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Wednesday, September 14, 2016
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XAM closed +5.56% Tuesday to A$0.19
Xanadu Mines Presentation, 2016 Precious Metals Summit Beaver Creek: Unlocking Mongolia's Copper-Gold Belts
Dr Andrew Stewart, CEO Xanadu Mines Ltd, is speaking at the invitation only Beaver Creek, Colorado, Precious Metals Summit and his presentation can be found at:
http://www.xanadumines.com/irm/PDF/1829/XanaduPresentationBeaverCreekPreciousMetalsSummit
Precious Metals Summit focuses on emerging growth stories and provides a one-stop destination for institutional investors and corporate development executives from senior precious metals companies who want to be ahead of the pack in identifying the most prospective explorers and developers from around the globe. An Advisory Committee comprised of some of the most successful investors in the precious metals sector assist with invitations to this prestigious event.
TPO last traded A$0.165 on July 13
Tian Poh: Interim Report 2016
September 13, Tian Poh Resources Ltd. (ASX:TPO) --
London court freezes $8 mln of assets of Mongolian miner EMC for debt
September 13 (Reuters) A London court has issued an order allowing the UK assets of Mongolian copper miner Erdenet Mining Corporation (EMC) to be frozen, following a long-running dispute with Swiss firm MRI Trading AG, sources familiar with the situation said on Tuesday.
The order to freeze the assets, worth up to $7.115 million plus 637,818 pounds ($841,664), was granted last Thursday and has been served on 12 trading houses and banks so far, the sources told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
They declined to name the banks. The orders aim to freeze any payables due to EMC until the full amount owed to MRI, a metals trader, is recovered, they added.
The order freeze restricts the Mongolian corporation's ability to transact sales of copper and other metals in the London market. It will come as a fresh blow to the cash-strapped country which is already mired in crisis due to low commodity prices and delays to high-profile mining projects.
Court documents seen by Reuters said the award followed a long-running dispute over the failure of EMC to honour a contract dated Jan. 30 2009 to deliver 40,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) of flotation copper concentrate produced at EMC's mine in Mongolia to MRI.
The claim has previously been the subject of London Metal Exchange (LME) arbitration and proceedings before the UK High Court, which found in MRI's favour. A subsequent appeal by EMC was dismissed.
A spokesperson for the LME said Erdenet is not and has never been an LME member. She did not comment specifically on the case.
Erdenet representatives could not be reached for comment. ($1 = 0.7578 pounds)
MSE Trading Report: Top 20 -0.25%, ALL -0.1%, Turnover ₮4.3 Billion Shares
September 13 (MSE) --
Makh Impex Introduces New Packing Line
September 13 (MSE) "Makh Impex" JSC, listed on classification "I" of MSE, installed and ready to use the international standards latest version of packaging line, which branded Germany's "Multivac" and "Textor".
This new packaging line has variety of features including the air packaging machine, which increases storage length by 40-60 days for meat production. And, this air packaging machine will be introduced in Mongolian market for the first time.
Currently, "Makh Impex" JSC is working on to introduce ISO20000 Quality management system in order to increase its export and production.
Hermes Center Distributes ₮314.3 Million Dividends to 927 Shareholders
September 13 (MSE) According to the Resolution of Board of Meeting of "Hermes Center" JSC (MSE:HRM) dated on 03 August 2016, MNT44.9 million dividends transferred to accounts of 927 shareholders through Mongolian Central Securities Depository and MNT269.4 million distributed to 8 shareholders as a cash at central office of "Hermes Center" JSC.
USD/MNT historic high ₮2,265.28, set Aug 18. Reds are rates that set a new record at the time
BoM MNT Rates: Friday, September 9 Close
9/13 | 9/12 | 9/9 | 9/8 | 9/7 | 9/6 | 9/5 | 9/2 | 9/1 | 8/31 | 8/30 | 8/29 | 8/26 | 8/25 | 8/24 | 8/23 | ||
| USD | 2,238.52 | 2,232.65 | 2,232.86 | 2,223.62 | 2,220.22 | 2,212.61 | 2,213.18 | 2,211.58 | 2,207.70 | 2,219.65 | 2,231.93 | 2,233.56 | 2,253.24 | 2,250.95 | 2,254.97 | 2,257.87 |
| EUR | 2,515.09 | 2,511.62 | 2,516.88 | 2,503.57 | 2,497.64 | 2,467.72 | 2,473.67 | 2,474.32 | 2,461.59 | 2,472.02 | 2,494.18 | 2,500.81 | 2,545.71 | 2,535.92 | 2,546.76 | 2,558.96 |
| JPY | 21.97 | 21.79 | 21.84 | 21.87 | 21.89 | 21.39 | 21.39 | 21.33 | 21.37 | 21.49 | 21.82 | 21.82 | 22.42 | 22.41 | 22.48 | 22.56 |
| GBP | 2,981.26 | 2,962.39 | 2,972.83 | 2,966.09 | 2,978.43 | 2,953.61 | 2,945.52 | 2,934.10 | 2,902.35 | 2,905.30 | 2,917.36 | 2,927.30 | 2,978.33 | 2,973.96 | 2,969.34 | 2,971.92 |
