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.

Mongolia still expects new Russia-China gas pipeline to go ahead www.scmp.com

Mongolia still expects the Power of Siberia 2 project – a major new gas pipeline connecting Russia and China – to go ahead despite a turbulent geopolitical situation that could lead to a realignment in relations between Beijing, Moscow and Washington.
The pipeline, if completed, would divert 50 billion cubic metres (1.8 trillion cubic feet) of Russian natural gas per year that previously supplied Europe to China via Mongolia.
But speculation has been growing in recent months that progress on the project has stalled, with analysts arguing that China is reluctant to increase its dependence on Russian energy imports.
Power of Siberia 2 was omitted from the Mongolian government’s 2024-28 work programme, and Chinese and Russian officials have provided few recent updates on the project.
Yet, Mongolia’s first deputy prime minister, Gantumur Luvsannyam, insisted that negotiations over the pipeline were proceeding and that the talks were making progress.
If China and Russia reach a deal and start building the pipeline, we are ready to cooperate and accelerate the project
Gantumur Luvsannyam, Mongolian minister
“The reason why it’s not included in the action programme of the government of Mongolia is because it is an issue that cannot be decided one-sidedly by [the Mongolian cabinet],” Luvsannyam, who also serves as Mongolia’s minister of economy, told the Post in an interview.
“For the project to proceed, China and Russia must first reach an agreement.”
Luvsannyam also stressed the project was not being held up by differences at the political level, but by business concerns held by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) – the state-owned Chinese energy company.
“I imagine that the only issue is CNPC, the buyer, needing to strike a deal on investment and price with the [Russian] supplier,” he said.
President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the then Mongolian head of state first signed a memorandum of understanding to create a China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor a decade ago.
Luvsannyam said the Mongolian government was “currently in discussions with the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission to add two or three projects to the memorandum of understanding” and that those talks would be “finalised soon”.
A first pipeline connecting Russia and China, Power of Siberia 1, has already been completed, and is capable of delivering 38 billion cubic metres of natural gas to northeast China annually. The pipeline has also been extended to supply gas to Shanghai.
But China has been working to diversify its energy supplies in recent years to reduce its risk exposure to any individual market.
Russia was China’s second-largest source of pipelined gas imports last year – its US$8 billion of shipments accounting for 38.1 per cent of China’s total supply. It was also the third-largest supplier of liquefied natural gas to China, providing 10.8 per cent of its total imports.
“If China and Russia reach a deal and start building the pipeline, we are ready to cooperate and accelerate the project,” said Luvsannyam. “The government of Mongolia is committed to advancing this project.”
Chinese officials remain tight-lipped on Power of Siberia 2. In an interview published by China Electric Power News on Tuesday, Liu Hong, director of the National Energy Administration’s petroleum and natural gas department, did not mention the pipeline when listing her department’s major projects for 2025.
On Wednesday, the National Development and Reform Commission stated in its work report at the “two sessions” that China would “practically push forward energy cooperation” with global partners, including the expansion of the Power of Siberia 1 pipeline.
BY:
Kandy Wong returned to the Post in 2022 as a correspondent for the Political Economy desk, having earlier worked as a reporter on the Business desk. She focuses on China's trade

Baganuur Battery Storage Power Station Supplies 17692.9 Mwh Energy to the Central Grid www.montsame.mn

As of today, the Baganuur Battery Storage Power Station has supplied 17,692.9 MWh of electricity to the central grid, providing power to the energy system of the central region of Mongolia, particularly Ulaanbaatar City.
This power plant is environmentally friendly, producing green energy and storing electricity during nighttime hours for redistribution during peak demand. Mongolian engineers, technical staff, and employees are successfully operating the plant.
Ulaanbaatar City accounts for more than 60 percent of the country’s total energy consumption, bearing an average load of 1,245 MW in the power system. During the winter of 2023-2024, Ulaanbaatar’s energy system faced a shortage of 200 MW. However, this deficit was compensated for this winter, thanks to the integration of the 150 MW Buuruljuut Power Plant and the 50 MW Baganuur Battery Storage Power Station into the central grid since December 2024.