2024 03 13 AZ GOP LD4 Gen Meeting Minutes_FINAL.docx
20.06.2014, NEWSWIRE, Issue330
1. BUSINESS COUNCIL of MONGOLIA
NewsWire
www.bcmongolia.org
info@bcmongolia.org
Issue 330 – June 20, 2014
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:
Business
Erdenes TT ramps up coal exports with Shenhua deliveries;
Moody's rates TDB program‟s debt (P)B1;
Bank of China to loan $25mn to Tuushin;
Aspire buys 50% of Mongolia coal deposit in venture with Noble;
Moly World study identifies low-capex, high-return options;
Newera completes ground magnetic survey at Ulaan Tolgoi;
Kincora Copper: exclusivity agreement on Bronze Fox;
84 Lumber preps for 'blitz build';
CAA Eleven finds rights buyers in Mongolia and South Korea;
Mongolemimpeks enters pharmaceutical joint venture with Chinese firm;
Mongolia to privatize MIAT, MSE;
“Made in Germany” conference held in UB;
Mongolian Industry & Business Association launched in Istanbul;
10th Trilateral Business Forum for Mongolia, Russia, China held in UB;
Dacheng partner is Mongolia's first foreign-admitted lawyer;
The Cartel makes its way onto Mongolia TV;
Market cap of MSE falls.
Economy
Mongol Bank: FX auction, swap agreements, 1-week bills, treasury bills, bonds;
Mongolia FX reserves decline to „worrying‟ level, says Morgan Stanley;
UB to see hike in water costs;
PP3 annex goes online; PP5 will launch soon;
Naadam horse-racing stadium to be finished before 11 July;
Coal mining and exports fall;
Mongolia to export EUR 3mn in textiles;
Altanbulag leads Zamyn Uud in investments into free trade zones;
Late night transport service launches again in UB;
Gants Khudag detention facility closed;
Air pollution committee sends out warnings to 2,000 to clean up their acts;
Korea supports Mongolian forest-planting projects;
UQ research helps Mongolia tackle gender violence.
Politics
Tuvdendorj appointed as Minister of Industry and Agriculture;
Economic Standing Committee rejects dismissal of Economic Minister;
MPP appoints N. Nomtoibayar deputy chief;
Public holiday for Naadam extension proposal to Parliament;
Latvian president visits Mongolia;
Mongolia and Argentina to boost collaboration in agriculture;
South Korea to send troops to Khaan Quest;
Mongolia, France to cooperate in defense;
Mongolia and Vietnam statistics offices cooperate;
2. Erenhot cancels entrance fees for Mongolians;
Mongolia to provide visa-free entrance to 42 countries;
Mongolia, Turkey commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations;
UN to partner with Mongolia to protect Gobi bear;
Demonstrators protest on Chinggis Square against uranium mining;
Mongolia to restore Kherlen Bars.
Others
Announcements;
BCM Updates - Working Groups; Websites; Social Networks; Photo Gallery.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Weekly Market Indicators;
Inflation;
Central bank Policy Rate;
Currency Rates.
*Click on titles above to link to articles.
SPONSORS
Khan Bank International SOS
Wagner Asia Automotive Invest Mongolia Agency
BCM MONTHLY MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
BCM‟s monthly meeting for members will be on Monday, June 23 at 5PM at the BLUE SKY HOTEL,
3rd
floor, “Crystal” conference room
The bilingual meeting will feature the following presentations:
- Call to Order/Business Council of Mongolia: B. Byambasaikhan, Chairman, BCM
- BCM Report: Jim Dwyer, Executive Director, BCM
- Bekhbat Sodnom, Director General, Department of Innovation and Public Private Partnership,
Ministry of Economic Development - "PPP current development in Mongolia"
- B. Purevdorj, Director, Mongolia Immigration Agency – “Reducing Regulations”
- Gansuld Tumentur, Executive Director, Outotec Mongolia - "Outotec Mineral Processing Solutions
and Experience in Mongolia"
3. - Lisa Gardner, Journalist & Media trainer - "Mongolia's Media Laws: Defamation, Libel and Threats
to Press Freedom"
New Members:
1. ESKO Services - provision of camp and remote site services, catering, housekeeping, camp
management, camp design & construction and others.
2. Grandsmart - main activities focus on sales, marketing and distribution and after sales service of
mobile and smart phones and sanitary ware, tile, stationary produced by Nokia and BIC, Grohe, RAK
Ceramics across Mongolia.
3. Mobile Fleet Services - also known as BuyBigTires.com, offers the largest selection of off the road
tires for mine sites, mining contractors, equipment dealers, and tire dealers across the planet.
4. Trafigura Mongolia - Commodities trader. Markets a wide range of minerals/chemicals including
copper concentrate. Recently signed an off-take agreement with OT.
5. World Vision Mongolia - development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with
children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.
BUSINESS
ERDENES TT RAMPS UP COAL EXPORTS WITH SHENHUA DELIVERIES
Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi LLC expects to see USD 21.8 million from coal sales to China's Shenhua Energy
Corp. this month.
Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi this week launched coal sales to Shenhua Energy, with the state-owned miner
set to export 450,000 tons of coal to Shenhua in June at a price of USD 48.5 per ton. Last year
Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag struck a deal for the sale of 1 billion tons of coal from Erdenes
TT, Energy Resources LLC and Tavan Tolgoi JSC over two decades. The deal has coal prices to be set
on a monthly basis.
Erdenes TT will also provide 4.25 million tons of coal to eight other Chinese companies, for sales of
about USD 150 million at the lowest projected price of USD 35 per ton. Erdenes TT earned USD 17.4
million from coal export last month, out of total earnings of USD 21.8 among coal miners.
Source: Udriin Sonin
MOODY'S RATES TDB NOTES PROGRAM‟S DEBT (P) B1
Moody's Investors Service has assigned a (P)B1 rating on the long-term senior unsecured debt under
the Trade and Development Bank of (TDB) Mongolia LLC's USD 1 billion global medium term notes
program.
The program carries a letter of support from the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the government of
Mongolia (B1, negative). At the same time, Moody's has assigned a B1 rating to TDB's proposed
senior unsecured notes, which will be drawn from the GMTN program. All ratings have a negative
outlook.
The program's ratings do not immediately apply to any individual notes issued under the program.
Ratings on individual notes issued under the program will be subject to Moody's satisfactory review
of the terms and conditions set forth in the final base and supplemental offering circular and
pricing supplements of the notes to be issued.
Source: Moody‟s Investors Service
BANK OF CHINA TO LOAN $25MN TO TUUSHIN
Bank of China on 13 June signed a USD 25 million loan agreement with Mongolian transportation
company Tuushin LLC.
