1 PRIME MINISTER OYUN-ERDENE VISITS EGIIN GOL HYDROPOWER PLANT PROJECT SITE WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/30      2 ‘I FELT CAUGHT BETWEEN CULTURES’: MONGOLIAN MUSICIAN ENJI ON HER BEGUILING, BORDER-CROSSING MUSIC WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM PUBLISHED:2025/04/30      3 POWER OF SIBERIA 2: ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY OR GEOPOLITICAL RISK FOR MONGOLIA? WWW.THEDIPLOMAT.COM PUBLISHED:2025/04/29      4 UNITED AIRLINES TO LAUNCH FLIGHTS TO MONGOLIA IN MAY WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/29      5 SIGNATURE OF OIL SALES AGREEMENT FOR BLOCK XX PRODUCTION WWW.RESEARCH-TREE.COM  PUBLISHED:2025/04/29      6 MONGOLIA ISSUES E-VISAS TO 11,575 FOREIGNERS IN Q1 WWW.XINHUANET.COM PUBLISHED:2025/04/29      7 KOREA AN IDEAL PARTNER TO HELP MONGOLIA GROW, SEOUL'S ENVOY SAYS WWW.KOREAJOONGANGDAILY.JOINS.COM  PUBLISHED:2025/04/29      8 MONGOLIA TO HOST THE 30TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ASIA SECURITIES FORUM WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/29      9 BAGAKHANGAI-KHUSHIG VALLEY RAILWAY PROJECT LAUNCHES WWW.UBPOST.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/29      10 THE MONGOLIAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND FDI: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITY WWW.MELVILLEDALAI.COM  PUBLISHED:2025/04/28      849 ТЭРБУМЫН ӨРТӨГТЭЙ "ГАШУУНСУХАЙТ-ГАНЦМОД" БООМТЫН ТЭЗҮ-Д ТУРШЛАГАГҮЙ, МОНГОЛ 2 КОМПАНИ ҮНИЙН САНАЛ ИРҮҮЛЭВ WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/30     ХУУЛЬ БУСААР АШИГЛАЖ БАЙСАН "БОГД УУЛ" СУВИЛЛЫГ НИЙСЛЭЛ ӨМЧЛӨЛДӨӨ БУЦААВ WWW.NEWS.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/30     МЕТРО БАРИХ ТӨСЛИЙГ ГҮЙЦЭТГЭХЭЭР САНАЛАА ӨГСӨН МОНГОЛЫН ГУРВАН КОМПАНИ WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/30     "UPC RENEWABLES" КОМПАНИТАЙ ХАМТРАН 2400 МВТ-ЫН ХҮЧИН ЧАДАЛТАЙ САЛХИН ЦАХИЛГААН СТАНЦ БАРИХААР БОЛОВ WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/30     ОРОСЫН МОНГОЛ УЛС ДАХЬ ТОМООХОН ТӨСЛҮҮД ДЭЭР “ГАР БАРИХ” СОНИРХОЛ БА АМБИЦ WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/30     МОНГОЛ, АНУ-ЫН ХООРОНД ТАВДУГААР САРЫН 1-НЭЭС НИСЛЭГ ҮЙЛДЭНЭ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/29     ЕРӨНХИЙ САЙД Л.ОЮУН-ЭРДЭНЭ ЭГИЙН ГОЛЫН УЦС-ЫН ТӨСЛИЙН ТАЛБАЙД АЖИЛЛАЖ БАЙНА WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/29     Ц.ТОД-ЭРДЭНЭ: БИЧИГТ БООМТЫН ЕРӨНХИЙ ТӨЛӨВЛӨГӨӨ БАТЛАГДВАЛ БУСАД БҮТЭЭН БАЙГУУЛАЛТЫН АЖЛУУД ЭХЛЭХ БОЛОМЖ БҮРДЭНЭ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/29     MCS-ИЙН ХОЁР ДАХЬ “УХАА ХУДАГ”: БНХАУ, АВСТРАЛИТАЙ ХАМТРАН ЭЗЭМШДЭГ БАРУУН НАРАНГИЙН ХАЙГУУЛЫГ УЛСЫН ТӨСВӨӨР ХИЙЖЭЭ WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/29     АМ.ДОЛЛАРЫН ХАНШ ТОГТВОРЖИЖ 3595 ТӨГРӨГ БАЙНА WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/29    