| RUB | 34.55 | 34.40 | 34.76 | 34.76 | 34.46 | 34.15 | 34.06 | 33.60 | 33.82 | 34.01 | 34.40 | 34.38 | 34.87 | 34.65 | 34.69 | 34.82 |
| CNY | 335.11 | 334.27 | 334.31 | 333.52 | 333.18 | 331.26 | 331.49 | 331.09 | 330.50 | 332.31 | 334.22 | 334.56 | 338.18 | 338.16 | 338.90 | 339.88 |
| KRW | 2.00 | 2.01 | 2.03 | 2.03 | 2.04 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 1.98 | 1.97 | 1.99 | 1.99 | 1.99 | 2.02 | 2.02 | 2.01 | 2.02 |
| SGD | 1,645.12 | 1,640.57 | 1,649.51 | 1,650.98 | 1,648.45 | 1,630.10 | 1,630.88 | 1,627.12 | 1,619.44 | 1,626.59 | 1,638.53 | 1,640.57 | 1,666.54 | 1,663.37 | 1,666.52 | 1,673.92 |
| CAD | 1,711.41 | 1,708.75 | 1,725.02 | 1,727.75 | 1,728.74 | 1,715.27 | 1,707.83 | 1,687.65 | 1,685.59 | 1,694.65 | 1,712.26 | 1,716.93 | 1,746.97 | 1,743.10 | 1,742.90 | 1,749.00 |
| AUD | 1,685.61 | 1,680.63 | 1,704.68 | 1,714.19 | 1,703.46 | 1,689.66 | 1,681.57 | 1,667.42 | 1,665.60 | 1,665.07 | 1,686.67 | 1,686.23 | 1,720.24 | 1,716.57 | 1,713.21 | 1,725.58 |
| HKD | 288.55 | 287.82 | 287.84 | 286.70 | 286.29 | 285.30 | 285.37 | 285.11 | 284.61 | 286.16 | 287.75 | 287.96 | 290.54 | 290.29 | 290.82 | 291.19 |
| CHF | 2,302.77 | 2,292.37 | 2,296.71 | 2,293.22 | 2,289.48 | 2,258.80 | 2,262.62 | 2,255.10 | 2,245.54 | 2,257.12 | 2,279.69 | 2,284.62 | 2,333.75 | 2,328.01 | 2,338.94 | 2,350.60 |
Bank USD rates at time of sending: Khan (Buy ₮2,235 Sell ₮2,245), TDB (Buy ₮2,235 Sell ₮2,245), Golomt (Buy ₮2,230 Sell ₮2,245), XacBank (Buy ₮2,230 Sell ₮2,246), State Bank (Buy ₮2,235 Sell ₮2,245)
MNT vs USD (blue), CNY (red) in last 1 year:
BoM declines bids for USD, CNY, accepts US$77m MNT swap offers
September 13 (Bank of Mongolia) Spot trade: Commercial banks bid MNT 2228.56-2241.21 for USD17.9 million and MNT 333.17-335.06 for CNY 43.5 million respectively. The BOM did not receive any bid offers.
Swap and forward trade: The BOM received the bid offers of USD112.0 million via MNT swap agreement. The BoM sold USD 77.0 million via MNT swap agreement.
Bank of Mongolia: REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICE)
The Bank of Mongolia (BOM)
Payment System Modernization Project (PSMP), Loan No. 3072-MON
Specialist on Retail Payment System / Automated Clearing House
1. Background
The BOM invites eligible consultants to express their interest in providing the consulting service to prepare the requirements and technical specifications in a bidding document for the selection of the ACH system vendor, including specification, standardization and procurement plan.
2. Objectives
…
Money supply decreases 0.5% in August, up 12.9% from 2015
Ulaanbaatar, September 13 (MONTSAME) According to a report of the Bank of Mongolia, money supply (broad money or M2) reached MNT 11.3 trillion at the end of August of 2016, which shows decrease of MNT 56.2 billion (0.5 %) compared with the previous month and increased by MNT 1290.2 billion or 12.9 percent against the same period of last year.
At the end of August, currency issued in circulation reached MNT 817.2 billion, decreased by MNT 0.9 billion (0.1%) compared with the previous month and increased by MNT 42.8 billion (5.5 %) against the same period of the previous year.
NPLs up 2.8%, 22.3% from 2015
Ulaanbaatar, September 13 (MONTSAME) Loans outstanding amounted to MNT 12.4 trillion at end of August, 2016, which indicates increase of MNT 333.3 billion (2.8 %) against the previous month and of MNT 585.6 billion (4.9 %) compared with the end of August of 2015.
Principals in arrears reached MNT 857.2 billion at the end of August, increased by MNT 20.3 billion (2.4 %) against July, and by MNT 76.9 billion (9.9 %) compared with the same period of last year.
The non-performing loans over the bank system reached MNT 1058.2 billion, which shows increase of MNT 28.6 billion (2.8 %) against July and by MNT 192.8 billion (22.3 %) compared with the end of August, 2015.
In the first eight months of this year, 50.3 million pieces of securities were traded, valued at MNT 161.2 billion in the stock market. The value of securities trading decreased by MNT 530.6 billion (76.7 %) and the number of shares increased by 28.0 million (2.3 times) compared with the same period of last year.
Ts.Munkh-Orgil: We will focus on restoring investor confidence
September 13 (gogo.mn) Total of 13 issues related to the Foreign Affairs have reflected in the Government Action Plan 2016-2020 and the Government issued number of tasks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In regards, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ts.Munk-Orgil held press session today.
First, Mongolia has diplomatic relations with 186 countries. The Government ordered to develop state, political and humanitarian relations with the countries as well as to increase economic and trade turnover. All people working in diplomatic missions were obliged to find partners for Mongolian entities and businesses, ease trade agreements and demonstrate ways to increase investment.
