SlideShare a Scribd company logo
BUSINESS COUNCIL of MONGOLIA
NewsWire
www.bcmongolia.org
info@bcmongolia.org
Issue 323 – May 2, 2014
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:
Business
 Mongolia set to resolve mining licenses dispute, says Kincora;
 Mongol Mining JV with Shenhua credit positive;
 Hong Kong Jockey Club says no plan to be part of Mongolia racing, betting;
 Khushigt Valley airport to begin operations in Dec. 2016, says Japan official;
 Khan Bank launches nationwide Bancassurance campaign;
 EBRD financing Senj Sant cement plant;
 Altan Rio debt settlement paves way for EBRD placement;
 Firebird Global Master Fund reports transactions in Khot Infrastructure;
 Prophecy announces new board director;
 FeOre receives extension from bondholders', approval on sale;
 Winsway to change name to "Winsway Enterprises";
 Mongolia Investment Summit London recap;
 NAMBC 2014 AGM Held in Ottawa, April 22-23;
 Mongolian scientist speaks at Colorado State;
 Talkh Chikher takes “Top Brand” award;
 Alstom accepts GE offer but leaves room for Siemens bid.
Economy
 Long-term rating on Mongolia lowered to 'B+';
 Mongolia downgrade weighs on Chinggis bond;
 Fitch: Weakening Mongolian Mining Highlights Risks for Banks;
 Mongol Bank: FX auctions, swap agreements, 1-week bills, treasury bonds;
 Mongolia requests extension for MNT-CNY swap agreements;
 Mongol bank official calls tugrug depreciation “seasonal phenomenon”;
 OT dispute weighs on tugrug as capital dries up;
 April Sales Managers' Index;
 Number of mine workers grows;
 UB supports local agriculture;
 Mining downturn forces Mongolia to diversify;
 Scientists see strong correlation between air pollution and miscarriage in UB;
 USAID partners with World Vision for disaster risk management in west;
 Mongolia's green power pioneers keep Asian Super Grid dream alive;
 Commodities back in favor as a portfolio diversifier;
 China plans crackdown on iron ore import loans;
 China poised to pass US as world‟s leading economic power.
Politics
 Mongolia premier unveils 100-day push to revive economy;
 Mongolia to revise mineral law to attract investment;
 Parliament discusses economic stimulus initiative;
 Mongolia will propose gambling on horse racing to tap China;
 DP boots Burmaa for dissenting vote;
 MP says he left Justice Coalition due to „Double Deel‟ Law;
 Mining Ministry to oversee development of Asgat silver mine;
 Saudi Arabia to open Mongolian embassy;
 Vietnam, Mongolia boost mutual trust, cooperation;
 Corruption authorities open investigation into former Mon Atom director;
 Moscow Takes Ukraine, Beijing Takes Mongolia?
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
 MSE Top 20 Index by market Capitalization;
 Foreign-listed Companies with Mongolian Assets;
 Monthly Macroeconomic Overview – March 2014;
 Supermarket Price Comparison – April 2014;
 Inflation;
 Central bank policy rate;
 Currency rates.
*Click on titles above to link to articles.
SPONSORS
Khan Bank International SOS
Invest Mongolia Agency Mongolian Economy Magazine
Oxford Business Group Milestone GRP
BCM MEETING RECAP
The BCM meeting on 28 April was held for the first time at Best Western Tuushin Premier Hotel with
Bayanjargal Byambasaikhan in the chair and attended by 120 members and invited guests. Executive
Director Jim Dwyer introduced BCM's new vice director, Amarjargal Bayarmaa. Bayarmaa currently
works with BCM as chairperson of the Environmental Working Group. She leaves her position as
senior carbon finance specialist for Clean Energy LLC.
Dwyer and Byambasaikhan also announced the recently announced Business Summit to be held in
Ulaanbaatar in June.
―The target is to have 150 CEOs of the top Mongolian companies,‖ said Dwyer. ―Obviously
government can explain, hopefully, the amendment to the minerals Law and the removed
restrictions on exploration licenses, and other initiatives we expect to be taken place in the short
term.‖
The event is being organized by the same team behind the Mongolian Economic Forum, the
Economic Policy and Competitiveness Research Center (EPCRC).
The following new BCM members were introduced:
1. The newly opened Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel offers a wide variety of luxury
accommodation, extensive state of the art conference and banqueting facilities and three high
quality restaurants providing a wide range of fine dining options, with menus and wines from around
the world especially prepared for you by our internationally qualified chefs and sommeliers.
The 25-story, 200-room Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel is a impressive landmark in the center
of Ulaanbaatar due to its modern design and excellent location close to the Government Palace,
government offices, shopping areas and com¬mercial institutions.
2. Cummins Mongolia Investment LLC, established in 2011, is an exclusive distributor for Cummins
Inc., the world‘s largest independent manufacturer of diesel engines and a global leader in power
generation technology. Cummins takes pride providing sales and exceptional service and support
for Cummins engines, Cummins generators, Cummins Filtration products and related products
serving the varied needs of our customers in Mongolia, such as mining, oil and gas, power
generation, agriculture plus on and off road vehicles.
3. Forbes Mongolia is published under a licensing agreement between Forbes Media LLC and MGL
Capital LLC. The Mongolian edition will be the 33rd local language edition with monthly publication
and Forbes Mongolia will have access to Forbes stories from around the world.
Forbes Mongolia's editorial team will also feature local content on chief executives, tycoons,
philanthropists, investors and aspiring entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the country‘s
economic landscape and society.
4. International Mining Consulting (IMC) LLC, established in 2013, is an independent national
company that offers following services: geotechnical engineering, mine engineering; project
management , contract mining , pre-feasibility studies , training, and consultancy
5. Lewis Marks has lived in Tokyo, Beijing, and Ulaanbaatar since 1977, 1982, 1992, respectively and
conjointly. Marks is licensed to practice law in New York, a board member of CBH Resources,
Australia (zinc/lead mines) since 2002 , a board member of LIM Japan Fund since 2003 , a founding
partner of MIC Global Partners LLC (commodities investment, oil exploration + production in North
America) since 2003, a director and equity partner in CWT Mongolia (copper/oil) , an equity partner
in Bayandari Co. (farming in Selenge and Zavkhan) , and a partner in Rich Resources, Beijing
(commodities).
6. Melbury Capital is a private equity vehicle seeded by the Reuben Brothers and a select group of
family offices. The fund achieves superior returns through tailored, country specific investment
strategies in frontier markets. The Mongolia office is currently developing assets in the mineral
extraction space. Melbury is currently looking to acquire Mongolian assets in the gold sector and is
also seeking to expand deal flow in other sectors.
Environmental Working Group Chair Bayarmaa Amarjargal gave the first presentation of the evening
on BCM's ―Green Office Initiative.‖ BCM has partnered with the Ministry of Environment and Green
Development to introduce to Mongolia's offices internal, self-operated systems for waste collection
and proper disposal.
―The mission is to take a multi-stakeholder approach toward sustainable practices in Mongolia,‖
said Bayarmaa.
Mongolia's solid waste increases by 500,000 a year in Ulaanbaatar, she said. As proper disposal
becomes an increasingly important issue, BCM's Environmental Working Group is working with public
and private offices, such as the Asia Foundation and numerous restaurants to arrange for waste
collection. To further promote this objective, NTV has agreed to play a 30-minute promotion every
two weeks informing the public about the initiative.
Sant Maral Foundation Director Luvsandendev Sumati presented next on the latest Politbarometer,
released in March.
―I was expecting some bad news for government but we didn't see that here,‖ said Sumati, noting
that the government was not heavily criticized despite the declining economic conditions in the
country. ―This situation is not like the spring weather—not volatile. Actually it's extremely
predictable.
The survey found that dissatisfaction with the business environment was still high at 48.5 percent,
but below that of the previous year's 52.7 percent. Government approval, too, was high at 40
percent, but less so than that of Sukhbaatar Batbold's government. People reported that instances
where households had gone hungry was less than that of previous years, but complaints of income
distribution were still high. Citizens' faith was largely in favor of the government to maintain fair
distribution of wealth.
―Our population does not trust private business,‖ said Sumati. He added that this sentiment would
remain as long as the government could afford to subsidize the livelihood of Mongolians.
The final presentation of the evening came from J. Sunjidmaa, corporate and public affairs
manager of Peabody Energy Corp., to discuss Peabody's ―Advanced Energy for Life‖ global advocacy
campaign. ―We see that energy poverty is the number-one crisis. It brings people down—and
society,‖ said Sunjidmaa.
The goal of the campaign was to increase access to low-cost energy while reducing emissions, she
said. The 21st Century coal, she said, is managed to be socially and environmentally friendly.
BUSINESS
MONGOLIA SET TO RESOLVE MINING LICENSES DISPUTE, SAYS KINCORA
Mongolia plans to put a resolution to parliament that will end a dispute between 11 foreign license
holders and the government over the invalidation of 106 mineral exploration licenses, one of the
companies affected, Kincora Copper Ltd., said on Monday.
The dispute is one of several issues, led by disagreements between Rio Tinto and the government
over plans to expand the giant Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, that have soured investor appetite for
Mongolia over the past two years. The 106 exploration licenses were declared void by a Mongolian
court last year after it found the former head of the Mineral Resources Authority guilty of illegally
approving the licenses between 2008 and 2009.
Toronto-listed Kincora Copper Ltd, one of 11 foreign investors affected, said the proposed
resolution was a "win-win" to end the dispute over its two cancelled licenses, on which the company
had to take a CAD 7 million writeoff last year.
"This case has had a major, negative impact on investor sentiment towards Mongolia. And the way
in which the government responds to investor concerns about the revocation of licenses, we hope,
will set a positive and visible precedent as to how future investors will be treated," Kincora Chief
Executive Sam Spring said in a statement.
Source: Reuters
MONGOL MINING JV WITH SHENHUA CREDIT POSITIVE
Moody's Investors Service said Mongolian Mining Corp.'s (MMC) joint venture with Shenhua Group is
credit positive for MMC because the cross-border railway will lower coal transportation costs with
little investment.
MMC announced that it would establish a joint venture with Shenhua Group to build a cross-border
railway to transport coal to China from Mongolia. With MMC currently using trucks to transport coal
to China, transportation costs accounted for 26.7 percent of its costs of goods sold and 22 percent
of its revenue in 2013, said the credit rating agency. MMC will hold 17 percent of the equity in the
consortium, while Shenhua will hold 49 percent and Mongolian companies Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi LLC
and Tavan Tolgoi JSC will each hold 17 percent.
Seventy percent of funding for the Sino-Mongolian Border Crossing Railway will be from loans that
Shenhua will be responsible for obtaining. MCC's investment in the consortium will be smaller than
if it financed all of the railway construction itself, which will alleviate pressure on MMC's liquidity
and allow it to better manage a challenging operating climate, said Moody's.
Source: ETNet
HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB SAYS NO PLAN TO BE PART OF MONGOLIA RACING, BETTING
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has "no intention of becoming directly involved" in Mongolia's plans to
set up a professional horse racing league and legalize betting.
HKJC chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges yesterday played down a report quoting a
Mongolian government minister as saying the nation wanted to establish a "jockey club operation."
"It is very good that another associate member of the Asian Racing Federation is considering
developing horse racing," Engelbrecht-Bresges said. "The ARF will offer its help but the HKJC has no
intention of becoming directly involved.
"I can say categorically there has been no contact with the HKJC from Mongolia regarding Hong Kong
horses racing there, but we will have a chance to talk at the Asian Racing Conference [in Hong
Kong] next week."
Oyungerel Tsedevdamba, the minister for culture, sport and tourism, said, according to a
Bloomberg report: "Our priority is to make the legal environment for a jockey club operation so that
we can have a market share" of the Asian gambling business. Oyungerel added that she hoped to
submit a draft to Parliament within three months. "Our law is heavily based on Hong Kong Jockey
Club rules."
"As a club, we would prefer horses not go to race in Mongolia as we maintain a horse population
sufficient for our industry and participation elsewhere would place a strain on our horse
population," said Engelbrecht-Bresges.
Source: South China Morning Post
KHUSHIGT VALLEY AIRPORT TO BEGIN OPERATIONS IN DEC. 2016, SAYS JAPAN OFFICIAL
The international airport under construction at Khushigt Valley in Tuv Aimag will be operational by
December 2016, said Japan's transportation minister during a visit from 26 to 29 April.
Minister Akihiro Ota led a Japanese delegation to meet with Minister of Roads and Transportation of
Mongolia Amarjargal Gansukh 28 April. The Japanese delegates told Gansukh that they learned from
a briefing on the progress made at the airport, over which Japan is leading construction, that work
was significantly ahead of the schedules and operations could begin by December 2016.
―This international airport is not only a big air transport facility, but is also considered the biggest
economic effective project and landmark.‖
Their visit to Mongolia was partly to meet with the management teams of the air carriers operating
in Mongolia to update them on their progress, said Ota. He also offered Japan's services in helping
to manage the airport. Also during the visit, Ota and Gansukh signed a memorandum of
understanding for cooperation between their ministries.
Source: Info Mongolia
KHAN BANK LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE BANCASSURANCE CAMPAIGN
Khan Bank LLC is promoting its new insurance program by giving away prizes to newly insured
customers.
―Khan Bank invites you to receive insurance services in a convenient way and have the opportunity
to become one of the 409 lucky winners,‖ reads the Source.
Khan Bank offers six insurance products throughout its banking network spanning across the country
with its ―Bancassurance‖ service. The bank is promoting the insurance program launch of a two-
month campaign to end 30 June throughout its 524 branches with a contest giving away prizes to
new customers. Khan Bank will draw the names of 409 customers whom will receive such prizes as a
one-year gift card for petrol fuel, a trip to the countryside, car washes, and car seats covers.
Twenty Khan Bank customers will receive a personal gift from their bank.
Source: Khan Bank LLC
EBRD FINANCING SENJ SANT CEMENT PLANT
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a USD 65 million loan
to a Mongolian cement producer to finance the construction of a dry process cement plant.
EBRD is continuing its financial support for Mongolian company Senj Sant, which is building a
greenfield cement plant to meet rising demand generated by the country‘s rapidly growing
economy. The USD 65 million loan is part of a financing package dating from May 2013, which
included a USD 20 million equity investment in Senj Sant.
Senj Sant, which is owned by Monpolymet Group, began construction of the plant in April 2013. It is
expected to have a total capacity of one million tons of cement per year. According to the source,
the dry process used is the most advanced and environmentally-friendly means of production
currently available.
―The EBRD‘s long-term finance, including equity, not only helps us build the first cement plant in
Mongolia using environmentally-friendly dry process, but also supports the company in raising
business standards to international levels,‖ Monpolymet Group Chief Executive Officer Munkhnasan
Narmandakh.
Source: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
ALTAN RIO DEBT SETTLEMENT PAVES WAY FOR EBRD PLACEMENT
Altan Rio Minerals Ltd. announced that it has now closed the debt settlement that serves as a
prerequisite for a private placement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Altan Rio has issued a total of some 20.35 million common shares to settle debt in the total sum of
USD 1.424 million at a deemed price of USD 0.07 per share. Debt in the sum of USD 5,000 that was
originally contemplated in the February 20, 2014 news release was not settled for shares, resulting
in a net reduction of 71,428 shares from the number originally announced. The 20,346,555 shares so
issued are subject to a hold period of four months plus a day, expiring 29 August.
Completion of the debt settlement transaction was a pre-condition to Altan Rio's previously
announced private placement of common shares with the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) for some 16.7 million shares at USD 0.06 per share. Now that the debt
settlement transaction has been completed, the Source anticipates that, subject to receipt of final
approval from the TSX Venture Exchange and completion of other standard closing conditions, the
private placement with EBRD will close in the first half of May 2014.
Source: Altan Rio Minerals Ltd.
FIREBIRD GLOBAL MASTER FUND REPORTS TRANSACTIONS IN KHOT INFRASTRUCTURE
Firebird Global Master Fund (FGMF) Holdings and Firebird Global Master Fund Holdings II 9 April
announced that each had conglomerated shares from subsidiaries in Khot Infrastructure Holdings,
Ltd.
Firebird Global Master Fund, Ltd. transferred to FGMF Holdings 530,747 common shares of Khot
Infrastructure, while Firebird Global Master Fund II, Ltd. transferred 461,392 shares of Khot to FGMF
Holdings II. Joint actors to each of the Firebird Global holding companies Passin Management
Limited Partnership and Sawkin Family 2011 LLC acquired 126,250 common shares and 500,000
common shares of Khot, respectively, at USD 0.20 per share. James Passin was granted 500,000
options to acquire the same number of common shares in the share capital at USD 0.25 per share.
Firebird New Mongolia Fund, L.P., received an additional 5.36 million common shares in the shares
in exchange for 100 percent interest in Great Hoard Holdings SARL, a Luxembourg entity that holds
75 percent share capital of Ashid Munkhiin Zam LLC.
The securities transfers to FGMF Holdings and FGMF II Holdings were made for the purpose of
company reorganization, reads the Source. The other transactions were carried out by joint actors
were for the purpose of maintaining controlling interest in Khot.
Source: Firebird
PROPHECY ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD DIRECTOR
Prophecy Coal Corp. 23 April announced the appointment of Masa Igata to its board of directors.
Igata has more than 25 years' experience working in Asian financial markets and is the founder and
chief executive officer of Frontier Securities LLC, the first foreign investment bank in Mongolia.
Previously, he was managing director at Nikko Citigroup with a leading role in Japanese equity sales
and investor relations. Igata now focuses primarily on advising resource companies in Mongolia.
Prophecy also announced the appointment of Orgil Sukhee as executive director of Red Hill
Mongolia LLC, which operates the company's Ulaan Ovoo project, effective 21 April 21. Sukhee is a
Mongolian business executive with over 10 years' of successful commercial property development
and management experience in Singapore (Shangri-La Hotel), Russia (CapitaLand), and Mongolia
(MCS Properties LLC).
Source: Prophecy Coal Corp.
FEORE RECEIVES EXTENSION FROM BONDHOLDERS', APPROVAL ON SALE
FeOre Ltd. 25 April announced that it had obtained an extension to the letter of waiver to extend
FeOre's repurchase of convertible bonds on or before 12 May.
Separately, FeOre announced that shareholders approved the sale of Topone Star Investments Ltd,
with the passage made by way of poll as an ordinary resolution.
Source: FeOre Ltd.
WINSWAY TO CHANGE NAME TO "WINSWAY ENTERPRISES"
Winsway Coking Coal Holdings Ltd. said it proposes to change its English name to "Winsway
Enterprises Holdings Limited".
With the view to enhancing the utilization and profitability from the group's well-established
logistics facilities, Winsway plans to evolve its strategy and scope of business from a pure coking
coal operation to a broader-scope operation including thermal coal, iron ore and potentially other
minerals or bulk materials. Winsway also plans to become more of a service provider through a
platform providing a total supply chain solution to the broader market involving small and medium-
sized customers engaged in bulk commodity trading.
―The Board believes the change of name will better reflect the changed and evolving strategy and
scope of Winsway's business,‖ reads the Source.
Source: Winsway Coking Coal Holdings Ltd.
MONGOLIA INVESTMENT SUMMIT LONDON RECAP
Mongolia's most profitable sector, mining, was a key topic of discussion during the first day of the
Invest Mongolia Summit held in London on 1 May. Investors gathered to discuss the improvements
made to Mongolia's regulatory system as well as areas still needing attention.
―President Elbegdorj said: 'Mongolia has made mistakes and must take steps to change regulations"
and did so in part with new Investment Law of Nov 1, 2013. But many points "still sleeping"
including OT Phase II financing, Chalco, 106 mining licenses and Long-name law,‖ said Vice Minister
for Economic Development, Ministry of Economic Development, Chuluunbat. While 11.7 percent
growth in 2013 is still impressive, the country was facing a currency devaluation that was having
serious impacts on U.S. denominated loans and the country's growing budget deficit. Attracting
foreign investment is imperative, said the vice minister, so treating all investors—―local and
foreign‖—equally and fairly was a main priority for the government.
Chris Melville, a partner at Ulaanbaatar-based law firm Hogan Lovells LLP, lauded the government's
new investment law, noting that it was positive that the government recognized the issues with
past legislation and made the necessary corrections. Moving forward, however, Mongolia will have
to focus on ensuring the laws are implemented as they are intended. Norihiko Kato, chief executive
officer of Khan Bank, chimed in on the Investment Law, noting that Mongolia's capital markets were
still underdeveloped as long as there was still no custodian services or inter-banking market.
The fine-tuning of legislation and the time to watch how Mongolia enforces its new laws will mean
that investment to Mongolia will not return overnight, according to Elena Clarici, managing director
of Meridian Equity Partners in the United Kingdom. Advising that cost focus was key for the mining
sector, she said that it was unlikely investors word invest in large quantities in the next 12 months
but the industry could be booming again in three years.
Source: Business Council of Mongolia
NAMBC 2014 AGM HELD IN OTTAWA, APRIL 22-23
The 24th meeting of the North America-Mongolia Business Council was held 22 and 23 April in
Ottawa, Canada.
Mongolia's vice minister of mining, O. Erdenebulgan, delivered a speech introducing a reform policy
being instituted by Mongolia‘s Cabinet Secretariat. Former U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Pamela J.
H. Slutz gave a report concerning the present economic development of Mongolia while former
Canadian Ambassador Anna Biolik reported on Mongolia-Canada relations.
Erdenebulgan later met with the director of volunteer development agency CESCO, Harris Vindu, for
a memorandum of cooperation between the volunteer group and Mongolia's Mining Ministry. The
memorandum is for the support of sustainable development in Mongolia's mining sector and the
improvement of professional skills. [Original source received correction from Cover Mongolia -ed].
Source: Montsame
MONGOLIAN SCIENTIST SPEAKS AT COLORADO STATE
A science advisor to the Mongolian Minister of Environment and Green Development 29 April
delivered public lectures at Colorado State University (CSU).
Chuluun Togtokh, a Ph.D. who is also science director of the Institute for Sustainable Development
at the National University of Mongolia, discussed concepts for sustainable development for Mongolia
and globally. While making the successful transition to democracy and market economy since 1990,
Mongolia laid down the foundations for prosperity. However, that transition also brought with it
increased poverty and environmental degradation. Committed to reversing this trend, the
Mongolian government has set a goal to become a green civilization—meeting the needs of the
present while safeguarding the planet's resources.
Chuluun discussed what green development looks like in Mongolia and the introduction of his Global
Sustainability Index (GSI) tool for providing synergy in the post-2015 development agenda. The
Mongolian speaker also participated in the Managing the Planet panel on Future Earth on 30 April.
Chuluun has spent the semester as a Visiting Fellow for CSU‘s School of Global Environmental
Sustainability. He has worked closely with researchers in the Natural Resource Ecology Lab in the
Warner College of Natural Resources during his time as CSU.
Source: Colorado State University
TALKH CHIKHER TAKES “TOP BRAND” AWARD
The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) and Intellectual Property
Office 23 April named Talkh Chikher JSC as Mongolia's ―Top Brand‖ in observation of World
Intellectual Property Day that later took place on 26 April. Organized since 2003, the award aims to
promote national manufacturers and their services. Additional awards went to Talkh Chicker's Ta
Chi brand for flour and bread products, Milko LLC's Zuv for dairy drinks, Makh Impex JSC's Nuudel for
meat products, and Khuvsgul Ikh Taiga LLC‖s Ikh Taiga for ―Green Brand.‖
The full list awards are as follows:
• Flour and Bread - Ta Chi (Talkh Chikher JSC)
• Milk and Dairy Products - ―Zuv‖ cream drink (Milko LLC)
• Meat and Meat Products - ―Nuudel‖ (Makh Impex JSC)
• Green Brand - ―Ikh Taiga‖ (Khuvsgul Ikh Taiga LLC)
• Best Packaging and Packed Brand - ―Khujirt‖ water (Gem Khujirt LLC)
• Leather Products - Only One Collection (Zuvkhun Gants LLC)
• Wool and Cashmere Products - ―Mongol Nekhmel‖ (Mongol Nekhmel LLC)
• Trade and Service - ―Orgil‖ Trade Center (Circle LLC)
• Mass Media - ―Family Radio‖ (FM 104.5)
• Communications - G Mobile (G Mobile LLC)
• New Brand - ―Sun Rice‖ (MJ Partners LLC)
• Import Substitution Brand - ―Ariun‖ (Khugjil Trade LLC)
• Best Service - ―Nomin‖ (Nomin Holding LLC)
• Top Brand - Talkh Chikher JSC
Source: Info Mongolia
ALSTOM ACCEPTS GE OFFER BUT LEAVES ROOM FOR SIEMENS BID
Alstom‘s board has accepted a EUR 12.35 billion all-cash offer from General Electric (GE) Co. for its
energy arm, but the engineering group left the door open for a rival bid from Germany‘s Siemens
AG in a sale process that could hinge on French politics. General Electric was the provider of
turbines for Mongolia's first turbine while Siemens was contracted by Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi LLC to
mine the East Tsankhi block of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine.
Patrick Kron, Alstom chief executive, said: ―The combination of the very complementary energy
businesses of Alstom and GE would create a more competitive entitity to better service customer
needs.‖
But in a statement on Wednesday morning, Alstom said it would set up a committee of independent
directors to review the binding offer by the end of May, giving the time demanded by the French
government to assuage its concerns over jobs at the national champion.
Alstom said the board had unanimously accepted the GE bid, but had also reviewed what it called a
declaration of interest from Siemens. ―Siemens will have fair access to information needed to
make, should it decide to do so, a binding offer,‖ it said, adding that would take into account ―the
interest of all stakeholders‖ in considering a Siemens bid.
Alstom said it would pay GE a break-up fee of 1.5 percent of the U.S. company‘s bid if it decided to
back another offer.
Source: Financial Times
ECONOMY
LONG-TERM RATING ON MONGOLIA LOWERED TO 'B+'
Standard & Poor's Financial Services has lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on Mongolia to
'B+' from 'BB-' while affirming its 'B' short-term sovereign credit rating.
―We lowered the long-term rating on Mongolia to reflect the country's weakened external and debt
profiles. Weak inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) and lower exports contributed to a sharp
decline in the country's gross official foreign exchange reserves over the past year,‖ reads the
Source. ―These trends weakened Mongolia's external balance sheet beyond what we had expected
earlier, resulting in increased external risk over the next three years and highlighting Mongolia's
exposure to shifts in FDI. Meanwhile, off-budget spending also raised government debt above levels
we had expected previously.
Although the Source found risk high due to its vulnerability in shifts to foreign investment, increases
in exports and foreign investment are forecasted once foreign investors become more attracted by
the country's ―business-friendly laws‖ and as improvements are made to cross-border transport.
―Mongolia's governance and policy effectiveness is weak, in our view. The government's more
business-friendly investment law approved late October 2013 has been slow in attracting foreign