The loan is the first loan to a Mongolian company by Bank of China, one of the country's four largest
banks. The move could be the first step for the bank to open a local branch in Mongolia, as it says it
intends to do. About 40 Mongolian companies in energy, processing and infrastructure development
have applied for a sum total USD 3 billion in loans.
A bank representative said Bank of China plans to support more than 7,000 Chinese businesses
4. currently operating in Mongolia. However, the bank does not plan to compete with local banks for
deposits and loans to individuals.
Source: Undesnii Shuudan
ASPIRE BUYS 50% OF MONGOLIA COKING COAL DEPOSIT IN VENTURE WITH NOBLE
Aspire Mining Ltd. said it agreed to buy 50 percent of a venture with Noble Group Ltd. to expand its
footprint in the Asian nation.
Aspire will issue 10 million shares to Xanadu Mines Ltd., which currently holds the stake in the 50-50
venture with Noble, the Perth-based company said today in a statement. Aspire will give Xanadu a
further 5 million shares should the coking coal deposit the venture controls be able to certify that it
holds 30 million metric tons of resource. Noble and Aspire are expanding their partnership in
Mongolia, which already involves the Hong Kong-based commodity trader providing project
financing, port and rail access for the Australian miner. Noble, which owns 7.7 percent of Xanadu
Mines Ltd., is seeking to boost its supply of metallurgical coal from Mongolia as the nation neighbors
China, where about half of the world‟s steel is produced.
“Noble and Aspire have also agreed to work together to identify additional near term Mongolian
coking coal production opportunities with terms to be agreed on a case by case basis,” Aspire said
in the statement.
The venture with Noble owns 60 percent of the Nuurstei coking coal deposit that sits between two
of Aspire‟s projects in northern Mongolia. Coal from Nuurstei could blend with that of Aspire‟s
Ovoot project, providing marketing and operation synergies, the Australian company said. A mine at
Nuurstei would also help Aspire load the railway route it‟s planning to build to connect its northern
projects with the east of Mongolia, home of the bulk of the nation‟s railroads. This would open up
the potential to transport coal south to China or north to Russia. Aspire said it will make an
additional USD 200,000 payment to Xanadu once Nuurstei wins a mining license. Noble Group
retains control of all coal sales from Nuurstei, Aspire said.
Rio Tinto Group‟s SouthGobi Resources Ltd. owns 18.8 percent of Aspire, while Noble has a 15
percent stake.
Source: Bloomberg
MOLY WORLD STUDY IDENTIFIES LOW-CAPEX, HIGH-RETURN OPTIONS
Origo Partners PLC announced the results of a scoping study on the Mandal Moly molybdenum and
tungsten project in northwest Mongolia.
Origo's portfolio company Moly World Ltd. has identified the potential for an initial small scale open
pit operation (producing 3,000 tons of molybdenum and 155 tons of tungsten concentrate a year)
that could be brought into production for an investment of USD 43.6 million, including working
capital, with the option of further expansion, dependent upon future molybdenum prices. The study
has estimated that the Mandal Moly project is capable of a 46.8 percent internal rate of return,
with a net present value of USD 80.8 million (at a 12 percent discount rate), at current molybdenum
prices.
"The results of the study confirm the potential to develop an initial small scale operation at Mandal
Moly with high rates of return and low initial capital investment. This approach minimizes risks
whilst giving us the option to significantly expand production at a later date," said Origo Chief
Executive Chris Rynnin.
Work on a detailed mining feasibility study will begin shortly and discussions with the government
around conversion of the project's license to a mining license are underway.
Source: Origo Partners PLC
NEWERA COMPLETES GROUND MAGNETIC SURVEY AT ULAAN TOLGOI
Newera Resources Ltd. announced the completion of an over 700 line kilometer ground magnetic
survey covering the northern sector of the Ulaan Tolgoi license area in the South Gobi basin.
The survey lines ran north to south in the survey area and were at an east west line spacing of 200
meters. The survey commenced on 25 May and was completed on time and within budget.
5. Mongolian registered geophysical contracting company GeOron LLC has now completed the
modeling of the data collected and presented Newera with the final images and analysis of the most
coal prospective areas.
Source: Newera Resources Ltd.
KINCORA COPPER: EXCLUSIVITY AGREEMENT ON BRONZE FOX
Kincora Copper Ltd. has announced that it has entered into an agreement granting exclusive rights
to carry out due diligence with respect to a potential joint venture, earn-in, strategic alliance,
equity investment or other transaction in respect to Kincora's wholly owned Bronze Fox project.
The exclusivity agreement contemplates various work programs being undertaken by the third party
during a staged review period in order to advance toward a potential transaction, and maintain
certain exclusive rights to such a potential transaction and access to the properties or data room.
The exclusivity agreement does not impact or restrict Kincora's ability to undertake ongoing
exploration activities or other customary corporate initiatives, such as private placements. Neither
party is obligated to proceed with a potential transaction.
"Kincora is the last remaining listed copper junior in Mongolia without a strategic partner,” said Sam
Spring, president and chief executive officer of Kincora. He added, “The Company has attracted
interest from various existing large-scale copper producers and welcomes advancing discussions
with this particular group as we continue our ongoing drilling and other exploration activities at
Bronze Fox.”
Source: Kincora Copper Ltd.
84 LUMBER PREPS FOR 'BLITZ BUILD'
It takes 75 days for the building materials to reach the country, but Mark Reginelli and 84 Lumber
have been asked by the Mongolian prime minister and government to demonstrate how quickly the
U.S. style of home construction can be done and the quality of the methods.
"We call it a blitz build," Reginelli said.
84 Lumber's materials are being used to construct the first U.S.-framed subdivision in the country
and if things go well with blitz build, the potential for future business could be huge. Reginelli said
Mongolia is a big target for 84 Lumber and as it's been the fastest-growing economy in two of the
last three years. In Mongolia's ger district alone there are 700,000 people living in shanty towns that
can be replaced with small social housing, Reginelli said. The company started its international
department in 1998, but since the Chilean earthquake in 2010, 84 Lumber has been placing a
greater focus on growing international sales in recent years.
"Following the earthquake we sent 200 homes that were given away to people in need," Reginelli
said. "After we saw the impact and demand that was out there, we thought we should get more
involved and expand."
With its international business, Reginelli said 84 Lumber mostly ships complete house packages for
the construction of small homes in the 400- to 800-square-feet range. While there are challenges
with language barriers, time differences and differences in customs, Reginelli said at its core 84
Lumber is building its international business the way founder Joe Hardy and company President
Maggie Hardy Magerko built its business locally.