Second, the Government engaged cultural ambassadors and messengers to promote Mongolian unique cultural heritage.
Third, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must focus on protecting the rights of 130 thousand Mongolian citizens who are living and working in abroad.
"We will pay attention to the development of friendly relations across all sectors with two neighbor countries. Also, we will pay special attention on restoring investor confidence" stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ts.Munkh-Orgil.
B.Munkhbaatar to head 'Erdenes Oyutolgoi LLC'
September 13 (news.mn) The board of directors of 'Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC' held a meeting last week and appointed B.Munkhbaatar, thereby replacing Da.Ganbold as the executive director of the company. The newly appointed executive director took up the post today.
B.Munkhbaatar, a former deputy mayor of Ulaanbaatar, is one of the closest allies of M.Enkhbold, head of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP).
State Secretaries of Mining, Foreign, Justice, Agriculture, Labor Ministries Announced
September 13 (news.mn) Earlier today (13th September), the nominees for the posts of State Secretaries were announced by the Civil Service Council. The following candidates passed muster and have been named as State Secretaries:
- G.Nandinjargal as a State Secretary for the Mining and Heavy Industry Ministry,
- D.Davaasuren as State Secretary for the Foreign Ministry,
- G.Bayasgalan as State Secretary for the Justice and Domestic Affairs Ministry,
- L.Bayartulga as State Secretary for the Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Ministry,
- G.Unurbayar as State Secretary for the Labour and Social Welfare Ministry
The Civil Service Council announced that in accordance with procedure the candidates were examined yesterday (12th September). Overall 18 candidates participated; four, however were dropped because they did not make the grades.
Civil Service Council will present the names of the State Secretaries to Cabinet next week.
Prime Minister receives Chamber of Commerce members
Ulaanbaatar, September 12 (MONTSAME) Prime Minister J.Erdenebat received representatives of private businesses and leaders of the Mongolian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to exchange opinions on the ways to tackle the challenges facing businesses.
PM J.Erdenebat explained that the government is meeting with the representatives of the certain sectors in order to make adequate policy decisions.
Sh.Bayarsaikhan, president of Nomin Holding, requested more flexibility in the income tax for entities, and smooth and equal apply of the Law on Value-added Tax on every company and proposed to establish a business council under the President.
Director for Human Resource of "Jur Ur" Company B.Monkhzul asked the government to propose a change to the law on small and medium enterprises and heighten the criteria, favoring opportunities for businesses to be included in beneficial programs and projects.
The National Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented the proposal, with seven clauses and 55 articles, on the pressing issues before taxpayers, ways of solutions and possible cooperation with businesses on monetary policy and macroeconomic levels.
The Prime Minister decided to receive representatives of tenants of Narantuul market, to learn their ideas and approaches.
Speaker congratulates on 26th anniversary of permanently functioning parliament
Ulaanbaatar, September 13 /MONTSAME/ As a result of the free, public and democratic elections of 1990, the supreme body of state power – the State Great Khural has been founded to convene its very first session on September 13, 1990 as the permanently functioning parliament in Mongolia, noted the Chairman of the SGK M.Enkhbold. He extended heartfelt congratulations to the generations of members of the parliament and all people of Mongolia on the 26th anniversary.
"Historic conditions have been ensured in Mongolia as the legislature was formed with participation of representatives of multiple political parties to strengthen democracy and justice, while treasuring the human rights and freedom and ensuring openness and transparency.
The new parliament, which was formed as the outcome of the 7th parliamentary elections of 2016, is focusing on solving the pressing socio-economic issues, overcoming the critical economic and financial situations in a short period of time with minimum burden, and ensuring the delivery further development goals", said the Speaker.
He also appealed the citizens to "join forces for moving forward to brighter future".
Embassy in Moscow pays respect to political repression victims
Ulaanbaatar, September 13 (MONTSAME) On the occasion of the Day of Victims of Political Repressions, Mongolian charge d'affaires to Russia Ch.Battomor, the diplomatic mission staff and students in Moscow have paid their respects to the memory of the political repression victims, by visiting the memorial for Mongolian nationals, who were executed, in Moscow. This memorial is located in the place, once was a secret project site of the People's Commissionerate of the Domestic Affairs Ministry of the former Soviet Union.
"…The secret site named "Kommunarka" was legally the summer house of G.G.Yagoda, a people's commissioner of the Soviet Ministry of Domestic Affairs. People who were framed up for political charges were shot dead between September 2 of 1937 and October 16 of 1941 and have been buried at this place. The politically repressed had been shot in large collectives until October of 1938, and had begun to be executed in groups of few people starting from 1939. On 27, 28 and 30th of July, 1941, shortly after the beginning of the World War II, 513 people were shot dead. The most grievous day in Moscow's history was October 16 of 1941, when 220 people were killed", reads the memorial board.
People from about 60 nations rest in peace here, inclusive 400 Mongolian citizens.
Zorig's widow B.Bulgan released from prison
September 13 (news.mn) As we have reported, B.Bulgan the wife of S.Zorig, the "Golden Swallow of Democracy", was released from prison on Friday (9th of September). She has been in prison awaiting trial since November in 2015 and has been held incommunicado at a detention center in Tuv Province. B.Bulgan, who has lost a lot of weight and has been ill, is now considered to be in a stable condition. According to a source, she could not recall key details and events related to the classified procedures.