investors, in our opinion, because of Mongolia's past record in policy shifts. However, we believe
the government is likely to improve policymaking and implementation over the next three years,
which will benefit investments and the economic ties with neighboring countries--Mongolia's key
export destinations and sources of FDI. However, the absence of a majority party in parliament may
constrain the extent of improvements.‖
Mongolia received a stable outlook because of faster improvements in the business environment and
fiscal management against potential shocks in external demand and slower-than-expected FDI
inflows.
Source: Standard and Poor's Financial Services
MONGOLIA DOWNGRADE WEIGHS ON CHINGGIS BOND
Mongolia has been downgraded by Standard & Poor's, further dimming the allure of one of the more
eye-catching bond market debutantes of the emerging markets debt boom.
The U.S. rating agency cut Mongolia's credit rating by one notch to B+, deep in junk territory and
just three notches above grades that are sometimes called "extremely speculative". In 2012
Mongolia issued its first Eurobond—dubbed a "Chinggis bond" by wags—raising a whopping USD 1.5
billion for 10 years at below Spain's borrowing costs at the time. The country has been rescued by
the International Monetary Fund five times in the past two decades or so, but investors still placed
USD 15 billion of orders—equal to 150 percent of its annual economic output.
However, since then investors have become more discerning on emerging market bonds, and
Mongolia in particular. The yield of the international bond maturing in 2022 has climbed from 5.62
percent last May to 7.55 percent today.
Economic growth is strong and government debts relatively weak, but Mongolia's macroeconomic
vulnerabilities—particularly its dependence on foreign finance—are significant, and government
policy has been erratic. Still, one big international investor has kept faith with Mongolia. Franklin
Templeton funds—mostly controlled by Michael Hasenstab—own over 14 percent of the Chinggis
bond, according to the most recent filings.
Source: Financial Times
FITCH: WEAKENING MONGOLIAN MINING HIGHLIGHTS RISKS FOR BANKS
The extension of a debt repayment by Mongolian Mining Corporation (MMC) highlights the pressures
for the industry and the risks for local banks, said Fitch Ratings in a 30 April statement.
―Mongolian banks are susceptible to the liquidity and profitability pressure in the mining sector as
this flows through to the broader economy,‖ reads the Source. ―Mining's weakness stems largely
from depressed demand, as indicated by falling prices. This also has a negative impact on the
Mongolian tugrug, which depreciated by 20% in 2013 and by another 6% so far this year.‖
Foreign-currency loans at around 30 percent exposes banks credit risk from a weaker local
currency, said the Source. Although foreign-currency lending is largely made to hedged
corporations, banks have built up credit risks from the ―exceptionally loose macro policy‖ used by
Mongolia to fuel credit growth above the country's nominal gross domestic product (GDP).
―Buffers against the risk are not robust, as the brisk pace of credit expansion at capped rates under
the government's loan programme pressures margins, liquidity and capital. Growth of non-
performing loans is rapidly outstripping that of total loans, rising by 93% y-o-y in March 2014 against
54%. The headline figure for NPLs remained at 5.2% of total loans (4.2% a year before). But Fitch
believes this underestimates asset-quality stress as it only captures 90-days-or-longer-overdue
loans.‖
The Sourced said Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia LLC's USD 40 million short-term
unsecured loan to MMC, representing 1.3 percent of the bank's total assets or 18 percent of equity,
was ―manageable,‖ compared with 11 percent for Golomt Bank LLC, 4 percent for Khan Bank and 3
percent XacBank. Credit risk is somewhat mitigated by credit guarantees by the Development Bank
of Mongolia, said the source.
―The mounting pressure on Mongolia's economic and financial stability underpins the Negative
Outlook on our 'B+' sovereign rating.‖
Source: Fitch Ratings
MONGOL BANK: FX AUCTIONS, SWAP AGREEMENTS, 1-WEEK BILLS, TREASURY BONDS
The Bank of Mongolia on 30 April reported the auction of USD 11 million for a closing rate of MNT
1,795.02. On 1 May, the Bank of Mongolia received an equivalent of USD 103 million from swap
agreements with commercial banks for a closing rate of MNT 1,795.
The central bank reported on 30 April the issue of one-week bills worth MNT 284.7 billion at a
weighted interest rate of 10.5 percent. The central bank also reported 30 April MNT 83 billion in
bids for the auction of 12-week treasury bonds with a face value of MNT 30 billion. Each unit was
worth MNT 1 million and sold at a discounted price with a weighted average yield of 9.27 percent.
Source: Bank of Mongolia
MONGOLIA REQUESTS EXTENSION FOR MNT-CNY SWAP AGREEMENTS
Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag requested an extension to Mongolia's currency swap agreements
with China while meeting with China's Finance Minister on 29 April.
"Mongolia is willing to extend the validity period, but with an increased volume of national
currencies to exchange. We believe the finance minister would pay more attention to resolve this
issue on a timely basis.‖ Altankhuyag said the swap agreement both strengthened Sino-Mongolian
relations while providing stability to the Mongolian economy.
Separately, Jiwei thanked Mongolia for accepting Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal to jointly
found the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Altankhuyag said Mongolia sees the bank as
an opportunity promote Mongolia's belief that developing infrastructure is crucial to the economic
growth of landlocked countries.
Source: Info Mongolia
MONGOL BANK OFFICIAL CALLS TUGRUG DEPRECIATION “SEASONAL PHENOMENON”
A central bank official has predicted that the tugrug may begin to appreciate by the end of this
year.
―In the first quarter of 2014 out trade balance improved,‖ said J. Bataa, director of the Financial
Market Department of the Bank of Mongolia. ―Exports were up 22 percent in the first quarter
compared with the same period last year.‖ While Bataa conceded that the tugrug was still
depreciating against the tugrug, he dismissed it as a long-term affect despite the fact that the
currency had been falling for over a year. ―I think it's a seasonal phenomenon only,‖ he said.
―Our economy activates beginning in spring. Therefore, imports increase starting from February and
exports begin in May, which improves the exchange rate again. The second factor for the tugrug
depreciation is the delayed payments for coal exports, but coal exporters are working on it. Now
USD 200 million in payment for coal is pending.‖
To maintain stability in the tugrug, Bataa said the central bank was holding regular foreign
exchange auctions for the short term and swap agreements for the long term. He said the auctions
were keeping a check on currency fluctuations so that they never dipped more than 0.23 percent
within a day. ―This is relatively good compared with other countries,‖ he said. He added that the
bank was expecting between USD 200 million and USD 500 million within the next three months
from the swap agreements.
Improvements to the legal environment would also benefit the economy, including incentives for
sales of gold to the central bank and for foreign banks to enter the market.
―Considering all these factors, I think the tugrug will strengthen against the dollar by the end of
2014.‖
Source: Udriin Sonin
OT DISPUTE WEIGHS ON TUGRUG AS CAPITAL DRIES UP
Negotiations between the Mongolian government and Rio Tinto Group over financing for the Oyu
Tolgoi copper mine have dried up foreign capital and caused the tugrug to hit a new low, a fund
manager said.
―Because of this impasse, international capital is staying away on the sidelines until this important
issue is solved,‖ Michael Preiss, co-founder of Mongolia Asset Management, said in an e-mail.
―Everyone is waiting for OT resolution to act as a catalyst to come into the market to ensure that
we have indeed seen the bottom and that the currency downtrend has reversed.‖
The tugrug fell 0.3 percent to 1,790 to the dollar yesterday and has weakened 26 percent from a
year ago. The currency is now the worst performing in Asia over the past 12 months. The fall in
currency coincides with weak foreign investment, which fell 28 percent in the first two months of
this year after declining 54 percent last year. Foreign reserves stand at USD 2.4 billion as of
January, down 40 percent from last year. A weakened tugrik increases the costs of most imports,
including construction materials, electronics, clothing and food, and has helped push inflation to
12.4 percent.
A central bank price stabilization program has managed to level prices for products including meat,
flour and gasoline. The authority injected MNT 677 billion (USD 380.3 million) last year, according
to Bank of Mongolia Chief Economist Bold Sandagdorj. The central bank will inject less this year,
Bold said, declining to give an amount.
Source: Bloomberg
APRIL SALES MANAGERS' INDEX
Tugrug worries in Mongolia are reflecting on-going inflationary pressures, the challenge of
maintaining stable levels of staffing, and continued decline on monthly sales.
The Headline Index is designed to reflect overall economic growth, with the April Headline Index
value of 48.0 indicating that the economy continues to contract at an increasing rate. Sales
Managers have said that key sectors in the economy such as mining are frequently forced to reduce
output and staffing levels during the winter months and that this is continuing to have a negative
impact on economic development.
Business Confidence among Sales Managers remains low, falling to 47.1 in April from 48.7 in March.
The Market Growth Index, which reflects the growth of the general marketplace in panelists‘ own
industry sectors, registered 44.6 in April. This represents the fifth consecutive month of decline and
the third month under 50. The Product Sales Index, which reflects the sales of individual companies
rather than the wider economy, increased marginally to 37.3 in April from 37.0 in March, suggesting
sales continue to fall at a rapid pace.
Panelists have attributed this to the sharp depreciation of the tugrug against the U.S. dollar, which
is pushing up prices of imported goods, especially from China and Russia. The Prices Charged Index
has fallen for the fifth consecutive month, registering 59.8 in April. The Index shows rapidly
increasing prices, which indicate that sales managers are still passing on large price increases to
business and consumers albeit at a slightly slower rate. The Staffing Index, which reflects the
number of staff taken on compared to the same period last year, fell to 51.1 in April from 52.3 in
March, indicating that Sales Managers are still expanding their payrolls although at a slow pace.
"Panelists have explained that extreme weather conditions have eased this month although worries
about further devaluation of the Tugrik against the dollar continues to undermine Business
Confidence,‖ said Panel Manager Ganaa Badgamgarav. ―However, Sales Managers hope to see major
improvements for investment and economic development in the coming months as sales will start to
pick up."
Source: World Economics
NUMBER OF MINE WORKERS GROWS
The number of workers employed by mining companies grew 13 percent in March year-on-year,
according to the National Statistical Office.
The number of mine workers grew to 20,400 compared with the same period from the year before.
Workers employed by metals miners represent 46 percent of the industry's workforce compared
with 40.7 percent in coal mining, and 5.5 percent in petroleum extraction. The coal industry
increased its workforce by 8 percent while the petroleum industry saw growth of 52 percent.
Source: Zuunii Medee
UB SUPPORTS LOCAL AGRICULTURE
Ulaanbaatar will soon approve a city policy to assist small produce operations in bringing their
goods to the Altan Bulag border point, said Deputy Governor T. Bat-Erdene.
―Produces from those enterprises were sold at Ereen market, now we look for other possibilities
like using the border point in Altanbulag,‖ he said. ―We will continue a ―Weekend Market‖ initiative
for selling produce on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 to 12:00. Locations shall be soon finalized.‖
Source: Zuunii Medee
MINING DOWNTURN FORCES MONGOLIA TO DIVERSIFY
Few in Mongolia sympathize with the mining industry amid dispute with the government. Despite
the fact that mining is the largest contributor to the economy, at 20 percent last year, Mongolians
are not always thrilled at being best known for the wealth under their feet—principally coal, copper
as well as some gold and iron ore.
―It interferes with the nomadic lifestyle,‖ says Surenjav Odbayar, a mining analyst for local
brokerage National Securities. ―The water resources are not so huge either, and they take away
from the drinking resources from the herders.‖
Odbayar said Mongolia in March announced it was spending MNT 270 billion to finance light industry
start-ups and to expand areas such as small manufacturing and textiles, as well as MNT 22 billion
into construction. By comparison, mining investment from the government received MNT 18.3
billion. ―It says a lot about the government's thinking,‖ Odbayar remarked on the size of
investments made by government.
In charge of attracting investment into Mongolian industry is Demberel Irmuun, director of the
division for promotion and consultancy services at the newly formed Invest Mongolia Agency. Irmuun
says he has about six meetings a day with potential investors, such as an Italian group that recently
visited that was interested in exploring options for the production of textiles in Mongolia. To
encourage the development of various sectors of the economy, one strategy is to publish a series of
investment guidebooks to instruct investors on where to invest and with what offices they must
register. Although still in the early stages, Irmuun said one forthcoming book would cover Mongolia's
budding green energy industry.
That fits in with one of three scenarios for Mongolia developed by the World Economic Forum
earlier this year in Davos, which envisages the country carving out a role for itself in China's move
toward developing a greener economy. However, Mongolia has far to go in what the WEF terms
"charting a course for the country from mineral wealth to long-term sustainable and diversified
growth."
―When the politicians go abroad, they say mining is still a major component of the economy, but
when they're campaigning to the voters they talk all about diversifying the economy,‖ says
Odbayar. ―This kind of behavior leads one to the conclusion that Mongolia is still not giving up on
the mining sector."
Source: BNE
SCIENTISTS SEE STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN AIR POLLUTION AND MISCARRIAGE IN UB
Burning coal for domestic heating may contribute to early fetal death according to a new study by
experts from The Saban Research Institute of Children‘s Hospital Los Angeles and Ulaanbaatar.
In a paper published in April in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, researchers report
―alarmingly strong statistical correlations‖ between seasonal ambient air pollutants and pregnancy
loss in Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar has one of the highest levels of air pollution of all world capitals,
with sulfide dioxide and particulate matter levels during winter months, which are up to 23 times
World Health Organization standards. Air pollution in winter is largely caused by coal burning in ger
stoves. The scientists examined the association between spontaneous abortion (miscarriages) and
seasonal variation of air pollutants.
―We found that the incidence of miscarriage revealed a striking seasonal pattern of variation,‖ said
David Warburton, who led the team of scientists from the Saban Research Institute.
While the overall rate of miscarriages (occurring in approximately 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies)
reported in Ulaanbaatar is similar to that of Western countries, including the United States, the
study showed that spontaneous abortion incidence per calendar month increased from 23 per 1,000
live births in May to 73 per 1,000 live births in December 2011. Monthly average ambient levels of
air pollutants showed increases in relation to the duration of hours of darkness, as well as the
coldest temperatures—when Ger heating stoves are used most.
―We and our colleagues in government and academia in Mongolia are expending concerted efforts
to improve stove efficiency and to educate the public about correct and more efficient lighting and
heating methods,‖ Warburton said, adding that a similar, strong correlation between air pollutants
and miscarriages may also occur elsewhere in the world where similar levels of air pollution exist.
―The disturbingly strong correlation between air pollution indices and fetal death that we found
suggests that much more needs to be done to further ameliorate the toxic effects of air pollution on
the human unborn,‖ Warburton concluded.
Source: Red Orbit
USAID PARTNERS WITH WORLD VISION FOR DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT IN WEST
USAID will partner with World Vision Mongolia to reduce the impact of natural disasters on people in
Western Mongolia. The target areas for this project are Bayan Ulgii, Khovd, and Uvs—the three
western-most provinces in Mongolia.
Funding of USD 275,000 will go towards initiatives that target these areas for their heightened risk
of disaster due to their isolation, the absence of infrastructure, and their distance from major
urban areas. The centers of each of these provinces are more than 1,400 kilometers from
Ulaanbaatar. There are no railways and most roads consist of dirt tracks across the desert or
steppe.
The nation regularly experiences various types of disasters, including dzud, flooding, earthquake,
fire, and wind-, snow-, and dust storms. The Western Mongolia Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
project has been developed to support the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),
provincial emergency management staff and communities to more effectively assess risks and to
develop appropriate preparation and response plans. The project will also help to strengthen
government DRR policies and resources to support remote provinces and to prepare people for key
disasters. World Vision will also work with the Ministry of Education and Science on the
development of educational materials on disaster preparedness and to develop a standard DRR
curriculum for households and schools.
Source: U.S. Embassy
MONGOLIA'S GREEN POWER PIONEERS KEEP ASIAN SUPER GRID DREAM ALIVE
The most ambitious proposal in Mongolia‘s green-development initiative is to have Mongolia play a
crucial role in the Asian Super Grid—a grand vision endorsed by the Japan Renewable Energy
Foundation, an organization created by SoftBank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi
Son soon after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. The aim is to move Northeast Asia
away from its dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear reactors.
Local conglomerate Newcom brought Salkhit, Mongolia's first 50 megawatt wind farm, online in
June 2013. The company Cleantech is going to start building a USD 200 million, 102 megawatt wind
farm a few miles away from the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, aiming to get it up and running in the first
quarter of 2015. This project is backed by Happy Wind, a Swedish investment company. Further
north, Germany's Ferrostaal is building a USD 120 million wind facility in Sainshand, near Tavan
Tolgoi. And Aydiner of Turkey is planning a USD 94 million wind farm in the city of Choir next year,
according to Erdenebaatar Altai, an engineer with the company.
Mongolia's first solar farm, a 30 megawatt, USD 76 million project in Sainshand, has just been
approved. South Korean energy group Daesung Industrial is carrying out a couple of solar pilot
projects in the country. And SoftBank has set up a joint venture with Newcom to develop solar and
wind plants there, independent of the Asian Super Grid idea.
But investors say they worry about the government's ability to pay wind and solar farms for their
power. At the heart of the Super Grid initiative is Gobitec, a large-scale clean energy development
in the Gobi Desert. It would have 100,000 megawatts of wind and solar capacity destined for
export. Organizations from Europe and Asia that have conducted feasibility studies estimate
Gobitec's total cost will approach USD 300 billion.
"The financing associated with the magnitude of the capital costs Gobitec would likely accrue may
prove too much for private investors," Cooper and Sovacool wrote, adding that "it is unclear
whether governments will be willing to underwrite these costs."
Source: Nikkei Asian Review
COMMODITIES BACK IN FAVOR AS A PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFIER
After several tough years, investors are once again starting to warm to commodities. That‘s the
view one of the sector‘s most successful hedge fund managers.
According to Pierre Andurand ―smart investors‖ are growing concerned about their exposure to
equities follow last year‘s run-up prices. and are looking to place contrarian bets in other assets
classes such as commodities.
―We feel sentiment is turning. Pension funds are coming to us and saying they want to invest in
commodities while others aren‘t looking,‖ said Andurand, whose eponymous hedge fund returned
almost 25 percent last year.
Commodity funds were shunned by investors last years as Wall Street analysts, big picture
strategists and powerful consultants turned cold on oil, metals and grains amid lackluster demand
for raw materials. But after a record USD 50 billion of net redemptions in 2013, total inflows into
passive commodity index funds and commodity-linked exchange traded funds this year have so far
totaled almost USD 6 billion, according to research by Citigroup. This follows a strong start to the
year on commodity markets, which has seen the Dow Jones UBS commodity index, for example, rise
9.4 percent, compared with the S&P 500 which is up just 1.8 percent.
Analysts at Citi reckon investors are starting to take commodities seriously as a portfolio
diversification tool because for the first time in many years raw materials are not moving in lock-
step with either equities or the U.S. dollar.
But while sentiment towards commodities is starting to thaw, there are still reasons for caution
such as softening demand from China and other leading commodity-importers, which has hurt the
performance of industrial commodities. A lack of clear trends and volatility means it is also difficult
for funds to deliver strong returns. As a result, traders are seeking new ways to make money and
have to work a lot harder to generate returns. It takes a little more analysis and investors have to
be more creative about trades than when prices were just moving higher.
Source: Financial Times
CHINA PLANS CRACKDOWN ON IRON ORE IMPORT LOANS
China plans to get tougher on loans for imports of iron ore, Mongolia's fourth largest mineral import
in March, as concerns grow that steel mills are using import loans to stay afloat in defiance of
policies to reduce overcapacity in heavily polluting and loss making industries.
The China Banking Regulatory Commission warned banks to tighten controls over letters of credit
for iron ore imports in a document that caused iron ore futures in China to drop 5 percent on
Monday. Rumors of the stricter measures, which are expected after the 1 May holiday, have been
circulating in China for at least two months, after a hasty stock sale caused ore prices to tumble in
late February. Steel mills and traders have used iron ore imports to raise money as other sources of
credit dry up, in yet another channel for off-book or ―shadow‖ financing. Part of the attraction of
the practice is that mills benefit from lower international interest rates compared to those in
China.
Chinese firms have developed a number of creative channels for raising money thanks to years of
capital controls meant to starve the real estate sector of speculative funds. But the bulk and
difficulty of transporting iron ore makes it a cumbersome material for raising money, limiting its
flexibility as a financing tool compared with copper or gold. Regulators are worried that the
collapse of a heavily indebted mill could endanger a chain of local bank branches and even local
governments, since steel mills are often the largest employers, taxpayers and debtors in their area.
Data from the first quarter of the year show that China is on track to produce 822 million tons of
steel this year, a rise of 5.5 percent from last year‘s output, despite the rising debt levels,
increased financing costs and the prospect of more environmental regulation. More capacity is still
being built, lamented CISA vice-chairman Zhang Changfu, further squeezing margins in the industry.
―With the industry in such a state, how can new capacity still be built?‖ Zhang mused at CISA‘s
quarterly press conference.
Source: Financial Times
CHINA POISED TO PASS US AS WORLD‟S LEADING ECONOMIC POWER
The United States is on the brink of losing its status as the world‘s largest economy, and is likely to
slip behind China this year, sooner than widely anticipated, according to the world‘s leading
statistical agencies.
The United States has been the global leader since overtaking Britain in 1872. Most economists
previously thought China would pull ahead in 2019. The figures, compiled by the International
Comparison Program hosted by the World Bank, are the most authoritative estimates of what money
can buy in different countries and are used by most public and private sector organizations, such as
the International Monetary Fund. This is the first time they have been updated since 2005. After
extensive research on the prices of goods and services, the ICP concluded that money goes further
in poorer countries than it previously thought, prompting it to increase the relative size of emerging
market economies.
With the IMF expecting China‘s economy to have grown 24 percent between 2011 and 2014 while
the United States is expected to expand only 7.6 percent, China is likely to overtake the United
States this year.
The findings will intensify arguments about control over global international organizations such as
the World Bank and IMF, which are increasingly out of line with the balance of global economic
power. When looking at the actual consumption per head, the report found the new methodology as
well as faster growth in poor countries have ―greatly reduced‖ the gap between rich and poor,
―suggesting that the world has become more equal.‖
Source: Financial Times
POLITICS
MONGOLIA PREMIER UNVEILS 100-DAY PUSH TO REVIVE ECONOMY
Mongolia‘s Prime Minister unveiled a stimulus bill, dubbed a ―100-day action plan,‖ that will seek to
revive the mineral rich nation‘s flagging economy.
Prime Minister Altankhuyag Norov‘s 50-point agenda promises to boost infrastructure, mining,
manufacturing and the development of small and medium-sized businesses. The bill still needs the
approval of parliament and is part of a renewed drive to improve the economy after two years of
slowing growth.
―Within these 100 days we believe we should reduce bureaucracy, increase mining, approve the re-
issue of exploration licenses‖ and resolve a dispute over 106 canceled mining licenses, Altankhuyag
told foreign press and diplomats from nations including the United States., China and Russia, at a
briefing in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, today. Mongolia is seeking to energize an economy that saw
growth decline from a world-beating 17.5 percent in 2011 to 11.7 percent last year. The Mongolian
tugrik fell to a record low of 1,796 to the dollar on 29 April and has lost 25 percent of its value over
the past 12 months.
Altankhuyag‘s plan broadly seeks to promote foreign investment and reduce Mongolia‘s reliance on
imports. Infrastructure spending proposed includes building a road to connect the landlocked
nation‘s two neighbors, Russia and China; constructing thermal power stations; and developing two
free economic zones. It also calls for improved debt management, tax incentives for foreign banks,
and raising the amount of Mongolia‘s currency swap agreement with China.
Mongolia will also offer concession projects worth USD 1 billion ―not only in mining but also in the
tourism sector,‖ Altankhuyag said. ―It‘s important to focus on local businesses as well as mining and
the fact that they are trying to do multiple things simultaneously is a good thing,‖ said U.S.
ambassador Piper Anne Wind Campbell, who attending the briefing. ―I do think you have to move
forward on all these as opposed to looking for one silver bullet.‖
Altankhuyag, 56, faces public pressure to improve the economy after citizens, numbering many
hundreds according to an eyewitness account, rallied at least twice on Ulaanbaatar‘s Chinggis
Khaan Square earlier this month to protest against an inflation rate that‘s running at 12.4 percent.
Source: Bloomberg
MONGOLIA TO REVISE MINERAL LAW TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT
Mongolian Mining Minister Davaajav Gankhuyag Wednesday submitted a draft amendment to the
Minerals Law to Parliament Speaker Zandaakhuu Enkhbold, as the country is trying to improve its
investment environment.
Despite the adoption of new laws and regulations to make the investment environment favorable,
no new international and domestic investment is coming to the exploration sector which is the
driving engine of the mineral sector, said the minister, quoted by a press release of the Mongolian
parliament.
The draft amendment calls for setting up a database about funds raised from international stock
markets, improving agreements between holders of mining licenses and the local government,
feasibility studies, and making clear the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and
mining license holders. The draft amendment also bans transference of exploration licenses wholly
or partially within three years since the issuance of the license.
Source: Shanghai Daily
PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES ECONOMIC STIMULUS INITIATIVE
Parliament has received a new proposal for economic stimulus in the country.
