Mining Minister pays working visit to Russia www.montsame.mn

Moscow /MONTSAME/ Delegation led by the Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry D.Sumiyabazar is paying a working visit to the Russian Federation and Port of Taman on September 24-26. On their first day of visit, they met with I.E.Levitin, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, and Rosneft authorities.

During the fourth Eastern Economic Forum, President of Mongolia Kh.Battulga and his Russian counterpart V.V.Putin discussed several issues including construction of natural gas pipes between China and Russia via Mongolia, creating economic corridor and celebrating the 80th anniversary of the victory at the Battle of Khalkha River together.

Minister D.Sumiyabazar’s visit to Russia aims to intensify the implementation of the works that have been discussed by the leaders of the two countries and expanding bilateral cooperation in mining. Mining Minister met with the Rosneft President I.I.Sechin, exchanging views on wide range of issues including conducting joint research on oil exploration in Mongolia, construction of oil refinery, studying possibilities of building gas pipe through Mongolia at the site and celebrating the 80th anniversary of the victory at the Battle of Khalkha River. In addition, Rosneft agreed to provide fuel for the new airport in the Khushigt Valley.

“Fuel is an important strategic product for our country. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the supply of the product and increase the customs bonded warehouse. We also seek opportunities to take substantial measures to ensure stable fuel price that directly affect the livelihoods of the people. The Government of Mongolia decided to build an oil refinery with the financing from the EXIM Bank of India. Rosneft has a great experience in oil exploration and processing. Experts led by the Rosneft Vice President A.A.Romanov will visit the oil refinery site, some areas where the gas pipe will go through and the 19th, 21th field of Dachin Tamsag, where oil is extracted” noted Minister D.Sumiyabazar.

Highlighting the successful implementation of the works on bringing the Tavan Tolgoi coal deposit to international markets and making it meet the international standards, he said “The Memorandum on cooperation was established with the OTEKO JSC of Russia to make investment in Tavan Tolgoi, transport coal to the Port of Taman at Black sea and bring it to the third markets. Tavan Tolgoi plans to export 25 million tons of coal through the Port Taman annually. In this regard, visit to the Port Taman and meeting with the OTEKO CEO M.Litvak are planned.”

The company is interested in expansion of cooperation with us and investments. We have a huge potential. In particular, by improving cooperation policy with the Russian Federation in mining, industry and trade sectors, being responsible and maintaining the trust of our partners, we can increase our profits and advance the country's development.”

In addition, the Presidents of the two countries are giving special importance to the 80th anniversary of the victory at the Battle of Khalkha River that will occur in 2019. Rosneft will finance the anniversary event and construction of the New Soum project in Khalkha gol soum.

Mongolians mostly drive used Japanese cars www.news.mn

Mongolia imports sedans from nearly 30 countries – mostly from Japan. According to statistics of 2017, Mongolia imported 45,000 cars from Japan followed by 2900 vehicles from South Korea, 142 from the US and 315 from Germany.

Four Mongolians working at Apple www.news.mn

S.Aigerym has becomes the first Mongolian women engineer to work at the US tech giant Apple. She graduated from Houston University in 2017. S.Algerym who is from Bayan-Ulgii, a Kazakh-majority province in the west of Mongolia, has recently got a job as a programming engineer at Apple Inc.

China says new African swine fever outbreak reported in Inner Mongolia www.reuters.com

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Monday it has confirmed a new outbreak of African swine fever in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of northern China, as authorities struggle to contain the highly contagious disease.

Campaign to create positive, safe cyber environment starts in Mongolia www.xinhuanet.com

ULAN BATOR, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia on Monday launched a week-long campaign to create positive and safe cyber environment.

PM U.Khurelsukh meets with the representatives of the MCC www.montsame.mn

Official visit of Mongolian Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh to the USA is continuing. PM U.Khurelsukh held a meeting with the representatives of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and got familiarized with the project plan on improving water supply of Ulaanbaatar city. Senior Director and Practice Lead in the Water and Sanitation Division of the Department at the MCC Kumar Ranganathan said that water supply issue of Ulaanbaatar city has reached an alarming level. If citizens of Ulaanbaatar city continue to use underground and surface water without changing their consumption attitude, the city will run out of water in less than 20 years. Moreover, stream of Tuul River, the main source of drinking water is expected to diminish several times. Therefore, the MCC decided to render non-refundable financial support worth USD 350 million to the implementation of comprehensive project on improving water supply of Ulaanbaatar city within five years’ period. Mr Kumar Ranganathan expressed his hope that the implementation of the project will bring multilateral positive changes to Mongolian society and economy. The project will be realized in three phases between 2019 and 2023. In the frames of the project, equipment to increase underground water reserve and filter the water will be installed at 50 locations around the city. Moreover, water recycling facility will be built with the purpose of using grey water in heating power plants of the city. Thus, heating power plant will be able to use 15 million cubic meters of grey water in its consumption per year. Within the project, legal environment regarding water supply will be improved as well. It is also estimated that drinking water reservoir will be increased by 70 million cubic meters after installing water purifying technology and consumption system in water wells of ger districts.

PM meets representatives of key international organizations www.zgm.mn

Prime Minister of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, during his visit to the United States of America, met with the Heads of the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and representatives of Millennium Challenge Corporation. Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, expressed his satisfaction towards economic recovery of Mongolia following the joint programs and policy measures. Prime Minister Khurelsukh noted that the Government of Mongolia is giving special importance in expanding the first phase of Economic Management Program and efficiently implementing its second phase. He then announced to focus on intensifying joint projects, stabilizing the economy and increasing accessibility.

IMF WARNS TO INCREASE FX RESERVE

On the same day, the PM Khurelsukh discussed the results and further actions of Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program with Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director and Chairwoman of the IMF. Ms. Lagarde expressed contentment towards successful implementation of the program thanks to Mongolia’s strong commitment to the program, fiscal stability, and significant progress on reducing debts and upgrading credit ratings, highlighting that the implementation of the EFF remains satisfactory with key targets met. Thanks to the program, Mongolia’s economy grew 6.3 percent in the first half of 2018 from 1.2 percent in 2016 and the IMF expects 8 percent growth in 2018. However, Ms. Lagarde warned that Mongolia remains vulnerable to external and internal shocks and signified the necessity to create favorable environment for investment, reduce fiscal deficit and further increasing FX reserve, and advised Mongolia to outline preparatory actions for potential shock.

MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION ADDRESSES WATER SUPPLY IN UB

On the sideline meeting with the delegation of Millenium Challenge Corporation, the Prime Minister had an au fait with the Millennium Challenge Corporation's plan on improving water supply in Ulaanbaatar city. According to Kumar Ranganathan, Practice Lead and Senior Director for Water and Sanitation nfrastructure at the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the water supply in Ulaanbaatar city has reached a level of concern. Ulaanbaatar city has less than 20 years of water supply with the current methodology for surface and deep water consumption. The runoff of Tuul river, the key source of drinking water in Ulaanbaatar, is in danger of diminishing several times than the normal size. Therefore, the Millennium Challenge Corporation settled USD 350 million in non-refundable aid for a project on a 5-year comprehensive solution to water supply issues. "We hope the implementation of this project will have multiple positive impact on Mongolia’s socio-economic situation," remarked Mr. Kumar Ranganathan. The project will be implemented in three phases between 2019 and 2023, increasing and cleansing deep water reserve, as well as installing filters, in 50 locations. Within the frame, a water purifier will be established, which will also allow industries to use greywater. For instance, thermal power plants will have annual access to 15 million square meters of greywater. Purifying technology will be installed in ger district drinking water wells, which is estimated to save 70 million square meters of water reserve.

Mining Minister elected as a ruling party official www.news.mn

Mining Minister D.Sumiyabazar has been elected as secretary general of the capital city’s committee of the ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) at a congress. D.Sumiyabazar won 50.4 percent of the votes from the 369 MPP party members, who attended the party’s congress on Friday and Saturday to discuss internal. His opponent S.Batbold lost by only three votes.

Mongolia to improve tax administration with ADB loan www.news.mn

The Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of USD 25 million to help Mongolia improve its tax administration and public investment management using information and communication technology (ICT).

US University opens Mongolian language class www.news.mn

For the first time, University of Pennsylvania students can learn Mongolian and delve into a new culture.