S.Zorig was murdered on Friday, October 2nd, 1998. In 1990 he led huge pro-democracy rallies which ended 70 years of communist rule in Mongolia. Once he defused a potential Tiananmen Square-type bloodbath by persuading 10,000 pro-democracy protesters to sit down rather than confront armed soldiers.
China's Smart Oil Investment to Explore Oil in Dornogovi
September 12 (UB Post) The Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia (MRAM) and Smart Oil Investment of China signed a production sharing agreement for oil exploration site Ergel 12 on Friday.
A government tender for an oil explorer at Ergel 12, which stretches 11,630 km, in Dornogovi Province's Khatanbulag, Khuvsgul and Mandakh soums was announced in 2014, and Smart Oil Investment of China was selected.
The company received an eight-year exploration license. During that time, Smart Oil Investment plans to conduct gravity and magnetic exploration, 2D and 3D seismic surveys, and drill eight exploration and evaluation holes for 35.5 million USD. The company said that it will spend one million USD for land reclamation.
During the agreement signing ceremony, Acting Director of the MRAM B.Baatartsogt said, "Signing an agreement with a company that has resolved investment issues and ready exploration plans in a time when the nation's foreign investment and exploration have slowed down is vital in intensifying oil exploration in Mongolia."
He underlined that the agreement is a big step for attracting more foreign investors to the nation's oil sector.
In accordance with the production sharing agreement, Smart Oil Investment will give 40 percent of oil explored to the government of Mongolia. The MRAM noted that Mongolia's stake may increase to 70 percent if the company's oil exploration is higher than 15,000 barrels per day.
Transit transport might be 2nd OT for Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar, September 13 (MONTSAME) The trilateral consultative meeting on the development of the economic rail corridor of Mongolia, Russia and China is taking place today (September 13) in Ulaanbaatar. An agreement on building the economic corridor was estblished by leaders of the three countries in Tashkent.
The authorities are holding meetings with representatives of the private companies, who wish to contribute their cooperation in building of the economic corridor. The Northern Railways, executing the construction of Erdenet-Ovoot railroad and a Russian company named "Sibur", operating a gas fuel station at Zamyn-Uud – Erenhot border checkpoint, are attending this meeting.
The documents, adopted at this consultative meeting will be signed during the meeting of Ministers of Road and Transport of Mongolia, Russia and China, to be held in Ulaanbaatar on October 20, informs Yo.Manlaibayar, the adviser to the Minister of Road and Transport Development.
The economic corridor itself is to comprise 8 corridors, including railroad connecting Erdenet with Russian border, new railroads in western and eastern regions of Mongolia, eastern railroads to go out to the Far Eastern ports of Russia through China, and railroad network connecting Moscow and Beijing through Mongolia. In view of this, constructions of railroad connecting Erdenet and Ovoot, Bogdkhan Railroad to entwine Ulaanbaatar and Khoot-Bichigt railroad are included in the Government Action Plan for 2016-2020.
The side projects of the economic corridor will be an impetus to the transit transport development in Mongolia. If the amount of freight carried through transit transport reaches 80-90 tons, we would have got another Oyu Tolgoi, remarked Mr Yo.Manlaibayar and added that "Mongolia is the shortest cut for China-Russia transportations".
New details of China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor
September 13 (Global Times) China will increase cooperation with Mongolia and Russia in trade and infrastructure construction, according to an outline of the plan for the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor that was revealed on Tuesday by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner.
The plan was compiled based on a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2015 by the three countries on constructing the economic corridor.
According to the NDRC statement, China, Mongolia and Russia will increase the scale of trade in areas like agricultural products, energy and building materials.
The three countries will also strengthen trade cooperation in the services sector and cooperate on software program design and data maintenance.
China's trade with Russia increased 1 percent year-on-year from January to August to about 44 billion yuan ($6.59 billion), data from the General Administration of Customs showed on September 8.
The three countries will establish cross-border economic cooperation zones, the NDRC statement said.
China, Russia and Mongolia intend to jointly develop their infrastructure sectors by constructing international land transportation corridors, starting new railway and highway projects, and negotiating new rules for cross-border transportation.
They will also strengthen port construction and enhance their cooperation in supervising cross-border food trade, the NDRC statement stressed.
According to the statement, the economic corridor is intended to strengthen the three countries' mutual cooperation and support win-win economic development, as well as to increase the countries' joint competitiveness in the international market.
The statement stressed that multiple channels will be used for financing, such as government investment, public-private partnerships and investment from international financial institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank.
International Project Management Conference on Oct 7-8
September 13 (gogo.mn) Project Management Institute (PMI®) Mongolia Chapter is inviting project management professionals, CEOs, business analysts to two-day International Project Management Conference under the theme of 'Best Practices in Project Management' to be held on October 7-8, 2016 at the Blue Sky conference hall, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
This is an opportunity to hear 24 honored guest speaker case presentations from Mongolia and Asia Pacific, attend 12 workshops and interactive sessions, network with over 300 project managers, meet with PMI's top Directors and Managers from Hong-Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
PMI® is the world's largest non-profit association for project managers, with over 700,000 members and credential holders in over 190 countries. The PMI Mongolia Chapter® is a local chapter officially chartered by PMI® and is aimed to support the project management community based in Mongolia.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AND FEES
Organizing Committee:
9901-7317 | 9994-7237
registration@pmimongolia.mn
www.pmi.org | www.pmimongolia.mn
www.facebook.com/pmimongoliachapter
www.twitter.com/pmimongolia
Early Bird Registration:
"PMI Mongolia Chapter" member - MNT 50,000
Individuals or company representatives - MNT 175,000
Student - MNT 50,000
Group (> 5 guests) - MNT 150,000
Member of supporting organizations - MNT 140,000.