The proposal was submitted to Parliament on 18 April with the disclaimer that the issue was an
urgent one for immediate discussion. Parliamentarians, however, were in no rush. They said the
proposed stimulus required explanations that would need to run until the next session this week.
Separately, Parliament made inquiries on spending of the Samurai bond to Finance Minister Chultem
Ulaan and parliamentarians D. Oyunkhorol and J. Erdenebat.
Source: Montsame
MONGOLIA WILL PROPOSE GAMBLING ON HORSE RACING TO TAP CHINA
Mongolia‘s government will propose laws to set up a professional horse-racing league and legalize
betting to compete for the Chinese gambling market.
―Our priority is to make the legal environment for a jockey club operation so that we can have a
market share‖ of the Asian jockey business, Oyungerel said, adding that she hopes to submit the
draft in parliament within three months. ―Our law is heavily based on Hong Kong Jockey Club
rules.‖
Legalized gambling would help diversify Mongolia‘s resource-reliant economy as prices for
commodities such as copper and coal languish at multiyear lows. The Mongolian tugrik touched a
record low of 1,796.5 to the dollar before closing at 1,789, while economic growth fell for the
second straight year, to 11.7 percent in 2013.
Wagering on horses might give Mongolia access to a piece of the Chinese gambling market that‘s
made Macau the world‘s biggest gambling hub. Revenue in Macau, the only place in China with
legalized casino gambling, will double by 2018, according to Aaron Fischer, an analyst with Hong
Kong-based brokerage CLSA.
A law to allow betting would mark the first time Mongolia allowed gambling since a Macau-operated
casino closed in 1999 and three lawmakers were convicted of helping rig the tender to build it in
exchange for gifts including cash and vehicles.
―Mongolia is developing,‖ said Jan Wigsten, founder of Nomadic Journeys, an Ulaanbaatar-based
tour company. ―It is normalizing in the global sense and the institutions are becoming stronger,
which is necessary with gambling.‖
The government is seeking to build a horse-racing track near the site where the country is building
a new airport, 54 kilometers (33.6 miles) south of the capital Ulaanbaatar. Oyungerel said more
than 50 horse trainers from Mongolia will visit Hong Kong to study the business. The minister said
one law to legalize online gambling and lotteries and a second law to allow horse betting and
jockey clubs are in draft form. After the first two drafts are submitted to parliament, the
government will decide if more legislation is needed, including a bill to allow casinos, said
Oyungerel.
Source: Bloomberg
DP BOOTS BURMAA FOR DISSENTING VOTE
The Democratic Party's (DP) Control Committee has moved to oust Parliament member R. Burmaa
due to a vote against the party's position on legislation that would prohibit members of Parliament
from serving on certain ministerial positions.
DP party members Kh. Battulga, J. Batzandan, M. Zorigt and R. Burmaa voted in favor of having the
so-called Double Deel law take effect 1 July this year rather than the original proposal for 2016.
Their votes were in violation to the party's guidelines, which states that any member who votes
against Ulaanbaatar's mayor or the government would be removed from the party.
Burmaa, whose removal is pending further approvals expected this week, was seventh on the DP's
party for the 2012 elections. If Burmaa's membership is terminated, Trade and Development Bank of
Mongolia LLC Chief Executive Officer B. Medree would be next on the list to take a seat in
Parliament.
The decisions will have to receive approval from the party's National Advisory Committee this week.
Source: Udriin Sonin
MP SAYS HE LEFT JUSTICE COALITION DUE TO „DOUBLE DEEL‟ LAW
Former Mongolian National Democratic Party seatholder D. Battsogt has cited disputes over the so-
called Double Deel bill for his decision to leave his party and the Justice Coalition that cooperates
in the Democratic Party‘s coalition government.
Battsogt said there was a rift among members of the government concerning the Double Deel bill
that is currently being debated by Parliament. Battsogt, who said he now plans to continue his term
as an independent, said that members of the Justice Coalition were receiving pressures from the
prime minister to extend their recess while debate was continuing on the bill. If passed, the law
would force certain minister to resign as the law prohibits seat holders in parliament from serving in
most ministerial positions.
―There were disagreements in the coalition while discussing the Double Deel bill,‖ said Battsogt.
―There‘s no need to give repeated breaks, force the society into confusion and halt Parliament with
a law that‘s already become clear.‖
He said the Justice Coalition at the start of the spring session of Parliament had consensus with the
Democratic Party on the law. Civil servants, however, were in opposition. Although most minister
have not spoken out publically against the law, he said, many were working against the law to keep
their jobs.
Source: UB Post
MINING MINISTRY TO OVERSEE DEVELOPMENT OF ASGAT SILVER MINE
The Ministry of Mining at the Cabinet Secretariat meeting last week received orders to take the lead
on the development of the Asgat silver mine joint venture Mongolia has with Russia in order to bring
greater income to the Mongolian economy.
The Cabinet ordered Mining Minister Davaajav Gankhuyag to oversee the pre-feasibility studies for
the mine and provide evaluations as well as professional and technical support and oversee contract
drafting. The Cabinet made the orders after deciding that the mine could make significant
contributions to the economy if put into operation again.
The State Property Committee instructed the mine‘s operator Mongolrostsvetmet Ltd. to review all
previous studies made at the mine for assessment. However, the Asgat mining unit currently does
not have enough cash reserves to restart operations, according to a letter from Mongolrostsetmet
that was addressed to the Ministry of Mining [the Source provides no date –ed]. The letter explained
that the mine halted mining of crystals in the second quarter of 2013 because buyers in Russia had
discontinued their purchases. Costs were also racking up because of hikes to China‘s transportation
costs and taxes. Meanwhile the mine‘s gold reserves have depleted and other deposits lie on state-
protected land.
In 2007, Parliament included Asgat silver mine on its list of strategically significant mines. The
Mineral Resources Law entitles the state to up to 50 percent of any mine where exploration was in
some part funded by the state.
Source: UB Post
SAUDI ARABIA TO OPEN MONGOLIAN EMBASSY
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will open a Mongolian embassy in Ulaanbaatar, said Saudi Foreign
Minister Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz on 22 April.
Mongolia held its first meeting between foreign ministers last week where parties discussed several
issues concerning regional and bilateral affairs. Discussion centered on enhancing business ties and
mutual investments. Specific items discussed included an intergovernmental working commission,
construction of a meat processing plant in Mongolia, export of Mongolian meat to Saudi Arabia, and
the import oil products from Saudi Arabia.
Faisal said Saudi Arabia planned to open an embassy in Ulaanbaatar in the near future, seven years
after first establishing diplomatic relations. Relations have reportedly remained weak up until now
because no high-level visits had yet occurred between the two nations.
Source: Info Mongolia
VIETNAM, MONGOLIA BOOST MUTUAL TRUST, COOPERATION
Vietnam and Mongolia have agreed to boost the exchange of high-ranking delegations to enhance
political trust between the two countries, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.
Both countries reached the agreement during a three-day political consultation between Deputy
Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son and his Mongolian counterpart Damba Gankhuyag that ended here on
Tuesday. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the development of ties in the recent past
especially since Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj's visit to Vietnam last year.
Both sides are also keen to create favorable conditions for businesses to seek investment
opportunities to implement agreements signed between them. The two countries will also boost
bilateral collaboration in education, tourism, health and oil and gas exploitation, and cooperation
between the two foreign ministries. While in Vietnam, the Mongolian diplomat paid a courtesy call
on Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Vietnam and Mongolia will mark their 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties later this year in
November.
Source: Bernama
CORRUPTION AUTHORITIES OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO FORMER MON ATOM DIRECTOR
The Independent Agency Against Corruption has opened an investigation into the director of Mon-
Atom for his selection of a company for a contract that has cost the company nearly USD 2 million,
according to an unnamed source from the Prosecutor's Office..
Director J. Batsaikhan is under investigation for his selection of Mon Zim LLC, which was selected to
lead exploration research for uranium reserves for USD 1.9 million. The company allegedly received
the contract without any bidding proceedings and without approval from the State Property
Committee. Members of Mon Atom allegedly never received any information on the company,
despite the fact that the company received a transfer from Mon Atom of USD 981,000 to its bank
account. Mon Zim's alleged MNT 900 million in payment is 4.5 times that of the MNT 200 million
other companies have received for similar research.
Last week the board terminated Batsaikhan's position as Mon Zim's director.
Source: Unuudur
MOSCOW TAKES UKRAINE, BEIJING TAKES MONGOLIA?
The events in Ukraine are being closely followed by nations around the world, but one nation that
may be watching the events in Ukraine more closely than others is China.
China has several active border disputes with its neighbors, and Beijing‘s reaction to the Ukraine
crisis so far has been muted. Beijing abstained from calling an emergency vote just prior to the
referendum over Crimea, falling back on its policy of non-interference and choosing not to
antagonize its only ally on the Council.
To go about the annexation of one possible target, Mongolia, President Xi Jinping would likely begin
by sending welcoming signals to Ulaanbaatar that should Mongolia chose to hold a referendum on
rejoining China, he would support the outcome. Prior to the referendum, Chinese troops would
amass near the border of Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, awaiting further orders in case the Chinese
population needs to be protected. International condemnation would surely follow, although given
Beijing‘s greater economic power, and Russia‘s current status as one of the most hated nations, the
penalties would likely be less harsh. Beijing would draw the wrath of Moscow, but Moscow would
face territorial battles on two fronts simultaneously.
Of course, the above scenario is fanciful, given the ethnic makeup of most Mongolians and their
fierce nationalism in opposition to the rule of Beijing. Further, the Mongolians have a strong sense
of nationhood and have fiercely opposed recent land grabs by Chinese companies. Yet Putin‘s
strategy of annexation might make more sense in areas where a Chinese-speaking minority find
themselves under oppressive foreign rule. Other than Mongolia, China currently claims territory
administered by Russia, India, Japan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Myanmar and Bhutan, as
well as numerous islands in the East and South China Seas claimed by Japan, the Philippines,
Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei.
Beijing may never condemn the actions of its sole ally on the U.N. Security Council, but will need to
give the international community reassurances that Putin‘s action over the Crimea will not now be
regarded as fair play and copied by Beijing in order to assert any one of its disputed territorial
claims in the region.
Author Gary Sands ran his own private equity financial advisory in Shanghai from 2006 to 2012, and
contributed a number of op-eds for the South China Morning Post, U.S. News and World Report,
Washington Times, International Policy Digest, Eurasia Review, Indo-Pacific Review, Global Times,
Caijing and Shanghai Star Business Journal.
Source: Foreign Policy Blogs
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GTR‟S 3RD ANNUAL MONGOLIA TRADE & COMMODITY FINANCE CONFERENCE, BLUE SKY HOTEL,
13 MAY
The Business Council of Mongolia is offering members a limited number of free corporate passes
available (reserved for exporters, traders, manufacturers and producers of physical goods) and a 10
percent discount to GTR's 3rd Annual Mongolia Trade & Commodity Finance Conference 13 May at
the Blue Sky Hotel
With its focus on Mongolia‘s mining, minerals and vast commodity-led growth, this will be the key
trade gathering for the country‘s senior business leaders, providing timely insight on the challenges
facing the local banking and private sectors, as well as offering perspectives from the industry‘s key
supporting actors.
BCM is an institutional partner for the event, and so is offering members a 10 percent discount
when they enter the code BCM10. Contact Grant Naughton at gnaughton@exportagroup.com for
more information.
___________________________________________
“MM TODAY” ON MNB-TV, FRIDAY, 19:00 TO 19:10
BCM is pleased to announce that Mongolian National Broadcasting continues its cooperation with
BCM on ―MM Today‖. This English news program is aired every Friday for 10 minutes and is
scheduled from 19:00 to 19:10 tonight. Tune in to watch this program that reports stories from
today‘s BCM NewsWire.
BCM WORKING GROUP MEETINGS
The BCM`s Legislative Working Group met on Monday April 28, with 22 members attending at Open
Society Forum.
The WG was again expanded to include BCM members from mining companies and embassies.
Co-chairs James Liotta, Mahoney Liotta, and Bayar B, ELC LLC, moderated the session.
Meeting discussion was on the following topic:
- Draft Minerals Law Amendments. If you have any comments on the Draft Minerals Law
Amendments please send to the contact below.
We are happy to share latest version of the draft Minerals Law English and Mongolian with
interested BCM members.
The BCM Tax Working Group met on Tuesday, April 29, with 22 members attending.
Co-chair Khulan P. from OT moderated the session.
New members: Tuvshinbayar Badam, Peter Burnie
-Terra Energy, Tsetsegsaihan -Golomt Bank,
Guest: Peter Burnie, Akmal Rustamov from PwC.
Meeting agenda was:
- ―Tax audit process and common tax breaches in taxpayers‘ activities‖ by – Tsendmaa Choijamts
Executive Director at PwC.
The following part was full of Q&A. Members exchanged they practice and information on Tax
Audit process.
Please contact: T.Erdenetsetseg (Working Group Coordinator) at: E-mail: erka@bcmongolia.org
BCM IN THE UNIVERSITY CLASSROOM NEWS
Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) has been progressing with its BCM in the University Classroom
series since March 2012. Led by BCM‘s Education Working Group, the program provides lectures at
universities to help inspire students and give them direction for their future careers. The series has
grown to include an average of 10 lectures per academic year.Now 1479 students and teachers have
participated to BCM in the University Classroom Project.
Most recently Mr Hangal from Mongolian Talent Network gave a presentation entitled ―How to find
your job‖ to an audience of 65 students of Economy and Business Management graduating students
at the Mongolian University of the Humanities on 25th of April 2014.
Next BCM in the University Classroom series will be held on 2nd of May at the Language and Culture
school of Mongolian University of the Humanities. Mongolian Talent Network team invited to speak.
If you like to share your experience on some specific topic, you can discuss with us for the next
school term. Pleasecontact:erka@bcmongolia.org
BCM WEBSITES
MONGOLIAN WEBSITE „PRESENTATIONS‟ AND „NEWS‟ SECTIONS
The ‗Presentations‘ section on BCM‘s Mongolian website can be reached via bcm.mn/itgeluud.
As a key component of BCM‘s Mongolian website, articles from the ‗News‘ section and the
government website Open-Government.mn are regularly updated.
• ―Anti-Corruption legislation and State Policy‖ (Mongolian) by D. Munkhjargal, Prevention and
Public Awareness Department, Senior Commissioner, Independent Authority Against Corruption
(IAAC) Mongolia at the ―ANTI-CORRUPTION LEGISLATION/POLICY, INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE
ON TRANSPARENCY‖ Training seminar, Mar 06, 2014
The presentation below was made at Mongolian National University as part of the ―BCM in the
University Classroom series‖ on February 27, 2014:
• Ser-Od Inchinkhorloo, Vice Director, BCM, ―Investment environment: Past, Present, Future‖
(Mongolian)
The presentation below is from the February 24 BCM monthly meeting:
• О. Зоригт, Гүйцэтгэх захирал, Майн Инфо "Майн Инфо ХХК-ний товч танилцуулга", МБЗ-ийн 2
сарын 24-ний сарын хурал
Dr. Khashchuluun, Executive Director, National Council of Private Sector Support, ―Taxation Impact
Research‖ to BCM Tax Working Group, February 19, 2014
• ТАТВАРЫН БАГЦ ХУУЛИЙН ӨӨРЧЛӨЛТ: ХУВИЙН ХЭВШИЛД, Ч. Хашчулуун, Хувийн хэвшлийг
дэмжих үндэсний зөвлөлийн гүйцэтгэх захирал 2014.02.19
20 Presentations from Coal Mongolia, 20-21 February, 2014:
• Уул уурхайн сайд Д. Ганхуяг, Төрөөс Эрдэс Баялгийн Салбарт Баримтлах Бодлого, Нүүрсний
Салбарыг Хөгжүүлэх Стратегийн Чиг Хандлага, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• Сангийн сайд Ч.Улаан, МОНГОЛ УЛСЫН САНГИЙН ЯАМ, Улсын төсөвт нүүрсний салбарын
үзүүлэх нөлөө, татварын орчин шинэчлэл, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• Монгол орны нүүрсний салбар дахь байгаль орчны асуудал, Байгаль орчин, ногоон хөгжлийн
яам, ХБОБНГ-ын дарга Д.Энхбат Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• НҮҮРСНИЙ АЖ ҮЙЛДВЭРЛЭЛИЙГ ХӨГЖҮҮЛЭХ ТЭЭВЭР ЛОЖИСТИКИЙН АСУУДЛУУД:
Л.ПҮРЭВБААТАР ТӨМӨР ЗАМЫН ИНЖЕНЕРҮҮДИЙН ХОЛБООНЫ ЕРӨНХИЙЛӨГЧ, ―УУЛ УУРХАЙН
БҮТЭЭГДЭХҮҮНИЙ ТЭЭВЭРЛЭЛТ‖ Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• МОНГОЛ УЛСЫН НҮҮРСНИЙ САЛБАР ДАХЬ ХӨРӨНГӨ ОРУУЛАЛТ, ХУДАЛДААНЫ ТААТАЙ ОРЧИН
БҮРДҮҮЛЭХ НЬ,ЭДИЙН ЗАСГИЙН ХӨГЖЛИЙН ДЭД САЙД О.ЧУЛУУНБАТ Коал Монголиа 2014, 2
сарын 20-21.
• Уул уурхайн дэд сайд О. Эрдэнэбулган, Олон улсын нүүрсний зах зээл дэх Монгол улсын
өрсөлдөх чадварыг нэмэгдүүлэхэд төрийн оролцоо Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• Ж. Батцэнгэл, Монголын Уул Уурхайн Корпорацийн дарга, МОНГОЛЫН НҮҮРСНИЙ САЛБАРЫН
ӨНӨӨГИЙН НӨХЦӨЛ БАЙДАЛ, Тулгарч буй бэрхшээл ба шийдэх боломж Коал Монголиа 2014, 2
сарын 20-21.
• Аршад Саеид, Пийбоди Энержи компанийн Монгол ба Энэтхэг улсыг хариуцсан Ерөнхийлөгч,
Дэлхийн нүүрсний зах зээл, Монгол улсад үзүүлэх нөлөөлөл, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-
21.
• МОЗА гүйцэтгэх захирал Ч. Хашчулуун, Занарын дэлхийн хувьсгал ба Монголын эдийн засагт
үр нөлөө, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• Багануур Энержи Корпорэйшн ХХК, Нүүрс хийжүүлэх, шингэрүүлэх цогцолбор парк төслийн
товч танилцуулга, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• АДУУНЧУЛУУНЫ ЦАХИЛГААН СТАНЦ, БЕНЗИНИЙ ҮЙЛДВЭРИЙН ТӨСӨЛ, Ж.Золжаргал –
Төслийн удирдагч, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• Ц.Ганцог, Жени Ойл Шэйл Монголиа ХХК Гүйцэтгэх захирал, ШАТДАГ ЗАНАРЫГ АШИГЛАХ
БОЛОМЖ, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• Фэн Вэй эрчим хүчний зөвлөгөө өгөх компани, 2014 оны хятадын нүүрсний зах зээлийн
шинжилгээ болон үнийн таамаглал, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• Я. Батсуурь, Эрдэнэс Таван Толгой ХК, Танилцуулга, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• Хишиг Арвин Индустриал ХХК, ҮНДЭСНИЙ КОМПАНИУДЫН ТӨЛӨВШИЛ, ӨРСӨЛДӨХ ЧАДВАР,
Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• Виртген Групп, МОНГОЛЫН НҮҮРСНИЙ ЗАХ ЗЭЭЛ ДЭХ WIRTGEN БРЭНДИЙН SURFACE MINER
БУЮУ АНГИЛАН ОЛБОРЛОГЧИЙН ТЕХНОЛОГИ БОЛОН АШИГЛАХ БОЛОМЖУУД, Коал Монголиа
2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• ―Тавантолгой‖ ХК-ийн Гүйцэтгэх захирал Р.Сэддорж, Дэвшилтэт технологи ба инновацийг
нутагшуулах нь, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• ―УУЛ УУРХАЙН ДЭД БҮТЦИЙН ХӨРӨНГӨ ОРУУЛАЛТЫГ ДЭМЖИХ ТӨСӨЛ‖ Төслийн Зохицуулагч
Б.Энхбаатар,Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• ДЭД САЙД Д.ДОРЖПҮРЭВ, Эрчим Хүчний Яам, 2014 ОНД ЭРЧИМ ХҮЧНИЙ САЛБАРЫН
ХИЙГДЭХЭЭР ТӨЛӨВЛӨСӨН АЖЛУУД БОЛОН ТӨРӨӨС БАРИМТАЛЖ БУЙ БОДЛОГО, Коал
Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
• Ай Эм Си Монтан Компани, Нүүрс баяжуулах талаар, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21.
The below presentation is from the January 27 BCM monthly meeting:
• ОЙ ХАМГААЛАЛД СУУРИЛСАН БИЗНЕС, Цэсэдийн БАНЗРАГЧ /Ph.D/, БОНЯ- ны ОЙ
ХАМГААЛАЛ, ОЙЖУУЛАЛТЫГ ЗОХИЦУУЛАХ ХЭЛТЭСИЙН ДАРГА, МБЗ-ийн 1 сарын 27-ны
гишүүдийн сарын хурал дээр
___________________________________________
ENGLISH WEBSITE: 'PRESENTATIONS', 'MONGOLIA REPORTS', „INTERVIEWS„, MONGOLIAN
BUSINESS NEWS‟, „PHOTO GALLERY‟
• A. Bayarmaa, Head of BCM Environmental Working Group/Senior Carbon Finance Specialist, Clean
Energy LLC, ―BCM‘s Green Office Initiative: Starting from waste management and recycling‖ at the
BCM monthly meeting April 28, 2014
• L. Sumati, Director, Sant Maral Foundation, ―Socio-Political situation in Spring 2014‖ at the BCM
monthly meeting April 28, 2014
• ―Public-Private Partnership in Mongolia: Now and Future Prospects‖, E. Enerelt, Investment
Officer, ADB and Ts. Batbayar, Director of Concession Division, Ministry of Economic Development
at BCM monthly meeting, March 24, 2014;
• ―Areva in Mongolia: 15 years of presence – New perspectives in uranium mining‖, Thierry Plaisant,
General Director, Areva Mongol at BCM monthly meeting, March 24, 2014;
• ―Impact of Corruption in Mongolia‖ by L. Sumati, Director of Sant Maral Foundation at the ―ANTI-
CORRUPTION LEGISLATION/POLICY, INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE ON TRANSPARENCY‖ Training
seminar, Mar 06, 2014;
• ―Anglo American Business Integrity policy and its application within the Business Globally‖ , Dr.
Graeme Hancock, President and Chief Representative Mongolia of Anglo American at the ―ANTI-
CORRUPTION LEGISLATION/POLICY, INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE ON TRANSPARENCY‖ Training
seminar, Mar 06, 2014;
• Change of the package of taxation laws: private sector, Dr. Ch. Khashchuluun, Executive Director,
National Council for Private Sector Support, at the BCM`s Tax working group's meeting Feb 19,
2014;
• Economic and Capital Markets Update, Nick Cousyn, Chief Operating Officer, BDSec at the BCM
Monthly Meeting, Feb 24, 2014
• "The year 2014 starts with new IPO on the Mongolian Stock Exchange", Richard Kobayashi, CEO,
Standard Investment LLC at BCM monthly meeting, January 27, 2014
• "IMA Consultancy Services for Investors and Account Manager's Role", D. Irmuun, Director of
Division for Promotion and Consultancy Services, Invest Mongolia Agency at BCM monthly meeting,
January 27, 2014
15 Presentations at Coal Mongolia, February 20-21:
• Impact of Coal Sector on Government's Budget and the Taxation Regime , Ch. Ulaan, Minister of
Finance, MINISTRY OF FINANCE OF MONGOLIA
• Environmental issues in Mongolian coal mining sector, D.Enkhbat Ministry of Environment and
Green Development, Head of Environment and Natural Resources Department
• COAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS ISSUES: PRESENTATION TOPIC:
TRANSPORTATION OF THE MINING PRODUCT" Purevbaatar Luvsandagva, Head, Association of Railway
Engineering of Mongolia
• INVESTMENT INTO MONGOLIAN COAL MINING SECTOR AND CREATING AN ATTRACTIVE
ENVIRONMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE, VICE MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, O.
Chuluunbat, Vice Minister, Ministry of Economic Development
• Government Involvement and Support to Enhance the Mongolian Competitiveness in Coal Sector,
O. Erdenebulgan, Vice Minister of Mining
• MONGOLIAN COAL INDUSTRY, Overcoming challenges in volatile market conditions, G.Battsengel,
Director, Mongolian Mining Corporation
• Global Coal Markets and Implications for Mongolia , Arshad Sayed, President of Mongolia & India,
Peabody Energy
• Introduction of CTL Plant Project, T. Munkhtur, Baganuur Energy Corporation
• ADUUNCHULUUN POWER AND CTL PROJECT, J.Zoljargal, Project Manager, MAK
• OIL SHALE OPPORTUNITIES IN MONGOLIA, Ts.Gantsog, Executive Director, Genie Oil Shale
Mongolia
• China Coal Market Lookout 2014, Fenwei Energy Consulting
• Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC, Y. Batsuuri, CEO
• WIRTGEN SURFACE MINING TECHNOLOGY AND CHALLENGES IN COAL IN MONGOLIA by Wirtgen
Group
• "MINING INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT SUPPORT PROJECT", Project Coordinator, B. Enkhbaatar at
the Coal Mongolia 2014, Feb 20-21.
• Coal Processing by IMC Montan.
Mongolia reports: http://bcmongolia.org/en/mongolia-reports
• Selected Macroeconomic Indicators as of Jan 2014 by International Monetary Fund
• Monthly statistical bulletin, March, 2014 , by Mongol Bank
• Social and economic situation of Mongolia as of March 2014 by National Statistical Office of
Mongolia (available in Mongolian language - Монгол улсын нийгэм эдийн засгийн байдал 2014
оны 3 сарын байдлаар, Үндэсний статистикийн хороо)
• Polit Barometer, March 2014, by Sant Maral Foundation
Interview Section: http://bcmongolia.org/en/interviews
• Jim Dwyer, Executive Director, BCM – ―Business need more business‖;
• Damshnamjil Tsogtbaatar, Chairman of the SPC: ―Privatizing Mongolia‖;
• Jan Hansen, Economist, ADB: ―The depreciation should help to increase the competitiveness and
to develop the non-mining industrial sector‖;
• Jim Dwyer, Executive Director, BCM: ―Minerals Policy‖;
• D. Bayasgalan, Director of Golomt Bank: ―Golomt has no problem‖;
• From the Oxford Business Group, Mongolia Reports 2013 book;
• B. Byambasaikhan, Chairman, BCM: ―Talk is cheap‖;
• President Ts. Elbegdorj: ―Diversifying for growth‖;
• Jim Dwyer, Executive Director, BCM: ―Non-mining sectors budding‖;
• Peter Morrow, Chairman, American University of Mongolia: ―Filling in the blanks‖;
• N. Zoljargal, Governor, Bank of Mongolia: ―Sustainable vision‖;
• Gansukh, Minister of Roads and Transportation: ―Accessing new markets‖;
• J. Od, President, MCS Group: ―Building interest‖.
BCM's English website includes the ―Mongolia Business News‖ section.
• 2014 Article IV staff report for Mongolia by International Monetary Fund;
• BCM comments on draft Amendments to the Minerals Law made to Mr. D. Gankhuyag, the Minister
of Mining, February, 2014;
• BCM Open Letter to Parliament and Government is available for download.
BCM continuously posts news stories and analysis of relevance to Mongolia at ‗Mongolian Business
News‖ before they are all put together each week for Friday's weekly NewsWire.
The ―Photo Gallery‖ contains photos from the 6th Anniversary BCM Renewal dinner on November
11, 2013.
BCM Football Cup 2013 pictures are posted to the website - http://bcmongolia.org/en/photos/350-
en/album?albumid=200
The BCM NewsWire will continue to be issued each Friday, incorporating items already on the home
page for a consolidated account of the week‘s events.
SOCIAL NETWORK WITH BCM
The Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) has expanded its reach to your favorite social networks.
Keep up to date on the latest business deals in Mongolia and how the climate for investment is
improving each day with BCM.
Add BCM on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheBusinessCouncilOfMongolia to read the
latest announcements and comment on events carried in the NewsWire with the community.
Hear breaking news and announcements as they happen when you follow BCM on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/bcmongolia.
BCM is closing our old LinkedIn account from May 1, 2014. The new page allows BCM to alert
followers to the latest news and information critical to their businesses. Members‘ businesses will
be promoted. Additionally, BCM is delivering monthly info graphics on the latest data as well as
videos and other media content as they come.
The bulk of the content on the new page will be in Mongolian language to better cater to BCM's
Mongolian-speaking audience and members.
Please click on the below link to follow us on our new LinkedIn page.
http://www.linkedin.com/company/business-council-of-mongolia?trk=company_logo
Social stats: BCM now has 5,385 fans on our Facebook fans page, 530 connections on LinkedIn
network, and 1,042 followers on Twitter.
Of course for news information, interviews, event photos, VIDEOS and announcements regarding our
organization, visit the official BCM website at http://bcmongolia.org/en/
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
INFLATION
Year 2006 6.0% [source: National Statistical Office of Mongolia (NSOM)]
Year 2007 *15.1% [source: NSOM]
Year 2008 *22.1% [source: NSOM]
Year 2009 *4.2% [source: NSOM]
Year 2010 *13.0% [source: NSOM]
Year 2011 *10.2% [source: NSOM]
Year 2012 *14.0% [source: NSOM]
Year 2013 *12.5% [source: NSOM]
March 31, 2014 *12.4% [source: NSOM]
*Year-over-year (y-o-y), nationwide
Note: 11.9% y-o-y, Ulaanbaatar city, March 31, 2014
CENTRAL BANK POLICY LOAN RATE
December 31, 2008 9.75% [source: IMF]
March 11, 2009 14.00% [source: IMF]
May 12, 2009 12.75% [source: IMF]
June 12, 2009 11.50% [source: IMF]
September 30, 2009 10.00% [source: IMF]
May 12, 2010 11.00% [source: IMF]
April 28, 2011 11.50% [source: IMF]
August 25, 2011 11.75% [source: IMF]
October 25, 2011 12.25% [source: IMF]
March 19, 2012 12.75% [source: Mongol Bank]
April 18, 2012 13.25% [source: Mongol Bank]
January 25, 2013 12.50% [source: Mongol Bank]
April 8, 2013 11.50% [source: Mongol Bank]
June 25, 2013 10.50% [source: Mongol Bank]
CURRENCY RATES – 2 MAY 2014
Currency Name Currency Rate
US Dollar USD 1,795.35
Euro EUR 2,492.93
Japanese yen JPY 17.57
British pound GBP 3,030.73
Hong Kong dollar HKD 231.57
Chinese Yuan CNY 286.83
Russian Ruble RUB 50.45
South Korean won KRW 1.74
Disclaimer: Except for reporting on BCM‘s activities, all information in the BCM NewsWire is
selected from various news sources. Opinions are those of the respective news sources.

