A meeting of the Subcommittee on Trade and Investment under the Mongolia- European Union Joint Commission was held online on November 23, 2023.

During the meeting, the EU side announced that the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences, designed to support good governance and sustainable development in developing countries, was extended until 2027.

The parties highlighted the importance of the GSP+ in increasing Mongolia’s exports through duty-free access of 7200 types of products to the EU market. At the meeting of the Sub-Committee, the parties discussed the current economic situation, trade policy, and investment environment.

Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh participated in the opening ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of Mongolia in Toronto on November 21 during her official visit to Canada, Montsame reports.

Consul Generals from other countries in Toronto, Honorary Consuls, business delegates, and Mongolians were present at the ceremony. The participants were greeted with performances of Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle), traditional Mongolian long song, Khoomii (throat singing), and praise.

Honorary Consul of Mongolia in Toronto, Ontario, Bryan Wilfert assumed his office in July 2023. In addition to Ontario, Mongolia has Honorary Consuls in the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh also met with Mongolian citizens residing in Ottawa and Montreal provinces on November 20, 2023.

The Foreign Minister exchanged opinions with citizens and introduced the Mongolian government's policy and activities for Mongolians living abroad. Batstsetseg Batmunkh presented the textbooks, guidebooks, and other related books to Mongolian schools in Canada.

Approximately 2,300 Mongolian citizens live in Canada, and the majority of them reside in the country's largest cities, including Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver.

The National Library of Mongolia (NLM) houses over three million books and publications. Over one million volumes of the collection, in the Mongolian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Manchu languages, are rare and valuable books, sutras, and manuscripts, Montsame reports.

Over 2 million pages of sutras in Tibetan language have been digitalized since 2018 as part of a project jointly implemented by NLM and the Asian Legacy Library.

As a global non-profit organization, the Asian Legacy Library provides a combination of technology, scholarship, and partnership to locate, digitally preserve, and safeguard the priceless cultural wisdom literature of the world. The Asian Legacy Library currently partners with seven preservation operations located across Mongolia, Nepal, and India.

The progress of the ongoing project was introduced at NLM on November 23, sharing the technology and experiences.

An interview with Shannon Stowell, CEO of Adventure Travel Trade Association

- Could you tell us the purpose of your visit? What are the possibilities of cooperation between the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and Mongolia?

-Firstly, I would like to express gratitude to the Government of Mongolia and the Minister of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia Bat-Erdene Bat-Ulzii for successfully organizing the "Years to Visit Mongolia" to develop tourism. I'm interested in learning the role and impact of adventure tourism on nature conservation as part of the Sustainable funding program for nature conservation jointly carried out by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia and the Nature Conservancy (TNC) NGO. A classic conservation approach of adventure tourism focuses on locals, in other words, it is community-based. Adventure tourism plays an important role in supporting the economy by adding value to natural resources and it is comprised of nature and culture with vigorous activities as complex. In this sense, adventure tourism benefits the local people and the local economy much greater than mass tourism.

-What makes adventure tourism different from mass tourism?

According to a study conducted a few years ago, the benefits from mass tourism for local communities make up 15 percent of the total money spent there, while adventure travelers spend 70 percent for locals. Adventure tourists stay at local inns, eat in local restaurants, and buy local goods investing in the local economy. Before the pandemic, in 2019, the pharmaceutical supply market was valued at USD 630 billion, and the adventure tourism market has grown much larger than that. Therefore, we requested funding from the World Bank for new research. As Asian countries are new players in the adventure tourism market, funding is likely to increase.

- Adventure tourism is new for Mongolia, but I think Mongolia has the potential to develop adventure tourism using its unique nomadic culture and abundant natural resources. What does adventure tourism provide? What are the advantages of Mongolia, what makes Mongolia an adventurous destination?

- There are three leading profitable products in the world's adventure tourism market - walking, cycling, and trekking.

This is the best pleasure and opportunity to cross the country on foot or by bicycle. In this sense, I think there is a lot of opportunity to promote Mongolia among international traders, tour operators, and large companies.

-As the Mongolian Government declared 2023-2025 the "Years to Visit Mongolia," many celebrities from many countries visited Mongolia last summer. How we can attract more adventure travelers to Mongolia?

-I arrived in Mongolia to find the answer. The ATTA has many member tour operators and media representatives. We provide professional support for the improvement of adventure tourism products and bring the media staff to a particular country. Besides, we visit the destinations and study what should be explored and what media channels should be used to promote it. Once this is studied, it will open doors for international wholesalers and media advertising.

- I suppose, adventure travelers are attracted to challenging, complex, novel journeys, and they feel pleasure and energy accordingly. What is the main criterion for choosing a destination for them?