The 84 Lumber Company was founded in 1956 in the rural town of Eighty Four, PA, 20 miles south
of Pittsburgh, starting with a single building supplies store. Today, 84 Lumber operates more than
257 stores in 30 states, in addition to various housing component factories, and employs more than
4,200 people. They still maintain their corporate headquarters in Eighty Four, PA., where the
original store continues to operate.
Source: Biz Journals, NAMBC
CAA ELEVEN FINDS RIGHTS BUYERS IN MONGOLIA AND SOUTH KOREA
CAA Eleven, UEFA's arm's length rights agency for centralized European qualifying games for the
2016 European Championships and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has signed deals in South Korea and
Mongolia.
6. In Mongolia broadcaster Sansar Cable has taken the package, while South Korean pay-TV
broadcaster SPOTV has signed a deal with CAA Eleven. Sansar Cable is the current broadcaster of
the English Premier League in Mongolia.
Source: SportsPro
MONGOLEMIMPEKS ENTERS PHARMACEUTICAL JOINT VENTURE WITH CHINESE FIRM
Mongolia's Mongolemimpeks and China`s Dong A Holdings Co., Ltd. have partnered to bring the local
pharmaceutical industry good manufacturing practice standards. The companies aim to build a
facility to provide quality and affordable medicine to people.
“We will complete the construction in 2015, and from 2016 we will provide our products to the
market. For the first stage, we will produce 100 million tablets,” said Mongolemimpeks Project
Manager A. Oyungerel.
Source: Unuudur
MONGOLIA TO PRIVATIZE MIAT, MSE
Mongolia is preparing to sell majority stakes in its state-owned miner airline and market exchanges,
said the State Property Committee chair.
Mongolia plans to privatize 66 percent of MIAT Mongolian Airlines, the Mongolian Stock Exchange,
and Agriculture Market Exchanged each, said D. Tsogbaatar, chairman of the State Property
Committee. Mongolia would privatize large companies through public offerings while auctioning
smaller assets.
“We look at example of other countries, where usually 50 to 60 companies are always owned by the
state, and there is a good blend of partnership between state-owned and private businesses
because the state supports companies of national importance during hardship and withdrawing state
funds when it is no longer needed.”
Source: Udriin Sonin
“MADE IN GERMANY” CONFERENCE HELD IN UB
The "Made in Germany" Conference and Exhibition for the 2014 German-Mongolian Corporate Days
event was held 17 and 18 June at the Blue Sky Tower in Ulaanbaatar.
Germany-based Horvath & Partners Management Consultants offered a three-hour professional class
for managers and specialists. The session covered the management of large-scale projects,
particularly for engineering, procurement and construction. Also at the event, representatives of
Mongolian businesses took part in a panel discussion for the topic “Corporate Governance in Family-
owned Businesses; Lessons Learnt from Germany's Mittelstand.”
German equipment and service providers from over 40 companies exhibited at the event, displaying
products such as crane motors, construction materials, and hotel service goods.
Source: Info Mongolia
MONGOLIAN INDUSTRY & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION LAUNCHED IN ISTANBUL
The Mongolian Industry & Business Association (MIBA) has been established in Istanbul to support
and strengthen bilateral ties in economy and trade.
MIBA, which currently has 70 members, visited the Embassy of Mongolia in Ankara on 11 June where
Mongolian Ambassador Badamdorj Batkhishig congratulated delegates for launching the group.
Source: Info Mongolia
10TH TRILATERAL BUSINESS FORUM FOR MONGOLIA, RUSSIA, CHINA HELD IN UB
The 10th Trilateral Business Forum for Mongolia, China, and Russia's commerce organizations was
held on 12 June in Ulaanbaatar.
About 100 delegates attended the forum, which is organized to support business between Mongolia,
China, and Russia and resolve issues for trade. Chambers of commerce from Mongolia's provinces
signed 17 memorandums of understanding with counterparts from Russia and China.
Source: Info Mongolia
7. DACHENG PARTNER IS MONGOLIA'S FIRST FOREIGN-ADMITTED LAWYER
Dacheng senior partner Lu HaDa has been granted the certificate to be a foreign-admitted lawyer
from the Ministry for Justice.
Lu becomes the first foreign lawyer with such a certificate since registration of foreign lawyers in
Mongolia was required. Lu is head and equity partner of Dacheng LLP, a Mongolia-based branch
office of Dacheng. The firm said that the acquisition of the certificate will have a significant
bearing on legal service market expansion in Mongolia and the growth of Dacheng‟s Global Legal
Services Network.
Source: The Lawyer
THE CARTEL MAKES ITS WAY ONTO MONGOLIA TV
The Cartel, a successful drama series from the Caracol TV Internacional catalogue, is scheduled to
debut on the Mongolian channel Edutainment TV next week.
The Cartel follows the life of a middle-class young man who gets mixed up in the dangerous world
of drug trafficking. The show, which has aired in more than 50 countries, stars Manolo Cardona,
Karen Martinez, Diego Cadavid and Robinson Diaz. It is set to premiere in Mongolia on Monday 16
June and will then broadcast on weekdays at 22:10.
Source: World Screen
MARKET CAP OF MSE FALLS
The Mongolian Stock Exchange's TOP-20 index fell by 368.1 points in May from April, while
capitalization fell by 5.2 percent, or MNT 82.7 billion. The MSE saw MNT 46.6 billion in securities
trade in May,
Although MSE has still yet to have officially announced a new chief executive following the
resignation of Kh. Altai last year, officials have stated that G. Togtokhbaatar has been elected to
the position. Togtokhbaatar has 15 years of experience at the Bank of Mongolia.
Source: UB Post
SPONSORS
Oxford Business Group Mongolian Economy Magazine
Milestone GRP
ECONOMY
MONGOL BANK: FX AUCTION, SWAP AGREEMENTS, 1-WEEK BILLS, TREASURY BILLS, BONDS;
The Bank of Mongolia on 19 June reported that it sold USD 7.5 million and CNY 43 million to
commercial banks for closing rates of MNT 1,824 and MNT 293, respectively. The central bank also
reported that it had received an equivalent of USD 25 million from swap agreements with
8. commercial banks.
The central bank reported on 18 June the issue of one-week bills worth MNT 196.2 billion at a
weighted interest of 10.5 percent a year.