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

12.09.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 342
12.09.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 34212.09.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 342
12.09.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 342
 
10.07.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 333
10.07.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 33310.07.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 333
10.07.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 333
 
29.08.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 340
29.08.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 34029.08.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 340
29.08.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 340
 
28.02.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 314
28.02.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 31428.02.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 314
28.02.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 314
 
06.02.2009, NEWSWIRE, Issue 56
06.02.2009, NEWSWIRE, Issue 5606.02.2009, NEWSWIRE, Issue 56
06.02.2009, NEWSWIRE, Issue 56
 
22.02.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issues 261-262
22.02.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issues 261-26222.02.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issues 261-262
22.02.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issues 261-262
 
01.08.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 336
01.08.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 33601.08.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 336
01.08.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 336
 
BCM NewsWire Issue 458
BCM NewsWire Issue 458BCM NewsWire Issue 458
BCM NewsWire Issue 458
 
24.05.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 275
24.05.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 27524.05.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 275
24.05.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 275
 
07.03.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 315
07.03.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 31507.03.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 315
07.03.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 315
 
02.11.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 246
02.11.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 24602.11.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 246
02.11.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 246
 
29.11.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 302
29.11.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 30229.11.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 302
29.11.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 302
 
16.09.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 185
16.09.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 18516.09.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 185
16.09.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 185
 
11.01.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 256
11.01.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 25611.01.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 256
11.01.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 256
 
21.03.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 18
21.03.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 1821.03.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 18
21.03.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 18
 
Bcm news wire issue 418
Bcm news wire issue 418Bcm news wire issue 418
Bcm news wire issue 418
 
14.03.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 17
14.03.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 1714.03.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 17
14.03.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 17
 
15.11.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 300
15.11.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 30015.11.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 300
15.11.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 300
 
25.02.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 156
25.02.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 15625.02.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 156
25.02.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 156
 
25.07.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 334-335
25.07.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 334-33525.07.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 334-335
25.07.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 334-335
 

Viewers also liked

Procurement Article
Procurement ArticleProcurement Article
Procurement Article
John Baglivi
 
Cellular Transforming Genes in Cancer
Cellular Transforming Genes in CancerCellular Transforming Genes in Cancer
Cellular Transforming Genes in Cancer
Deedee Chatham
 
2016.04.26 Energy economincs institute introduction, proposal for research on...
2016.04.26 Energy economincs institute introduction, proposal for research on...2016.04.26 Energy economincs institute introduction, proposal for research on...
2016.04.26 Energy economincs institute introduction, proposal for research on...
The Business Council of Mongolia
 

Viewers also liked (19)

Belg 2016
Belg 2016Belg 2016
Belg 2016
 
26.03.2012, Understanding Mongolia from an Investor's Perspective, Eric Zurrin
26.03.2012, Understanding Mongolia from an Investor's Perspective, Eric Zurrin26.03.2012, Understanding Mongolia from an Investor's Perspective, Eric Zurrin
26.03.2012, Understanding Mongolia from an Investor's Perspective, Eric Zurrin
 
27.01.2014, The year 2014 starts with new IPO on the Mongolian Stock Exchange...
27.01.2014, The year 2014 starts with new IPO on the Mongolian Stock Exchange...27.01.2014, The year 2014 starts with new IPO on the Mongolian Stock Exchange...
27.01.2014, The year 2014 starts with new IPO on the Mongolian Stock Exchange...
 
Procurement Article
Procurement ArticleProcurement Article
Procurement Article
 
Intb3 mp
Intb3 mpIntb3 mp
Intb3 mp
 
Humanitarian Informatics Approach for Cooperation between Citizens and Organi...
Humanitarian Informatics Approach for Cooperation between Citizens and Organi...Humanitarian Informatics Approach for Cooperation between Citizens and Organi...
Humanitarian Informatics Approach for Cooperation between Citizens and Organi...
 
09.02.2012 Mongolia investment outlook, Oscar Mendoza
09.02.2012 Mongolia investment outlook, Oscar Mendoza09.02.2012 Mongolia investment outlook, Oscar Mendoza
09.02.2012 Mongolia investment outlook, Oscar Mendoza
 
05.09.2014, TSIM GEOPHYSICS: Mongolian case studies, Mr. Adrian Buck
05.09.2014, TSIM GEOPHYSICS: Mongolian case studies, Mr. Adrian Buck05.09.2014, TSIM GEOPHYSICS: Mongolian case studies, Mr. Adrian Buck
05.09.2014, TSIM GEOPHYSICS: Mongolian case studies, Mr. Adrian Buck
 
Welcome @ OPEN'16
Welcome @ OPEN'16Welcome @ OPEN'16
Welcome @ OPEN'16
 
30.10.2013 Launching mining projects in Mongolia–a major contractor’s perspec...
30.10.2013 Launching mining projects in Mongolia–a major contractor’s perspec...30.10.2013 Launching mining projects in Mongolia–a major contractor’s perspec...
30.10.2013 Launching mining projects in Mongolia–a major contractor’s perspec...
 
03.10.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 345
03.10.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 34503.10.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 345
03.10.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 345
 
Cellular Transforming Genes in Cancer
Cellular Transforming Genes in CancerCellular Transforming Genes in Cancer
Cellular Transforming Genes in Cancer
 
IEEE SocialCom 2015: Intent Classification of Social Media Text
IEEE SocialCom 2015: Intent Classification of Social Media TextIEEE SocialCom 2015: Intent Classification of Social Media Text
IEEE SocialCom 2015: Intent Classification of Social Media Text
 
SUSANTA SAHA C.V
SUSANTA SAHA C.VSUSANTA SAHA C.V
SUSANTA SAHA C.V
 
23.05.2011, Brief introduction to Zorig Foundation, Mr. G. Badruun & Ms.B.Onon
23.05.2011, Brief introduction to Zorig Foundation, Mr. G. Badruun & Ms.B.Onon23.05.2011, Brief introduction to Zorig Foundation, Mr. G. Badruun & Ms.B.Onon
23.05.2011, Brief introduction to Zorig Foundation, Mr. G. Badruun & Ms.B.Onon
 
OACUHO
OACUHOOACUHO
OACUHO
 
31.08.2012 Financing infrastructure in Mongolia, Development Bank of Mongolia
31.08.2012 Financing infrastructure in Mongolia, Development Bank of Mongolia31.08.2012 Financing infrastructure in Mongolia, Development Bank of Mongolia
31.08.2012 Financing infrastructure in Mongolia, Development Bank of Mongolia
 
11.04.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 20
11.04.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 2011.04.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 20
11.04.2008, NEWSWIRE, Issue 20
 
2016.04.26 Energy economincs institute introduction, proposal for research on...
2016.04.26 Energy economincs institute introduction, proposal for research on...2016.04.26 Energy economincs institute introduction, proposal for research on...
2016.04.26 Energy economincs institute introduction, proposal for research on...
 