"Morin Khuur ensemble at night temple museum" to perform
Ulaanbaatar, September 13 (MONTSAME) Chojin Lama Temple-Museum in association with the Morin Khuur ensemble of the State Philharmonics are staging an evening event "Morin Khuur ensemble at night temple museum" on September 14.
The annual "Night museum" event has been hosted by the Chojin Lama Temple Museum since 2011 with an aim to enhance joint actions of cultural organizations, to bring museum services in more entertainment form to the public and contribute to the development of tourism industry.
Spectators can see here unique and rich artifacts and exhibits of the temple museum and to enjoy in performance of the Morin Khuur ensemble well-known not only within, but also beyond Mongolia.
The event is available for MNT 40 thousand.
Last year, the Night Museum was co-staged by the Khusugtun group, which won the second place of the Asians' got talent in 2015.
"Green Days of Autumn" fair approaches
Ulaanbaatar, September 13 (MONTSAME) "Green Days of Autumn" week-event will take place at Misheel Expo center between 14th and 20th of September, with a purpose of providing a good chance to city consumers to acquire fresh potatoes, vegetables and fruits. The action will also incorporate "Milk from Motherland", "Green Food – Healthy Life", "The World-Famous Mongolian Taste", "Healthy Food – Your Choice" and "Promoting Organic Farming" day-events.
In order to encourage national farmers and to reach full domestic supply of organic foods, the Office of the Mayor and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry have established a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation, in accordance with which the action is being organized.
The Golden Autumn extended trade fair started on August 20 in every district simultaneously and is to last until September 20. There are 434 spots, selling fresh harvests throughout the city.
Czech Deputy FM brings business reps to Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar, September 12 (MONTSAME) Mayor of Ulaanbaatar S.Batbold met the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Miloslav Stasek. The Mayor wished the delegation a convenient stay in Mongolia and underlined two countries have long-standing friendly ties.
The Deputy FM of the Czech Republic informed that he is accompanied by representatives of 12 companies, who are interested in running business and investing in Mongolia. The companies' representatives wish to meet with Mongolian businesspeople engaged in fields of energy, water management, the environment, transportation and civil aviation.
The guests learnt the General Development Plan of Ulaanbaatar until 2020 and the Development Perspectives until 2030, as well as the major projects being implemented in the city.
Mongolia-Czech business forum to be held
September 13 (gogo.mn) Vice Foreign Affairs Minister B.Battsetseg received Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Miloslav Stasek.
During the meeting vice ministries exchanged their views on cooperation in trade, economy and education sectors. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Miloslav Stasek expressed her satisfaction to work with newly formed Government of Mongolia and stated to pay particular attention to their cooperation projects.
Vice Foreign Affairs Minister B.Battsetseg expressed her hope that Mongolia-Czech business forum will play important role to create new opportunities, market and partners for private entities and businesses of two countries and wished success to the organization.
Business delegations led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Miloslav Stasek will attend the Mongolia-Czech business forum, which will be held on Sep 13th at Darkhan city and in Ulaanbaatar city on Sep 14th.
Related:
Vice FM Battsetseg receives her Czech counterpart – Montsame, September 13
Ambassador of Vietnam suggests trading coffee and meat
Ulaanbaatar, September 13 (MONTSAME) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr Phan Dang Duong was received Tuesday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, Mr Ts.Munkh-Orgil. The sides underlined the cooperation between Mongolia and Vietnam has been expanding at a satisfactory pace.
They also discussed about strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment, culture, education and tourism. The Ambassador pointed out the opportunity for the two countries to trade meat and meat products from Mongolia and medicinal herbs, coffee and white rice from Vietnam.
The sides pledged to forward lead-ups to the 16th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, to be held in October in Ulaanbaatar.
Ambassador to Ukraine presents credentials
Ulaanbaatar, September 13 (MONTSAME) The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Mongolia to Ukraine, Mr Bataa Nemekh, presented his letter of credence to the President of Ukraine, Mr Petro Poroshenko on September 12. The Ambassador conveyed the greetings of President Ts.Elbegdorj and shared his views on cooperation with Ukraine, during the meeting with Mr Poroshenko.
After this, director of the Department of Asia and the Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received Mr N.Bataa. The latter also held meetings will the officials of the Ukraine Ministry of Agriculture and the Agency of Investment and Development, and delivered the medals in honor of the victory in the Battle of River Khalkh to Ukrainian veterans.
The meetings touched upon possibilities to boost bilateral ties in the politics, trade, economy, road and transport.
Granby Alum Teaching English to College Students in Mongolia
He is one of seven Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program designees teaching English to university students in the Asian country.
MONGOLIA, September 13 (Granby Patch) — Ryan Kertanis is taking on an entirely new world - literally.
The 2012 Granby Memorial High School graduate is currently in Mongolia, teaching English to college students through the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program. He is one of seven people currently assigned to that Asian country.
Following his first day of teaching last week, Kertanis wrote a lengthy blog post, which is published here:
Exhilaration, joy, anticipation, nervousness, trepidation , fear; these are the ingredients for the swirling cauldron of emotion that is the first day or school, stirred and carefully attended by students, parents, and of course teachers. As students and parents prepare for the first day so to do the teachers who are tasked with delivering the knowledge that is so highly prized by all.
The first day of school in Mongolia is a big event, the streets are packed with small children in perfectly appointed uniforms, parents in tow, adolescents heading off on their own for the first time, and teenagers doing everything they can to add some style and flair to that blue and white school getup.