Events

Name organizer Where
MBCC “Doing Business with Mongolia seminar and Christmas Receptiom” Dec 10. 2024 London UK MBCCI London UK Goodman LLC

NEWS

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Tech firms hope to seek opportunities in Israel www.chinadaily.com.cn

 
A Beijing-based online game company, 7k7k.com, hopes to learn more about the Israeli market to prepare for possible business opportunities there.
 
The company attended a conference called Why Israel, held by Great Wall Club on Tuesday, where experts and industry insiders shared their insights on Israel and experiences in working with the Israeli people.
 
"We don't have business there (in Israel) right now. But we are very interested in it," said Deng Lu, business development director of the company.
 
7k7k.com is one among many Chinese companies that have shown zest for the Middle Eastern country.
 
Shengjing FOF, a Chinese fund that invests globally, has teamed up with Chinese tech giants in investing Israeli's venture capital fund Jerusalem Venture Partners and private equity fund Viola.
 
Managing partner of Shengjing FOF Wang Xiangyun believed that the innovative and entrepreneurial climate in Israel is second only to the Silicon Valley in the United States.
 
The premier investment environment featuring openness to foreign capital, sound legal system, and excellent exit channels makes Israel a good place to invest, she said at the meet.
 
According to Chinese news outlet the Economic Observer citing data by Israel Venture Capital, the total amount of Chinese investment in Israeli startup companies is expected to reach $500 million and Chinese investment in Israeli VC funds is expected to rise 18 percent to $1 billion in 2016.
 
Israel gives top priority to education, scientific research and innovation, said Han Jun, deputy chief appraiser of the National Center for Science and Technology Evaluation and former technology counselor of the Chinese embassy in Israel.
 
Israel's R&D input accounts for 4.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), its education input takes up eight percent of the GDP, and it ranks first worldwide in the number of per capita patent applications, according to Han.
 
"Innovation is embedded in the DNA of the Jewish people," Han reckoned. Over many years of work in Israel, he found that the Jewish people are diligent, frugal, efficient, and down-to-earth. Chinese companies should take into account these traits while communicating with them, he added.
 
Israelis seek business opportunities via financial advisors, business events, hangout places for entrepreneurs, start-up communities, referral from other entrepreneurs, among others, said Li Xiaoyuan, deputy general manager of the Israel Chamber of Commerce in China, which has around 120 members, of which 70 percent are Israeli companies.
 
The Global Mobile Internet Conference (GMIC), to be held on Tel Aviv on March 22, will be a good opportunity for communication between Chinese and Israeli tech companies, Great Wall Club chief executive Hao Yi said.
 
Tel Aviv will be GMIC's first leg around the globe this year, followed by eight other cities including Beijing, Sao Paulo and Bangalore. More than 1,000 companies attended the GMIC in Tel Aviv last year.
 
To add its appeal, the GMIC-X, a gala that brings music and technology together and received 430 million online clicks when debuted in Beijing last year, will stage in Tel Aviv for the first time, Hao said, welcoming companies to take the chance to interact with Israeli locals.
 
Since its founding in 2008, Great Wall Club has been committed to building a platform for global innovators. It has held the GMIC in the past eight years, turning it into the world's largest and most influential mobile internet event.
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DRC drops opposition to Lundin copper deal www.mining.com

The Democratic Republic of Congo has dropped its opposition to the sale of the Tenke Fungurume mine by Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) and Lundin Mining’s (TSX:LUN) to Chinese investors for $3.8 billion.