The central bank reported on 18 June MNT 53.5 billion in bids for the issue of 52-week treasury bills
with a face value of MNT 20 billion. Each unit was sold at a discounted price of MNT 1 million each
with a weighted average yield of 9.494 percent. Also on 18 June, the central bank reported MNT
33.5 billion in bids for three-year government bonds with a face value of MNT 10 billion. Each unit
was sold at a premium price of MNT 1 million each and with a weighted average yield of 11.535
percent.
Source: Bank of Mongolia
MONGOLIA FX RESERVES DECLINE TO „WORRYING‟ LEVEL, SAYS MORGAN STANLEY
Mongolia‟s foreign currency reserves may have fallen to an estimated USD 1.7 billion at the end of
April, according to a 16 June report by Morgan Stanley analysts Desmond Lee and Gaurav Singhal.
Mongolia‟s foreign currency reserves were at USD 2.195 billion at the end of February, according to
the nation‟s central bank. A “few more months” of foreign currency outflow will bring Mongolia
closer to the two-month import cover, the same point where Mongolia received International
Monetary Fund (IMF) assistance in 2009.
Morgan Stanley remains underweight on the Mongolian sovereign credit due to “low headroom” on
foreign currency reserves and lack of clarity on the Oyu Tolgoi phase two dispute.
Read the full report here.
Source: Bloomberg, Cover Mongolia
UB TO SEE HIKE IN WATER COSTS
Water authorities have increased the price Ulaanbaatar households will pay for clean water to MNT
0.48 a liter, beginning 1 July.
The Regulatory Council for Urban Water Provisions, Services and Sanitation ordered the raise in the
price to MNT 0.48 for clean water and MNT 0.24 for “sour” water. Mongolia will also charge for 24-
hour water provisions outside of Ulaanbaatar. Residents of Tuv Aimag and Ulaanbaatar's Nalaikh and
Baganuur Districts will pay MNT 2,500 a month. Another six centrally located provinces will pay MNT
1,800 a month.
Source: Zuunii Medee
PP3 ANNEX GOES ONLINE; PP5 WILL LAUNCH SOON
Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag Monday attended an opening ceremony for the 50-megawatt
annex for Power Plant No. 3.
The annex is the largest upgrade for the energy sector in the last 25 years. Mongolia contracted
China‟s Human Industrial Equipment Installation for the work, which was paid USD 35 million, with
funds used from the 2012 Chinggis bond proceeds.
A 120-megawatt annex for Power Plant No. 4 is expected to go online by October, followed by the
300-megawatt Amgalan Power Station in November, said Energy Minister Sonompil. Construction for
Power Plant No. 5 will launch soon, he added, as soon as a deal is signed, which is expected this
month. Setting up the Ministry of Energy "gave a big impetus to raising large investments and to
start the great construction in the energy sphere, which had been unsuccessful for many years,”
Energy Minister M. Sonompil said.
Other projects to launch for power generation in Mongolia include the Umnugobi power plant and
the Eg River hydro power plant.
Source: Montsame
NAADAM HORSE-RACING STADIUM TO BE FINISHED BEFORE 11 JULY
Ulaanbaatar Mayor Erdene Bat-Uul last Sunday inspected the Khui Doloon Khudag for horse racing,
which is currently under construction.
Work for this year includes the paving of a 2.7-kilometer road and an 800-meter sidewalk as well as
9. construction of a parking lot able to hold 500 cars before the Naadam festival begins on 11 July.
Rail buses will travel the 2.3 kilometer's distance to the horse-racing stadium this year, in addition
to five buses.
The Naadam complex will be for winter sport events, in addition to the summer festivities.
News: Montsame
COAL MINING AND EXPORTS FALL
Coal exports fell sharply by 63 percent in May compared with the year before. Mongolia has mined
6.7 million tons of coal and shipped 5.3 million tons. In all of 2013, 33.3 million tons were
produced and 18.1 million tons were exported.
Source: Unuudur
MONGOLIA TO EXPORT EUR 3MN IN TEXTILES
A Polish-Turkish textiles firm has agreed to purchase EUR 3 million (USD 4.07 million) in garments of
Mongolia‟s Exclusive clothing brand, said representatives of the textile industry at a press
conference. Rubin is purchasing mainly jackets from Exclusive.
Source: UB Post
ALTANBULAG LEADS ZAMYN UUD IN INVESTMENTS INTO FREE TRADE ZONES
Poor relations have delayed growth at Mongolia's free-trade zones, said administrators of the areas.
Agreements between investors have fallen through multiple times, said D. Batsaikhan, head of
Zamyn Uud, during a report to the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy led by Deputy
Economic Development Minister O. Chuluunbat. Investment never even reached the region until
2007, four years after it received its status as a free-trade zone, he added.
News regarding Altanbulag was more upbeat, however. “We've made agreements for investment
with companies since 2006. Now, 82 companies have made agreements for investment, of which
three companies started their operations and invested MNT 2.1 billion in the free trade zone.
Mongolia first passed legislation for free trade zones in 2002. It adopted additional legislation to
establish Altanbulag as a free-trade zone in 2001 and Zamyn Uud in 2003.
Source: Undesnii Shuudan
LATE NIGHT TRANSPORT SERVICE LAUNCHES AGAIN IN UB
Late night public transportation service launched on 14 June in Ulaanbaatar.
The late night trolley service will run between 20:00 and 2:00 am from the Khaniin materials center
to the Officers Palace. Buses will operate the routes from 7 Buudal to Mongolian State University of
Education (MSUE) and from Nisekh to the Mongolian State University of Education (MSUE). Tickets
for adults are MNT 1,000 and MNT 200 for children.
Late night public transportation first launched last year.
Source: News.mn
GANTS KHUDAG DETENTION FACILITY CLOSED
The sole pre-trial criminal detention facility serving Ulaanbaatar, Gants Khudag, has closed.
MP J. Batzandan called for the close of the facility. The Gants Khudag prison, which was established
in 1920, was known for being overcrowded, offering poor medical care, and having generally poor
living standards. Prominent intellectuals, such as poets and scholars, have been detained at the
detention facility.
The government plans to auction the land where the prison is located.
Source: News.mn
KOREA SUPPORTS MONGOLIAN FOREST-PLANTING PROJECTS
The Korea-Mongolia Greenbelt Forestation Project aims to plant some 3,000 hectares of trees to
combat drought and desertification in Mongolia.
“The project aims to plant some 3,000 hectares of trees by 2016 in Mongolia,” said Choi Young-tae,
10. a director of the Korea Forest Service‟s international cooperation division. “We have so far spent
KRW 7.4 billion (USD 7.3 million) in planting 1,498 hectares of trees including local trees named
saxaul in the Lun Som and Dalanzadgad areas,” he added.