As I walk to school on the first day I scarcely notice them at all, consumed by the reality of the situation at hand. I am about to begin my first day as an English teacher, for college students, in Mongolia, and to be honest I am quite nervous. The anticipation of stepping in front of that class for the first time is invigorating but also terrifying; three weeks of training was good, but this is the real deal.
As I walk into class the students stand and greet me, and I think to myself, "Well that's nice, at least they recognize I'm the teacher, maybe if I act like I know what I'm doing they'll believe me…". I should mention two things: first, I am co-teaching this class so I am not completely alone, but when you get up there and look out at all those faces it sure does feel like it. Second, I have had three weeks of intense teacher training with an absolutely brilliant teacher, I have learned so so so much about teaching, different methods, lesson planning, assessment, linguistic features, pronunciation, setting goals, the whole nine yards.
The fact remains, however, that this is my first real class in front of my students and I really want to make a good impression. I start by teaching them the Hobart Alma Mater, well the chorus at least. It is pretty simple and uses colors and descriptive words and I just like singing it. The class is really loving it and then… picture time!!!!!! Yeah Mongolians love photos and so halfway through class we stop for a great photo session with apples and signs and the whole shebang.
Shortly after the photo session I am informed that I will be taking photos at the elementary school… yay picture day! Nothing like a reverse photo bomb to get the nerves out!
I've learned in my short time here that whatever you plan will more than likely not happen, which as it turns out is a great stress reliever. So as I am carted over to the secondary school I feel pretty calm, my first lesson went pretty well, I'm going to take photos, and oh yeah Ryan, you have to introduce yourself to around 300 kids and their parents….. wooohoooo.
As I walk onto the stage my friend and co-teacher Ganbaayar is speaking to the crowd, introducing the principals of the school, the president, and me! I have to say having this guy around has been a blessing and having him introduce me was a confidence booster, but I was still pretty nervous when he handed me the mic.
So there I was standing in front of all these eager kids and their parents, microphone in hand. "Hello everyone, my name is Ryan Kertanis, I am a Fulbright ETA from the United States, and I am so excited to work with you all this year…" and then I may or may not have said "Hello from America." I kinda blacked out after I said my name. All I know is that people clapped and my coworkers said I did alright, so I definitely didn't ruin U.S.-Mongolia relations, phew.
As I reflect back on my first day I'm struck by both the similarities and differences between the U.S. and Mongolia. On the one hand, both days are such a celebration of a new start and the pursuit of education: we put on our best clothes, have a good breakfast and head out the door just as Mongolians do. There's a pomp and circumstance to the whole thing, and for good reason - education is of the utmost importance, in a developing nation like Mongolia, but also in the U.S. where recently we haven't been doing too hot in global rankings.
The difference I think is the way that Mongolians cling to and cherish the education they can provide for the younger generations. In the U.S. many of us take education for granted, we see it as a constant in everyday life, even in the poorest parts of the nation. Mongolia is not too far removed from a time when education was few and far between, and although literacy rates are high, the depth of knowledge here was lacking in the past. Mongolians see the opportunity afforded to their children if they are well educated, and many parents sacrifice it all in order to get a child to university, or a good secondary school.
My point in this is not to say we as Americans should give up everything to give our kids the best education possible. In fact I think the point is we don't have to give up much at all to get our kids a great education, so maybe we should support that a little more. We should cherish the resources that we have, the thousands of amazing teachers who labor so hard every day, and we should appreciate the opportunity afforded to us by the simple act of going to school in the United States.
I am increasingly aware that I would have never set foot in Mongolia if it had not been for the great public education I received. And so on that note, I conclude my first day of school with a sincere and honest thank you to all the teachers I've ever had, from a new teacher who will try his best to impart a fraction of the knowledge that was imparted to me.
Leonardo DiCaprio's mother invites eagle huntress Aisholpan for lunch
September 13 (gogo.mn) N.Aisholpan, known as 13-year-old eagle huntress girl, went to USA with her parents to attend the film premiere.
"The Eagle Huntress" documentary film, tells the story of 13-year-old Aisholpan, only one girl in the Mongolia who is starting to learn how to train and hold eagle, has premiered at Sundance and theaters in New York and Los Angeles.
During her premiere at USA, famous Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio`s mother invited N.Aisholpan and her parents for lunch.
B.Uugankhuu Wins Bronze Medal at Rio 2016 Paralympics
September 12 (UB Post) Mongolian visually impaired judoka B.Uugankhuu brought Mongolia's first medal from the Rio 2016 Paralympics, which commenced on September 7.
B.Uugankhuu seized a bronze medal in the men's -60 kg event of B3 classification.
Visually impaired judokas are divided into three classifications of B1, B2, and B3. Athletes in B1 classification are totally blind, while B2 and B3 classification athletes are partially visually impaired.
In the first round, B.Uugankhuu defeated Brazilian judoka Mesquita Pontes Rayfran by ippon within two minutes and three seconds into the match.
In the second round, he lost to Japanese judoka Hirose Makoto by ippon.
In the repechage round, B.Uugankhuu beat Lee Minjae of South Korea. Afterwards, he defeated gold medalist of the London 2012 Paralympics, Ibrahimov Ramin of Azerbaijan by ippon within four seconds into the match to secure Mongolia's first medal from this year's Paralympics.
The following is an interview with Mongolia's first Paralympic medalist in judo B.Uugankhuu.
