from Mongolian State University (MSU) Department of Turkic Studies.
They laid wreath at the statue of Ataturk, located in the yard of the school, and watched a "Turkish Passport" documentary by Burak Ariel at Tengis cinema.
Some TV channels are screening the Turkish films this week, in the memory of the first president of the Republic of Turkey.
Speaker Z.Enkhbold visits art exhibition by children with cerebral palsy
November 10 (infomongolia.com) "This is Me" exhibition of children with cerebral palsy was held on November 01-09, 2015 at Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Children with cerebral palsy - S.Namuuntsetseg, Ch.Enkhsaikhan, A.Khuderbat, A.Dulguun and B.Munkhtulga - have displayed their drawn paintings, poems and other collections to visitors. The event was jointly hosted by "National Day of Giving" national campaign, "Your Smile" Center and Cerebral Palsy Association of Mongolia.
Moreover, MP Saldan ODONTUYA has displayed her collection of 400 dolls at the exhibition to support participating children.
Chairman of the State Great Khural (Parliament of Mongolia) Z.Enkhbold visited the exhibition on November 09, 2015 and acquainted with the exposition. During his visit, Speaker Z.Enkhbold awarded S.Namuuntsetseg, A.Khuderbat and A.Dulguun with "Leader Youth" medal of Mongolian Youth Federation.
At the closing ceremony, event organizers conferred the title of "Humanitarian Messenger" on MP S.Odontuya for her contribution to women and children's' right in Mongolia.
PM orders to reduce petroleum price in localities – Montsame, November 11
Int'l forum held on developing disability and rehabilitation studies
Ulaanbaatar, November 11 (MONTSAME) This scientific conference took place on Wednesday in Ulaanbaatar within one-month campaign called "Let's ensure public adequacy and improve capabilities", co-initiated by the Ministry of Population Development and the National Center for Rehabilitation and Development.
Held on occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the conference attracted some 150 representatives of Australia, South Korea, China, also from state organizations and NGOs that work for the people with disabilities.
The conference has been significant in terms of improving public understanding about disabilities and their early determination, increasing of a number of those studying the disabilities and searching ways of resolving urgent problems occurring in rehabilitation.
Mayor grants permits to 123 new healthcare service providers
Ulaanbaatar, November 11 (MONTSAME) On November 11, the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar E.Bat-Uul issued a direction on giving permits for professional medical services to 123 new entities.
The Mayor obligated the founders of those entities to conduct operations in accordance with related laws and regulations on medical services, to build capacity of their professional staff, and to operate as instructed in the global rules and norms.
Mongolia Celebrates Chinggis Khaan's 853rd Birthday with National Pride Day on November 12
November 10 (GoGo Mongolia) This year, birthday of Chinggis Khaan is set to be celebrated on November 12th (Thursday).
According to the Law on Celebrating Public Festivals and Memorable Days, the first day of the first winter month of the year commemorates birthday of Chinggis Khaan and legislated to be celebrated as "Mongolian Pride Day".
Chinggis Khaan "Temujin" was born in Mongolia around 1162 and this day expresses a symbolic birthday of him as his exact date of birth is not found.
Therefore, November 12th is an annual non-working public holiday in Mongolia this year.
Nine facts of Chinggis Khaan
November 12 (gogo.mn) Mongol Empire established by the Chinggis Khaan and his following Kings was the second largest contiguous land empire in history which covered 33 million hectares of land from Korean Peninsula to Hungary. At that time, 100 million countries were being ruled under the leadership of Mongol Empire including China, Iraq, Iran and Central Asian countries which were the developed and the most populous.
IKH ZASAG LAW (YASSA)
Chinggis Khaan approved Ikh Zasag Law (Great Administration) in order to enforce discipline in Mongol Empire and strictly complied with the law. He prohibited stealing, lying and adultery while he upheld freedom of belief. The Ikh Zasag Law was the success key of Mongol Empire.
INEXHAUSTIBLE & INEXCUSABLE FIGHTER
After the death of his father Esuhei hero, Temuujin and his family overcame the lethal and hard fights for survival. When he was only 10 years-old, he fought with his older half-brother for the power of the eldest male in the family and Temuujin killed his half-brother with bows and arrows. Campaign process to unite scattered tribes of the steppe is considered to be started from that moment.
