MANILA, PHILIPPINES (12 July 2021) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $5.36 million grant to strengthen coronavirus disease (COVID-19) detection and containment in Mongolia.

The Strengthening Rapid Epidemic Response Capacity of Health Systems Project grant will help Mongolia respond to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 by providing resources and training on the conduct of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests and administration of COVID-19 vaccines to target populations.

“The risk of continued spread of COVID-19 remains substantial in Mongolia. To effectively prevent this, Mongolia needs to expand its network of COVID-19 testing laboratories to increase RT-PCR testing capacity,” said ADB Senior Social Sector Specialist Raushanbek Mamatkulov. “At the same time, the country needs to rapidly prepare for COVID-19 vaccination to bring the epidemic under control and allow the safe reopening of borders, enterprises, and schools.”

The grant will expand RT-PCR testing capacity of 10 molecular biology laboratories and ensure safe immunization through procurement and supply of personal protective equipment, hand sanitizers, and thermometers. The project will support the successful uptake of immunization services by target groups and post-immunization surveillance to improve care and monitoring.

ADB will administer a $5 million cofinancing grant for the project from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR). The JPFR is funded by the Government of Japan and has supported projects in Mongolia in poverty alleviation, improving livelihoods, and safeguarding the environment over the past 20 years. The Government of Mongolia will provide counterpart financing of $360,000.

The project is closely linked to the Support for COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery in Mongolia under the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX) which will provide safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines in Mongolia. It is expected to be completed in 2024.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Mongolia’s new Ulaanbaatar Int'l airport has officially opened for commercial operations in what is being hailed a significant development for the economic growth of the landlocked country in north-central Asia.

Speaking during the July 4, 2021, opening ceremony, Mongolian President U.Khurelsukh said the new airport, situated 50 km south of the capital Ulaanbaatar, would boost air logistics hub growth and hoick tourism and the economy.

The inaugural commercial flight from the new airport was conducted by flag carrier MIAT - Mongolian Airlines (OM, Ulaanbaatar) to Tokyo Narita, Japan, using a B737-800.

Originally scheduled to commence operations in 2020, the opening was delayed because of COVID-19, with Mongolia only having resumed scheduled international traffic on June 1 since going into lockdown in February last year.

Politically seen as a symbol of Japan’s longstanding economic support to Mongolia, the new airport has cost JPY65.657 billion yen (USD595.8 million), 90% financed through a loan from the state-owned Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and 10% by the Mongolian government. The project is a joint venture between the Mongolian government and Japanese firms, including Mitsubishi Corporation, Narita International Airport Corporation, Japan Airport Terminal Company, and aviation services provider JALUX. A Mongolian-Japanese joint venture company, New Ulaanbaatar International Airport LLC (NUBIE), holds the concession to manage the airport for the next 15 years.

All international and domestic commercial flights to Mongolia will from now on operate through Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Airlines operating to/from there include MIAT, Aero Mongolia, Hunnu Air, Eznis Airways, Air China, Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Air Busan, and SCAT Airlines.

First commissioned in 2013, the new airport has capacity for three million passengers and 11,900 tonnes of cargo per year. Facilities include, amongst others, a 35,300 sqm passenger terminal; one runway measuring 3,600 x 45m; a passenger apron of 104,200 sqm; 24 aircraft parking bays; 8,000 tons of fuel storage space; and a 43m high air traffic control tower.

Meanwhile, the old airport, Ulaanbaatar, will be used for general air transport development and training. By July 9, all airline assets had been transferred from the old airport, according to news reports.

Opened in 1957, Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport presented significant challenges, which resulted in the relocation. Its geographical position surrounded by mountains meant it could only be approached from one direction. The airport also experienced frequent flight cancellations because of low visibility from smoke and occasional adverse wind direction, especially in winter.

July 11 (Xinhua) -- Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Mongolia and China have maintained active cooperation, setting a real example of how neighboring countries help each other and overcome difficulties together, Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg has said.

"Strengthening continuously mutually-beneficial cooperation with China is one of the Mongolian foreign policy priorities," Battsetseg told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Describing China as Mongolia's eternal neighbor with a long history of traditional relations, she said it's pleasing to see that the comprehensive strategic partnership with China has been deepening in all areas.

Last year, the two countries exchanged high-level visits and held meetings of intergovernmental commissions, maintained trade and economic interactions, and effective cooperation in preventing and curbing the spread of the pandemic, Battsetseg noted.

"We are sincerely grateful to the Chinese government and people for donating vaccines and essential medical equipment to Mongolia during this difficult time, as well as for sharing experiences in successfully combating the pandemic," she said, adding that China's vaccine support is very important for Mongolia.

Mongolia launched a national vaccination campaign in late February, aiming to vaccinate at least 60 percent of its 3.3 million population.

So far, over 55 percent of its population have been fully vaccinated, according to the country's health ministry.

"We believe that intensive and wide-ranging immunization will increase economic activity and opportunities for further cooperation with foreign countries, including China," said Battsetseg.

In addition, within the framework of long-term and medium-term development policies, Mongolia has set specific goals and started implementing measures to reduce poverty, increase people's incomes, improve quality of life and support business activities, said Battsetseg.