Similar to 02.05.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 323

Similar to 02.05.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 323 (20)

26.09.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 344
26.09.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 34426.09.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 344
26.09.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 344
 
30.05.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue327
30.05.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue32730.05.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue327
30.05.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue327
 
Bcm news wire issue 426
Bcm news wire issue 426Bcm news wire issue 426
Bcm news wire issue 426
 
Bcm news wire issue 416
Bcm news wire issue 416Bcm news wire issue 416
Bcm news wire issue 416
 
Bcm news wire issue 421
Bcm news wire issue 421Bcm news wire issue 421
Bcm news wire issue 421
 
30.09.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 187
30.09.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 18730.09.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 187
30.09.2011, NEWSWIRE, Issue 187
 
02.03.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issues 210-211
02.03.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issues 210-21102.03.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issues 210-211
02.03.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issues 210-211
 
07.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 251
07.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 25107.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 251
07.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 251
 
Bcm news Wire issue 438
Bcm news Wire issue 438Bcm news Wire issue 438
Bcm news Wire issue 438
 
31.05.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 276
31.05.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 27631.05.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 276
31.05.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 276
 
28.03.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 318
28.03.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 31828.03.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 318
28.03.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 318
 
09.11.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 247
09.11.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 24709.11.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 247
09.11.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 247
 
26.04.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 271
26.04.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 27126.04.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 271
26.04.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issue 271
 
Bcm news wire issue 415
Bcm news wire issue 415Bcm news wire issue 415
Bcm news wire issue 415
 
14.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 252
14.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 25214.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 252
14.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 252
 
20.12.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issues 304-305
20.12.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issues 304-30520.12.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issues 304-305
20.12.2013, NEWSWIRE, Issues 304-305
 
30.03.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 215
30.03.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 21530.03.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 215
30.03.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 215
 
25.05.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 223
25.05.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 22325.05.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 223
25.05.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 223
 
21.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 253
21.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 25321.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 253
21.12.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 253
 
22.01.2010, NEWSWIRE, Issue 102
22.01.2010, NEWSWIRE, Issue 10222.01.2010, NEWSWIRE, Issue 102
22.01.2010, NEWSWIRE, Issue 102
 

More from The Business Council of Mongolia

More from The Business Council of Mongolia (20)

Three Camel Lodge 3 days itinerary
Three Camel Lodge 3 days itineraryThree Camel Lodge 3 days itinerary
Three Camel Lodge 3 days itinerary
 
Three Camel Lodge 4 days itinerary
Three Camel Lodge 4 days itineraryThree Camel Lodge 4 days itinerary
Three Camel Lodge 4 days itinerary
 
BCM Macroeconomic Updates January 2020
BCM Macroeconomic Updates January 2020BCM Macroeconomic Updates January 2020
BCM Macroeconomic Updates January 2020
 
Digital Enterprise 2019
Digital Enterprise 2019Digital Enterprise 2019
Digital Enterprise 2019
 
Faro Foundation presentation
Faro Foundation presentationFaro Foundation presentation
Faro Foundation presentation
 
Business Council of Mongolia presentation
Business Council of Mongolia presentationBusiness Council of Mongolia presentation
Business Council of Mongolia presentation
 
National Development Association of Mongolia presentation
National Development Association of Mongolia presentationNational Development Association of Mongolia presentation
National Development Association of Mongolia presentation
 
Gobi Green Energy Gankhuyag
Gobi Green Energy GankhuyagGobi Green Energy Gankhuyag
Gobi Green Energy Gankhuyag
 
Ch.Anar Competitiveness of the fintech sector
Ch.Anar Competitiveness of the fintech sectorCh.Anar Competitiveness of the fintech sector
Ch.Anar Competitiveness of the fintech sector
 
A.Bilguun Competitiveness of Mongolia's resource sector
A.Bilguun Competitiveness of Mongolia's resource sectorA.Bilguun Competitiveness of Mongolia's resource sector
A.Bilguun Competitiveness of Mongolia's resource sector
 
B.Lakshmi EPCRC Competitiveness of Mongolia
B.Lakshmi EPCRC Competitiveness of MongoliaB.Lakshmi EPCRC Competitiveness of Mongolia
B.Lakshmi EPCRC Competitiveness of Mongolia
 
Munkhzorig - Digital Transformation
Munkhzorig - Digital TransformationMunkhzorig - Digital Transformation
Munkhzorig - Digital Transformation
 
Tseesuren - Data is the Key for Innovation
Tseesuren - Data is the Key for InnovationTseesuren - Data is the Key for Innovation
Tseesuren - Data is the Key for Innovation
 
System analysis study on the Constitution of Mongolia
System analysis study on the Constitution of MongoliaSystem analysis study on the Constitution of Mongolia
System analysis study on the Constitution of Mongolia
 
Kincora Copper March 2019
Kincora Copper March 2019Kincora Copper March 2019
Kincora Copper March 2019
 
Erdenes Mongol presentation
Erdenes Mongol presentationErdenes Mongol presentation
Erdenes Mongol presentation
 
Tatsuya Hamada presentation
Tatsuya Hamada presentationTatsuya Hamada presentation
Tatsuya Hamada presentation
 
BCM Monthly Meeting BCM updates January 30, 2019
BCM Monthly Meeting BCM updates January 30, 2019BCM Monthly Meeting BCM updates January 30, 2019
BCM Monthly Meeting BCM updates January 30, 2019
 
N. Chimguundari economic corridor and investment research center Nov 12
N. Chimguundari economic corridor and investment research center Nov 12N. Chimguundari economic corridor and investment research center Nov 12
N. Chimguundari economic corridor and investment research center Nov 12
 
Procurement mca-compact-ii-presentation-bcm
Procurement mca-compact-ii-presentation-bcmProcurement mca-compact-ii-presentation-bcm
Procurement mca-compact-ii-presentation-bcm
 

Recently uploaded

PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE REQUIRES EXTREMISTS OUT OF POWER AND RESTR...
PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE REQUIRES EXTREMISTS OUT OF POWER AND RESTR...PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE REQUIRES EXTREMISTS OUT OF POWER AND RESTR...
PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE REQUIRES EXTREMISTS OUT OF POWER AND RESTR...
Faga1939
 

Recently uploaded (16)

23052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
23052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf23052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
23052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
 
27052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
27052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf27052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
27052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
 
May 2024 - Crypto Market Report_FINAL.pdf
May 2024 - Crypto Market Report_FINAL.pdfMay 2024 - Crypto Market Report_FINAL.pdf
May 2024 - Crypto Market Report_FINAL.pdf
 
Mizzima Weekly Analysis & Insight Issue 1
Mizzima Weekly Analysis & Insight Issue 1Mizzima Weekly Analysis & Insight Issue 1
Mizzima Weekly Analysis & Insight Issue 1
 
PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE REQUIRES EXTREMISTS OUT OF POWER AND RESTR...
PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE REQUIRES EXTREMISTS OUT OF POWER AND RESTR...PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE REQUIRES EXTREMISTS OUT OF POWER AND RESTR...
PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE REQUIRES EXTREMISTS OUT OF POWER AND RESTR...
 
Meta_AI_ads_investigation.pdfldoljjwejolejolol
Meta_AI_ads_investigation.pdfldoljjwejolejololMeta_AI_ads_investigation.pdfldoljjwejolejolol
Meta_AI_ads_investigation.pdfldoljjwejolejolol
 
Chapter-8th-Recent Developments in Indian Politics-PPT.pptx
Chapter-8th-Recent Developments in Indian Politics-PPT.pptxChapter-8th-Recent Developments in Indian Politics-PPT.pptx
Chapter-8th-Recent Developments in Indian Politics-PPT.pptx
 
HISTORY- XII-Theme 3 - Kinship, Caste and Class.pptx
HISTORY- XII-Theme 3 - Kinship, Caste and Class.pptxHISTORY- XII-Theme 3 - Kinship, Caste and Class.pptx
HISTORY- XII-Theme 3 - Kinship, Caste and Class.pptx
 
Textile Waste In India | Textile Waste Management
Textile Waste In India | Textile Waste ManagementTextile Waste In India | Textile Waste Management
Textile Waste In India | Textile Waste Management
 
ys jagan mohan reddy political career, Biography.pdf
ys jagan mohan reddy political career, Biography.pdfys jagan mohan reddy political career, Biography.pdf
ys jagan mohan reddy political career, Biography.pdf
 
role of women and girls in various terror groups
role of women and girls in various terror groupsrole of women and girls in various terror groups
role of women and girls in various terror groups
 
24052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
24052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf24052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
24052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
 
Draft-1-Resolutions-Key-Interventions-.pdf
Draft-1-Resolutions-Key-Interventions-.pdfDraft-1-Resolutions-Key-Interventions-.pdf
Draft-1-Resolutions-Key-Interventions-.pdf
 
25052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
25052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf25052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
25052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
 
Nika Muhl Visa Approval Shirt, Nika Muhl Visa Approval T-Shirt
Nika Muhl Visa Approval Shirt, Nika Muhl Visa Approval T-ShirtNika Muhl Visa Approval Shirt, Nika Muhl Visa Approval T-Shirt
Nika Muhl Visa Approval Shirt, Nika Muhl Visa Approval T-Shirt
 
26052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
26052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf26052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
26052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdf
 