State-owned Gecamines which owns 20% of the copper mine, strongly opposed the deal and in October opened an arbitration case in Paris. Gecamines was particularly unhappy about Lundin’s right of first refusal to take up a majority stake and its subsequent decision to sell its 24% interest in Tenke to a Chinese private equity firm for $1.14 billion over Gecamines' objections.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Gecamines would receive an undisclosed amount in compensation:

Gecamines has opposed similar transactions in the past. In 2012, it almost stopped the acquisition of Anvil Mining NL by China’s Minmetals Resources Ltd. The deal proceeded after they reached an agreement that included Anvil paying $55 million to Gecamines.
The Lundin transaction came after joint-venture partner Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) signed a deal to sell its 56% holding in the project to China Molybdenum (CMOC) for up to $2.65 billion back in May.

Tenke, which cost $3 billion to build, holds one of the world’s largest known copper resources. The high-grade mine in 2015 produced 203,965 tonnes of the red metal and just over 16,000 tonnes of cobalt.

Even in its current form Tenke is a prized asset notwithstanding its location in one of the more difficult mining jurisdictions in the world. But a contemplated expansion of the mine would likely boost copper cathode production capacity towards 500,000 tonnes per year.

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Japanese firms likely to review Europe strategy www3.nhk.or.jp

Japanese companies will likely review their business strategies for Europe as British Prime Minister Theresa May says her country will take a "hard Brexit" and seek a complete withdrawal from the European Union.

Japan's Foreign Ministry says over a thousand Japanese companies had their regional headquarters in Britain as of October 2015. Only Germany had more in Europe.
Many Japanese firms regard Britain as a business hub for the region. The country's official language is English and its environment is seen as business-friendly.

Many Japanese automakers including Nissan, Toyota, and Honda operate factories in Britain.

Nissan officials announced last October they would continue production there after the country leaves the EU. They said the UK government's support and assurances encouraged their decision.

But Nissan officials might now review their production system. That's because Britain leaving the EU-single market could result in tariffs being imposed on vehicles exported from the UK to EU member nations.

The automaker plans to examine how Britain's complete withdrawal will affect its business.

Japanese pharmaceutical firms may also reconsider their strategies. The European Medicines Agency tests drug products and is based in London. The body needs to approve products before they can be sold in EU countries. But experts say the EMA may re-locate after Brexit.

The head of a Japanese association of drug makers has expressed concern over how Britain's decision could affect Japan's medical industry.

Yoshihiko Hatanaka, the president of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, says separate approval systems between Britain and the EU will make a significant impact on the markets.

Many Japanese financial firms that operate in Europe may also be affected. That's because they use the EU's "single passport" system. It allows companies legally established in one member country to provide services throughout the bloc.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Daiwa Securities obtained a single passport in Britain. But their passports could become invalid after Brexit.

Analysts say they might now apply for a single passport again in the EU by leaving London and setting up a business base elsewhere.

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President Ts.Elbegdorj attends World Economic Forum www.en.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The President of Mongolia Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj is attending the 47th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum at Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 is running on 17-20 January with theme “Responsive and Responsible Leadership”.

Within the framework of the forum, President Ts.Elbegdorj is to participate in sessions, meetings and discussions regarding issues on priorities of next US administration, energy priorities of the region, silk road, responsible leadership in the multi-polar world and mining and nature protection policy, expressing position of Mongolia and sharing his views.

Mongolian participation in the forum at high level is considered highly significant to promote the country, give its contribution to resolve global problems and challenges, introduce the current state of economic development of the country and attract foreign investment.

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters is considered a creative force for engaging the world’s top leaders in collaborative activities to shape the global, regional and industry agendas at the beginning of each year.

This year, the meeting will focus on four key leadership challenges for 2017: strengthening global collaboration, revitalizing economic growth, reforming capitalism and preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution – a huge leap powered by the digital age, which is transforming the way we live and work. It will do this through a programme where more than half of the 400 sessions focus on social inclusion and development.

