“India is interested in joint projects with Russia to develop coking coal and is going to increase exports of this fuel from Russia,” he said, adding that the agency is assisting both Russian and Indian companies in this.

Pradhan said that the supplies of coal from the remote Russian region can surge, as it is more attractive in terms of price, as well as connectivity to the ports and sea transport, the Times of India reported, citing the minister.

Coal India Limited and Indian Steel Association have already visited and inspected coal mines in Russia’s Far East, while several Russian producers, such as Kolmar, EVRAZ and Mechel, have sent test shipments to India. Those samples are reportedly being tested at the Indian plants.

India imports more than 50 million tons of coking coal, which is a key element for steel production, and is seeking to diversify the sources of the material. However, the share of Russian coal supplies to India is quite low, and stands around 1 percent, according to Petukhov.

Indian steel and energy companies reportedly want to import up to 9 million tons of the raw material from Russia annually. However, Indian partners ask Russia to develop inland as well as port logistics and rail connectivity in the Far East to facilitate the growth of supplies. They also want Russian firms to consider concessions and preferential terms for Indian companies.

Earlier this year, the first deputy minister of Development of Russian Far East said that Moscow aims to boost the coal supplies six fold - to 28 million tons - by 2025.

"However, it is estimated that more than 600 people may be infected with HIV in the country," Dulmaa Nyamkhuu, head of the NCCD, told a press conference on the occasion of World AIDS Day, which falls on Dec. 1 every year.

Almost all of the infections resulted from sexual transmission, he said, adding that 80 percent of the HIV carriers and AIDS patients are sexual minorities.

Around 87 percent of those infected have received anti-virus treatments, he said.

The first case of HIV infection in Mongolia was recorded in 1992. Since then, 44 people have died of AIDS in the country.

As of October, 2019, money supply reached MNT 20.5 trillion, showing growth by 11.7 percent compared to the same period of last year and the money supply is mainly composed of savings of tugrug, current accounts and savings of foreign currencies.

Compared to last year, the credit increase became 10.6 percent, reaching MNT 18 trillion and 87.8 percent of the total credits is Tugrug loans and 12.2 percent is foreign currency loans. Overdue loans and outstanding loan each accounted for around 10.7 percent in the total amount of loans. It also has been reported that the annual interest rate of credit issued by commercial banks was around 16.8 percent and foreign currency loan rate was 8.9 percent.

Officials from the central bank, during the meeting, informed that there will be no large amount of due payment by the Government of Mongolia and the central bank besides payment of a swap agreement established with the People's Bank of China, which was extended in November 2018 by three years. Moreover, it is expected that a pleasant condition will be created thanks to the anticipating IPO of Tavantolgoi deposit. The recently-adopted Parliamentary resolution on ensuring the interests of Mongolia in the exploitation of Oyu Tolgoi deposit will eliminate uncertainty posed in the project.

The remaining balance of securities held by the Bank of Mongolia amounted to MNT 4.2 trillion as of yesterday, November 28. The growth in the balance is brought about by the government’s decision not to issue securities in domestic markets and the increase of currency flow inbound to Mongolia in recent years. Such measure to grow the securities balance by the central bank is designed for preventing from economic risks.

To date, the central bank has purchased a total of 14 tons of gold, which was decreased by 4.2 tons compared to last November equaling 18.2 tons of gold. The drop in gold-buying is influenced by several factors, such as the mineral royalty rate growth and government measures to shut down illegal mines.

Regarding the recent appointment of the new Governor of the Bank of Mongolia, the officials of the central bank confirmed that the bank will continue to abide by the general directions it has been following in the past three years, aimed at sustaining the economic revival, ensuring stable currency rate of tugrug. During the tenure of the new President of the central bank, some works requiring considerable efforts are awaiting the bank, including the successful implementation of the Extended Fund Facility, which will terminate in May 2020, Mongolia’s target to get out of Grey List of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and works to renew the swap agreement with China, which is to end in July 2020.

As the result of several meetings held between the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Construction and Urban Development, State Housing Corporation of Mongolia, and KEXIM, the sides had agreed on works to be jointly implemented in the project framework and it has been made official, with the signing of the meeting protocol on November 28.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance S.Narantsogt, State Secretary of the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development S.Magnaisuren, and KEXIM Asia Director Koo Bon Yong signed the protocol.