PROMINENT MILITARY LEADER
Chinggis Khaan was prominent military leader. Many cases remain that he won their enemies with unexpected tricky method. All Mongols were horsemanship, they drive the horse with their two feet and their hands become free to shoot bow and arrow.
DIPLOMACY DEVELOPER
Chinggis Khaan prefer coexistence of harmony and peace. He declared the inviolable rights of official messengers and representatives of any country to the world.
MYSTERIOUS
Chinggis Khaan had never allowed to paint his portrait. His first portrait was painted after his death. His descendants and servants buried his body in a very mysterious way. They held major ceremony in four other places in order to hide the exact place where he was finally buried.
ENJOYER OF BEAUTY
After the victory Mongols were used to align the prisoner women and girls in front of the king, princes and generals. At first, the King choose the women that he liked the most and leave others to his princes and outstanding soldiers. Some historical sources said that Chinggis Khaan had more than 40 concubines. But Chinggis Khan had total of six queens.
DESCENDANTS
0.5 percent men in the world`s population is the direct descendants of Chinggis Khaan. In other words, Total of 16 million people are the direct descendants of Chinggis Khaan. Scientists estimated that number of indirect descendants of Chinggis Khan reach nearly 800 million people.
DEVELOPER OF THE WORLD
Development and conquest of Mongol Empire has made significant contribution to the development of the world`s economy and trade. Mongols developed the improvement of courier post and diplomatic messenger. Some ascribe that Europeans frightened by Mongolian conquest had started to unite which laid the foundation of current European Union.
HOW DID THE CHINGGIS KHAAN DIE?
Reason for his death is the most mysterious thing of his life. The most popular myth is that he died from injury because of he fell off a horse. There are also some common options, of him dying of a sickness and arrow wound in his legs. Another one is that he was poisoned or murdered by Chinese princess. However, Chinggis Khaan successfully concealed his peaceful place to sleep forever. Scientists assume he is buried somewhere close to the Burhan Haldun Mountain in Hentii Aimag.
President confers the Order of Chinggis Khaan to author G. Mend-Ooyo
November 12 (gogo.mn) As customary, on the occasion of the birthday of Chinggis Khaan and the National Pride Day, an outstanding figure of Mongolia who contributed to strengthening the independence and sovereignty, studied statehood and historical tradition of the country is awarded with the supreme state prize of Mongolia the Order of Chinggis Khaan.
This year's Order of Chinggis Khaan confers to one of the most outstanding writers and poets of Mongolia Gombojaviin Mend-Oyo.
He was born into a herder's family in Dariganga, Suhbaatar, Mongolia, in 1952. Mend-Ooyo lives in Ulaanbaatr, and directs the Mongolian Academy of Culture and Poetry. Mend-Ooyo is quoted saying: "My life is the mirror of Mongolia. I grew up in the classic nomadic way of life, then moved to the city. But even after all these years I am not a city person. All my dreams are about the countryside, and I feel like I am living in a birdcage. Now I am planning to move back to the countryside. I just hope Mongolia will too."
More on his biography, please visit at www.en.wikipedia.org
Over 2,000 convicts released by amnesty law
Ulaanbaatar, November 9 (MONTSAME) Under newly adopted law on amnesty, which was came into force last month, 2,071 people have been released from prisons.
It was reported at a news conference called Monday by D.Ganbat, head of the Standing committee on justice; and Colonel G.Tuulkhuu, a deputy head of the General Authority for Implementing Court Decisions.
The released people have been sent to their home, and five homeless people have been belonged to the "Sense of right living" NGO, D.Ganbat said. All the convicts were released by court decisions, and money of 130 million Togrog has been allotted from the governmental reserve for transporting them, he emphasized.
"Just after the release of the convicts, some false news have been delivered through media about repeating criminal acts. There are no information until today about any recidivism," he stressed.
In which country is your boss more likely to be a woman?
November 11 (World Economic Forum) There are only three places in the world where you are more likely to have a female manager than a male one. Expert Market took data from the International Labour Organisation Statistical Office to create a map showing where the most female managers in the world can be found. Of 108 countries surveyed, only Jamaica, Colombia and Saint Lucia broke the 50% barrier, none of which rose above 60%.