-In the past, well-traveled and experienced tourists were interested in adventure. A hundred years ago adventurers traveled to enjoy the natural beauty of countries, but over the past 20 years, the interest and nature of the adventure tourism market has changed. Today they are more interested in national culture and people you meet. When tourists come to Mongolia to see the nature, plains, and wild animals, the main thing that makes the trip unique is meeting and interacting with the people and locals. I have a wish to learn more about Mongolia's culture to enrich its tourism products. For us, we are more interested in human-oriented products. Looking at the plains and nature of Mongolia, I assume there is a competitive product for the tourism market. However, more detailed information is not yet available.

-How adventure tourism products have changed over the past 20 years of your experience?

- I had perceived adventure travel must be risky and could not always achieve that.

Discovering uncharted land and challenging yourself may be, used to make the adventure travel more attractive and appealing. However, the situation is changing and the scope of adventure tourism is expanding. For example, for some people, visiting a country where the native language is not English and experiencing a different culture and way of life can be an adventure. Over the past 20 years, the concept of tourism has expanded, products have diversified, and many alternative forms of tourism have emerged. There are opportunities to involve a wider population. In the past, tourism was focused more on material issues, but now tourists are more interested in culture and building bonds with local people.

-Mongolia has many big rivers with strong streams and high mountains and there are many experienced guides and teams. Could you share some of good examples of how to assess risk for adventure travel?

- Training reference standards on how to properly manage risk according to ISO were first developed eight years ago, Today, for instance in Okinawa, Japan, tour guides are trained in risk management, and adventure tour products have been improved. Adventure travel is about challenging yourself and enjoying activities that often require physical fitness and stamina. Such a wonderful journey can become dangerous if the risks are not mitigated. Minimizing risks in adventure travel must be fundamental for all travel companies, along with offering inspiring, challenging, and fascinating tours. For example, it is extremely dangerous to have a ride on an inflatable boat in a fast mountain river without a guide or proper risk management. Therefore, there must be guidance that can reduce the risk. We prepare product safety guides and training manuals in all areas and conduct training.

-Mongolia has a large territory and is sparsely populated. How to overcome the risks such as lack of emergency service and communication when traveling to remote areas?

- When visiting a country, our team makes a risk management plan after conducting a risk assessment. For example, it would be very irresponsible if a tour operator allowed a tourist with minimal experience of horse riding to gallop. When riding a horse, it is necessary to ensure safety, such as choosing a gentle and tamed horse and at least wearing a safety helmet. Of course, it is impossible to eliminate all risks, but we can evaluate and make a plan for potential risks, and train our people.

Additionally, the course and decisions should be produced in consultation with locals and guides. Being aware of the local culture, knowledge, and mentality is very important. For example, in Brazil, there are swamps and ponds where piranhas live. When developing our tours, we consult with locals who know when piranhas are away, when it is safe to swim, and when it is not, so together with international trainers we solve the problem and make adventure tourism products risk-free. Recently, tour operators have begun to offer insurance for helicopter services, especially in remote areas. Assuming an average adventure traveler spends USD 3,000 on a ten-day trip, an extra 10 percent can help reduce the risk of a long-distance trip.

-Influencers tend to take perilous journeys and actions to increase the number of their followers. There are many sad cases of tragic deaths. What are the ways to minimize the risk?

-This is a problem today. The ATTA, as a professional association, has different standards. Such risky, reckless, unethical, illegal, unlawful, or disrespectful behavior is never supported. It is wrong to take a photo of yourself wearing shorts and jumping in the air when you are in a mosque. Our requirements and ethics are on a different level. We value influencers whose followers are ethical and decent. Our influencers who are ethical themselves and have few but loyal followers benefit locals because they share their experiences about the culture and nature of the places they travel to.

-How many countries does ATTA operate in?

-We have been operating in more than one hundred countries. We have our teams in 10 countries. We organize 20-40 courses a year and we conduct activities at a global scale. Over a month ago, the SDSN Hong Kong held its first "Global Conference on Sustainable Development" (GCSD 2023) in Asia. More than 800 international representatives attended and we exchanged views on tourism sustainability, challenges, and what tour agencies can offer depending on the country. During the Conference, I met with representatives of the Mongolian companies, but we could not discuss the issue in detail. While I am in Ulaanbaatar, I am interested in opening up a market to "sell" and promote Mongolia. We want to expand the sale and promotion of the Mongolian affiliates' products in our tour agencies. There are travel agencies to provide information about Mongolia in case the public is not well-informed.

As of the initial 10 months of 2023, the total revenue and aid amount of the state budget reached MNT 19.8 trillion, which increased by MNT 5.7 (40.2%) trillion from the same period last year. And the amount of balanced income aid reached MNT 19.0 trillion, an increase of MNT 6.0 (46.2%) trillion.

The amount of total expenditure and repayable net loans reached MNT 16.9 trillion, and the balanced balance showed a profit of MNT 2.1 trillion.