02.05.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue 323

  • 1. BUSINESS COUNCIL of MONGOLIA NewsWire www.bcmongolia.org info@bcmongolia.org Issue 323 – May 2, 2014 NEWS HIGHLIGHTS: Business  Mongolia set to resolve mining licenses dispute, says Kincora;  Mongol Mining JV with Shenhua credit positive;  Hong Kong Jockey Club says no plan to be part of Mongolia racing, betting;  Khushigt Valley airport to begin operations in Dec. 2016, says Japan official;  Khan Bank launches nationwide Bancassurance campaign;  EBRD financing Senj Sant cement plant;  Altan Rio debt settlement paves way for EBRD placement;  Firebird Global Master Fund reports transactions in Khot Infrastructure;  Prophecy announces new board director;  FeOre receives extension from bondholders', approval on sale;  Winsway to change name to "Winsway Enterprises";  Mongolia Investment Summit London recap;  NAMBC 2014 AGM Held in Ottawa, April 22-23;  Mongolian scientist speaks at Colorado State;  Talkh Chikher takes “Top Brand” award;  Alstom accepts GE offer but leaves room for Siemens bid. Economy  Long-term rating on Mongolia lowered to 'B+';  Mongolia downgrade weighs on Chinggis bond;  Fitch: Weakening Mongolian Mining Highlights Risks for Banks;  Mongol Bank: FX auctions, swap agreements, 1-week bills, treasury bonds;  Mongolia requests extension for MNT-CNY swap agreements;  Mongol bank official calls tugrug depreciation “seasonal phenomenon”;  OT dispute weighs on tugrug as capital dries up;  April Sales Managers' Index;  Number of mine workers grows;  UB supports local agriculture;  Mining downturn forces Mongolia to diversify;  Scientists see strong correlation between air pollution and miscarriage in UB;  USAID partners with World Vision for disaster risk management in west;  Mongolia's green power pioneers keep Asian Super Grid dream alive;  Commodities back in favor as a portfolio diversifier;  China plans crackdown on iron ore import loans;  China poised to pass US as world‟s leading economic power. Politics  Mongolia premier unveils 100-day push to revive economy;  Mongolia to revise mineral law to attract investment;  Parliament discusses economic stimulus initiative;  Mongolia will propose gambling on horse racing to tap China;  DP boots Burmaa for dissenting vote;  MP says he left Justice Coalition due to „Double Deel‟ Law;
  • 2.  Mining Ministry to oversee development of Asgat silver mine;  Saudi Arabia to open Mongolian embassy;  Vietnam, Mongolia boost mutual trust, cooperation;  Corruption authorities open investigation into former Mon Atom director;  Moscow Takes Ukraine, Beijing Takes Mongolia? ECONOMIC INDICATORS  MSE Top 20 Index by market Capitalization;  Foreign-listed Companies with Mongolian Assets;  Monthly Macroeconomic Overview – March 2014;  Supermarket Price Comparison – April 2014;  Inflation;  Central bank policy rate;  Currency rates. *Click on titles above to link to articles. SPONSORS Khan Bank International SOS Invest Mongolia Agency Mongolian Economy Magazine Oxford Business Group Milestone GRP BCM MEETING RECAP The BCM meeting on 28 April was held for the first time at Best Western Tuushin Premier Hotel with Bayanjargal Byambasaikhan in the chair and attended by 120 members and invited guests. Executive Director Jim Dwyer introduced BCM's new vice director, Amarjargal Bayarmaa. Bayarmaa currently works with BCM as chairperson of the Environmental Working Group. She leaves her position as senior carbon finance specialist for Clean Energy LLC.
  • 3. Dwyer and Byambasaikhan also announced the recently announced Business Summit to be held in Ulaanbaatar in June. ―The target is to have 150 CEOs of the top Mongolian companies,‖ said Dwyer. ―Obviously government can explain, hopefully, the amendment to the minerals Law and the removed restrictions on exploration licenses, and other initiatives we expect to be taken place in the short term.‖ The event is being organized by the same team behind the Mongolian Economic Forum, the Economic Policy and Competitiveness Research Center (EPCRC). The following new BCM members were introduced: 1. The newly opened Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel offers a wide variety of luxury accommodation, extensive state of the art conference and banqueting facilities and three high quality restaurants providing a wide range of fine dining options, with menus and wines from around the world especially prepared for you by our internationally qualified chefs and sommeliers. The 25-story, 200-room Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel is a impressive landmark in the center of Ulaanbaatar due to its modern design and excellent location close to the Government Palace, government offices, shopping areas and com¬mercial institutions. 2. Cummins Mongolia Investment LLC, established in 2011, is an exclusive distributor for Cummins Inc., the world‘s largest independent manufacturer of diesel engines and a global leader in power generation technology. Cummins takes pride providing sales and exceptional service and support for Cummins engines, Cummins generators, Cummins Filtration products and related products serving the varied needs of our customers in Mongolia, such as mining, oil and gas, power generation, agriculture plus on and off road vehicles. 3. Forbes Mongolia is published under a licensing agreement between Forbes Media LLC and MGL Capital LLC. The Mongolian edition will be the 33rd local language edition with monthly publication and Forbes Mongolia will have access to Forbes stories from around the world. Forbes Mongolia's editorial team will also feature local content on chief executives, tycoons, philanthropists, investors and aspiring entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the country‘s economic landscape and society. 4. International Mining Consulting (IMC) LLC, established in 2013, is an independent national company that offers following services: geotechnical engineering, mine engineering; project management , contract mining , pre-feasibility studies , training, and consultancy 5. Lewis Marks has lived in Tokyo, Beijing, and Ulaanbaatar since 1977, 1982, 1992, respectively and conjointly. Marks is licensed to practice law in New York, a board member of CBH Resources, Australia (zinc/lead mines) since 2002 , a board member of LIM Japan Fund since 2003 , a founding partner of MIC Global Partners LLC (commodities investment, oil exploration + production in North America) since 2003, a director and equity partner in CWT Mongolia (copper/oil) , an equity partner in Bayandari Co. (farming in Selenge and Zavkhan) , and a partner in Rich Resources, Beijing (commodities). 6. Melbury Capital is a private equity vehicle seeded by the Reuben Brothers and a select group of family offices. The fund achieves superior returns through tailored, country specific investment strategies in frontier markets. The Mongolia office is currently developing assets in the mineral extraction space. Melbury is currently looking to acquire Mongolian assets in the gold sector and is also seeking to expand deal flow in other sectors. Environmental Working Group Chair Bayarmaa Amarjargal gave the first presentation of the evening on BCM's ―Green Office Initiative.‖ BCM has partnered with the Ministry of Environment and Green Development to introduce to Mongolia's offices internal, self-operated systems for waste collection
  • 4. and proper disposal. ―The mission is to take a multi-stakeholder approach toward sustainable practices in Mongolia,‖ said Bayarmaa. Mongolia's solid waste increases by 500,000 a year in Ulaanbaatar, she said. As proper disposal becomes an increasingly important issue, BCM's Environmental Working Group is working with public and private offices, such as the Asia Foundation and numerous restaurants to arrange for waste collection. To further promote this objective, NTV has agreed to play a 30-minute promotion every two weeks informing the public about the initiative. Sant Maral Foundation Director Luvsandendev Sumati presented next on the latest Politbarometer, released in March. ―I was expecting some bad news for government but we didn't see that here,‖ said Sumati, noting that the government was not heavily criticized despite the declining economic conditions in the country. ―This situation is not like the spring weather—not volatile. Actually it's extremely predictable. The survey found that dissatisfaction with the business environment was still high at 48.5 percent, but below that of the previous year's 52.7 percent. Government approval, too, was high at 40 percent, but less so than that of Sukhbaatar Batbold's government. People reported that instances where households had gone hungry was less than that of previous years, but complaints of income distribution were still high. Citizens' faith was largely in favor of the government to maintain fair distribution of wealth. ―Our population does not trust private business,‖ said Sumati. He added that this sentiment would remain as long as the government could afford to subsidize the livelihood of Mongolians. The final presentation of the evening came from J. Sunjidmaa, corporate and public affairs manager of Peabody Energy Corp., to discuss Peabody's ―Advanced Energy for Life‖ global advocacy campaign. ―We see that energy poverty is the number-one crisis. It brings people down—and society,‖ said Sunjidmaa. The goal of the campaign was to increase access to low-cost energy while reducing emissions, she said. The 21st Century coal, she said, is managed to be socially and environmentally friendly. BUSINESS MONGOLIA SET TO RESOLVE MINING LICENSES DISPUTE, SAYS KINCORA Mongolia plans to put a resolution to parliament that will end a dispute between 11 foreign license holders and the government over the invalidation of 106 mineral exploration licenses, one of the companies affected, Kincora Copper Ltd., said on Monday. The dispute is one of several issues, led by disagreements between Rio Tinto and the government over plans to expand the giant Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, that have soured investor appetite for Mongolia over the past two years. The 106 exploration licenses were declared void by a Mongolian court last year after it found the former head of the Mineral Resources Authority guilty of illegally approving the licenses between 2008 and 2009. Toronto-listed Kincora Copper Ltd, one of 11 foreign investors affected, said the proposed resolution was a "win-win" to end the dispute over its two cancelled licenses, on which the company had to take a CAD 7 million writeoff last year. "This case has had a major, negative impact on investor sentiment towards Mongolia. And the way in which the government responds to investor concerns about the revocation of licenses, we hope, will set a positive and visible precedent as to how future investors will be treated," Kincora Chief Executive Sam Spring said in a statement. Source: Reuters
  • 5. MONGOL MINING JV WITH SHENHUA CREDIT POSITIVE Moody's Investors Service said Mongolian Mining Corp.'s (MMC) joint venture with Shenhua Group is credit positive for MMC because the cross-border railway will lower coal transportation costs with little investment. MMC announced that it would establish a joint venture with Shenhua Group to build a cross-border railway to transport coal to China from Mongolia. With MMC currently using trucks to transport coal to China, transportation costs accounted for 26.7 percent of its costs of goods sold and 22 percent of its revenue in 2013, said the credit rating agency. MMC will hold 17 percent of the equity in the consortium, while Shenhua will hold 49 percent and Mongolian companies Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi LLC and Tavan Tolgoi JSC will each hold 17 percent. Seventy percent of funding for the Sino-Mongolian Border Crossing Railway will be from loans that Shenhua will be responsible for obtaining. MCC's investment in the consortium will be smaller than if it financed all of the railway construction itself, which will alleviate pressure on MMC's liquidity and allow it to better manage a challenging operating climate, said Moody's. Source: ETNet HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB SAYS NO PLAN TO BE PART OF MONGOLIA RACING, BETTING The Hong Kong Jockey Club has "no intention of becoming directly involved" in Mongolia's plans to set up a professional horse racing league and legalize betting. HKJC chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges yesterday played down a report quoting a Mongolian government minister as saying the nation wanted to establish a "jockey club operation." "It is very good that another associate member of the Asian Racing Federation is considering developing horse racing," Engelbrecht-Bresges said. "The ARF will offer its help but the HKJC has no intention of becoming directly involved. "I can say categorically there has been no contact with the HKJC from Mongolia regarding Hong Kong horses racing there, but we will have a chance to talk at the Asian Racing Conference [in Hong Kong] next week." Oyungerel Tsedevdamba, the minister for culture, sport and tourism, said, according to a Bloomberg report: "Our priority is to make the legal environment for a jockey club operation so that we can have a market share" of the Asian gambling business. Oyungerel added that she hoped to submit a draft to Parliament within three months. "Our law is heavily based on Hong Kong Jockey Club rules." "As a club, we would prefer horses not go to race in Mongolia as we maintain a horse population sufficient for our industry and participation elsewhere would place a strain on our horse population," said Engelbrecht-Bresges. Source: South China Morning Post KHUSHIGT VALLEY AIRPORT TO BEGIN OPERATIONS IN DEC. 2016, SAYS JAPAN OFFICIAL The international airport under construction at Khushigt Valley in Tuv Aimag will be operational by December 2016, said Japan's transportation minister during a visit from 26 to 29 April. Minister Akihiro Ota led a Japanese delegation to meet with Minister of Roads and Transportation of Mongolia Amarjargal Gansukh 28 April. The Japanese delegates told Gansukh that they learned from a briefing on the progress made at the airport, over which Japan is leading construction, that work was significantly ahead of the schedules and operations could begin by December 2016. ―This international airport is not only a big air transport facility, but is also considered the biggest economic effective project and landmark.‖ Their visit to Mongolia was partly to meet with the management teams of the air carriers operating in Mongolia to update them on their progress, said Ota. He also offered Japan's services in helping to manage the airport. Also during the visit, Ota and Gansukh signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between their ministries. Source: Info Mongolia
  • 6. KHAN BANK LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE BANCASSURANCE CAMPAIGN Khan Bank LLC is promoting its new insurance program by giving away prizes to newly insured customers. ―Khan Bank invites you to receive insurance services in a convenient way and have the opportunity to become one of the 409 lucky winners,‖ reads the Source. Khan Bank offers six insurance products throughout its banking network spanning across the country with its ―Bancassurance‖ service. The bank is promoting the insurance program launch of a two- month campaign to end 30 June throughout its 524 branches with a contest giving away prizes to new customers. Khan Bank will draw the names of 409 customers whom will receive such prizes as a one-year gift card for petrol fuel, a trip to the countryside, car washes, and car seats covers. Twenty Khan Bank customers will receive a personal gift from their bank. Source: Khan Bank LLC EBRD FINANCING SENJ SANT CEMENT PLANT The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a USD 65 million loan to a Mongolian cement producer to finance the construction of a dry process cement plant. EBRD is continuing its financial support for Mongolian company Senj Sant, which is building a greenfield cement plant to meet rising demand generated by the country‘s rapidly growing economy. The USD 65 million loan is part of a financing package dating from May 2013, which included a USD 20 million equity investment in Senj Sant. Senj Sant, which is owned by Monpolymet Group, began construction of the plant in April 2013. It is expected to have a total capacity of one million tons of cement per year. According to the source, the dry process used is the most advanced and environmentally-friendly means of production currently available. ―The EBRD‘s long-term finance, including equity, not only helps us build the first cement plant in Mongolia using environmentally-friendly dry process, but also supports the company in raising business standards to international levels,‖ Monpolymet Group Chief Executive Officer Munkhnasan Narmandakh. Source: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ALTAN RIO DEBT SETTLEMENT PAVES WAY FOR EBRD PLACEMENT Altan Rio Minerals Ltd. announced that it has now closed the debt settlement that serves as a prerequisite for a private placement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Altan Rio has issued a total of some 20.35 million common shares to settle debt in the total sum of USD 1.424 million at a deemed price of USD 0.07 per share. Debt in the sum of USD 5,000 that was originally contemplated in the February 20, 2014 news release was not settled for shares, resulting in a net reduction of 71,428 shares from the number originally announced. The 20,346,555 shares so issued are subject to a hold period of four months plus a day, expiring 29 August. Completion of the debt settlement transaction was a pre-condition to Altan Rio's previously announced private placement of common shares with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for some 16.7 million shares at USD 0.06 per share. Now that the debt settlement transaction has been completed, the Source anticipates that, subject to receipt of final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange and completion of other standard closing conditions, the private placement with EBRD will close in the first half of May 2014. Source: Altan Rio Minerals Ltd. FIREBIRD GLOBAL MASTER FUND REPORTS TRANSACTIONS IN KHOT INFRASTRUCTURE Firebird Global Master Fund (FGMF) Holdings and Firebird Global Master Fund Holdings II 9 April announced that each had conglomerated shares from subsidiaries in Khot Infrastructure Holdings, Ltd. Firebird Global Master Fund, Ltd. transferred to FGMF Holdings 530,747 common shares of Khot Infrastructure, while Firebird Global Master Fund II, Ltd. transferred 461,392 shares of Khot to FGMF Holdings II. Joint actors to each of the Firebird Global holding companies Passin Management
  • 7. Limited Partnership and Sawkin Family 2011 LLC acquired 126,250 common shares and 500,000 common shares of Khot, respectively, at USD 0.20 per share. James Passin was granted 500,000 options to acquire the same number of common shares in the share capital at USD 0.25 per share. Firebird New Mongolia Fund, L.P., received an additional 5.36 million common shares in the shares in exchange for 100 percent interest in Great Hoard Holdings SARL, a Luxembourg entity that holds 75 percent share capital of Ashid Munkhiin Zam LLC. The securities transfers to FGMF Holdings and FGMF II Holdings were made for the purpose of company reorganization, reads the Source. The other transactions were carried out by joint actors were for the purpose of maintaining controlling interest in Khot. Source: Firebird PROPHECY ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD DIRECTOR Prophecy Coal Corp. 23 April announced the appointment of Masa Igata to its board of directors. Igata has more than 25 years' experience working in Asian financial markets and is the founder and chief executive officer of Frontier Securities LLC, the first foreign investment bank in Mongolia. Previously, he was managing director at Nikko Citigroup with a leading role in Japanese equity sales and investor relations. Igata now focuses primarily on advising resource companies in Mongolia. Prophecy also announced the appointment of Orgil Sukhee as executive director of Red Hill Mongolia LLC, which operates the company's Ulaan Ovoo project, effective 21 April 21. Sukhee is a Mongolian business executive with over 10 years' of successful commercial property development and management experience in Singapore (Shangri-La Hotel), Russia (CapitaLand), and Mongolia (MCS Properties LLC). Source: Prophecy Coal Corp. FEORE RECEIVES EXTENSION FROM BONDHOLDERS', APPROVAL ON SALE FeOre Ltd. 25 April announced that it had obtained an extension to the letter of waiver to extend FeOre's repurchase of convertible bonds on or before 12 May. Separately, FeOre announced that shareholders approved the sale of Topone Star Investments Ltd, with the passage made by way of poll as an ordinary resolution. Source: FeOre Ltd. WINSWAY TO CHANGE NAME TO "WINSWAY ENTERPRISES" Winsway Coking Coal Holdings Ltd. said it proposes to change its English name to "Winsway Enterprises Holdings Limited". With the view to enhancing the utilization and profitability from the group's well-established logistics facilities, Winsway plans to evolve its strategy and scope of business from a pure coking coal operation to a broader-scope operation including thermal coal, iron ore and potentially other minerals or bulk materials. Winsway also plans to become more of a service provider through a platform providing a total supply chain solution to the broader market involving small and medium- sized customers engaged in bulk commodity trading. ―The Board believes the change of name will better reflect the changed and evolving strategy and scope of Winsway's business,‖ reads the Source. Source: Winsway Coking Coal Holdings Ltd. MONGOLIA INVESTMENT SUMMIT LONDON RECAP Mongolia's most profitable sector, mining, was a key topic of discussion during the first day of the Invest Mongolia Summit held in London on 1 May. Investors gathered to discuss the improvements made to Mongolia's regulatory system as well as areas still needing attention. ―President Elbegdorj said: 'Mongolia has made mistakes and must take steps to change regulations" and did so in part with new Investment Law of Nov 1, 2013. But many points "still sleeping" including OT Phase II financing, Chalco, 106 mining licenses and Long-name law,‖ said Vice Minister for Economic Development, Ministry of Economic Development, Chuluunbat. While 11.7 percent growth in 2013 is still impressive, the country was facing a currency devaluation that was having
  • 8. serious impacts on U.S. denominated loans and the country's growing budget deficit. Attracting foreign investment is imperative, said the vice minister, so treating all investors—―local and foreign‖—equally and fairly was a main priority for the government. Chris Melville, a partner at Ulaanbaatar-based law firm Hogan Lovells LLP, lauded the government's new investment law, noting that it was positive that the government recognized the issues with past legislation and made the necessary corrections. Moving forward, however, Mongolia will have to focus on ensuring the laws are implemented as they are intended. Norihiko Kato, chief executive officer of Khan Bank, chimed in on the Investment Law, noting that Mongolia's capital markets were still underdeveloped as long as there was still no custodian services or inter-banking market. The fine-tuning of legislation and the time to watch how Mongolia enforces its new laws will mean that investment to Mongolia will not return overnight, according to Elena Clarici, managing director of Meridian Equity Partners in the United Kingdom. Advising that cost focus was key for the mining sector, she said that it was unlikely investors word invest in large quantities in the next 12 months but the industry could be booming again in three years. Source: Business Council of Mongolia NAMBC 2014 AGM HELD IN OTTAWA, APRIL 22-23 The 24th meeting of the North America-Mongolia Business Council was held 22 and 23 April in Ottawa, Canada. Mongolia's vice minister of mining, O. Erdenebulgan, delivered a speech introducing a reform policy being instituted by Mongolia‘s Cabinet Secretariat. Former U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Pamela J. H. Slutz gave a report concerning the present economic development of Mongolia while former Canadian Ambassador Anna Biolik reported on Mongolia-Canada relations. Erdenebulgan later met with the director of volunteer development agency CESCO, Harris Vindu, for a memorandum of cooperation between the volunteer group and Mongolia's Mining Ministry. The memorandum is for the support of sustainable development in Mongolia's mining sector and the improvement of professional skills. [Original source received correction from Cover Mongolia -ed]. Source: Montsame MONGOLIAN SCIENTIST SPEAKS AT COLORADO STATE A science advisor to the Mongolian Minister of Environment and Green Development 29 April delivered public lectures at Colorado State University (CSU). Chuluun Togtokh, a Ph.D. who is also science director of the Institute for Sustainable Development at the National University of Mongolia, discussed concepts for sustainable development for Mongolia and globally. While making the successful transition to democracy and market economy since 1990, Mongolia laid down the foundations for prosperity. However, that transition also brought with it increased poverty and environmental degradation. Committed to reversing this trend, the Mongolian government has set a goal to become a green civilization—meeting the needs of the present while safeguarding the planet's resources. Chuluun discussed what green development looks like in Mongolia and the introduction of his Global Sustainability Index (GSI) tool for providing synergy in the post-2015 development agenda. The Mongolian speaker also participated in the Managing the Planet panel on Future Earth on 30 April. Chuluun has spent the semester as a Visiting Fellow for CSU‘s School of Global Environmental Sustainability. He has worked closely with researchers in the Natural Resource Ecology Lab in the Warner College of Natural Resources during his time as CSU. Source: Colorado State University TALKH CHIKHER TAKES “TOP BRAND” AWARD The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) and Intellectual Property Office 23 April named Talkh Chikher JSC as Mongolia's ―Top Brand‖ in observation of World Intellectual Property Day that later took place on 26 April. Organized since 2003, the award aims to promote national manufacturers and their services. Additional awards went to Talkh Chicker's Ta Chi brand for flour and bread products, Milko LLC's Zuv for dairy drinks, Makh Impex JSC's Nuudel for
  • 9. meat products, and Khuvsgul Ikh Taiga LLC‖s Ikh Taiga for ―Green Brand.‖ The full list awards are as follows: • Flour and Bread - Ta Chi (Talkh Chikher JSC) • Milk and Dairy Products - ―Zuv‖ cream drink (Milko LLC) • Meat and Meat Products - ―Nuudel‖ (Makh Impex JSC) • Green Brand - ―Ikh Taiga‖ (Khuvsgul Ikh Taiga LLC) • Best Packaging and Packed Brand - ―Khujirt‖ water (Gem Khujirt LLC) • Leather Products - Only One Collection (Zuvkhun Gants LLC) • Wool and Cashmere Products - ―Mongol Nekhmel‖ (Mongol Nekhmel LLC) • Trade and Service - ―Orgil‖ Trade Center (Circle LLC) • Mass Media - ―Family Radio‖ (FM 104.5) • Communications - G Mobile (G Mobile LLC) • New Brand - ―Sun Rice‖ (MJ Partners LLC) • Import Substitution Brand - ―Ariun‖ (Khugjil Trade LLC) • Best Service - ―Nomin‖ (Nomin Holding LLC) • Top Brand - Talkh Chikher JSC Source: Info Mongolia ALSTOM ACCEPTS GE OFFER BUT LEAVES ROOM FOR SIEMENS BID Alstom‘s board has accepted a EUR 12.35 billion all-cash offer from General Electric (GE) Co. for its energy arm, but the engineering group left the door open for a rival bid from Germany‘s Siemens AG in a sale process that could hinge on French politics. General Electric was the provider of turbines for Mongolia's first turbine while Siemens was contracted by Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi LLC to mine the East Tsankhi block of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine. Patrick Kron, Alstom chief executive, said: ―The combination of the very complementary energy businesses of Alstom and GE would create a more competitive entitity to better service customer needs.‖ But in a statement on Wednesday morning, Alstom said it would set up a committee of independent directors to review the binding offer by the end of May, giving the time demanded by the French government to assuage its concerns over jobs at the national champion. Alstom said the board had unanimously accepted the GE bid, but had also reviewed what it called a declaration of interest from Siemens. ―Siemens will have fair access to information needed to make, should it decide to do so, a binding offer,‖ it said, adding that would take into account ―the interest of all stakeholders‖ in considering a Siemens bid. Alstom said it would pay GE a break-up fee of 1.5 percent of the U.S. company‘s bid if it decided to back another offer. Source: Financial Times ECONOMY LONG-TERM RATING ON MONGOLIA LOWERED TO 'B+' Standard & Poor's Financial Services has lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on Mongolia to 'B+' from 'BB-' while affirming its 'B' short-term sovereign credit rating. ―We lowered the long-term rating on Mongolia to reflect the country's weakened external and debt profiles. Weak inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) and lower exports contributed to a sharp decline in the country's gross official foreign exchange reserves over the past year,‖ reads the Source. ―These trends weakened Mongolia's external balance sheet beyond what we had expected earlier, resulting in increased external risk over the next three years and highlighting Mongolia's exposure to shifts in FDI. Meanwhile, off-budget spending also raised government debt above levels we had expected previously. Although the Source found risk high due to its vulnerability in shifts to foreign investment, increases in exports and foreign investment are forecasted once foreign investors become more attracted by