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Uber to invest more than $60 million in Sao Paulo support center www.reuters.com

 
Ride-hailing service Uber inaugurated a support center in Brazil's biggest city on Tuesday with plans to invest 200 million reais ($62 million) and create 2,000 jobs, underscoring an aggressive growth strategy in Latin America's biggest nation.
 
The new facility in Sao Paulo may employ up to 7,000 people by the end of the year, providing technical support for around 9 million users in Brazil along with thousands of drivers, the company said in a statement.
 
Uber's latest investment in Brazil comes just weeks after Didi Chuxing, China's largest ride-hailing company, announced it was investing more than $100 million in Brazilian company 99, an on-demand taxi and ride sharing service.
 
After a bruising battle in China, Uber agreed in August to sell its unit there to Didi, which is also investing $1 billion in San Francisco-based Uber Technologies in the deal.
 
Didi has also formed an alliance with Lyft in the United States, India's ride service Ola and Southeast Asian startup Grab in an effort to compete with Uber's global dominance.
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Deutsche Bank signs $7.2 billion deal with U.S. over risky mortgages www.reuters.com

 
Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) (DB.N) finalized a $7.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over its sale of toxic mortgage securities in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis, the government agency said on Tuesday.
 
Deutsche's agreement represents the largest resolution for the conduct of a single entity in misleading investors in residential mortgage-backed securities, the department said in a statement. The settlement was higher than the $7 billion paid by Citigroup to federal and state authorities in 2014.
 
"Deutsche Bank did not merely mislead investors: it contributed directly to an international financial crisis," Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in the statement.
 
John Cryan, Deutsche's chief executive, said that the bank's conduct between 2005 and 2007 fell short of standards and was "unacceptable." He said the bank had exited many of the underlying activities and improved standards.
 
Deutsche Bank ADR-listed shares closed down 3.2 percent to $18.56 on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
The Frankfurt-based bank announced it had reached the agreement in principle with U.S. authorities on Dec. 23.
 
Its stock price hit a record low in September after the bank acknowledged the Justice Department made an opening demand of $14 billion.
 
The Justice Department reached $46 billion in settlements with U.S. banks over the shoddy securities that contributed to the U.S. housing market collapse and financial crisis before turning to Deutsche and other European banks.
 
Other banks paid more than Deutsche, but their settlements also included wrongdoing by institutions they acquired during the crisis. Bank of America Corp (BAC.N), for instance, agreed to pay $16.7 billion, which also covered Merrill Lynch and Countrywide Financial. JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) settled for $13 billion, including misconduct by Washington Mutual and Bear Stearns.
 
As part of its deal, Deutsche Bank will pay a civil monetary penalty of $3.1 billion and provide $4.1 billion in consumer relief to homeowners, borrowers and communities harmed by its practices.
 
The bank also agreed to a statement of facts that describes how it made false and misleading representations to investors about the loans underlying billions of dollars worth of mortgage securities issued by the bank in 2006 and 2007.
 
In May 2006, a supervisor is quoted as warning a senior trader that a loan originator would underwrite loans to anyone with "half a pulse", according to the statement of facts.
 
The supervisor also said that month that Deutsche Bank, among others, "tolerate[d] misrepresentation" from originators who accepted blacked out pay stubs to state that borrowers had higher incomes.
 
Deutsche Bank also knew appraisals were inflated, and concealed second liens on properties.
 
The preliminary deal with Deutsche was made public before Christmas as U.S. probes of other European banks over the shoddy securities also came to a head.
 
Zurich-based Credit Suisse announced that it had agreed in principle to a $5.3 billion settlement, and the Justice Department sued Barclays Plc (BARC.L) and two former executives for fraud for allegedly deceiving investors about the quality of loans underlying tens of billions of dollars of the securities.
 
Separately, Deutsche Bank will slash bonuses for senior employees by about 90 percent, a move that will be announced on Wednesday, Spiegel reported.
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India loses position as world’s fastest-growing economy www.rt.com

 
The International Monetary Fund said India’s growth slowed last year, with the economy falling back behind China. The slowdown is attributed to the Indian government’s demonetization which has caused a cash crisis in the country.
 
According to the IMF World Economic Outlook, India’s economic growth stood at 6.6 percent in 2016 compared with China's 6.7 percent. In 2015, Indian growth was 7.6 percent.
 
The IMF said it had lowered forecasts for India growth in the current fiscal year due to "temporary negative consumption shock" of the currency invalidation.
 
"In India, the growth forecast for the current (2016-17) and next fiscal year were trimmed by one percentage point and 0.4 percentage point, respectively, primarily due to the temporary negative consumption shock induced by cash shortages and payment disruptions associated with the recent currency note withdrawal and exchange initiative," the IMF said.
 
Last week the World Bank also decelerated India's GDP growth for 2016-17 fiscal year to seven percent from its previous estimates of 7.6 percent.
 
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in November the government’s decision to withdraw the two largest rupee notes, explaining the move as part of the fight against corruption.
 
The discontinued 500 and 1,000 rupee bills (worth about $7.35, $14.7) made up 86 percent of India's currency in circulation.
 
The dramatic decision caused chaos as cash machines began to run out of money with people rushing banks to exchange the old currency.
 
Government figures showed India grew at 7.3 percent in the quarter that ended in September, before the cash ban.
 
The IMF said it expects India’s economy to recover to 7.2 percent growth this year and accelerate to 7.7 percent in 2018. China is projected to continue decelerating, to 6.5 percent in 2017 and six percent the year after.
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UB city government bans serving and selling of beverage containing alcohol www.gogo.mn

Alcoholic products won`t be sold or served in Ulaanbaatar city from 6pm today until Jan 20th. 
On Jan 16, five people died of poisoning after drinking undefined liquid as reported by the officials, which might be alcoholic product. The undefined liquid is now being examined while the ban on selling and serving of alcoholic products will be effective until the final examination result. 
Police Department warns citizens and entities to cooperate and obey the decision.

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Mongolian investment climate discussion ongoing www.gogo.mn

Mongolian business and private sector representatives and corresponding government officials were invited to a seminar co-organized by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry today, January 17.
The seminar is designated to introduce the outcome of a study themed ‘Investment Environment of Mongolia, its improvement’ conducted by JICA.
Launched in December, 2015, the one-year study aimed to provide a report on the investment climate of Mongolia to Japanese companies, help them expand their business in Mongolia, and make recommendations to the planning of JICA’s private sector development programs. The study is also expected to contribute to the development of Mongolian businesses.
The study has been completed, but the conclusion will be made with participation of Mongolian government organizations and private sector representatives. Therefore, the seminar was a platform for Mongolian businesses to express and reflect their views in the final report of the study.
“Since 1990 when Mongolian transitioned to market economy, JICA has been implementing number of projects and programs in various sectors such as education, health, governance, agricultural development, private sector development and transportation”, said Sato Mutsumi, Chief Representative of JICA Mongolia Office in his opening speech.
“Number of Japanese companies interested in doing business in Mongolia come to us; but due to lack of sufficient knowledge on investment climate of Mongolia, we observe hesitation and caution. And this study will solve the problem”, he said.
Mongolia and Japan signed an Economic Partnership Agreement in June 2016.

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Putin's Judo Partner Awarded $285M Contract For Crimea Railway www.themoscowtimes.com

The general contractor for the construction of a railway line on the Kerch bridge between Russia and Crimea will be Arkady Rotenberg's company Stroygazmontazh, Kommersant reports. The contract is estimated to be worth 17 billion rubles ($285 million).

The contract for the controversial railway project across the Kerch bridge connecting Russia with the recently annexed Crimean peninsula was awarded to Stroygazmontazh, which is the same company constructing the bridge. The company is owned by a close associate and Judo partner of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Arkady Rotenberg.

Stroygazmontazh received the contract to build a bridge across the Kerch Strait in February 2015. The contract is worth more than 228 billion rubles ($4 billion).

Both the bridge and the railway are scheduled to become fully operational in December 2018.

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