Congratulations on bringing Mongolia's first Paralympic medal in judo.
Thank you. I am very happy. I have waited for this moment for a long time. My goal was to become a Paralympic champion. But I feel good because I won against Paralympic champion Ibrahimov Ramin. I won't undermine my achievement. It felt like a dream after defeating Ibrahimov Ramin.
I want to express my gratitude to the Mongolian National Paralympic Committee, Mongolia Para-Judo Federation, Physical Training and Sports Development Center, my family, friends and Mongolians.
What were you thinking of while you were standing on the medal podium?
I was thinking about my home country, family, friends, and athletes of the Mongolian national team. Now I understand that you harvest what you sow. There were moments I thought, "I can't do it. So stop now." But I didn't give up.
I wanted to pinch myself to check whether I'm dreaming or not when I was standing on the medal podium. I am very excited.
I was confident that I would win a medal. Coach Ch.Bazarsuren said, "Everything will depend on you. Do your best."
How long have you been training in judo?
I liked wrestling and combat when I was a kid. Coach Ya.Dorj taught me how to wrestle in 2008. Currently I am training under the guidance of coach of the national para-judo team Ch.Bazarsuren, B.Narantuya and coach of Garuda Club O.Bold-Erdene.
I achieved success thanks to these people.
There were times I got tired when I first started training in judo. But I like this sport. Every athlete faces issues, not only I. We have to be patient and do the things we like.
With whom do you live with?
I live with my wife and one-year-old daughter in Ulaanbaatar. My mother lives in Sainshand, Dornogovi Province.
"Chinggis Khaan Basketball Cup" held
September 13 (news.mn) The Mongolian Basketball Federation has organized the "Chinggis Khaan Cup" international basketball competition for the second time. The competition took place from 7th-11th September in Ulaanbaatar. National teams from the Russian Republic of Buryatia, North Korea, and the Korean Basketball League (KBL) as well as Hohhot University in Inner Mongolia participated in the event.
The Mongolian National team distinguished itself as the champion, the 'Eagles' of South Korean took second place and Mongolian youth top team won bronze. The Mongolian national team presented the winner's cup to Park Sung Ging for his contribution in Mongolian basketball. Last year, the cup was won by the Mongolian national team. This was the first time teams from both Korea's have competed in Ulaanbaatar.
The Mongolian top youth team will compete in the Asian University basketball Championship in Ulaanbaatar from 19th to 24th of September.
Asian University Men's Basketball Championship
September 13 (news.mn) The VI Asian University Men's Basketball Championship will take place in Ulaanbaatar from 18th to 25th of September. Basketball teams from South Korea, China, Macao, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Taiwan and Hong Kong will compete in A and B sections of the championship.
The competition is organised by the Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sciences and Sports of Mongolia, the Mongolian Students Federation and the Mongolian Basketball Federation.
The Mongolian university team has been in participating in the championship since 2006 and won bronze medals in 2010 and 2012.
Tokyo: Hakuho undergoes successful surgery
September 13 (news.mn) Mongolian-born D.Davaajargal, better known as "Yokozuna" Hakuho underwent minor surgery on his right big toe at a hospital in Tokyo on Monday - the procedure was successful. His coach Miyagino said Hakuho is sitting out the ongoing Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament due to several injuries. In the operation he had a bone chip removed from the toe; he will be hospitalized for a day.
Hakuho was also diagnosed with a damaged tendon and inflammation to his right ankle as well as problems with his left knee joint, the medical report said. "It aches when I sit in a ritual squat position - probably because it (the bone chip) moves around inside," Hakuho told reporters.
It is the first time the Mongolian sumo wrestler has missed an entire tournament since the 2006 Kyushu tournament, when he was had the ranking of Ozeki.
The 2016 autumn tournament has started on September 11th in Tokyo.
Talk with Me with Laura Monroe: B. Unenkhuu (Uugii), Noise Productions
September 11 (Star TV) --
Sisters rider on the steppe
September 13 (NuggetNews.com) I'm fond of horses. I'm fond of archery. And of archery from a galloping horse as well. So is Holm Neumann. That's why we were in Mongolia last month.
Holm and Susan Neumann established the Cascade International Mounted Archery Center (CIMAC) in 2006, where they train horses to horseback archery, teach clinics and hold competitions from their ranch outside of Sisters. When we hosted the 2010 Horseback Archery Competition, the Mongolians had planned to come, but didn't show at the last minute because they didn't realize they needed visas to enter the U.S. This year, we came to them.
About 20 competitors were at perhaps the only training facility in Mongolia, just south of the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. They hailed from Brazil, Ireland, Bavaria, Sweden, Japan, the U.S. and, of course, Mongolia.
Of all the places in the world, Mongolia probably has the most renowned history of horseback archery - depictions of the warriors of Chinggis Khaan (Western spelling: Genghis Khan) are on horseback in armor with knives, swords, bow and arrows, and it was common to hunt from horseback. But mounted archery is not much practiced anymore.
The riders paraded near the spectator seating for the opening ceremony. One Mongolian had a falcon on his wrist. The Irishman, Andrew O Donnghaile, who trains and teaches at CIMAC, was in chainmail with a fur-rimmed medieval-style helmet. The Japanese were dressed in elaborate bright silks with bows about seven feet long. A young Mongolian man dressed in fine blue silks played a tune that evoked the tempo of a galloping horse on the quintessential Mongolian folk instrument, a horsehead fiddle.