Total tax revenue reached MNT 17.6 trillion, an increase of MNT 5.7 (47.3%) trillion from the same period last year, which influenced by income tax revenue increased by MNT 2.1 (75.7%) trillion, mineral usage payment increased by MNT 1.8 (2.5 times) trillion, social insurance revenue by MNT 719.9 (30.4%) billion, value added tax by MNT 640.3 (20.4%) billion. While excise duty decreased by MNT 73.8 (10.1%) billion.

S.Taivan, Lieutenant Colonel of Cyber Security Division of Police Department gave following information:

A fake video of the President of Mongolia speaking Chinese, made by using modern technology and software, was posted on social media recently. And the police are investigating the case of defamation of the President of Mongolia and distribution of edited videos.

M and A, citizens of Mongolia, posted the video on social media, and it may be criminal to attack national unity and independence of Mongolia, attack the dignity and reputation of others, and spread false information.

On November 20, we obtained a statement from the suspect and arrested him without a court order in accordance with Article 31.5 of the Criminal Investigation Law. They may have committed the crime of disseminating false information under Article 13.14 of the Criminal Code.

Mongolia's GDP grew by 6.9% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to last year, the country's National Statistical Office reported.

The increase in GDP was facilitated by the growth of value added in the services sector and the post-Covid recovery of the transport sector.

Experts from international banking and financial organizations expect that the Mongolian economy will continue to grow in near future. Mongolia's economy will grow 5.7% in 2023 and 5.9% in 2024, according to a September forecast by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The country's GDP grew by 4.8% in 2022, according to Mongolia's National Statistical Office.

South Korea and Mongolia launched a joint committee Monday for cooperation in the supply of rare metals and other critical minerals, Seoul officials said.

The two sides also began a project to establish a joint center for partnerships on rare metals as part of South Korea's official development assistance to Mongolia.

"We hope that this project will serve as an opportunity for Mongolia to pursue turning its rare metals into high value-added products, and for Korea to solidify its domestic supply chain base," Lee Ho-hyeon, deputy industry minister for energy policy, said in a ceremony in Ulaanbaatar that drew government officials of the two countries.

The move is a follow-up measure to the agreement reached in February when Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene visited Seoul.

Mongolia has various rare metal reserves, including rare earth elements. It is the world's eighth largest producer of molybdenum, a key metal used to make steel alloys.

In Monday's talks, the two countries agreed to work together to ensure a stable supply of rare metals and secure a sustainable industrial competitiveness in the critical minerals area.

They also exchanged information and updates on rare metals and discussed the trends in rare metal cooperation at bilateral and multilateral stages, as well as in the research and development.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will welcome Battsetseg Batmunkh, Mongolia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Ottawa on November 20, 2023.

This visit will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Mongolia, as both countries remain eager to continue this long-lasting friendship and advance common priorities.

The ministers will explore opportunities to further strengthen bilateral relations between our two countries including on climate change and on the energy transition, and will discuss shared regional and global security challenges, notably peace and stability in Northeast Asia and challenges to the rules-based international order.

The father of murdered Mongolian model-translator Altantuya Shaariibuu has cried foul over the release of former Malaysian policeman Sirul Azhar Umar from a detention centre by the Australian government.

Mongolian film professor Dr Shaariibuu Setev’s reaction came about a week after the Australian Immigration’s decision to release Sirul and 86 other detainees following a High Court ruling that quashed indefinite detention.

On Nov 11, Sirul, 52, was released from the Villawood immigration detention centre in Sydney, where he had been held since 2015.

In an interview with The Australian, Dr Shaariibuu said he was shocked that his daughter’s killer was now walking free in Australia, adding that he was “disappointed with Australia”.

He was quoted by the newspaper as saying that he had not been informed by any Australian government representative that his daughter’s killer was among the detainees freed.

“Where is the human rights for the victim’s family? We are right here, we are still alive and suffering.

“There is a Mongolian embassy in Australia, an Australian embassy in Mongolia. No one has contacted me,” he said.

Dr Shaariibuu also asked when the Australian government would send an apology to him.

“I really wonder why Australia released a murderer,” said Dr Shaariibuu.

“It makes me think that all the murderers of the world can go to Australia, spend time in immigration detention centres and eventually be released and become free men.”

Altantuya, a mother of two, was driven to a jungle in Selangor in 2006 and shot twice in an execution-style murder before being blown up with explosives.

Sirul, a former bodyguard of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, maintained he had abducted Altantuya on orders.

His bid for asylum in Australia was rejected in 2019.

In December 2022, the Shah Alam High Court ordered another former policeman, Azilah Hadri, 47, Sirul, Najib’s former associate Abdul Razak Baginda, 63, and the government – the first to fourth defendants – to pay 5 million ringgit (S$1.46 million) in damages to Altantuya’s family.

Dr Shaariibuu and his wife Ms Altantsetseg Sanjaa as well as their two grandsons Mr Mungunshagai Bayarjargal and Mr Altanshagai Munkhtulga had filed the suit in June 2007, seeking 100 million ringgit for compensation as well as exemplary and aggravated damages. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK