Three out of five economists consider that USD rate could be stabilized, if foreign direct investment is restored. Two of them consider that USD rate will be decreased, if commodity prices rise sharply. According to the Bank of Mongolia, official USD rate is at MNT 2213. Although tugrug (MNT) has declined since Sep, 2016 and the USD rate still remains high.  

Investors attending the 10th annual “Invest Mongolia-2016” international conference observed political stability and its opportunity and support offered to them. Also, they are in a stagnant mode to observe of any changes that newly formed Government to take in the mining sector, which makes up one-fourth of the budget revenue. However, policy makers and decision-making level participants have not attended the conference, which might disappoint investors greatly. 

As of second quarter of 2016, Mongolia`s foreign exchange reserves stand at USD 1.2 billion which will ensure 4.6 months of imports. Faced with economic difficulties, both foreign and domestic investors gathered in Ulaanbaatar city for two days. They wanted the Government to seek opportunities and keep policy succession. 

"Mongolia`s foreign exchange reserves once standing at USD 4.1 billion has been declining for three consecutive years due to instability in investment and collapse of commodity price. If investment environment in Mongolia stabilized, the investment could be restored in short and midterm", states Mr. Ts. Tumentsogt, Mongolian Permanent Representative of General Electric, International General Electrics.

10th annual “Invest Mongolia- 2016” international conference reports that Mongolia will keep attracting investors, if commodity prices outlook including copper, coal and iron ore remain positive. Masa Igata, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Frontier LLC mentioned that more than 800 delegates have attended this year`s conference. Number of participants have doubled compared to the previous year. On the other hand, increase in number of participants implies that investors are turning their attention to Mongolia. 

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR 

Energy demand of six countries located in North East Asia is expected to be doubled over 20 years than the world average. World's leading energy consumer countries, which are rich in oil, natural gas, coal and renewable energy, are located in this region. They make up one-fifth of the world economy. Energy supply is one of the issues world's leading economic players are facing: ​China, South Korea and Japan. 

Energy and Infrastructure Director of Newcom Group, D.Gankhuyag noted: "Growing energy use of region attracts attention of energy exporters and it becomes new hope to attract investment from foreign and domestic investors in the renewable energy sector". 

Mongolia is able to provide a specific part of the region's rapidly growing energy demand using its own renewable energy resources, said Shigeru Yamamura, a Senior Energy Specialist at ADB’s East Asia Department.

SEE YOU IN JAPAN...

New partners attending the conference have said goodbye to each other by saying above words and shaking hands. They have agreed to strengthen their business partnership established in Ulaanbaatar at Tokyo. Two-day conference will be continued in Tokyo on Dec, 2016. During the upcoming conference, the parties will discuss implementation of Mongol-Japan economic partnership agreement and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. 

Moreover, the next four-year action plan of the newly formed Government is to be introduced. Time is the most significant factor in business cooperation. "Good luck to foreign and domestic investors who can be defined as the busiest people, stated Masa Igata, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Frontier LLC. 

Published Date:2016-09-08