On a continental scale, South America had the most opportunity for female managers. The United States had 42.8% female managers, putting it in 15th place, while the United Kingdom came 41st, with only 34.2%.
Photographer Palani Mohan captures the eagle hunters of Mongolia
Palani lived among and documented the Kazakh eagle hunters.
November 12 (ABC Radio) Palani is a renowned, Hong-Kong based Australian photojournalist and portraitist.
He spent four years among the nomadic Kazakh eagle hunters of Mongolia.
Each of these hunters forms a close bond with a golden eagle, training it to act as a hunting partner.
Following a tradition stretching back more than a thousand years, the eagle hunters head out on horseback to hunt foxes during the long winter months.
Palani says the fifty or sixty remaining hunters are likely to be the last of their kind.
He made it his mission to document this ancient tradition on the brink of extinction.
Further information
Hunting with Eagles: In the Realm of the Mongolian Kazakhs is published by Merrell.
Images available on Palani's website.
$4.2 million NSF grant helps biologist gather large-scale river measurements in U.S. and Mongolia
MANHATTAN, November 11 — A Kansas State University researcher is creating a better biological picture of river systems across North America and Asia.
Walter Dodds, university distinguished professor of biology, is part of a collaborative five-year, $4.2 million National Science Foundation project to better understand how climate change affects river systems. The research team — which includes more than 11 researchers from more than nine institutions — wants to study how changes in precipitation and temperature as well as human activities influence river systems in the U.S. and Mongolia.
For his portion of the project, Dodds will gather large-scale biological information on rivers. He will measure the metabolism of nine rivers across the U.S. Great Plains, Great Basin and Mountain Steppes — including the Platte, Niobrara, Humboldt, Bear and Snake rivers — as well as nine similar rivers in Mongolia. River metabolism includes oxygen production and consumption from bacteria, algae, plants and animals in the rivers.
"We really don't know a lot about how rivers function and their biological communities," Dodds said. "What is feeding these rivers? Is it leaves falling or is it algae growing and feeding insects and fish? We hope to find out by gathering these measurements."
While Dodds is measuring the river metabolism, other researchers will study food webs, biodiversity traits of fish and invertebrates, and physical and biological characteristics of the riparian zone and basin.
The measurements will provide comparisons between U.S. and Mongolian rivers, Dodds said. Mongolian rivers are relatively pristine with few dams and little agriculture around them. By comparison, North American rivers have been affected by non-native fauna, dams and other human activities.
The large-scale measurements also will provide valuable information about different river ecosystems, including mountains, drylands, grasslands and forests.
"A lot of research has been performed on forest systems, but not so much on grassland and dryland streams and rivers," Dodds said. "We're going to look at a global sense of these grassland and dryland rivers and see if they are functionally different than the ones in forest and temperate areas."
To gather data, Dodds will use two new forms of equipment. One type uses sound waves to measure river depth and water flow speed. The equipment can map the bottoms of rivers and measure how much water is present and how fast it is moving. The second equipment type involves oxygen electrodes that can measure oxygen dissolved in water and how it changes throughout the day.
"There are only a moderate number of these measurements in many rivers around the world," Dodds said. "It is only recently that technological advances have made it possible and now we can gain useful information on the biological activity of rivers."
James Thorp, University of Kansas professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and senior scientist with the Kansas Biological Survey, is leading the National Science Foundation project. Co-principal investigators include Mark Pyron, Ball State University; Jon Gelhaus and Alain Maasri, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University; Bazartseren Boldgiv, National University of Mongolia; Olaf Jensen, Rutgers University; Scott Kenner, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Dan Reuman, University of Kansas; Sudeep Chandra, University of Nevada Reno; and Barbara Hayford, Wayne State College.
Kansas State University's Division of Biology is in the College of Arts & Sciences.
D.Bayasgalan re-elected as treasurer of FISU
Ulaanbaatar, November 11 (MONTSAME) President of the Mongolian University Sports Federation (MUSF) Mr Bayasgalan Danzandorj was re-elected the FISU (International University Sports Federation) Treasurer for the third time.
It happened during the second day of the 34th General Assembly in Lausanne on November 8, when the FISU Membership elected a new Executive Board to lead the organization for the next four years, in the 2015-2019 period.