Each competitor has only one chance at each of the three courses: a Korean-style five-shot, the furry ball, and a Hungarian-style. Points are scored on a standard bulls-eye target, or a furry soccer-sized ball for one of the courses, placed about 10 meters from the running lane. The more points the better.
The Mongolians Otgoo and Miigaa took third and second, and Ryoya Takemura of Japan won first-place honors. Other participants sidled over to the score sheets after the ceremony to examine the scoring. Takemura won with 11 points.
Unlike other competitions - where if a rider's run is over the established reasonable time, points are deducted for each second - on this course riders over the established 16-second time were disqualified. One of the teenage Mongolian girls likely would have won with her target score of 19. That's not the point. We were there for the camaraderie and to help bring part of the Mongolians' heritage back to them.
Several of the Mongolians, who perform with a circus, made a few runs on the course to show off their impressive horse-vaulting skills, and the falcon was passed around. And then it was time to go. We loaded into a bus right out of 1960s California, and headed to the tourist ger camp where we would stay and ride horses for three days.
I mounted the liver-chestnut horse I was assigned, and was struck by two things: His shoulders are maybe 16 inches wide; it seems I might topple him over. The second is that this saddle resembles a packsaddle - a wooden tree with a leather-covered pillow strapped atop. And the cinches (two camel-hair ropes) were rigged with something akin to a shoelace made of worn leather. Old. Very worn. I pointed this out to our travel guide, who was bilingual, and one of the horse guides came over and retied a couple of the knots. I was hoping for replacement; something perhaps two inches wide and new.
We headed to Khustain National Park, about 30 km away, in hopes of seeing some takhi (Przewalski's horse). A few steps at the walk and we were off trotting and cantering. For long, long stretches at a time. Uphill. Downhill. Side-hill. I was amazed at how my horse skittered over the rodent holes at a gallop, needing no guidance from me, only balance.
No takhi sightings, so we turned around. Holm and a few others followed our route by car, and we gathered for lunch. The horsemen hobbled one horse with its leadrope and then tied four or five others to the hobbled horse's neck.
Remarkably, my horse had not sweated much and was barely winded. However, I was not faring as well.
The padding of the pillow was in places where my butt was not - much like how gravel gets pushed to the side of a road by the passage of tires. My thighs were bruising on the edges of the wood frame. And there was a sizeable rock-hard lump on the left of the seat where, well, where a lump just should not be.
Interestingly, Mongolian saddles prior to the 15th century resemble our Western saddles. Beyond that, further research turned up little information. I was told that the Manchurian rule introduced much shorter saddles with hard seats and very high pommels and cantles, complete with silver buttons that resemble large conchos at the upper thigh area for decoration - but really intentional discomfort to keep the Mongolian soldiers from fighting as well. This style is now considered to be a typical Mongolian saddle.
Mongolian riders typically stand in their stirrups.
I was also told that the saddle I rode in at this camp is a type currently used throughout Mongolia, but is not "Mongolian." That it's a Russian soldier's saddle, and that the officers rode in more comfortable leather saddles that resemble English saddles.
Neither of these stories can I confirm. All I know is that I never want to ride in it again.
Paraglider from Helsby feared murdered during Mongolian trip
Steve Nash was chartered engineer based at Runcorn
September 13 (The Chester Chronicle) A paraglider from Helsby is feared to have been robbed and murdered during a flying expedition in Mongolia.
Steve Nash, 53, of Sandy Lane, appears to have been attacked on August 31 while half-way through a trip with friend Gareth Aston, which involved hiking and paragliding across the Khangai Nuruu mountain range.
Steve, a chartered engineer for Innovene, formerly Ineos Chlor, at Runcorn, had decided to carry on alone after Gareth was forced to retire due to a back injury.
He had seven days worth of food with him and was well prepared.
But there was concern when his satellite tracking system – called Spot tracklog – which can be monitored online, stopped updating.
Steve's friend Malcolm Grace, back in the UK, told free flying magazine Cross Country: "(Steve's wife) Shirley and I were first concerned when it was seen that Steve's Spot tracklog was not updating and there was no end-of-day 'OK' message. The last track-point showed him stopped in the middle of a valley.
"Some hours later we got the devastating news from Gareth that Steve had been killed and robbed. His passport and his money were missing. Everything else was still there, including his paraglider – packed in his backpack."
Steve's body has now been flown back to the UK. His body was only formally identified today (Tuesday, September 13).
A Cheshire Police spokesman said in a statement: "Steve Nash, age 53, married to Shirley was an experienced adventure paragliding pilot. During August 2016, Steve was on his second 'spiralling the steppes adventure' to Mongolia, when his family were informed that he had died."
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are in contact with Mongolian authorities regarding the death of a British national, and are providing support and advice to the family at this difficult time."
In 2009, The Chronicle reported how Steve successfully defended his X-Scotia title in Scotland, running 65km and flying 21km, climbing three mountain summits in the process.
He said at the time: "I am delighted with the result. I knew it would be a challenge. You run up or walk up the three mountains and then fly down them."
Steve, who even at that point in his life had been flying for more than 10 years after training in North Wales, explained paragliding.
"It's like parachuting but instead of just going down you can move from place to place, descend and elevate," he said. "You can go a long way with a piece of fabric and some strings. You ride the thermals, like a bird glides.
"Part of the challenge of this event is carrying the parachute in your rucksack. I have to keep fit, I'm not a hell bent marathon runner or fell runner, I just run to keep myself fit for other sports."
Similar:
Runcorn engineer feared murdered during Mongolian trip – Liverpool Echo, September 13
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