The Korea Forest Service also runs plant nurseries in which saplings are grown until they reach a
usable size in order to carry out more efficient forestation projects in Mongolia. The nurseries
contain greenhouses, seed storehouses and compost depots.
The South Korean government is also working to provide its forestation know-how to Mongolian
officials. From 2009, they have run a training center to foster specialists in forestation technology.
A total of 60 Mongolian officials have received related training in both Korea and Mongolia.
As part of efforts to boost Mongolia‟s capacity, some of Korea‟s forestation projects have begun to
be transferred to the Mongolian government from this year to give them more direct control over
the projects. The Korea Forest Service will continue to support its Mongolian counterpart by helping
it monitor joint forestation projects and provide consulting services.
Improving the capabilities of local Mongolian residents is important too, said the Korean official.
The Korea Forest Service plans to build follow-up management and training systems for local
residents so that they can cultivate crops within the forestation areas. Both governments are also
doing joint research projects in related areas including the selection of tree species for plantation,
irrigation tests, soil improvement and the selection of drought-resistant grass.
“With our management skills and expertise, we aim to make this project a best practice in
combating desertification,” Choi said.
Source: Korea Herald
AIR POLLUTION COMMITTEE SENDS OUT WARNINGS TO 2,000 TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACTS
The National Committee for Air Pollution Reduction on 11 June sent out 2,000 notices to companies
and individuals warning that they could face punishment unless they reduce their pollution output.
Most of the offenders were using low-pressure heaters, which account for 20 percent of
Ulaanbaatar's pollution, said the group. The letters ordered that they improve their equipment so
that that meet standards before the next winter or face the punishment proscribed by Mongolia's
laws.
The air pollution team said it planned to issue warnings to those in violation of Mongolia's many laws
that prohibit polluting, but were not known to the general public.
Source: Zuunii Medee
UQ RESEARCH HELPS MONGOLIA TACKLE GENDER VIOLENCE
New research from The University of Queensland has helped find practical solutions to gender-based
violence issues stemming from Mongolia‟s mining boom.
The university's Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining Research project has helped prompt a USD
280,000 memorandum of understanding between Mongolia‟s National Committee on Gender Equality
and Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi LLC. Research manager Isabel Cane said her research had identified
connections between mining activities and gender-based violence in the South Gobi region of
Mongolia.
“Domestic violence, sexual assault and alcohol-fueled violence have increased, causing a rise in
personal traumas, family break-ups, health-related issues and broader community insecurity,” Cane
said. “This MOU is a positive start, but stronger legislative and social awareness will be required to
prevent the potential growth of gender-based violence in a nation undergoing a minerals boom.”
Cane said the MOU, developed after a roundtable discussion about the findings of her research,
provided recommendations to policy makers. She said her research in Mongolia could be applied in
other developing countries where mining was affecting gender relations. Cane‟s research, which
was funded by the International Mining for Development Centre, has been released in a Mapping
Gender Based Violence and mining infrastructure in Mongolian mining communities, a comparative
analysis report.
Source: University of Queensland
11. POLITICS
TUVDENDORJ APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE
Parliament on 12 June confirmed the appointment of MP Sh.Tuvdendorj as Minister of Industry and
Agriculture with 85 percent of the vote.
Thirty-four out of 40 MPs voted in affirmation of Tuvdendorj's nomination following a vow by
President Tsakhia Elbegdorj that he would veto an appointment of him. Elbegdorj said he would not
allow for Tuvendorj's appointment because he is a member of Parliament and minister
appointments should henceforth follow the so-called “Double Deel” law to take effect in 2016. The
law prohibits members of Parliament from serving on the Cabinet Secretariat to deter possible
conflicts of interest.
Kh. Battulga resigned from the position as the minister in May, also because of his support for the
Double Deel bill. “It is inappropriate for me to hold this position as I supported the [Double Deel]
bill myself,” he said in his resignation letter to Parliament.
Source: News.mn
ECONOMIC STANDING COMMITTEE REJECTS DISMISSAL OF ECONOMIC MINISTER
The Economic Standing Committee on 17 June rejected the proposal to dismiss the economic
development minister.
Only one out of 14 parliamentarians in attendance voted in favor of N. Batbayar's dismissal.
Mongolian People's Party (MPP) parliamentarian S. Byambatsogt called for Batbayar's resignation due
to the degrading economy and his alleged breach of Mongolian law.
"The economic conditions are getting worse, and the number of wage-earners and salaried
employees is decreasing. Investment is frozen and dozens of organizations are closed down. Besides
that, the economic development minister violated the Law on Sustainable Budget,” said
Byambatsogt in a statement backed by 26 parliamentarians from the MPP.
The issue of Batbayar's dismissal will next come before Parliament.
Source: News.mn
MPP APPOINTS N. NOMTOIBAYAR DEPUTY CHIEF
The Mongolian People's Party has appointed parliamentarian N. Nomtoibayar as Deputy Chief.
Nomtoibayar replaces S. Byambatsogt and will lead the party alongside D. Oyunkhorol.
Source: Udriin Sonin
PUBLIC HOLIDAY FOR NAADAM EXTENSION PROPOSAL TO PARLIAMENT
The Cabinet Secretariat on 14 June pushed forward a Parliament legislation that would extend the
Naadam festival holiday to 5 days.
Parliament will receive a proposed amendment to Mongolia's public holidays to add two additional
days to Naadam. Also this year, Parliament extended the length of the public holiday for the
Tsagaan Sar holiday, Mongolia's celebration for the lunar new year, from one to three days.
Source: Montsame
LATVIAN PRESIDENT VISITS MONGOLIA
Latvia's president, Andris Berzins, paid an official visit to Mongolia upon the invitation of President
Tsakhia Elbegdorj.
Berzins' visit was the first ever visit by a Latvian head of state to Mongolia. Elbegdorj and Berzins
had a private meeting for their official talks. He also met with Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag
and Deputy Speaker R. Gonchigdorj. Berzins discussed mutual relations and cooperation with the
Mongolian officials, focusing on bilateral cooperation in trade and investment. They also discussed
how Mongolia could export its goods through Latvia to reach the European market. Berzins also
noted that Latvia, as chair of the European Council in 2015, would support Mongolia's initiative to
launch an agreement for partnership and cooperation between Mongolia and the European Union.
Mongolia and Latvia signed a visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, in
12. addition to agreements such as those for roads and transport.