Former 1st vice-president Oleg Matytsin (Russia) was elected as the FISU president for the above period by with 102 votes vs. 23 for incumbent president Claude-Louis Gallien.
The 34th General Assembly also heard reports from the FISU president, Treasurer and Secretary-General on works done in 2013-2015 and other reports on measures, organization of Universiades and preparations for Summer and Winter Universiades to be held in 2017 and 2019. It also approved programme of works, planning and budget.
With representatives of 125 countries out of 167 members of the FISU, the General Assembly was joined by Afghanistan, Gambia and Aruba as new members.
Mongolian athletes have been participating in Universiade Games since 1965, grabbing 50 medals. Competing in ten events, Mongolians have won 21 gold, 13 silver and 39 bronze medals in World university championships.
Morin Huur Ensemble to perform "Carmen Suite" on Nov 13 at State Philharmonic
November (gogo.mn) Horse Fiddle Ensemble (Morin huur ensemble) to perform "Carmen Suite" by G.Bizet on November 13 at 07 PM at Mongolian State Philharmonic.
State Honored Artist and Composer N.Jantsannorov revised and produced the "Carmen Suite" for Morin Huur Ensemble and it was first performed in 2011 with the aim to promote morin huur which is one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity indentified by UNESCO, to the world, enrich the fund of Morin Huur Ensemble with the world classics, introduce world classics to Mongolian audience and provide their intelligence need.
This time Mongolian State Philharmonic to host Carmen Suite at the request of the audience.
Mongolian State Honored Conductor D.Tuvshinsaihan to conduct the concert and artists of Morin Huur Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra to participate.
For more information on the concert please visit at www.mgl-philharmonic.com or click HERE for the Facebook page or make call at 7011-8012, 7014-8012, 8800-4849, 9904-5517, 9992-5047.
Tickets are available at the ticket office of Mongolian State Philharmonic.
Morin Khuur Ensemble to stage "Best of The Best" concert
November 11 (gogo.mn) State Morin Khuur Ensemble will stage two-day performance titled "Best of The Best" on November 27, 28 at Independence Palace.
State-honered artist and music conductor D.Tuvshinsaikhan will lead the concert, as the ensemble will perform its best music for two days.
Local Rotaract Club of Tsetsee Gung and Heart's Ulaanbaatar NGO are joint organizers of the concert, and total profits coming from the concert will be invested into "Everyone has a right to study" scholarship program.
Tickets are available at www.ticket.mn, Souno Lounge and 1205th room of Peach Tower for MNT 25.000 and MNT 15.000.
For more information, please visit the event or reach at 88114226 and 99992573.
"Romeo and Juliet" to be staged in Mongolia after 19 years
November 11 (gogo.mn) Inarguably, any theatre director has once dreamed of directing "Romeo and Juliet" play, written by William Shakespeare. Also, every young actor and actress has an aspiration to star and preserve their youthfulness in Romeo and Juliet. Certainly, the play "Romeo and Juliet" is the one that makes you feel the beauty and joy of love.
The play was initially presented at the Dramatic Theatre of Mongolia in 1966, directed by S.Genden as Ts.Gotov as Romeo and B.Enkhtuya as Juliet starring respectively. 30 years later, the play was staged for the second time in 1996, directed by Ch.Naidandorj.
Now 19 years later, State-Honored artists and director N.Naranbaatar set to relive the play on stage starting November 12th.
General director N.Naranbaatar stated that new production has modified several scenes and omitted some acts of Romeo and Juliet to deliver the audience the 21st century version. For that the production team used modern relationship style, attitudes, culture and language.
Cast:
· Actor B.Shinebayar as Romeo
· Actress O.Dulguun as Juliet
The "Romeo and Juliet" play to be staged on November 12 - 21, 26, 27, 29 at 06PM during weekends at 07PM during weekdays.
