Erdenebat.D: Mongolia was required to raise $400 million within 12 days www.zgm.mn

Erdenebat Dondogdorj, head of the Democratic Party (DP) caucus in the Parliament, has informed of submitting a draft bill on the official dissolution of the caucus to the Parliament Speaker.

Accordingly, the DP members in the Parliament will steer without a group; thus, the Deputy Parliamentary Speaker appointed from the caucus will be ousted as the Law on Parliament obliges a political party with a parliamentary caucus to appoint a Deputy Speaker. As a result, Sanjmyatav Yadamsuren, the Deputy Speaker elected from the DP caucus, will resign from his position.

Mr. Erdenebat remarked, “I respect the self-resignation of Bold Luvsanvandan from the party. It should be noted that the caucus is under a disruption due to the situation. Also, the decision will not be tailored to the DP's opposition to the Parliament’s recent actions and will continue to monitor the executive branch.”

He then responded to the issues regarding the Erdenet Mining Corporation (EMC). “In June 2016, I submitted the 49 percent privatization of EMC to the Cabinet as the Minister of Industry. At the time, a letter came from Sergey Chemezov, the director of Rostek, Russia. The letter obliged to complete the payment transaction within 12 working days to purchase Rostech stake in EMC. This letter was delivered to the Government on June 1, 2016. The Government was faced with an option to make a legal decision to raise USD 400 million within 12 days. During the Cabinet discussion, I addressed the Government’s inability to buy the stakes within 12 days,” addressed Mr. Erdenebat.

He added, “If the EMC's 49 percent stake was granted to a Mongolian company, it would have allowed the country to claim full stakes in EMC. The contract was a well-made decision that was based on hard facts. In 2016, when the EMC's stake was owned by Russia, Mongolia’s state budget earned MNT 70 billion from the company. As for 2018 when a Mongolian firm held the 49 percent, the EMC's taxes paid to the state jumped by nine times. The economic benefits are clearly visible.”

Body of fourth miner found after Mongolian mine collapse www.news.mn

Deputy Minister S.Mungunchimeg pays a working visit to Australia www.mfa.gov.mn

A delegation headed by Deputy Minister for Labour and Social Protection S.Mungunchimeg paid a working visit to Australia from 4-8 March 2019. Officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection as well as relevant provincial agencies were included in the delegation. During the visit, delegates visited Australian government organizations specializing in social welfare including the Department of Social Services, Department of Human Services, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Social Research Centre at the Australian National University, held meetings at management level, studied their experience and exchanged information. Also, delegates visited the social security payments and services agency Centrelink and learned about its operations.

Mongolia suspends commercial operations of Boeing 737-8 jet www.xinhuanet.com

ULAN BATOR, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's Civil Aviation Authority said on Monday that it had ordered the country's national air carrier MIAT to temporarily suspend its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operations.

The move came a day after an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX 8 bound for Nairobi crashed minutes after take-off, killing all 157 people onboard. The accident was the second crash involving the 737 MAX in the last four months. In October, Indonesia's Lion Air plane crashed into the sea off the country's capital of Jakarta, killing all 189 people onboard.

"We decided to suspend operations of MIAT's Boeing 737 Max 8 plane from Monday until further notice," the Mongolian Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement.

The national carrier of Mongolia received a Boeing 737 Max 8 jet on Feb. 21. The delivery was first of four 737 MAX ordered by the MIAT.

Ethiopian Airlines has grounded its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet on Sunday after the accident.

Boeing said Sunday that it has delayed the roll-out of its new 777X aircraft, which had been scheduled for March 13. The widebody aircraft, according to Boeing's official website, "will be the largest and most efficient twin-engine jet in the world."

Potential outcomes from Parliament’s irregular session www.zgm.mn

Commander of United States Special Operations Command visits Mongolia www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar/MONTSAME/ Delegation led by General Raymond Thomas, Commander of United States Special Operations Command, visited Mongolia on March 7.

Mongolia to cooperate with Cuba in treatment of diabetes www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Director of the First Central Hospital of Mongolia D.Chuluunbaatar, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Mongolia Raúl Delgado Concepcion, and CEO of Mongol Em Impex Concern B.Bolormaa signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on March 7.

Under the Memorandum, the sides will cooperate in the areas of early detection, management, and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and capacity development of health professionals.

Speaker G.Zandanshatar paying official visit to the Swiss Confederation www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar/MONTSAME/ Speaker of the Parliament G.Zandanshatar has departed today to pay an official visit to the Swiss Conference on March 11-15, at the invitation of the President of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation.

Mongolia to export meat products to Laos www.montsame.mn

Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh departs for South Sudan www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The 8th batch of Mongolian peacekeepers has been serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. To meet with the military contingent, officials headed by Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh departed for South Sudan, being accompanied by representatives of defense sector and reporters.

Mongolia started participating in peacekeeping operation in South Sudan from 2012. The 8th batch, comprising 850 peacekeepers, is now performing its duty successfully.