The programme is the first time the province has sent a team of archaeologists abroad.

Archaeologists from both countries will cooperate on surveys, mapping, excavation and research of a Xiongnu cemetery in Arhangai Province. The site has more than 400-known tombs.

Previous digs over the past 10 years have unearthed a chariot believed to have been given to the Xiongnu by China during the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD), as well as some ironware and pottery typical of the Han style.

'The Xiongnu had close political and economic connection with the Han Dynasty,' said Zhou Ligang," head of the Henan archaeological team.

The Xiongnu were an alliance of nomadic tribes who are also known as the Huns. Emerging around the end of the third century B.C., they were to have a huge impact on Chinese and world history. During the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu and China clashed several times.

Zhou said that previously excavated relics needed to be classified and restored, and the other tomb groups needed further observation and analysis.

'We will use the most advanced equipment and technology, such as low-altitude photogrammetry, to create a 3D model of the cemetery, which will help the Mongolian archaeologists digitalize their research findings,' Zhou said.

The project will be livestreamed on 'Sina Weibo' and will be included in international exhibitions. The Mongolian side will also visit Henan to conduct field surveys and undertake aerial photogrammetry training.

Since the day of the Board’s approval, initial funding has been allocated to Mongolia. Total funding for the three-year EFF program is USD 434.3 million. The initial funding of USD 38.6 million was transferred to the foreign exchange reserve of the central bank of Mongolia, in addition to financing from World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Loan agreements with bilateral partners such as Japan and South Korea are on final stage.

It has been agreed that a monitoring team will visit Mongolia at least once in every three months to look through the mobilization of EFF program. IMF wanted to clarify that it will allocate partial funding on each of the three phases of implementation after careful consideration for the level of EFF program realization.

It has been about two months since commencement of EFF program, for preparation of which, the Parliament has approved the amendments to 2017 State Budget. In its frames, a decision was made by authorities to grant children’s benefits to only 60 percent of children of Mongolia taking into consideration the guardians’ annual incomes. However, right before the second round of the presidential election, the government resolved to grant children’s benefits to all children. Some experts reminded the government is breaching the agreement it has with IMF. Whether it was a violation to the IMF-Mongolia agreement or not is likely to be resolved during the monitoring team’s stay in Mongolia.

During the three-year period of EFF implementation, every budget administrator are tasked to monitor budget revenue and expenditure. It is expected to help reducing budget deficit. It has also been agreed to set up a Budget Council to evaluate the current grounds of taxation in Mongolia. In order to ensure financial stability, the Bank of Mongolia (central bank) is being audited. 
B.Amarsaikhan

Foreigners without the necessary documentation must be aware that, under Mongolian law, they are committing a crime and will face fines, deportation and bans on future entry into the country.

The Mongolian Immigration Agency recommends foreign nationals who are planning to come to Mongolia to obtain visas from the appropriate authority - normally a Mongolian consulate or embassy. The citizens of many countries can visit Mongolia as tourists for up to one month, without obtaining a visa before leaving. People should check in advance that their country is on the list and be aware that they will be fined for overstaying the one month period.

The parties underlined that Mongolia and India have had religious and cultural ties from time immemorial and in recent years, the two countries have expanded the relationship in the fields of defense, security, education and information technology. President of Mongolia Kh.Battulga emphasized that the development of the information technology sector is strategically significant as Mongolia is a landlocked country and he plans to take a leadership role in the issue as the head of the country.

During the first visit by the preceding President of Mongolia to India 8 years ago, India pledged to give loan of USD20 million and the resolution of the issue is going very slowly. President Kh.Battulga said it would be beneficial to spend the loan for the development of information technology and training personnel. He has a proposal to establish a branch of the Indian Institute of Technology in Ulaanbaatar and he requested the Ambassador to convey his proposal to Prime Minister Narenda Modi and his readiness to implement the project under the President’s auspices. The Indian Institute of Technology is one of the world’s leading institutes of information and technology. Currently, more than 60,000 students are studying at the institute.

The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Mongolia in 2015 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and India. During the visit, the two sides agreed to establish a Mongolian and Indian joint school of information technology. Works are underway to realize the agreement jointly with the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Mongolia and the Ulaanbaatar Mayor's Office, noted Ambassador Suresh Babu. The heads of the two countries can work together in this direction as the President of India chairs the IT Steering Committee, mentioned Ambassador Suresh Babu, also emphasizing the importance of collaboration in cyber-security issues.

Even though the two countries have long traditional relations, the economic and trade turnover has been at insufficient level, marked the President, putting his proposal to establish an Indian trade center in Ulaanbaatar, which would lead to the economic and trade turnover increase. President of Mongolia Kh.Battulga stressed that joining the proposal of India to open a direct flight between Ulaanbaatar-Deli with the proposal of the President of Mongolia to establish an Indian trade center in Ulaanbaatar would bring good results.

B.Ooluun

The miner sought international arbitration in May last year, following the country’s string of penalties, fees and accusations of damaging the environment and violating business deal, all of which the firm considers to be without merit.

The Vancouver-based company, the largest Western-based gold producer in Central Asia, said late Wednesday the arbitrator sided with the company, finding evidence that Centerra had both made out a case for the arbitrator to take jurisdiction over the arbitration proceeding and been convincing regarding the merits of the case, unless proved otherwise.

Centerra, which in January filed a request for a partial award or interim measures against the Kyrgyz Republic, is seeking an award ordering the Kyrgyz Republic withdraw or suspend its several claims and related decisions and court orders.

Such decision came on the heels of a court order forcing Centerra's local subsidiary, Kumtor Gold Company (KGC), to pay about $98 million in fees related to their mine waste. That was on top of an earlier court decision ordering Kumtor, the country's biggest gold mine, to pay a $10,000 fine.

The operation has been the focus of a number of disputes between the company and the Kyrgyz government.

Last year, Kyrgyz prosecutors went as far as to raid the company's offices to collect documents related to a suit alleging financial violations by Centerra.

Kumtor, which lies near the Chinese border at an altitude of 4,000 metres, has produced around 10 million ounces since inception and remaining reserves are 5.6 million ounces. In November Centerra said it was increasing its gold output guidance for the mine to 520,000 to 560,000 ounces and lowering all-in sustaining cost forecast to $666 – $718 per ounce.

Centerra has been shopping for assets in safer jurisdictions as of late. Last year, it bought out US-based Thompson Creek Metals (TSX:TCM) including the Mount Milligan copper-gold mine in British Columbia, Canada.