Source: Info Mongolia
MONGOLIA AND ARGENTINA TO BOOST COLLABORATION IN AGRICULTURE
Mongolia and Argentina signed a memorandum of cooperation on 16 June.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Agriculture of Mongolia Ts. Tuvaan and Javier Rodriguez, Argentina's
secretary for political and institutional coordination and agricultural emergency, signed the
agreement for collaboration in research in fields of mutual interest, increasing production and
productivity within agriculture, and improving standards. Mongolia hopes to introduce technology
for the fattening of cattle, improve animals' health, and developing vaccines with this cooperation
as well as through their support of joint ventures.
Source: UB Post
SOUTH KOREA TO SEND TROOPS TO KHAAN QUEST
South Korea will dispatch troops to an annual multinational peacekeeping exercise set to kick off in
Mongolia this week, the Marine Corps here said Wednesday.
Some 34 South Korean Marines as well as 8 service members of the Army, Navy and Air Force will
participate in the Khan Quest exercise in the landlocked country. The exercise is set for 20 June to
1 July. During the drill, the troops are scheduled to practice how to carry out operations in conflict
areas, provide humanitarian aid and perform their duty of supporting those facing calamities, the
Marine Corps said. The field training and command post exercises are to take place in realistic
settings, it noted.
Mongolia has held Khaan Quest every year since 2003, with the help of the U.S. Pacific Command.
This year, about 1,200 troops from 21 countries, including the United States, China, and Indonesia,
will join the drill, according to the Marine Corps.
"We will master combat techniques to carry out our duties in any part of the world via this joint
drill with the multinational forces," said Ham Young-du, a lieutenant colonel who leads the team.
South Korea sent working-level officers as observers to the exercises in Mongolia from 2006 to 2008
and became a full participant in 2009.
Source: Korea Herald
MONGOLIA, FRANCE TO COOPERATE IN DEFENSE
Mongolia has made its first agreement for cooperation in defense with France.
Defense Deputy Minister A. Battor met Kader Arif, state secretary for war veterans and memory at
the French Defense Ministry, while attending the Eurosatory 2014 exhibition for international
defense and security on 17 and 18 June. The agreement signed covered technical cooperation
between the two countries.
Source: Montsame
MONGOLIA AND VIETNAM STATISTICS OFFICES COOPERATE
The heads of Mongolia and Vietnam's statistics offices have signed a memorandum of understanding
to support each other's data collection.
Vietnamese Deputy Director General Van Lieu Nguyen paid an official visit to Mongolia's National
Statistical Office while visiting from 14 to 19 June. The Vietnamese delegates during the visit
familiarized themselves with Mongolia`s system for calculating and releasing statistics.
Source: News.mn
ERENHOT CANCELS ENTRANCE FEES FOR MONGOLIANS
Mongolian citizens may now enter Erenhot without having to pay entrance fees thanks to an
agreement made by Zamyn-Uud Soum and Erenhot administrators at recent meeting.
The entrance fee was CNY 5 for Mongolians traveling to Erenhot. The total annual sum collected
from fees paid by Mongolians was on average CNY 12 million (USD 1.93 million).
Source: UB Post
13. MONGOLIA TO PROVIDE VISA-FREE ENTRANCE TO 42 COUNTRIES
The Cabinet Secretariat on 13 June declared its intention to provide visa-free access to Mongolia for
the 42 countries with the highest economic growth rates and highest rankings on the human
development index by 2015.
The Cabinet intends to open its borders to countries such as Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and
Chile to benefit tourism to Mongolia. Currently only U.S., Japanese, and German passport holders
are provided this privilege, although the same privilege is given to British diplomats.
Source: Montsame
MONGOLIA, TURKEY COMMEMORATE THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Mongolia and Turkey commemorated the 45th anniversary of relations in Ulaanbaatar from 17 to 20
June.
Special events for Turkish foods were held 17 June at the Kempinsky Khaan Palace Hotel and 19
June at the Turkish Embassy, followed by an art exhibit, musical performance and fashion show at
the Turkish Embassy on 20 June. A poetry and essay competition was held among students from
Secondary School No. 5, which is named after the founder of the Turkish state, Mustafa Kemal
Ataturk. The Turkish rock group Mongollar (tr: Mongols) will perform at Chinggis Square, also on
June 20, along with Mongolian rock group Kharanga.
Source: Info Mongolia
UN TO PARTNER WITH MONGOLIA TO PROTECT GOBI BEAR
The U.N. resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative to Mongolia has vowed to support
Mongolia in its effort to protect the Gobi bear.
“I was upset because I thought that any activity to save the Mazaalai would be a failure, but now
my thoughts have changed,” said Sezin Sinanoglu.
The Gobi bear, or Mazaalai as it is known in Mongolia, has been found to be vulnerable to the
affects of desertification. A lack of rainfall effects Mazaalai's sources of food and water as well as
other species in the Gobi.
Source: News.mn
DEMONSTRATORS PROTEST ON CHINGGIS SQUARE AGAINST URANIUM MINING
Environmentalists held protests on 9 June on Chinggis Square for the development of a uranium
mine by French miner Areva SA.
Thirty protestors from the groups Bosoo Khokh Mongol, Greenpeace Mongol, Gal Undesten, and
three other NGOs displayed banners calling for a united front against mining and the nuclear
industry.
“Since the Areva Company started uranium exploration in Ulaanbadrakh and Zuunbayan Soums in
Dornogobi, the cases of livestock disease, mortality and birth of genetically damaged animals has
grown,” said D. Gantumur, a farmer from Dornogobi Aimag. “Recently the citizens of Ulaanbadrakh
Soum decided they would stop the exploration and excavation of uranium, but the government now
says the uranium business will be a solution for the economic recession.” Ten other companies have
special licenses for uranium in the area, he added.
Areva in April 2013 denied claims that its exploration ever contributed to the birth defects of
animals. Researchers later backed up the claim, reporting that they found that traces of selenium
in the area were responsible for the birth defects.
Source: Udriin Sonin
MONGOLIA TO RESTORE KHERLEN BARS
Mongolian officials have signed an agreement for the restoration of an ancient urban settlement in
Mongolia known as Kherlen Bars.
Altangerel Purev, state secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Yang
Qingdong, a political counselor at the Chinese Embassy, inked an agreement for the restoration and
repairs on 13 June. At the site are small-scale ruins and a three-meter-tall tower.
14. Kherlen Bars was once part of the ancient state of Kitan.
Source: News.mn
ANNOUNCEMENTS
STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR MONGOLIA BUSINESS SUMMIT IN UB, JUNE 19-20
Registration is still open for the Mongolia Business Summit held 19 and 20 June in Ulaanbaatar.
Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag is presiding over the two-day conference, where up-to-date and
sector-specific information on current and planned Public-Private-Partnership projects in mining,
infrastructure, processing industries, agriculture, wool and cashmere, and the food and building
materials sectors will be discussed. Speakers include cabinet ministers, members of Parliament as
well as Mongolian and foreign business leaders. Optional add-on tours are also offered.
View the agenda for the forum here; or for online registration click here.
___________________________________________
“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 on stories from
today‟s BCM NewsWire.
BCM WORKING GROUP NEWS
The BCM Logistics Working Group met on Tuesday, 10 June, with 7 members attending.
Mattias Ahlin-Scania, Chairman, moderated the session.
New members: D Enkhbat CEO-Mongolian Express; Rentsendorj Yondon, Mongolian Opportunities
Fund; Buyanderler Tsogt-Ochir, Logistics Supervisor, Cummins Mongolia; Nobuo Okada, General
Manager, Mitsui Co.
BCM`s Logistics Working Group Chair, Mattias Ahlin is leaving the country. Tengis Garamgaibaatar,
Chief Executive Officer, Monroad, was elected as WG chairman. Congratulations to him for his new
role as BCM`s Logistics Working Group Chairman.
Speakers and topics were:
1. Follow up from last meeting‟s discussion
a. Main challenges for the Mongolian Logistic sector
2. Discussion about BCM Logistics Working group role and focus areas
(Mission Statement)
a. Transport modes; road, rail, air
b. Customs efficiency
c. Legal framework; Loads and dimension, safety, standards
d. Stakeholders: Ministries, customs, transport organizations, vehicle manufacturer association
e. Transport efficiency
3. Discussion about meeting intensity and organization
4. Other business
Next meeting was scheduled on 7 August 2014. If you have any interest joining the new and
growing Logistics Working Group, please contact Erdenetsetseg at erka@bcmongolia.org
___________________________________________
The BCM Capital Markets Working Group met on Thursday, 29 May, with 11 members attending.
Howard Lambert /ING Bank/ and Nick Cousyn /BDSec/, Co-chairmen, moderated the session.
Guest: Michael O`Malley-Executive Director at ISG MineElect.
15. Speakers and topics were:
Facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI) and Capital Markets update - by Byambaa Losolsuren,
Leader of FDI Capital Markets group of 100 Day Revitalization Council, and Partner of Mandal
Capital LLC.
If you have any recommendations on Capital Markets for the Revitalization Council, please contact:
erka@bcmongolia.org
___________________________________________
The BCM Tax Working Group met Thursday, May 22, with 12 members attending.
Onch D. - Co-chair, BCM‟s Tax WG and Deloitte Onch a moderated the session.
Attending were representatives from the following BCM member entities - Deloitte Onch, PwC,
Ernst & Young, KPMG Tax, OT, Terra Energy, Petro Matad, MahoneyLiotta, TMZ and BCM.
New members: Amarbayasgalan and Tuvshinbayar from Terra Energy.
Meeting agenda:
• Overview - B. Byambasaikhan, Secretariat, 100 Day Revitalization Program; Chairman, BCM
• Initial new tax policy thoughts from WG members.
On May 29 BCM‟s Tax Working Group sent a detailed study of the current value added tax (VAT)
deficiencies and recommendations for efficiencies to result in greater tax revenue to the 100 Days
Revitalization Council.
Please contact T.Erdenetsetseg, BCM Working Group Coordinator, erka@bcmongolia.org.
___________________________________________
The BCM „expanded‟ Legislative Working Group (LWG) met on Tuesday May 20, with 42 members
attending at Corporate Hotel meeting room.
This was the third expanded WG meeting on the draft Amendments to the Minerals Law. The 2 ½
hour session included BCM members from mining companies, embassies and the MNMA. Special
guests were 5 members of Parliament and others from the Mining Ministry, Geological Society and
Export Society.
LWG Co-chair, James Liotta, Mahoney Liotta, moderated the session.
The following 11 presentations were made:
-A healthy Private Sector Driven Industry (1997 and 2006 Minerals Law / Amendments / what to
look for. By Doug McGay – longtime resident in the Minerals and petroleum industry;
- Investor views and concerns about making investments in Mongolia and its mining sector. By
Randolph Koppa – Vice Chairman, BCM and President, TDB;
- A view from the Mining Majors by Sunjidmaa Jamba from Peabody Energy;
- A supply side view by Stephen Potter, Wagner Asia;
- Tax Issues impacting the Minerals Industry by D. Onchinsuren – Co-chair BCM Tax Working
Group and Deloitte Onch Audit;
- Use of MSE for State Privatizations by Nick Cousyn – Co-chair, BCM Capital Markets Working
Group and BDSec;
- Views from within the Industry by N. Algaa – Executive Director, MNMA;
- Transparency and Public Comment by David Wyche – Economic/Commercial Section Chief,
Embassy of the United States of America
- International Agreements that attract bi-lateral investment, and views on the State ownership
of assets by Maxim Berdichevsky – Counselor & Senior Trade Commissioner, Embassy of Canada
- Some specific thoughts on the Amendments by James Liotta – Co-chair, BCM LWG and
MahoneyLiotta Law Firm; Bayar Budragchaa - Co-chair, BCM LWG and ELC Law Firm.
As MP Garamgaibaatar, Chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs and Head of the
Parliamentary Working Group on the Draft Amendments to the Minerals Law, commented at the
meeting's conclusion - "We should not really change general structure and core contents of the draft
Amendments."
Also MP Garamgaibaatar welcomed BCM sending any additional comments directly to his Working
16. Group.
„BCM IN THE UNIVERSITY CLASSROOM‟ NEWS
Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) has progressed 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 1,544 students and teachers
have participated to BCM in the University Classroom Project.
Thanks to all who have participated in BCM in the University classroom project. We are now
collecting specific lecture topics for the next year academic year to end 1 June 2015.
University of the Humanities joined our BCM in the University Classroom project in May. So BCM‟s
project has expanded to 4 of Mongolia‟s largest universities -- National University of Mongolia,
Institute of Finance and Economics, Mongolian National University and University of the Humanities
-- with over 40,000 students collectively.