Ulaanbaatar is one of the most air-polluted cities of the world as half of the country’s population immigrated to the city. Smoke from shantytown ger districts where over 220,000 families live, is the main culprit of Ulaanbaatar’s air-pollution. This year, the government put a ban on burning coal in the Mongolian capital where the winter temperature falls to as low as -40 Celsius.

In March, the Mongolian government decided to totally ban the use of raw coal. Household offenders are being fined 300,000 tugriks (USD 113), while large businesses – 3 million tugriks (USD 1,134). As of today, a total of 36 violations of burning raw coal have been reported in Ulaanbaatar. In addition, the city stepped up efforts to check the use of the raw coal fuel, with 7 tons of raw coal seized since October.

In the light of the ban, the government is putting an alternative product on the market made from semi-coke, a by-product of coal. While more expensive, these fuel-efficient briquettes are said to burn twice as long and emit far less fumes. However, eight people have died of carbon monoxide poisoning in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar and 350 have been hospitalized – 220 of them children, following the introduction of “safe” smokeless briquettes as the official alternative to coal. The incorrect use of the briquettes or inappropriate stoves have been blamed for the loss of human life. Currently, over 350 employees from Tavan Tolgoi Fuel Company are still working in the ger districts to teach people how to burn the briquettes and fix their stoves.

In May, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a probe into allegations that the country’s top diplomat in Mongolia developed collusive ties with a visa broker and abused his authority by harassing subordinates. Following investigation, Ambassador Chung Jae-nam been recalled from Mongolia.

The French delegates today held a meeting with Mongolian entities and farmers who are introducing high-yielding cattle and sheep imported from France, exchanging views on the results of the breeding.

During the meeting and seminar, which was held by the Embassy of France in Mongolia, Counsel for Agriculture in the French Embassy in China Mr. Francois Blanc noted that Mongolian farmers want to import livestock from France again. "This is an indication of our cooperation's results. Most of the cattle imported to Mongolia were pregnant heifers. A few number of steer have been imported. Today we met with delegates of entities that imported livestock, hearing their requests, experience and barriers. This is a good thing that Mongolian herders and farmers who are receiving the livestock are getting involved in necessary training and can build animal breeding house and prepare fodder.

Mr. Francois Blanc also stressed that quality livestock has pivotal role in current intensive animal husbandry sector. “Quality products come from quality livestock. We are aiming to improve quality of livestock in Mongolia, not naturalizing European standard in Mongolia. Because, countries have different conditions and their own adaptive conditions as well”.

Moreover, the French animal husbandry specialists and experts attended the meeting and introduced about methodology of milk and fodder manufacturing and French cooperative system while giving counsel to herders.

Ambassador of France to Mongolia Philippe Merlin, French delegates of animal husbandry as well as delegation of Mongolia’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, Animal Breeding Service and companies such as ‘Gatsuurt’, ‘Nuudelchin Agro Farm’, ‘Mongol genetic service’ and ‘Mill House’ took part in the meeting and seminar themed ‘Opportunities to partner with France in animal husbandry sector’.

Additionally, 4-5 entities and farmers including ‘Khishigten Nuudel’ and ‘Taishir Urguu’ are importing cattle and sheep from France to introduce them in Mongolia.

During a reception in Hanoi on November 28 for Mongolian Defence Minister Nyamaa Enkhbold, Deputy PM Binh said the visit is vivid evidence of the development of the traditional friendship and all-around cooperation between the two countries, especially on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year.

He spoke highly of the outcomes of talks between the two defence ministers and growing cooperation between the two armies, especially in the fields of military medical training, defence industry, sharing of experience in participating in United Nations peacekeeping activities, culture and arts, and military sports.

The Vietnamese government always creates favourable conditions for the two defence ministries to work effectively together, thus contributing to deepening Vietnam – Mongolia traditional friendship, he said, adding that Vietnam also stays ready to serve as a bridge for ties between Mongolia and ASEAN.

Enkhbold, for his part, informed his host on the outcomes of talks between he and his Vietnamese counterpart, which focused on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation signed between the two defence ministries in 2013.

He believed that defence relationship will lay a trustworthy foundation for the two countries’ ties.

Mongolia wants to lift ties with Vietnam to a greater height, he said, adding that Vietnam is an important and trustworthy partner of Mongolia in the ASEAN.

He also affirmed Mongolia’s external policy of continuing to intensify ties with Vietnam./.