  • 10. the country's ―business-friendly laws‖ and as improvements are made to cross-border transport. ―Mongolia's governance and policy effectiveness is weak, in our view. The government's more business-friendly investment law approved late October 2013 has been slow in attracting foreign investors, in our opinion, because of Mongolia's past record in policy shifts. However, we believe the government is likely to improve policymaking and implementation over the next three years, which will benefit investments and the economic ties with neighboring countries--Mongolia's key export destinations and sources of FDI. However, the absence of a majority party in parliament may constrain the extent of improvements.‖ Mongolia received a stable outlook because of faster improvements in the business environment and fiscal management against potential shocks in external demand and slower-than-expected FDI inflows. Source: Standard and Poor's Financial Services MONGOLIA DOWNGRADE WEIGHS ON CHINGGIS BOND Mongolia has been downgraded by Standard & Poor's, further dimming the allure of one of the more eye-catching bond market debutantes of the emerging markets debt boom. The U.S. rating agency cut Mongolia's credit rating by one notch to B+, deep in junk territory and just three notches above grades that are sometimes called "extremely speculative". In 2012 Mongolia issued its first Eurobond—dubbed a "Chinggis bond" by wags—raising a whopping USD 1.5 billion for 10 years at below Spain's borrowing costs at the time. The country has been rescued by the International Monetary Fund five times in the past two decades or so, but investors still placed USD 15 billion of orders—equal to 150 percent of its annual economic output. However, since then investors have become more discerning on emerging market bonds, and Mongolia in particular. The yield of the international bond maturing in 2022 has climbed from 5.62 percent last May to 7.55 percent today. Economic growth is strong and government debts relatively weak, but Mongolia's macroeconomic vulnerabilities—particularly its dependence on foreign finance—are significant, and government policy has been erratic. Still, one big international investor has kept faith with Mongolia. Franklin Templeton funds—mostly controlled by Michael Hasenstab—own over 14 percent of the Chinggis bond, according to the most recent filings. Source: Financial Times FITCH: WEAKENING MONGOLIAN MINING HIGHLIGHTS RISKS FOR BANKS The extension of a debt repayment by Mongolian Mining Corporation (MMC) highlights the pressures for the industry and the risks for local banks, said Fitch Ratings in a 30 April statement. ―Mongolian banks are susceptible to the liquidity and profitability pressure in the mining sector as this flows through to the broader economy,‖ reads the Source. ―Mining's weakness stems largely from depressed demand, as indicated by falling prices. This also has a negative impact on the Mongolian tugrug, which depreciated by 20% in 2013 and by another 6% so far this year.‖ Foreign-currency loans at around 30 percent exposes banks credit risk from a weaker local currency, said the Source. Although foreign-currency lending is largely made to hedged corporations, banks have built up credit risks from the ―exceptionally loose macro policy‖ used by Mongolia to fuel credit growth above the country's nominal gross domestic product (GDP). ―Buffers against the risk are not robust, as the brisk pace of credit expansion at capped rates under the government's loan programme pressures margins, liquidity and capital. Growth of non- performing loans is rapidly outstripping that of total loans, rising by 93% y-o-y in March 2014 against 54%. The headline figure for NPLs remained at 5.2% of total loans (4.2% a year before). But Fitch believes this underestimates asset-quality stress as it only captures 90-days-or-longer-overdue loans.‖ The Sourced said Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia LLC's USD 40 million short-term unsecured loan to MMC, representing 1.3 percent of the bank's total assets or 18 percent of equity, was ―manageable,‖ compared with 11 percent for Golomt Bank LLC, 4 percent for Khan Bank and 3 percent XacBank. Credit risk is somewhat mitigated by credit guarantees by the Development Bank
  • 11. of Mongolia, said the source. ―The mounting pressure on Mongolia's economic and financial stability underpins the Negative Outlook on our 'B+' sovereign rating.‖ Source: Fitch Ratings MONGOL BANK: FX AUCTIONS, SWAP AGREEMENTS, 1-WEEK BILLS, TREASURY BONDS The Bank of Mongolia on 30 April reported the auction of USD 11 million for a closing rate of MNT 1,795.02. On 1 May, the Bank of Mongolia received an equivalent of USD 103 million from swap agreements with commercial banks for a closing rate of MNT 1,795. The central bank reported on 30 April the issue of one-week bills worth MNT 284.7 billion at a weighted interest rate of 10.5 percent. The central bank also reported 30 April MNT 83 billion in bids for the auction of 12-week treasury bonds with a face value of MNT 30 billion. Each unit was worth MNT 1 million and sold at a discounted price with a weighted average yield of 9.27 percent. Source: Bank of Mongolia MONGOLIA REQUESTS EXTENSION FOR MNT-CNY SWAP AGREEMENTS Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag requested an extension to Mongolia's currency swap agreements with China while meeting with China's Finance Minister on 29 April. "Mongolia is willing to extend the validity period, but with an increased volume of national currencies to exchange. We believe the finance minister would pay more attention to resolve this issue on a timely basis.‖ Altankhuyag said the swap agreement both strengthened Sino-Mongolian relations while providing stability to the Mongolian economy. Separately, Jiwei thanked Mongolia for accepting Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal to jointly found the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Altankhuyag said Mongolia sees the bank as an opportunity promote Mongolia's belief that developing infrastructure is crucial to the economic growth of landlocked countries. Source: Info Mongolia MONGOL BANK OFFICIAL CALLS TUGRUG DEPRECIATION “SEASONAL PHENOMENON” A central bank official has predicted that the tugrug may begin to appreciate by the end of this year. ―In the first quarter of 2014 out trade balance improved,‖ said J. Bataa, director of the Financial Market Department of the Bank of Mongolia. ―Exports were up 22 percent in the first quarter compared with the same period last year.‖ While Bataa conceded that the tugrug was still depreciating against the tugrug, he dismissed it as a long-term affect despite the fact that the currency had been falling for over a year. ―I think it's a seasonal phenomenon only,‖ he said. ―Our economy activates beginning in spring. Therefore, imports increase starting from February and exports begin in May, which improves the exchange rate again. The second factor for the tugrug depreciation is the delayed payments for coal exports, but coal exporters are working on it. Now USD 200 million in payment for coal is pending.‖ To maintain stability in the tugrug, Bataa said the central bank was holding regular foreign exchange auctions for the short term and swap agreements for the long term. He said the auctions were keeping a check on currency fluctuations so that they never dipped more than 0.23 percent within a day. ―This is relatively good compared with other countries,‖ he said. He added that the bank was expecting between USD 200 million and USD 500 million within the next three months from the swap agreements. Improvements to the legal environment would also benefit the economy, including incentives for sales of gold to the central bank and for foreign banks to enter the market. ―Considering all these factors, I think the tugrug will strengthen against the dollar by the end of 2014.‖ Source: Udriin Sonin
  • 12. OT DISPUTE WEIGHS ON TUGRUG AS CAPITAL DRIES UP Negotiations between the Mongolian government and Rio Tinto Group over financing for the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine have dried up foreign capital and caused the tugrug to hit a new low, a fund manager said. ―Because of this impasse, international capital is staying away on the sidelines until this important issue is solved,‖ Michael Preiss, co-founder of Mongolia Asset Management, said in an e-mail. ―Everyone is waiting for OT resolution to act as a catalyst to come into the market to ensure that we have indeed seen the bottom and that the currency downtrend has reversed.‖ The tugrug fell 0.3 percent to 1,790 to the dollar yesterday and has weakened 26 percent from a year ago. The currency is now the worst performing in Asia over the past 12 months. The fall in currency coincides with weak foreign investment, which fell 28 percent in the first two months of this year after declining 54 percent last year. Foreign reserves stand at USD 2.4 billion as of January, down 40 percent from last year. A weakened tugrik increases the costs of most imports, including construction materials, electronics, clothing and food, and has helped push inflation to 12.4 percent. A central bank price stabilization program has managed to level prices for products including meat, flour and gasoline. The authority injected MNT 677 billion (USD 380.3 million) last year, according to Bank of Mongolia Chief Economist Bold Sandagdorj. The central bank will inject less this year, Bold said, declining to give an amount. Source: Bloomberg APRIL SALES MANAGERS' INDEX Tugrug worries in Mongolia are reflecting on-going inflationary pressures, the challenge of maintaining stable levels of staffing, and continued decline on monthly sales. The Headline Index is designed to reflect overall economic growth, with the April Headline Index value of 48.0 indicating that the economy continues to contract at an increasing rate. Sales Managers have said that key sectors in the economy such as mining are frequently forced to reduce output and staffing levels during the winter months and that this is continuing to have a negative impact on economic development. Business Confidence among Sales Managers remains low, falling to 47.1 in April from 48.7 in March. The Market Growth Index, which reflects the growth of the general marketplace in panelists‘ own industry sectors, registered 44.6 in April. This represents the fifth consecutive month of decline and the third month under 50. The Product Sales Index, which reflects the sales of individual companies rather than the wider economy, increased marginally to 37.3 in April from 37.0 in March, suggesting sales continue to fall at a rapid pace. Panelists have attributed this to the sharp depreciation of the tugrug against the U.S. dollar, which is pushing up prices of imported goods, especially from China and Russia. The Prices Charged Index has fallen for the fifth consecutive month, registering 59.8 in April. The Index shows rapidly increasing prices, which indicate that sales managers are still passing on large price increases to business and consumers albeit at a slightly slower rate. The Staffing Index, which reflects the number of staff taken on compared to the same period last year, fell to 51.1 in April from 52.3 in March, indicating that Sales Managers are still expanding their payrolls although at a slow pace. "Panelists have explained that extreme weather conditions have eased this month although worries about further devaluation of the Tugrik against the dollar continues to undermine Business Confidence,‖ said Panel Manager Ganaa Badgamgarav. ―However, Sales Managers hope to see major improvements for investment and economic development in the coming months as sales will start to pick up." Source: World Economics NUMBER OF MINE WORKERS GROWS The number of workers employed by mining companies grew 13 percent in March year-on-year, according to the National Statistical Office. The number of mine workers grew to 20,400 compared with the same period from the year before.
  • 13. Workers employed by metals miners represent 46 percent of the industry's workforce compared with 40.7 percent in coal mining, and 5.5 percent in petroleum extraction. The coal industry increased its workforce by 8 percent while the petroleum industry saw growth of 52 percent. Source: Zuunii Medee UB SUPPORTS LOCAL AGRICULTURE Ulaanbaatar will soon approve a city policy to assist small produce operations in bringing their goods to the Altan Bulag border point, said Deputy Governor T. Bat-Erdene. ―Produces from those enterprises were sold at Ereen market, now we look for other possibilities like using the border point in Altanbulag,‖ he said. ―We will continue a ―Weekend Market‖ initiative for selling produce on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 to 12:00. Locations shall be soon finalized.‖ Source: Zuunii Medee MINING DOWNTURN FORCES MONGOLIA TO DIVERSIFY Few in Mongolia sympathize with the mining industry amid dispute with the government. Despite the fact that mining is the largest contributor to the economy, at 20 percent last year, Mongolians are not always thrilled at being best known for the wealth under their feet—principally coal, copper as well as some gold and iron ore. ―It interferes with the nomadic lifestyle,‖ says Surenjav Odbayar, a mining analyst for local brokerage National Securities. ―The water resources are not so huge either, and they take away from the drinking resources from the herders.‖ Odbayar said Mongolia in March announced it was spending MNT 270 billion to finance light industry start-ups and to expand areas such as small manufacturing and textiles, as well as MNT 22 billion into construction. By comparison, mining investment from the government received MNT 18.3 billion. ―It says a lot about the government's thinking,‖ Odbayar remarked on the size of investments made by government. In charge of attracting investment into Mongolian industry is Demberel Irmuun, director of the division for promotion and consultancy services at the newly formed Invest Mongolia Agency. Irmuun says he has about six meetings a day with potential investors, such as an Italian group that recently visited that was interested in exploring options for the production of textiles in Mongolia. To encourage the development of various sectors of the economy, one strategy is to publish a series of investment guidebooks to instruct investors on where to invest and with what offices they must register. Although still in the early stages, Irmuun said one forthcoming book would cover Mongolia's budding green energy industry. That fits in with one of three scenarios for Mongolia developed by the World Economic Forum earlier this year in Davos, which envisages the country carving out a role for itself in China's move toward developing a greener economy. However, Mongolia has far to go in what the WEF terms "charting a course for the country from mineral wealth to long-term sustainable and diversified growth." ―When the politicians go abroad, they say mining is still a major component of the economy, but when they're campaigning to the voters they talk all about diversifying the economy,‖ says Odbayar. ―This kind of behavior leads one to the conclusion that Mongolia is still not giving up on the mining sector." Source: BNE SCIENTISTS SEE STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN AIR POLLUTION AND MISCARRIAGE IN UB Burning coal for domestic heating may contribute to early fetal death according to a new study by experts from The Saban Research Institute of Children‘s Hospital Los Angeles and Ulaanbaatar. In a paper published in April in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, researchers report ―alarmingly strong statistical correlations‖ between seasonal ambient air pollutants and pregnancy loss in Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar has one of the highest levels of air pollution of all world capitals, with sulfide dioxide and particulate matter levels during winter months, which are up to 23 times World Health Organization standards. Air pollution in winter is largely caused by coal burning in ger
  • 14. stoves. The scientists examined the association between spontaneous abortion (miscarriages) and seasonal variation of air pollutants. ―We found that the incidence of miscarriage revealed a striking seasonal pattern of variation,‖ said David Warburton, who led the team of scientists from the Saban Research Institute. While the overall rate of miscarriages (occurring in approximately 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies) reported in Ulaanbaatar is similar to that of Western countries, including the United States, the study showed that spontaneous abortion incidence per calendar month increased from 23 per 1,000 live births in May to 73 per 1,000 live births in December 2011. Monthly average ambient levels of air pollutants showed increases in relation to the duration of hours of darkness, as well as the coldest temperatures—when Ger heating stoves are used most. ―We and our colleagues in government and academia in Mongolia are expending concerted efforts to improve stove efficiency and to educate the public about correct and more efficient lighting and heating methods,‖ Warburton said, adding that a similar, strong correlation between air pollutants and miscarriages may also occur elsewhere in the world where similar levels of air pollution exist. ―The disturbingly strong correlation between air pollution indices and fetal death that we found suggests that much more needs to be done to further ameliorate the toxic effects of air pollution on the human unborn,‖ Warburton concluded. Source: Red Orbit USAID PARTNERS WITH WORLD VISION FOR DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT IN WEST USAID will partner with World Vision Mongolia to reduce the impact of natural disasters on people in Western Mongolia. The target areas for this project are Bayan Ulgii, Khovd, and Uvs—the three western-most provinces in Mongolia. Funding of USD 275,000 will go towards initiatives that target these areas for their heightened risk of disaster due to their isolation, the absence of infrastructure, and their distance from major urban areas. The centers of each of these provinces are more than 1,400 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar. There are no railways and most roads consist of dirt tracks across the desert or steppe. The nation regularly experiences various types of disasters, including dzud, flooding, earthquake, fire, and wind-, snow-, and dust storms. The Western Mongolia Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) project has been developed to support the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), provincial emergency management staff and communities to more effectively assess risks and to develop appropriate preparation and response plans. The project will also help to strengthen government DRR policies and resources to support remote provinces and to prepare people for key disasters. World Vision will also work with the Ministry of Education and Science on the development of educational materials on disaster preparedness and to develop a standard DRR curriculum for households and schools. Source: U.S. Embassy MONGOLIA'S GREEN POWER PIONEERS KEEP ASIAN SUPER GRID DREAM ALIVE The most ambitious proposal in Mongolia‘s green-development initiative is to have Mongolia play a crucial role in the Asian Super Grid—a grand vision endorsed by the Japan Renewable Energy Foundation, an organization created by SoftBank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi Son soon after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. The aim is to move Northeast Asia away from its dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear reactors. Local conglomerate Newcom brought Salkhit, Mongolia's first 50 megawatt wind farm, online in June 2013. The company Cleantech is going to start building a USD 200 million, 102 megawatt wind farm a few miles away from the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, aiming to get it up and running in the first quarter of 2015. This project is backed by Happy Wind, a Swedish investment company. Further north, Germany's Ferrostaal is building a USD 120 million wind facility in Sainshand, near Tavan Tolgoi. And Aydiner of Turkey is planning a USD 94 million wind farm in the city of Choir next year, according to Erdenebaatar Altai, an engineer with the company. Mongolia's first solar farm, a 30 megawatt, USD 76 million project in Sainshand, has just been
  • 15. approved. South Korean energy group Daesung Industrial is carrying out a couple of solar pilot projects in the country. And SoftBank has set up a joint venture with Newcom to develop solar and wind plants there, independent of the Asian Super Grid idea. But investors say they worry about the government's ability to pay wind and solar farms for their power. At the heart of the Super Grid initiative is Gobitec, a large-scale clean energy development in the Gobi Desert. It would have 100,000 megawatts of wind and solar capacity destined for export. Organizations from Europe and Asia that have conducted feasibility studies estimate Gobitec's total cost will approach USD 300 billion. "The financing associated with the magnitude of the capital costs Gobitec would likely accrue may prove too much for private investors," Cooper and Sovacool wrote, adding that "it is unclear whether governments will be willing to underwrite these costs." Source: Nikkei Asian Review COMMODITIES BACK IN FAVOR AS A PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFIER After several tough years, investors are once again starting to warm to commodities. That‘s the view one of the sector‘s most successful hedge fund managers. According to Pierre Andurand ―smart investors‖ are growing concerned about their exposure to equities follow last year‘s run-up prices. and are looking to place contrarian bets in other assets classes such as commodities. ―We feel sentiment is turning. Pension funds are coming to us and saying they want to invest in commodities while others aren‘t looking,‖ said Andurand, whose eponymous hedge fund returned almost 25 percent last year. Commodity funds were shunned by investors last years as Wall Street analysts, big picture strategists and powerful consultants turned cold on oil, metals and grains amid lackluster demand for raw materials. But after a record USD 50 billion of net redemptions in 2013, total inflows into passive commodity index funds and commodity-linked exchange traded funds this year have so far totaled almost USD 6 billion, according to research by Citigroup. This follows a strong start to the year on commodity markets, which has seen the Dow Jones UBS commodity index, for example, rise 9.4 percent, compared with the S&P 500 which is up just 1.8 percent. Analysts at Citi reckon investors are starting to take commodities seriously as a portfolio diversification tool because for the first time in many years raw materials are not moving in lock- step with either equities or the U.S. dollar. But while sentiment towards commodities is starting to thaw, there are still reasons for caution such as softening demand from China and other leading commodity-importers, which has hurt the performance of industrial commodities. A lack of clear trends and volatility means it is also difficult for funds to deliver strong returns. As a result, traders are seeking new ways to make money and have to work a lot harder to generate returns. It takes a little more analysis and investors have to be more creative about trades than when prices were just moving higher. Source: Financial Times CHINA PLANS CRACKDOWN ON IRON ORE IMPORT LOANS China plans to get tougher on loans for imports of iron ore, Mongolia's fourth largest mineral import in March, as concerns grow that steel mills are using import loans to stay afloat in defiance of policies to reduce overcapacity in heavily polluting and loss making industries. The China Banking Regulatory Commission warned banks to tighten controls over letters of credit for iron ore imports in a document that caused iron ore futures in China to drop 5 percent on Monday. Rumors of the stricter measures, which are expected after the 1 May holiday, have been circulating in China for at least two months, after a hasty stock sale caused ore prices to tumble in late February. Steel mills and traders have used iron ore imports to raise money as other sources of credit dry up, in yet another channel for off-book or ―shadow‖ financing. Part of the attraction of the practice is that mills benefit from lower international interest rates compared to those in China. Chinese firms have developed a number of creative channels for raising money thanks to years of
  • 16. capital controls meant to starve the real estate sector of speculative funds. But the bulk and difficulty of transporting iron ore makes it a cumbersome material for raising money, limiting its flexibility as a financing tool compared with copper or gold. Regulators are worried that the collapse of a heavily indebted mill could endanger a chain of local bank branches and even local governments, since steel mills are often the largest employers, taxpayers and debtors in their area. Data from the first quarter of the year show that China is on track to produce 822 million tons of steel this year, a rise of 5.5 percent from last year‘s output, despite the rising debt levels, increased financing costs and the prospect of more environmental regulation. More capacity is still being built, lamented CISA vice-chairman Zhang Changfu, further squeezing margins in the industry. ―With the industry in such a state, how can new capacity still be built?‖ Zhang mused at CISA‘s quarterly press conference. Source: Financial Times CHINA POISED TO PASS US AS WORLD‟S LEADING ECONOMIC POWER The United States is on the brink of losing its status as the world‘s largest economy, and is likely to slip behind China this year, sooner than widely anticipated, according to the world‘s leading statistical agencies. The United States has been the global leader since overtaking Britain in 1872. Most economists previously thought China would pull ahead in 2019. The figures, compiled by the International Comparison Program hosted by the World Bank, are the most authoritative estimates of what money can buy in different countries and are used by most public and private sector organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund. This is the first time they have been updated since 2005. After extensive research on the prices of goods and services, the ICP concluded that money goes further in poorer countries than it previously thought, prompting it to increase the relative size of emerging market economies. With the IMF expecting China‘s economy to have grown 24 percent between 2011 and 2014 while the United States is expected to expand only 7.6 percent, China is likely to overtake the United States this year. The findings will intensify arguments about control over global international organizations such as the World Bank and IMF, which are increasingly out of line with the balance of global economic power. When looking at the actual consumption per head, the report found the new methodology as well as faster growth in poor countries have ―greatly reduced‖ the gap between rich and poor, ―suggesting that the world has become more equal.‖ Source: Financial Times POLITICS MONGOLIA PREMIER UNVEILS 100-DAY PUSH TO REVIVE ECONOMY Mongolia‘s Prime Minister unveiled a stimulus bill, dubbed a ―100-day action plan,‖ that will seek to revive the mineral rich nation‘s flagging economy. Prime Minister Altankhuyag Norov‘s 50-point agenda promises to boost infrastructure, mining, manufacturing and the development of small and medium-sized businesses. The bill still needs the approval of parliament and is part of a renewed drive to improve the economy after two years of slowing growth. ―Within these 100 days we believe we should reduce bureaucracy, increase mining, approve the re- issue of exploration licenses‖ and resolve a dispute over 106 canceled mining licenses, Altankhuyag told foreign press and diplomats from nations including the United States., China and Russia, at a briefing in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, today. Mongolia is seeking to energize an economy that saw growth decline from a world-beating 17.5 percent in 2011 to 11.7 percent last year. The Mongolian tugrik fell to a record low of 1,796 to the dollar on 29 April and has lost 25 percent of its value over the past 12 months. Altankhuyag‘s plan broadly seeks to promote foreign investment and reduce Mongolia‘s reliance on
  • 17. imports. Infrastructure spending proposed includes building a road to connect the landlocked nation‘s two neighbors, Russia and China; constructing thermal power stations; and developing two free economic zones. It also calls for improved debt management, tax incentives for foreign banks, and raising the amount of Mongolia‘s currency swap agreement with China. Mongolia will also offer concession projects worth USD 1 billion ―not only in mining but also in the tourism sector,‖ Altankhuyag said. ―It‘s important to focus on local businesses as well as mining and the fact that they are trying to do multiple things simultaneously is a good thing,‖ said U.S. ambassador Piper Anne Wind Campbell, who attending the briefing. ―I do think you have to move forward on all these as opposed to looking for one silver bullet.‖ Altankhuyag, 56, faces public pressure to improve the economy after citizens, numbering many hundreds according to an eyewitness account, rallied at least twice on Ulaanbaatar‘s Chinggis Khaan Square earlier this month to protest against an inflation rate that‘s running at 12.4 percent. Source: Bloomberg MONGOLIA TO REVISE MINERAL LAW TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT Mongolian Mining Minister Davaajav Gankhuyag Wednesday submitted a draft amendment to the Minerals Law to Parliament Speaker Zandaakhuu Enkhbold, as the country is trying to improve its investment environment. Despite the adoption of new laws and regulations to make the investment environment favorable, no new international and domestic investment is coming to the exploration sector which is the driving engine of the mineral sector, said the minister, quoted by a press release of the Mongolian parliament. The draft amendment calls for setting up a database about funds raised from international stock markets, improving agreements between holders of mining licenses and the local government, feasibility studies, and making clear the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and mining license holders. The draft amendment also bans transference of exploration licenses wholly or partially within three years since the issuance of the license. Source: Shanghai Daily PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES ECONOMIC STIMULUS INITIATIVE Parliament has received a new proposal for economic stimulus in the country. The proposal was submitted to Parliament on 18 April with the disclaimer that the issue was an urgent one for immediate discussion. Parliamentarians, however, were in no rush. They said the proposed stimulus required explanations that would need to run until the next session this week. Separately, Parliament made inquiries on spending of the Samurai bond to Finance Minister Chultem Ulaan and parliamentarians D. Oyunkhorol and J. Erdenebat. Source: Montsame MONGOLIA WILL PROPOSE GAMBLING ON HORSE RACING TO TAP CHINA Mongolia‘s government will propose laws to set up a professional horse-racing league and legalize betting to compete for the Chinese gambling market. ―Our priority is to make the legal environment for a jockey club operation so that we can have a market share‖ of the Asian jockey business, Oyungerel said, adding that she hopes to submit the draft in parliament within three months. ―Our law is heavily based on Hong Kong Jockey Club rules.‖ Legalized gambling would help diversify Mongolia‘s resource-reliant economy as prices for commodities such as copper and coal languish at multiyear lows. The Mongolian tugrik touched a record low of 1,796.5 to the dollar before closing at 1,789, while economic growth fell for the second straight year, to 11.7 percent in 2013. Wagering on horses might give Mongolia access to a piece of the Chinese gambling market that‘s made Macau the world‘s biggest gambling hub. Revenue in Macau, the only place in China with legalized casino gambling, will double by 2018, according to Aaron Fischer, an analyst with Hong Kong-based brokerage CLSA.