Prices for the ticket is ranging between MNT 15.000 - 30.000 according to the visibility. Tickets for the play is available at ticket office of State Drama Theater and www.monda.mn
For more information please contact the numbers below:
Phone: 70128999, 70118187/ticket office/, 99026929, 99199794, 89403070, 96117878
From Mongolia to Carnegie Hall
November 16 (The New Yorker) Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar, winner of first prize in the male-vocalist category in the fifteenth International Tchaikovsky Competition, held in Moscow and St. Petersburg last summer, and winner of the competition's Grand Prix, for over-all excellence, is a tall and rangy young guy. Offstage, he wears jeans, a dark shirt, a thin quilted vest, and shiny black ankle boots. Onstage, he wears black tie, which his shock of black hair complements. He walks with the confidence of someone whom the world is discovering and vice versa. No Mongolian has ever won the competition before. On a recent Saturday afternoon, Ganbaatar made his American début at Carnegie Hall, in the Tchaikovsky Competition Winners' Recital, along with the first-prize recipients for cello, female vocalist, and piano.
He talked to reporters in his dressing room beforehand. A young woman, Nomundari Baatar, who is a junior at N.Y.U. majoring in math and economics, translated from Mongolian. He said he was born in a rural area west of Ulan Bator, in 1988. His father named him Ariunbaatar, which means "Pure Hero." His friends call him Ariuka. The family are nomads, herding cows, sheep, and goats over a range of about four hundred kilometres on the steppe, except in the winter, when they move to apartments in Ulan Bator. They use horses, and motorcycles of Japanese and Chinese manufacture, which he knows how to repair. He began singing folk songs when he was seven. The Mongolian people have hundreds of folk songs about nature, love, and loneliness; some of them are many centuries old and go back to Genghis Khan.
When he was seventeen, he was admitted to the Mongolian State University of Culture and the Arts and began to take singing lessons. Because of a lack of money, he left after two years. He then became a traffic policeman. The police department of Ulan Bator has a men's chorus that performs all over Mongolia and sometimes in Russia. He became a soloist in the chorus. During a performance in Ulan Ude, capital of the Republic of Buryatia, in Siberia, staff members from the Buryat State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre heard him and invited him to join. For the past year, he has been a singer at the theatre, dividing his time between apartments in Ulan Ude and Ulan Bator. He has been to New York City once before; on that visit he stood in front of the Metropolitan Opera House and put his hands together and prayed that someday he would sing there. Now, he said, he needed to eat his lunch—a paper cup of soup and half a sandwich from a nearby deli—so that he would have an hour between when he finished eating and when he performed.
Valery Gergiev, the conductor, who is the co-chair of the International Tchaikovsky Competition, hosted the sold-out recital. He told the audience that in eleven million viewing sessions people in a hundred and eighty-six countries had watched the competition on the medici.tv channel and had spent an average of an hour and twenty-nine minutes on each visit. He introduced the winners: Andrei Ionuț Ioniță, from Romania, on cello; Yulia Matochkina, from Russia, vocalist; Dmitry Masleev, also from Russia (and, remarkably, also from Ulan Ude), on piano; and Ganbaatar. All got big applause and callbacks for their performances. Ganbaatar sang "Silence of the Secret Night," by Rachmaninoff, and "I love you beyond measure," from Tchaikovsky's opera "The Queen of Spades." In the exuberance afterward, admirers said, "Ganbaatar goes inside the music," and "He's got soul," and "If the Met knows what it is doing, it will grab him."
At a post-concert luncheon at the hall's Weill Terrace, the radio host Naomi Lewin interviewed Ganbaatar as prelude to a brief encore. She asked what was the first opera he ever saw. He said it was an opera on television. She pressed: which opera? He did not want to say. Then he admitted it was a cartoon: "Tom and Jerry." Baatar, the translator, explained that the "Tom and Jerry" episode in which Jerry, the mouse, sings "Figaro" appears often on TV in Mongolia. Ganbaatar, a baritone, then sang the "Figaro" aria for the guests. Somehow the "Tom and Jerry" influence showed—he rocked the joint. An American composer at Table 7, who had to turn his chair around to watch, turned back to the table with tears in his eyes and declared Ganbaatar the real thing. As the afternoon ended, Gergiev told the guests, "These young musicians will come back to New York and to Carnegie Hall many, many times, and this will be remembered as the first time that they were here."
