Travelers from China spent more in the emerging markets of the Belt and Road route due to stronger trade and investment ties. Data shows that, in the first half of the year, they spent almost $15 billion in these countries.

Shopping remained a main component of tourist consumption, as Chinese tourists are famous for spending thousands on high-end luxury foreign brands.

China is considered the world’s fastest-growing tourism market and will play a key role in the sector’s development, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. It projects that the number of global travelers will exceed 1.8 billion by 2030.

During the visit, Mr Pradhan will have meetings with the Mongolian Minister for Mining and Heavy Industry to develop a roadmap for commencing the construction of the Refinery.

In light of drastic changes brought by the expansion of the mining sector in Mongolia, FORUM-ASIA together with its Mongolian member Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD), has been looking into mining’s impact on human rights and environment.

From 5 to 10 May 2019, CHRD and FORUM-ASIA conducted a fact-finding mission in the north eastern provinces of Khentii and Dornod. By meeting with local communities, authorities, and mining companies, the fact-finding mission team documented the repercussions of mining operations on the work of HRDs, environment, and livelihood of local communities.

Based on the collected testimonies and in light of Mongolian laws and obligations under international human rights law, the final report provides a set of tailored recommendations to relevant stakeholders including government authorities, private sector, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

FORUM-ASIA and CHRD will be launching the Fact-Finding Mission Report in Ulaanbaatar on 22 October 2019.

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. Ulaanbaatar is one of the most air-polluted cities of the world. Smoke from shantytown districts where over 220,000 families live, is the main culprit of Ulaanbaatar’s air-pollution.

In March, the Mongolian government decided to totally ban the use of raw coal. Household offenders will be fined 300,000 tugriks (USD 113), while large businesses will be fined 3 million tugriks (USD 1,134). 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.

The four briquette deaths, right at the start of the cold season, will certainly raise questions as to the use of the briquettes.

The search and rescue operation started on 22 September but had to be suspended after four days due to bad weather conditions and heavy snow on the Altia Tavan Bogd; it was resumed on 27 September. The rescue operation was expanded with NEMA officers from the Uvs and Khovd Provinces and mountaineers from Mongolian National Climbing Federation.

According to ‘Altai Tour’ Travel Company, based in Bayan-Ulgii Province, the man began climbing the mountain with five other tourists, 180 km north of Tsengel Soum on 18 September. However, he was travelling alone without a guide or travel agency support. According to one source, the five others failed to find him when they reached the top of the mountain. Subsequently, an employee of the travel company informed NEMA about the missing man at 10.11 pm on 21 September.

The stunning Altai Tavan Bogd National Park follows Mongolia’s western border with China and Russia, and is the greatest attraction in the west of the country. This summer it was climbed by many foreign visitors, including the US president’s son and grandson. The mountain is 185 km from the town of Ulgii, which is the provincial centre.

The 55th competition was held in over 20 countries and Mongolian team collected a total of 1004 medals.

The foundation of the thermal power plant, one of the oldest power plants in Mongolia, was laid in 1963 and the plant’s main equipment was commissioned on October 2, 1965. This is the third major refurbishment of the plant in the past 54 years.

The handing over ceremony of the newly upgraded plant held on October 5 was attended by Minister of Energy Ts.Davaasuren, MP B.Battumur, Goveror of Darkhan-Uul aimag S.Nasanbat, Executive Director of Darkhan Thermal Power Plant JSC, and other foreign guests. In his remarks, Minister Ts.Davaasuren said, “Mongolia’s energy consumption is increasing by 60 to 80 MW each year. The commissioning of the 35 MW generator enables to meet a half of this demand. In other words, implementation of the large scale project not only improves heat and electricity supply of Darkhan city but also plays a significant role in Mongolia’s energy system”

The implementation of the project ensures continuous and reliable operation of the 54 year old plant for another 10-15-years, In addition, the 11 MW increase to the installed capacity of the plant will lower the electricity import from Russia.

The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) and Representative Office of Bayannuur city of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China are jointly realizing the project to facilitate works of national producers, who have willingness to deliver their products to millions of consumers using Chinese trading platforms such as Alibaba.com, Taobao.com and WeChat.

“Our entities will supply their goods to E-export project unit and pay the fee. The MNCCI will be responsible for all other issues including customs clearance, transport, storing and payment. Mongolian wool and cashmere products, felt products, handicrafts and some food products are highly demanded at Chinese market. President of China Xi Jinping expressed to support export of Mongolian goods to China during his meeting with Mongolian President Kh.Battulga in April. Online trading market will not be limited only by China. Further, we are intending to enter into trading market of Russia and Germany. Within it, we held preliminary talks with the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the issue is being discussed at its Government level. We will present the project to the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in upcoming November,” CEO of the MNCCI T.Duuren said.

Deputy Director of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs T.Battsetseg noted that countries are promoting online trade. Any foreign trade runs with participation of several organizations such as customs agency and inspection agency. Improving coherence of these organizations will become an important support for our businesses. Last year the UN Economic and Social Council conducted a survey on Mongolia’s legal environment and technical condition of online trade. It is concluded that legal environment for online trade has not been created in Mongolia. They advised to adopt laws on online trading and information security urgently and to join an agreement on regional cross-border paperless trade. It is possible to upgrade legislation and technical environment of online trading using opportunities of regional multiparty agreements."

The oil explorer said the testing operations on Heron-1 are expected to be completed during October.

The DQE testing rig No. 1 has been mobilised from block XIX to the Heron-1 location and rigged up, Petro Matad said, and testing operations have now commenced. If required, the company said reservoir stimulation equipment is in block XIX and is readily available.

Petro Matad shares were trading 6.1% higher on Thursday in London at 4.72 pence each.

By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com