“Chinggis Khaan” international exhibition opens at Czech National Museum www.gogo.mn

Minimum wage to increase to MNT 792,000 from April 1 www.gogo.mn

The Tripartite National Committee on Labor and Social Partnership decided on October 7, 2024, to raise Mongolia’s minimum wage by 20%. Effective April 1, 2025, the minimum hourly wage will be set at MNT 4,715, and the monthly minimum wage will increase from MNT 660,000 to MNT 792,000.
The decision was made based on multiple economic and social factors, including:
The minimum standard of living
Labor productivity in relation to the average wage
The minimum pension provided by the Social Insurance Fund
Economic growth and employment rates
Inflation trends
A working group under the committee assessed these factors and determined that a 20% increase was appropriate.

Mongolia's forex reserves drop to 4.7 bln USD www.xinhuanet.com

Mongolia's foreign exchange reserves dropped to 4.7 billion U.S. dollars as of the end of February, local media reported on Tuesday, citing data from the country's central bank.
The figure decreased by 2.47 percent compared to the previous month and by 13.55 percent since the beginning of this year, the Bank of Mongolia said in a statement.
Experts said the recent decrease in forex reserves can be attributed to various factors, including an increase in imports, such as car purchases by citizens and an outbound tourism.
A significant decline in Mongolia's exports since the beginning of the year also led to a reduction in the inflow of foreign currency.
The central bank expects to increase the country's foreign exchange reserves to 6.5 billion dollars in the medium term and up to 10 billion dollars in the long term.
According to the regulator, Mongolia's foreign exchange reserves stood at 5.5 billion dollars by the end of December 2024.

Mongolia and the Czech Republic Embark Upon a Comprehensive Partnership www.montsame.mn

At the invitation of President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel, President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is paying a State Visit to the Czech Republic on March 9-12, 2025.
President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel attended the Signing Ceremony of Cooperation Documents.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Lipavský signed a Joint Declaration on Establishing a Comprehensive Partnership between Mongolia and the Czech Republic. Mongolia established diplomatic relations with Czechoslovakia on April 25, 1950, and with the Czech Republic on January 1, 1993. The Czech Republic is one of Mongolia’s "third neighbors," and the two countries have maintained friendly relations and cooperation.
Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs of Mongolia Altangerel Oyunsaikhan and Deputy Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic Lukáš Hendrych signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on Police Cooperation between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Czech Republic.
The two countries will cooperate in exchanging experiences on criminological research and investigative methods, organize joint training sessions, seminars, practical exercises, language courses, and specialist training programs. The Agreement facilitates direct and efficient cooperation between the authorized institutions of the two countries in preventing and detecting organized crime, identifying criminals, and ensuring public safety and order.
Minister of Education of Mongolia Naranbayar Purevsuren and Deputy Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic Jaroslav Miller signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in Education between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Czech Republic.
The two countries will cooperate in providing short-term training for students, teachers, and researchers, as well as in organizing annual joint summer language and literature programs aimed at deepening mutual knowledge of languages and cultures. The Agreement provides increased opportunities for students who qualify under the "President’s Scholar – 2100" Scholarship Program to study in Czech public universities.
Minister of Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia Enkhbayar Jadamba and Minister of Agriculture of the Czech Republic Marek Výborný signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Agriculture between the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. 
Under the memorandum, the two sides will cooperate in expanding economic cooperation of the two countries, ensuring food safety and security, exchanging advanced agricultural technologies, machinery, equipment, and jointly working on the production of raw materials and products of animal origin and will explore the opportunities to introduce traditional pastoral livestock raw materials and products into the European market.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Czech Republic Gansukh Damdin and Director of the Prague Zoo Miroslav Bobek signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia and the Prague Zoo of the Czech Republic.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) initiates cooperation between Mongolia and the Czech Republic in protecting the critically endangered wild Bactrian camel and preserving its ecosystem. The Czech Republic has experience in successfully implementing the Przewalski’s Horse Reintroduction Project in Mongolia. Under the MOU, the two sides will expand the conservation efforts of the wild Bactrian camel by involving international researchers and scientists, ensuring sustainable population, conducting in-depth studies on its ecology, and developing and improving detailed conservation plans.

Preliminary findings on the impact of nano oxygen water on the growth of Siberian fir seedlings (Abies sibirica Ldb) and some soil parameters (Study report) www.billiontree.mn

Abstract: In statistics, Siberian fir constitutes merely 0.02% of Mongolia's total forest resources. Illegal logging and human activities have led to a decline in fir forest resources and their distribution in recent years. Nevertheless, scientific studies focusing on the cultivation of Siberian fir are comparatively rare compared to other coniferous species. This study aimed to examine the effects of oxygen-rich nanobubble water irrigation on the seed propagation of Siberian fir and the feasibility of using this technology in Mongolia.
The use of oxygen nanobubble water enhances the height growth rate of Siberian fir seedlings by up to 20%. Therefore, the parameters of soil humus content, electrical conductivity, and pH exhibited positive results during the short-term experimental research of the growing season. Research must be continued throughout the growing season in tree nurseries using conifer plantations. 
With the support of the Canadian Embassy and GAIA Water LLC, this research study was funded by the BILLION TREE FUND (https://billiontree.mn/) of Mongolia. 
D. Bazar1*, D. Handsuren,  M.Khishigjargal, A. Buyanbaatar 
*bazar@muls.edu.mn 
Please see the full study document at https://billiontree.mn/content/detail/48