10 Essentials of DJ Mac Harris
November 10 (gogo.mn) Mac Harris is a club and festival DJ currently living in Ulaanbaatar. He grew up in Texas, USA and has lived in India and Holland before moving to Mongolia last year. He's visited over 65 countries and is obsessed with travel and all things electronic, from gadgets to music. Here are his 10 Essential Items:
1. Traktor Kontrol S8
This next generation DJ controller ditches the old school CD-like spinning wheels for color LCD screens and touch sensitive control strips, letting me leave my laptop closed and focus on the music. It's the first hardware to support the new STEMS file format that separates the bass, vocals, drums, and melody for live remixing at the club or in the studio.
2. KnowRoaming SIM card sticker
As a frequent traveller, staying connected abroad always meant high data roaming charges. This tiny sticker attaches to my Mobicom SIM card and tricks my phone into being a local one when I land in a new country. It saves over 90% off data roaming charges and they also offer daily-unlimited plans. You can still receive calls on your Mongolian number while abroad too!
3. Withings Smart Body Analyzer
It looks like any other scale you'd find in a bathroom, but every time you step on it's glass surface your body fat, lean mass, BMI, and precise weight are measured and recorded wirelessly in an app on your smartphone and laptop. Check graphs and charts of your fitness progress on the go, set goals with reminders and achievements, and even share this data with your doctor if something's not right; all automatically.
4. Passport
I consider myself lucky to have an American passport which grants me visa-free travel to 172 countries around the world. I've filled up two books already, my third one here had extra pages sown in so there's more room for new countries to stamp it.
5. TrakDot Luggage Tracker
I drop this little palm-sized gadget into my suitcase before a flight and never have to worry about losing my luggage again. It uses GPS to track its location and pings my phone telling me if it made it to my destination with me or not.
6. V-Moda Crossfade LP Headphones
These versatile Pro-DJ headphones have excellent sound reproduction and isolation to keep outside noise at bay in loud environments like nightclubs and airports. An indestructible steel headband, ceramic drivers, and soft leather ear cups give it a premium edge.
7. Solar Powerbank by Poweradd
Everyone needs more battery life on his or her gadgets these days, but what about when you're out in the Gobi hundreds of kilometers from a power outlet? This power bank has a high efficiency solar panel that fully recharges in sunlight, powering up your phone and tablet at the same time.
8. Apple Watch
I love Apple Watch for tracking all my fitness workouts, checking into hotel rooms abroad with no key cards, summoning an Uber taxi with my wrist, paying for a meal with Apple Pay, and checking Facebook messages without having to take my phone out of my pocket. I've wanted a gadget like this since I was about 5 years old. The future is now!
9. Smart Door Lock by Samsung
If you've ever lost your house keys like me then this will be a lifesaver. It replaces your home door lock and handle with a sleek digital security device that uses RFID 'tap keys' that you keep in yourwallet like a credit card. Lose your wallet too? Idiot. No worry, just type in your secret passcode on the panel and your door opens magically.
10. My Pug, Laddu.
A dog is a man's best friend, but pugs are in another league. They're basically little snuggle balls that emit rays of happiness and sunshine. Yes he snores like a freight train, but his humanlike facial expressions tell me exactly what he's thinking (dinner time?) and his extreme loyalty means I'm never alone.
Best tourism operators to be awarded at inaugural Golden Compass Awards
November 10 (gogo.mn) "Golden Compass Mongolian Tourism Awards 2015" to select best tourist companies will be held on December 18. Mongolian Tourism Association set to organize the event for the first time, in cooperation with City Tourism Agency and Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
Companies are allowed to submit their materials until November 25.
The event aims to:
· Award leading tourist companies and individuals, and promote them
· Encourage best performers of the sector and exchange best experience
· Regulate service standards in the sector
· Improve Mongolia's tourism industry competitiveness and expand it to international market
· Promote tourism and provide information to the public
9 categories of awards:
1. Best event/festival
2. Best/Eco destination/attraction
3. Best investment
4. Best new products of an inbound tour operator
5. Best outbound tour operator
6. Best social responsibility initiative
7. Best eatery
8. Best accommodation
9. Best local NGO in tourism
The jury team will consist of 20 individuals who have many years of working experience in the tourism industry.
For more information, please visit www.travelmongolia.org or reach at 7000-7820.
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Suite 702, Level 7, Express Tower
4 Peace Avenue, Chingeltei District 1
Ulaanbaatar 15160, Mongolia
Email: info@covermongolia.com
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