  • 18. A law to allow betting would mark the first time Mongolia allowed gambling since a Macau-operated casino closed in 1999 and three lawmakers were convicted of helping rig the tender to build it in exchange for gifts including cash and vehicles. ―Mongolia is developing,‖ said Jan Wigsten, founder of Nomadic Journeys, an Ulaanbaatar-based tour company. ―It is normalizing in the global sense and the institutions are becoming stronger, which is necessary with gambling.‖ The government is seeking to build a horse-racing track near the site where the country is building a new airport, 54 kilometers (33.6 miles) south of the capital Ulaanbaatar. Oyungerel said more than 50 horse trainers from Mongolia will visit Hong Kong to study the business. The minister said one law to legalize online gambling and lotteries and a second law to allow horse betting and jockey clubs are in draft form. After the first two drafts are submitted to parliament, the government will decide if more legislation is needed, including a bill to allow casinos, said Oyungerel. Source: Bloomberg DP BOOTS BURMAA FOR DISSENTING VOTE The Democratic Party's (DP) Control Committee has moved to oust Parliament member R. Burmaa due to a vote against the party's position on legislation that would prohibit members of Parliament from serving on certain ministerial positions. DP party members Kh. Battulga, J. Batzandan, M. Zorigt and R. Burmaa voted in favor of having the so-called Double Deel law take effect 1 July this year rather than the original proposal for 2016. Their votes were in violation to the party's guidelines, which states that any member who votes against Ulaanbaatar's mayor or the government would be removed from the party. Burmaa, whose removal is pending further approvals expected this week, was seventh on the DP's party for the 2012 elections. If Burmaa's membership is terminated, Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia LLC Chief Executive Officer B. Medree would be next on the list to take a seat in Parliament. The decisions will have to receive approval from the party's National Advisory Committee this week. Source: Udriin Sonin MP SAYS HE LEFT JUSTICE COALITION DUE TO „DOUBLE DEEL‟ LAW Former Mongolian National Democratic Party seatholder D. Battsogt has cited disputes over the so- called Double Deel bill for his decision to leave his party and the Justice Coalition that cooperates in the Democratic Party‘s coalition government. Battsogt said there was a rift among members of the government concerning the Double Deel bill that is currently being debated by Parliament. Battsogt, who said he now plans to continue his term as an independent, said that members of the Justice Coalition were receiving pressures from the prime minister to extend their recess while debate was continuing on the bill. If passed, the law would force certain minister to resign as the law prohibits seat holders in parliament from serving in most ministerial positions. ―There were disagreements in the coalition while discussing the Double Deel bill,‖ said Battsogt. ―There‘s no need to give repeated breaks, force the society into confusion and halt Parliament with a law that‘s already become clear.‖ He said the Justice Coalition at the start of the spring session of Parliament had consensus with the Democratic Party on the law. Civil servants, however, were in opposition. Although most minister have not spoken out publically against the law, he said, many were working against the law to keep their jobs. Source: UB Post MINING MINISTRY TO OVERSEE DEVELOPMENT OF ASGAT SILVER MINE The Ministry of Mining at the Cabinet Secretariat meeting last week received orders to take the lead on the development of the Asgat silver mine joint venture Mongolia has with Russia in order to bring greater income to the Mongolian economy.
  • 19. The Cabinet ordered Mining Minister Davaajav Gankhuyag to oversee the pre-feasibility studies for the mine and provide evaluations as well as professional and technical support and oversee contract drafting. The Cabinet made the orders after deciding that the mine could make significant contributions to the economy if put into operation again. The State Property Committee instructed the mine‘s operator Mongolrostsvetmet Ltd. to review all previous studies made at the mine for assessment. However, the Asgat mining unit currently does not have enough cash reserves to restart operations, according to a letter from Mongolrostsetmet that was addressed to the Ministry of Mining [the Source provides no date –ed]. The letter explained that the mine halted mining of crystals in the second quarter of 2013 because buyers in Russia had discontinued their purchases. Costs were also racking up because of hikes to China‘s transportation costs and taxes. Meanwhile the mine‘s gold reserves have depleted and other deposits lie on state- protected land. In 2007, Parliament included Asgat silver mine on its list of strategically significant mines. The Mineral Resources Law entitles the state to up to 50 percent of any mine where exploration was in some part funded by the state. Source: UB Post SAUDI ARABIA TO OPEN MONGOLIAN EMBASSY The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will open a Mongolian embassy in Ulaanbaatar, said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz on 22 April. Mongolia held its first meeting between foreign ministers last week where parties discussed several issues concerning regional and bilateral affairs. Discussion centered on enhancing business ties and mutual investments. Specific items discussed included an intergovernmental working commission, construction of a meat processing plant in Mongolia, export of Mongolian meat to Saudi Arabia, and the import oil products from Saudi Arabia. Faisal said Saudi Arabia planned to open an embassy in Ulaanbaatar in the near future, seven years after first establishing diplomatic relations. Relations have reportedly remained weak up until now because no high-level visits had yet occurred between the two nations. Source: Info Mongolia VIETNAM, MONGOLIA BOOST MUTUAL TRUST, COOPERATION Vietnam and Mongolia have agreed to boost the exchange of high-ranking delegations to enhance political trust between the two countries, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. Both countries reached the agreement during a three-day political consultation between Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son and his Mongolian counterpart Damba Gankhuyag that ended here on Tuesday. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the development of ties in the recent past especially since Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj's visit to Vietnam last year. Both sides are also keen to create favorable conditions for businesses to seek investment opportunities to implement agreements signed between them. The two countries will also boost bilateral collaboration in education, tourism, health and oil and gas exploitation, and cooperation between the two foreign ministries. While in Vietnam, the Mongolian diplomat paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Vietnam and Mongolia will mark their 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties later this year in November. Source: Bernama CORRUPTION AUTHORITIES OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO FORMER MON ATOM DIRECTOR The Independent Agency Against Corruption has opened an investigation into the director of Mon- Atom for his selection of a company for a contract that has cost the company nearly USD 2 million, according to an unnamed source from the Prosecutor's Office.. Director J. Batsaikhan is under investigation for his selection of Mon Zim LLC, which was selected to lead exploration research for uranium reserves for USD 1.9 million. The company allegedly received the contract without any bidding proceedings and without approval from the State Property
  • 20. Committee. Members of Mon Atom allegedly never received any information on the company, despite the fact that the company received a transfer from Mon Atom of USD 981,000 to its bank account. Mon Zim's alleged MNT 900 million in payment is 4.5 times that of the MNT 200 million other companies have received for similar research. Last week the board terminated Batsaikhan's position as Mon Zim's director. Source: Unuudur MOSCOW TAKES UKRAINE, BEIJING TAKES MONGOLIA? The events in Ukraine are being closely followed by nations around the world, but one nation that may be watching the events in Ukraine more closely than others is China. China has several active border disputes with its neighbors, and Beijing‘s reaction to the Ukraine crisis so far has been muted. Beijing abstained from calling an emergency vote just prior to the referendum over Crimea, falling back on its policy of non-interference and choosing not to antagonize its only ally on the Council. To go about the annexation of one possible target, Mongolia, President Xi Jinping would likely begin by sending welcoming signals to Ulaanbaatar that should Mongolia chose to hold a referendum on rejoining China, he would support the outcome. Prior to the referendum, Chinese troops would amass near the border of Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, awaiting further orders in case the Chinese population needs to be protected. International condemnation would surely follow, although given Beijing‘s greater economic power, and Russia‘s current status as one of the most hated nations, the penalties would likely be less harsh. Beijing would draw the wrath of Moscow, but Moscow would face territorial battles on two fronts simultaneously. Of course, the above scenario is fanciful, given the ethnic makeup of most Mongolians and their fierce nationalism in opposition to the rule of Beijing. Further, the Mongolians have a strong sense of nationhood and have fiercely opposed recent land grabs by Chinese companies. Yet Putin‘s strategy of annexation might make more sense in areas where a Chinese-speaking minority find themselves under oppressive foreign rule. Other than Mongolia, China currently claims territory administered by Russia, India, Japan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Myanmar and Bhutan, as well as numerous islands in the East and South China Seas claimed by Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei. Beijing may never condemn the actions of its sole ally on the U.N. Security Council, but will need to give the international community reassurances that Putin‘s action over the Crimea will not now be regarded as fair play and copied by Beijing in order to assert any one of its disputed territorial claims in the region. Author Gary Sands ran his own private equity financial advisory in Shanghai from 2006 to 2012, and contributed a number of op-eds for the South China Morning Post, U.S. News and World Report, Washington Times, International Policy Digest, Eurasia Review, Indo-Pacific Review, Global Times, Caijing and Shanghai Star Business Journal. Source: Foreign Policy Blogs ANNOUNCEMENTS GTR‟S 3RD ANNUAL MONGOLIA TRADE & COMMODITY FINANCE CONFERENCE, BLUE SKY HOTEL, 13 MAY The Business Council of Mongolia is offering members a limited number of free corporate passes available (reserved for exporters, traders, manufacturers and producers of physical goods) and a 10 percent discount to GTR's 3rd Annual Mongolia Trade & Commodity Finance Conference 13 May at the Blue Sky Hotel With its focus on Mongolia‘s mining, minerals and vast commodity-led growth, this will be the key trade gathering for the country‘s senior business leaders, providing timely insight on the challenges facing the local banking and private sectors, as well as offering perspectives from the industry‘s key supporting actors.
  • 21. BCM is an institutional partner for the event, and so is offering members a 10 percent discount when they enter the code BCM10. Contact Grant Naughton at gnaughton@exportagroup.com for more information. ___________________________________________ “MM TODAY” ON MNB-TV, FRIDAY, 19:00 TO 19:10 BCM is pleased to announce that Mongolian National Broadcasting continues its cooperation with BCM on ―MM Today‖. This English news program is aired every Friday for 10 minutes and is scheduled from 19:00 to 19:10 tonight. Tune in to watch this program that reports stories from today‘s BCM NewsWire. BCM WORKING GROUP MEETINGS The BCM`s Legislative Working Group met on Monday April 28, with 22 members attending at Open Society Forum. The WG was again expanded to include BCM members from mining companies and embassies. Co-chairs James Liotta, Mahoney Liotta, and Bayar B, ELC LLC, moderated the session. Meeting discussion was on the following topic: - Draft Minerals Law Amendments. If you have any comments on the Draft Minerals Law Amendments please send to the contact below. We are happy to share latest version of the draft Minerals Law English and Mongolian with interested BCM members. The BCM Tax Working Group met on Tuesday, April 29, with 22 members attending. Co-chair Khulan P. from OT moderated the session. New members: Tuvshinbayar Badam, Peter Burnie -Terra Energy, Tsetsegsaihan -Golomt Bank, Guest: Peter Burnie, Akmal Rustamov from PwC. Meeting agenda was: - ―Tax audit process and common tax breaches in taxpayers‘ activities‖ by – Tsendmaa Choijamts Executive Director at PwC. The following part was full of Q&A. Members exchanged they practice and information on Tax Audit process. Please contact: T.Erdenetsetseg (Working Group Coordinator) at: E-mail: erka@bcmongolia.org BCM IN THE UNIVERSITY CLASSROOM NEWS Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) has been progressing with its BCM in the University Classroom series since March 2012. Led by BCM‘s Education Working Group, the program provides lectures at universities to help inspire students and give them direction for their future careers. The series has grown to include an average of 10 lectures per academic year.Now 1479 students and teachers have participated to BCM in the University Classroom Project. Most recently Mr Hangal from Mongolian Talent Network gave a presentation entitled ―How to find your job‖ to an audience of 65 students of Economy and Business Management graduating students at the Mongolian University of the Humanities on 25th of April 2014. Next BCM in the University Classroom series will be held on 2nd of May at the Language and Culture school of Mongolian University of the Humanities. Mongolian Talent Network team invited to speak. If you like to share your experience on some specific topic, you can discuss with us for the next school term. Pleasecontact:erka@bcmongolia.org
  • 22. BCM WEBSITES MONGOLIAN WEBSITE „PRESENTATIONS‟ AND „NEWS‟ SECTIONS The ‗Presentations‘ section on BCM‘s Mongolian website can be reached via bcm.mn/itgeluud. As a key component of BCM‘s Mongolian website, articles from the ‗News‘ section and the government website Open-Government.mn are regularly updated. • ―Anti-Corruption legislation and State Policy‖ (Mongolian) by D. Munkhjargal, Prevention and Public Awareness Department, Senior Commissioner, Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) Mongolia at the ―ANTI-CORRUPTION LEGISLATION/POLICY, INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE ON TRANSPARENCY‖ Training seminar, Mar 06, 2014 The presentation below was made at Mongolian National University as part of the ―BCM in the University Classroom series‖ on February 27, 2014: • Ser-Od Inchinkhorloo, Vice Director, BCM, ―Investment environment: Past, Present, Future‖ (Mongolian) The presentation below is from the February 24 BCM monthly meeting: • О. Зоригт, Гүйцэтгэх захирал, Майн Инфо "Майн Инфо ХХК-ний товч танилцуулга", МБЗ-ийн 2 сарын 24-ний сарын хурал Dr. Khashchuluun, Executive Director, National Council of Private Sector Support, ―Taxation Impact Research‖ to BCM Tax Working Group, February 19, 2014 • ТАТВАРЫН БАГЦ ХУУЛИЙН ӨӨРЧЛӨЛТ: ХУВИЙН ХЭВШИЛД, Ч. Хашчулуун, Хувийн хэвшлийг дэмжих үндэсний зөвлөлийн гүйцэтгэх захирал 2014.02.19 20 Presentations from Coal Mongolia, 20-21 February, 2014: • Уул уурхайн сайд Д. Ганхуяг, Төрөөс Эрдэс Баялгийн Салбарт Баримтлах Бодлого, Нүүрсний Салбарыг Хөгжүүлэх Стратегийн Чиг Хандлага, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Сангийн сайд Ч.Улаан, МОНГОЛ УЛСЫН САНГИЙН ЯАМ, Улсын төсөвт нүүрсний салбарын үзүүлэх нөлөө, татварын орчин шинэчлэл, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Монгол орны нүүрсний салбар дахь байгаль орчны асуудал, Байгаль орчин, ногоон хөгжлийн яам, ХБОБНГ-ын дарга Д.Энхбат Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • НҮҮРСНИЙ АЖ ҮЙЛДВЭРЛЭЛИЙГ ХӨГЖҮҮЛЭХ ТЭЭВЭР ЛОЖИСТИКИЙН АСУУДЛУУД: Л.ПҮРЭВБААТАР ТӨМӨР ЗАМЫН ИНЖЕНЕРҮҮДИЙН ХОЛБООНЫ ЕРӨНХИЙЛӨГЧ, ―УУЛ УУРХАЙН БҮТЭЭГДЭХҮҮНИЙ ТЭЭВЭРЛЭЛТ‖ Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • МОНГОЛ УЛСЫН НҮҮРСНИЙ САЛБАР ДАХЬ ХӨРӨНГӨ ОРУУЛАЛТ, ХУДАЛДААНЫ ТААТАЙ ОРЧИН БҮРДҮҮЛЭХ НЬ,ЭДИЙН ЗАСГИЙН ХӨГЖЛИЙН ДЭД САЙД О.ЧУЛУУНБАТ Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Уул уурхайн дэд сайд О. Эрдэнэбулган, Олон улсын нүүрсний зах зээл дэх Монгол улсын өрсөлдөх чадварыг нэмэгдүүлэхэд төрийн оролцоо Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Ж. Батцэнгэл, Монголын Уул Уурхайн Корпорацийн дарга, МОНГОЛЫН НҮҮРСНИЙ САЛБАРЫН ӨНӨӨГИЙН НӨХЦӨЛ БАЙДАЛ, Тулгарч буй бэрхшээл ба шийдэх боломж Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Аршад Саеид, Пийбоди Энержи компанийн Монгол ба Энэтхэг улсыг хариуцсан Ерөнхийлөгч, Дэлхийн нүүрсний зах зээл, Монгол улсад үзүүлэх нөлөөлөл, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20- 21. • МОЗА гүйцэтгэх захирал Ч. Хашчулуун, Занарын дэлхийн хувьсгал ба Монголын эдийн засагт үр нөлөө, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Багануур Энержи Корпорэйшн ХХК, Нүүрс хийжүүлэх, шингэрүүлэх цогцолбор парк төслийн товч танилцуулга, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • АДУУНЧУЛУУНЫ ЦАХИЛГААН СТАНЦ, БЕНЗИНИЙ ҮЙЛДВЭРИЙН ТӨСӨЛ, Ж.Золжаргал –
  • 23. Төслийн удирдагч, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Ц.Ганцог, Жени Ойл Шэйл Монголиа ХХК Гүйцэтгэх захирал, ШАТДАГ ЗАНАРЫГ АШИГЛАХ БОЛОМЖ, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Фэн Вэй эрчим хүчний зөвлөгөө өгөх компани, 2014 оны хятадын нүүрсний зах зээлийн шинжилгээ болон үнийн таамаглал, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Я. Батсуурь, Эрдэнэс Таван Толгой ХК, Танилцуулга, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Хишиг Арвин Индустриал ХХК, ҮНДЭСНИЙ КОМПАНИУДЫН ТӨЛӨВШИЛ, ӨРСӨЛДӨХ ЧАДВАР, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Виртген Групп, МОНГОЛЫН НҮҮРСНИЙ ЗАХ ЗЭЭЛ ДЭХ WIRTGEN БРЭНДИЙН SURFACE MINER БУЮУ АНГИЛАН ОЛБОРЛОГЧИЙН ТЕХНОЛОГИ БОЛОН АШИГЛАХ БОЛОМЖУУД, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • ―Тавантолгой‖ ХК-ийн Гүйцэтгэх захирал Р.Сэддорж, Дэвшилтэт технологи ба инновацийг нутагшуулах нь, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • ―УУЛ УУРХАЙН ДЭД БҮТЦИЙН ХӨРӨНГӨ ОРУУЛАЛТЫГ ДЭМЖИХ ТӨСӨЛ‖ Төслийн Зохицуулагч Б.Энхбаатар,Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • ДЭД САЙД Д.ДОРЖПҮРЭВ, Эрчим Хүчний Яам, 2014 ОНД ЭРЧИМ ХҮЧНИЙ САЛБАРЫН ХИЙГДЭХЭЭР ТӨЛӨВЛӨСӨН АЖЛУУД БОЛОН ТӨРӨӨС БАРИМТАЛЖ БУЙ БОДЛОГО, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. • Ай Эм Си Монтан Компани, Нүүрс баяжуулах талаар, Коал Монголиа 2014, 2 сарын 20-21. The below presentation is from the January 27 BCM monthly meeting: • ОЙ ХАМГААЛАЛД СУУРИЛСАН БИЗНЕС, Цэсэдийн БАНЗРАГЧ /Ph.D/, БОНЯ- ны ОЙ ХАМГААЛАЛ, ОЙЖУУЛАЛТЫГ ЗОХИЦУУЛАХ ХЭЛТЭСИЙН ДАРГА, МБЗ-ийн 1 сарын 27-ны гишүүдийн сарын хурал дээр ___________________________________________ ENGLISH WEBSITE: 'PRESENTATIONS', 'MONGOLIA REPORTS', „INTERVIEWS„, MONGOLIAN BUSINESS NEWS‟, „PHOTO GALLERY‟ • A. Bayarmaa, Head of BCM Environmental Working Group/Senior Carbon Finance Specialist, Clean Energy LLC, ―BCM‘s Green Office Initiative: Starting from waste management and recycling‖ at the BCM monthly meeting April 28, 2014 • L. Sumati, Director, Sant Maral Foundation, ―Socio-Political situation in Spring 2014‖ at the BCM monthly meeting April 28, 2014 • ―Public-Private Partnership in Mongolia: Now and Future Prospects‖, E. Enerelt, Investment Officer, ADB and Ts. Batbayar, Director of Concession Division, Ministry of Economic Development at BCM monthly meeting, March 24, 2014; • ―Areva in Mongolia: 15 years of presence – New perspectives in uranium mining‖, Thierry Plaisant, General Director, Areva Mongol at BCM monthly meeting, March 24, 2014; • ―Impact of Corruption in Mongolia‖ by L. Sumati, Director of Sant Maral Foundation at the ―ANTI- CORRUPTION LEGISLATION/POLICY, INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE ON TRANSPARENCY‖ Training seminar, Mar 06, 2014; • ―Anglo American Business Integrity policy and its application within the Business Globally‖ , Dr. Graeme Hancock, President and Chief Representative Mongolia of Anglo American at the ―ANTI- CORRUPTION LEGISLATION/POLICY, INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE ON TRANSPARENCY‖ Training seminar, Mar 06, 2014; • Change of the package of taxation laws: private sector, Dr. Ch. Khashchuluun, Executive Director, National Council for Private Sector Support, at the BCM`s Tax working group's meeting Feb 19, 2014; • Economic and Capital Markets Update, Nick Cousyn, Chief Operating Officer, BDSec at the BCM Monthly Meeting, Feb 24, 2014 • "The year 2014 starts with new IPO on the Mongolian Stock Exchange", Richard Kobayashi, CEO, Standard Investment LLC at BCM monthly meeting, January 27, 2014 • "IMA Consultancy Services for Investors and Account Manager's Role", D. Irmuun, Director of
  • 24. Division for Promotion and Consultancy Services, Invest Mongolia Agency at BCM monthly meeting, January 27, 2014 15 Presentations at Coal Mongolia, February 20-21: • Impact of Coal Sector on Government's Budget and the Taxation Regime , Ch. Ulaan, Minister of Finance, MINISTRY OF FINANCE OF MONGOLIA • Environmental issues in Mongolian coal mining sector, D.Enkhbat Ministry of Environment and Green Development, Head of Environment and Natural Resources Department • COAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS ISSUES: PRESENTATION TOPIC: TRANSPORTATION OF THE MINING PRODUCT" Purevbaatar Luvsandagva, Head, Association of Railway Engineering of Mongolia • INVESTMENT INTO MONGOLIAN COAL MINING SECTOR AND CREATING AN ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE, VICE MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, O. Chuluunbat, Vice Minister, Ministry of Economic Development • Government Involvement and Support to Enhance the Mongolian Competitiveness in Coal Sector, O. Erdenebulgan, Vice Minister of Mining • MONGOLIAN COAL INDUSTRY, Overcoming challenges in volatile market conditions, G.Battsengel, Director, Mongolian Mining Corporation • Global Coal Markets and Implications for Mongolia , Arshad Sayed, President of Mongolia & India, Peabody Energy • Introduction of CTL Plant Project, T. Munkhtur, Baganuur Energy Corporation • ADUUNCHULUUN POWER AND CTL PROJECT, J.Zoljargal, Project Manager, MAK • OIL SHALE OPPORTUNITIES IN MONGOLIA, Ts.Gantsog, Executive Director, Genie Oil Shale Mongolia • China Coal Market Lookout 2014, Fenwei Energy Consulting • Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC, Y. Batsuuri, CEO • WIRTGEN SURFACE MINING TECHNOLOGY AND CHALLENGES IN COAL IN MONGOLIA by Wirtgen Group • "MINING INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT SUPPORT PROJECT", Project Coordinator, B. Enkhbaatar at the Coal Mongolia 2014, Feb 20-21. • Coal Processing by IMC Montan. Mongolia reports: http://bcmongolia.org/en/mongolia-reports • Selected Macroeconomic Indicators as of Jan 2014 by International Monetary Fund • Monthly statistical bulletin, March, 2014 , by Mongol Bank • Social and economic situation of Mongolia as of March 2014 by National Statistical Office of Mongolia (available in Mongolian language - Монгол улсын нийгэм эдийн засгийн байдал 2014 оны 3 сарын байдлаар, Үндэсний статистикийн хороо) • Polit Barometer, March 2014, by Sant Maral Foundation Interview Section: http://bcmongolia.org/en/interviews • Jim Dwyer, Executive Director, BCM – ―Business need more business‖; • Damshnamjil Tsogtbaatar, Chairman of the SPC: ―Privatizing Mongolia‖; • Jan Hansen, Economist, ADB: ―The depreciation should help to increase the competitiveness and to develop the non-mining industrial sector‖; • Jim Dwyer, Executive Director, BCM: ―Minerals Policy‖; • D. Bayasgalan, Director of Golomt Bank: ―Golomt has no problem‖; • From the Oxford Business Group, Mongolia Reports 2013 book; • B. Byambasaikhan, Chairman, BCM: ―Talk is cheap‖; • President Ts. Elbegdorj: ―Diversifying for growth‖; • Jim Dwyer, Executive Director, BCM: ―Non-mining sectors budding‖; • Peter Morrow, Chairman, American University of Mongolia: ―Filling in the blanks‖; • N. Zoljargal, Governor, Bank of Mongolia: ―Sustainable vision‖;
  • 25. • Gansukh, Minister of Roads and Transportation: ―Accessing new markets‖; • J. Od, President, MCS Group: ―Building interest‖. BCM's English website includes the ―Mongolia Business News‖ section. • 2014 Article IV staff report for Mongolia by International Monetary Fund; • BCM comments on draft Amendments to the Minerals Law made to Mr. D. Gankhuyag, the Minister of Mining, February, 2014; • BCM Open Letter to Parliament and Government is available for download. BCM continuously posts news stories and analysis of relevance to Mongolia at ‗Mongolian Business News‖ before they are all put together each week for Friday's weekly NewsWire. The ―Photo Gallery‖ contains photos from the 6th Anniversary BCM Renewal dinner on November 11, 2013. BCM Football Cup 2013 pictures are posted to the website - http://bcmongolia.org/en/photos/350- en/album?albumid=200 The BCM NewsWire will continue to be issued each Friday, incorporating items already on the home page for a consolidated account of the week‘s events. SOCIAL NETWORK WITH BCM The Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) has expanded its reach to your favorite social networks. Keep up to date on the latest business deals in Mongolia and how the climate for investment is improving each day with BCM. Add BCM on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheBusinessCouncilOfMongolia to read the latest announcements and comment on events carried in the NewsWire with the community. Hear breaking news and announcements as they happen when you follow BCM on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bcmongolia. BCM is closing our old LinkedIn account from May 1, 2014. The new page allows BCM to alert followers to the latest news and information critical to their businesses. Members‘ businesses will be promoted. Additionally, BCM is delivering monthly info graphics on the latest data as well as videos and other media content as they come. The bulk of the content on the new page will be in Mongolian language to better cater to BCM's Mongolian-speaking audience and members. Please click on the below link to follow us on our new LinkedIn page. http://www.linkedin.com/company/business-council-of-mongolia?trk=company_logo Social stats: BCM now has 5,385 fans on our Facebook fans page, 530 connections on LinkedIn network, and 1,042 followers on Twitter. Of course for news information, interviews, event photos, VIDEOS and announcements regarding our organization, visit the official BCM website at http://bcmongolia.org/en/
  • 27.
  • 28.
  • 29. INFLATION Year 2006 6.0% [source: National Statistical Office of Mongolia (NSOM)] Year 2007 *15.1% [source: NSOM] Year 2008 *22.1% [source: NSOM] Year 2009 *4.2% [source: NSOM] Year 2010 *13.0% [source: NSOM] Year 2011 *10.2% [source: NSOM] Year 2012 *14.0% [source: NSOM] Year 2013 *12.5% [source: NSOM] March 31, 2014 *12.4% [source: NSOM] *Year-over-year (y-o-y), nationwide Note: 11.9% y-o-y, Ulaanbaatar city, March 31, 2014 CENTRAL BANK POLICY LOAN RATE December 31, 2008 9.75% [source: IMF] March 11, 2009 14.00% [source: IMF] May 12, 2009 12.75% [source: IMF] June 12, 2009 11.50% [source: IMF] September 30, 2009 10.00% [source: IMF] May 12, 2010 11.00% [source: IMF] April 28, 2011 11.50% [source: IMF] August 25, 2011 11.75% [source: IMF] October 25, 2011 12.25% [source: IMF] March 19, 2012 12.75% [source: Mongol Bank] April 18, 2012 13.25% [source: Mongol Bank] January 25, 2013 12.50% [source: Mongol Bank] April 8, 2013 11.50% [source: Mongol Bank] June 25, 2013 10.50% [source: Mongol Bank]
  • 30. CURRENCY RATES – 2 MAY 2014 Currency Name Currency Rate US Dollar USD 1,795.35 Euro EUR 2,492.93 Japanese yen JPY 17.57 British pound GBP 3,030.73 Hong Kong dollar HKD 231.57 Chinese Yuan CNY 286.83 Russian Ruble RUB 50.45 South Korean won KRW 1.74 Disclaimer: Except for reporting on BCM‘s activities, all information in the BCM NewsWire is selected from various news sources. Opinions are those of the respective news sources.