If you like to share your experience on some specific topic, you can discuss with us for the next
school term. Please contact: erka@bcmongolia.org
BCM WEBSITES
PRESENTATIONS (in Mongolian):
The following statistics and reports posted on Presentations section in Mongolian:
http://bcmongolia.org/mn/илтгэлүүд
• Монгол банкны 2013 оны жилийн тайлан
• Монгол улсын нийгэм эдийн засгийн байдал, 2014 оны 5 сарын байдлаар, Үндэсний
статистикийн хороо
• Монгол улсын нийгэм эдийн засгийн байдал, 2014 оны 4 сарын байдлаар, Үндэсний
статистикийн хороо
• Мандал Женерал Даатгал тайлан, 2014 оны 5 сар
• Сант марал сангаас гаргасан УЛС ТӨРИЙН БАРОМЕТР №13(47), 2014 ОН 3 САР
• Монгол улсын нийгэм эдийн засгийн байдал, 2014 оны 3 сарын байдлаар, Үндэсний
статистикийн хороо
• “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:
18. 3 presentations from BCM monthly meeting on May 26, 2014:
• B. Lakshmi, Director, Mongolia Economic Forum – “Why Mongolia Business Summit?” at the BCM
Monthly meeting May 26, 2014
• Nick Cousyn, Co-chair, BCM Capital Markets Working Group – “Use of MSE for State Privatizations”
at the BCM Monthly meeting May 26, 2014
• Peter Benson, VicRoads Team Leader, ADB Capacity Building Project – “Mongolia Roads –
Achievements and Challenges”at the BCM Monthly meeting May 26, 2014
• China Metals & Mining Thermal Coal, Coking Coal, Copper, Gold, Steel by Macquarie Capital
Securities Limited
4 presentations from 3rd Mongolia Trade and Commodity Finance Conference, May 13, Blue Sky-UB:
• Mongolia – New Investment Laws, Stephen Tricks, Consultant, Clyde & Co;
• Mongolia Investment Law: select issues, B. Enkhbat, Partner, MDS & KhanLex Law Firm;
• Mongolia‟s promise of mineral wealth, Arnout van Heukelem, Head of Metals & Mining Asia ING;
• Utilising international partnerships to extend access to trade finance, Marco Nindl, Trade Finance
Banker, EBRD.
16 Presentations at 2014 Mongolia Investment Summit London, April 30-May 1:
• Assessing developments in current economic policy and how the government will manage and
improve existing regulations, Ochirbat Chuluunbat, Vice Minister for Economic Development,
Ministry of Economic Development, Mongolia
• How should investors interpret the shift in government policy and the introduction of the new
investment law?, Andrew Danenza, Founder and Managing Partner, Melbury Capital, UK
• Examining legal developments and what this means for the stimulation of FDI, Chris Melville,
Partner, Hogan Lovells, Mongolia
• Examining Mongolian mining policy and how it could benefit the production and export of mineral
resources, Rentsendoo Jigjid, State Secretary, Ministry of Mining, Mongolia
• Analyzing the Mongolian coal market: how could mining companies best respond to the operating
environment and fluctuations in demand?, Battsengel Gotov, Executive Director and CEO, Mongolian
Mining Corporation, Mongolia
• Examining how Mongolian banks and financial institutions are dealing with the challenges and
opportunities of a fast growing economy, Norihiko Kato, CEO, Khan Bank, Mongolia
• Spotlight presentations: a chance to showcase your services and projects to a wide investor
audience, Leading bank of Mongolia: Golomt Bank - Munkhbat Davaatseren CEO, Golomt Securities
LLC, Mongolia
• To what extent has Mongolia retained its previously high levels of investment appeal? Alisher Ali
Chairman, Eurasia Capital, Mongolia
• How can Mongolia attract private investment in power development? Philip Lam, Senior Banker,
Power and Energy Utilities, EBRD, UK
• Examining the potential for successful renewable energy projects in Mongolia and the benefits
cleaner energy will bring for foreign investors, Bolor J. Artan, Deputy CEO, Newcom Group,
Mongolia
• Spotlight presentations: a chance to showcase your services and projects to a wide investor
audience, Michael Jonas Director, Genie Mongolia and Executive Vice President, Genie Oil and Gas,
Mongolia
• Assessing the Mongolian Stocks Exchange‟s cooperation with the London Stock Exchange and how
this can benefit investors, Jon Edwards Deputy Head of Primary Markets- Emerging Markets, London
Stock Exchange, UK
• Spotlight presentations: a chance to showcase your services and projects to a wide investor
audience, Boldbaatar Lamjav, Board Member, Nuudelchin, Mongolia
• Mining infrastructure case study: examining the development of infrastructure to support Erdenes
Tavan Tolgoi and how a continuation will bring, Badarch Enkhbat, CFO, Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi,
19. Mongolia
• Developing strategic mineral assets and infrastructure in Mongolia: Examining the timescales and
how obstacles can be overcome, Sainbuyan Odon CEO, Erdenes MGL LLC, Mongolia
• How could you ensure an effective IPO and the raising of the necessary capital for your business?,
Ayuna Nechaeva, Business Development Manager – Russia, CIS and Mongolia, London Stock
Exchange, UK.
_________________________________________________________________________-
•“BCM‟s Green Office Initiative: Starting from waste management and recycling”, A. Bayarmaa,
Head of BCM Environmental Working Group/Senior Carbon Finance Specialist, Clean Energy LLC, at
the BCM monthly meeting April 28, 2014
•“Socio-Political Situation in Spring 2014”, L. Sumati, Director, Sant Maral Foundation, 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;
Mongolia reports: http://bcmongolia.org/en/mongolia-reports
• Social and economic situation of Mongolia as of May 2014 by National Statistical Office
• Real Estate Report 2014 by Mongolia Properties
• ASIA Reaching for the Top by International Monetary Fund, June 2014
• ASIA Achieving Its Potential by International Monetary Fund, June 2014
• Social and economic situation of Mongolia, as of April 2014, by National Statistical Office
• Mongolia: Economy outlook 2014, by Asian Development Bank;
• 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
• Talking to United World, the Executive Director of the Mongolian Drilling Association (MDA)
Professor J. Tseveenjav. Source: http://www.worldfolio.co.uk/
• 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”;
20. BCM's English website includes the “Mongolia Business News” section. 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.
The bulk of the content on BCM‟s new LinkedIn page is 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 5,817 fans on our Facebook fans page, 608 connections on LinkedIn
network, and 1,109 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/
22. 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]
May 31, 2014 *13.1% [source: NSOM]
*Year-over-year (y-o-y), nationwide
Note: 13.9% y-o-y, Ulaanbaatar city, May 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 – 19 JUNE 2014
Currency Name Currency Rate
US Dollar USD 1,824.94
Euro EUR 2,484.66
Japanese yen JPY 17.93
British pound GBP 3,103.49
Hong Kong dollar HKD 235.45
Chinese Yuan CNY 292.73
Russian Ruble RUB 53.24
South Korean won KRW 1.79
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.
