The role of the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia’s growth will not be measured solely by the tax contribution, he noted. The project should result in intensified economic growth and broadened business opportunities through providing jobs for Mongolians and the national contractors. Thus, the project is expected to triple in efficiency and to benefit the GDP growth, foreign exchange reserve and macroeconomic growth. OT employs some 1,600 Mongolians.

Executive Director of Oyu Tolgoi LLC B.Munkhbaatar said: “More than 90 percent of the employees of the underground mine development project are Mongolians. As of the third quarter of 2016, the project is working with 852 contractors and suppliers, 60 percent of whom are national companies. The exploitation of the underground mine will begin in 2020. It will add another hundred tons of copper in concentrate to the original annual capacity of 100 tons from the open pit mine”.

The Prime Minister once again reminded that any decisions and actions regarding the project should be reported transparently, with accent on the assets it is creating in the Mongolian territory.