Construction of Ulaanbaatar Cable Car Project Begins www.montsame.mn

As part of the comprehensive project aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Ulaanbaatar City, the construction and installation work for the aerial cable car transport system commenced on March 10, 2025. 
The feasibility study for the second line of the Project, connecting Yaarmag and Artsat Valley to Unur Residence Complex, has been approved. Anchor components for two stations and 19 supporting pillars have been received, with the remaining equipment for the two stations and the T1 and T8 support pillars scheduled for delivery in April 2025. The production of the cable car cabins is also set to begin that same month. 
Once operational, the cable car system on the Yaarmag-Artsat-Unur Residence Complex route will have the capacity to transport 2,320 passengers per hour during peak times, utilizing a total of 98 cabins, each accommodating up to 10 passengers. The route will cover the distance in approximately 11 minutes, traveling at a speed of 22 km/h. After installation, the system will undergo a six-month trial run without passengers. 
The Yaarmag-Kharkhorin cable car line will stretch 4.2 km, including two stations and 19 support pillars, with heights ranging from 7.5 to 42 meters. 
The Project’s Chief Engineer G. Tuvshinsanaa stated, “Today marks the start of installing the support pillars for the aerial cable car system. Of the 19 pillars, six will be placed in the Tuul River basin, ensuring completion ahead of spring floods and snowmelt. Once the support pillars are in place, we will move on to assembling the metal framework. The construction is expected to be completed by December this year, followed by a three-month period for testing and adjustments. The system is planned to be fully operational by the second quarter of next year.”
The Construction Manager at “Monnis Engineering” LLC J. Ankhbayar noted, “The construction will include reinforced concrete pile foundations and column foundations. All support structures, manufactured in France, are expected to arrive by May. Drilling will reach depths of 15 to 20 meters, with concrete foundations extending six to nine meters. Additionally, two-storied buildings will be constructed at both stations to house the cabins. In terms of safety, we are collaborating with Ulaanbaatar’s Rescue Unit and experts from France to exchange knowledge and ensure best practices.”

Switching to gas or electric heaters save households up to MNT 100,000 bills www.gogo.mn

Heating price to increase from May 16 and water prices to increase from September 16 www.gogo.mn

The Energy Regulatory Commission has announced upcoming increases in heating and water prices, which are expected to impact inflation.
According to B.Lkhagvasuren, the Governor of the Bank of Mongolia, heating prices will rise by 85% starting May 16, 2025, following a decision made last November. Additionally, hot and cold water prices will increase from September 16, 2025. 
Currently, the heating tariff stands at MNT 33,862 per unit, while the actual cost is MNT 62,960, causing financial losses for utility providers. Household electricity and heating tariffs have remained unchanged since 2019. The Energy Regulatory Commission stated that the price adjustments aim to align with market principles and enhance the energy sector's financial sustainability.
Water prices per 1 cubic meter:
Clean water: MNT 1,340
Hot water: MNT 1,632
Wastewater: MNT 1,070
Base water price: MNT 3,000
These adjustments are expected to contribute to inflation, which currently stands at 9.6% nationwide. In response, the Bank of Mongolia has raised the policy interest rate from 10% to 12%.

Mongolia issues blizzard, yellow dust storm alert www.xinhuanet.com

Mongolia's National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring on Monday issued warning of blizzards, high wind speeds and yellow dust storms.
According to weather forecasters, snow storms will sweep central and eastern provinces of the country, starting from the night of March 10.
Meanwhile, strong winds and yellow dust storms are expected to hit the country's southern Gobi desert provinces such as Umnugovi, Dundgovi and Dornogovi, from Tuesday to Wednesday, with an average wind speed estimated at 18-24 meters per second, said the weather monitoring agency.
In this regard, the country's meteorological agency warned the residents of Ulan Bator and 21 provinces, including nomadic herders, to take extra precautions against possible disasters.
Spring in Mongolia can be harsh, as the weather is set to make a dramatic shift from harsh winter conditions.

Over 71,000 hectares of land destroyed in wildfires in Mongolia so far this year www.xinhuanet.com

Fourteen forest and steppe fires have been registered across Mongolia since the beginning of this year, burning 71,495 hectares of forest and grassland, the country's National Emergency Management Agency said Monday.
Some 820 people and 149 firefighting vehicles were involved in extinguishing the wildfires, said the agency in a statement.
According to experts, the main causes of natural fires are careless handling of fire by citizens, as well as deliberate burning of grass and debris.
Due to the dry and windy weather conditions in most parts of Mongolia, in the spring of 2025 there is a high risk of sudden forest-steppe fires, it said, urging the public to prevent possible wildfires.