China is one of the country's largest trade and investment partners, Battsetseg said, noting that economic cooperation between Mongolia and China plays an important role in achieving the above-mentioned long-term development policy goals.

China's willingness to share development experiences and benefits with other countries, import more goods and services from abroad and pursue a policy of common development is a good opportunity for neighboring countries such as Mongolia, she said.

Moreover, Mongolia has supported China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) from the onset and actively participated in it, Battsetseg said, expressing her willingness to exchange experiences and implement joint projects with China not only in the real-economy sectors, but also in financial and e-service within the BRI framework.

Commending China's achievements in poverty alleviation, she said that Mongolia is also interested in exchanging experiences and cooperating with China in artificial intelligence, robotics, innovation, environmentally friendly technologies and tourism.

It is unbelievable that in Ulaanbaatar, reputedly, the coldest capital city in the world there is no ice palace. Until now, Mongolian athletes in training for winter games, have only been able to train in winter – when everything is frozen, sometimes at uncomfortably cold temperatures below -30 C. The only viable training option has been going abroad to use facilities in other countries. Fortunately, this is all due to change. When the ‘Steppe Arena’ – Mongolia’s first ever Ice Palace – opens in September, not only will athletes will able to train freely, but the country can organise world-class international competitions.

Designed by Mongolian architects, the ‘Steppe Arena’ has been built by international companies from Canada, the USA, Austria and Germany; experts from Austria and Finland have helped with ice-spreading technology. Over 600 Mongolian workers have been involved in the construction of the palace over the past three years.

Costing over MNT 23 billion, the ‘Steppe Arena’ is located near the Buyant Ukhaa Sports Palace, the swimming pool in the New Yarmag Complex, and football and basketball fields funded by the International Federation of Association Football.

The dimension of the rink is 30 m × 60 m, which is the approved standard of the International Olympic Committee; this will enable Mongolia to organise regional and international competitions. To fully guarantee the needs and comfort of judges and athletes, the ‘Steppe Arena’ will have 6 changing rooms and over 10 rooms for journalists and first aid services.

Yesterday, Wednesday (7 July), the Mongolian skating team with 14-year-old figure skating athlete O.Misheel tested the ice rings at the palace. Outside, in the city, it was over +20 Celsius outside on but inside the palace it was very cold. O.Misheel explained that she has not been able to skate since returning to Mongolia from the USA. She and other skaters are now aiming to participate in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, Clyde Russell, a columnist for Reuters.)

Seaborne coal has become a quiet winner among energy commodities, lacking the attention of higher-profile crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), but enjoying strong gains amid rising demand.

Both thermal coal, used in power plants, and coking coal, used to make steel, have rallied strongly in recent months. And in both cases the driver has largely been China, the world’s biggest producer, importer and consumer of the fuel.

There are two elements to China’s influence on seaborne coal markets in Asia; robust demand as the Chinese economy rebounds from the coronavirus pandemic; and Beijing’s policy choice to ban imports from Australia.

Both elements are reflected in the prices, with lower-quality thermal coal from Indonesia being the biggest beneficiary.

The weekly index for Indonesian coal with an energy value of 4,200 kilocalories per kilogram (kcal/kg), as assessed by commodity price reporting agency Argus, has surged nearly three-quarters from its 2021 low of $36.81 a tonne to $63.98 in the week to July 2.

There is a demand-pull element helping to boost prices of Indonesian coal, with data from commodity analysts Kpler showing China imported 18.36 million tonnes from the world’s largest shipper of thermal coal in June.

This was the second-biggest monthly volume China has imported from Indonesia according to Kpler records going back to January 2017, eclipsed only by last December’s 25.64 million tonnes.

Refinitiv, which like Kpler tracks vessel movements, has China’s imports from Indonesia somewhat lower in June at 14.96 million tonnes. But the two services agree that this was the second-highest month on record, with Refinitiv data going back to January 2015.

Both agree that China’s imports from Australia have dwindled to near zero from levels around 7-8 million tonnes per month that prevailed up until Beijing’s unofficial ban was imposed in the middle of last year.

China’s total coal imports from all countries in June were 31.55 million tonnes, according to Kpler, and 25.21 million according to Refinitiv.

Australia rebound

But while Australia, the second-biggest exporter of thermal coal and the biggest of coking coal, may have lost the China market, it has been able to find alternatives and the price of its coals have also been rising strongly.

Benchmark high-grade thermal coal with an energy value of 6,000 kcal/kg at the port of Newcastle ended last week at $135.63 a tonne, the highest in 10 years, and up by more than half in just the past two months.

This grade of coal is mainly bought by Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, which rank behind China and India as Asia’s top importers of coal.

Those three countries imported 14.77 million tonnes of all types of coal from Australia in June, according to Kpler, down from May’s 17.05 million, but up strongly from 12.46 million in June 2020.

But the real saviour for Australian coal has been India, which imported a record 7.52 million tonnes of all grades in June, up from 6.61 million in May and just 2.04 million in June 2020.

India tends to buy intermediate grade thermal coal from Australia, which sells at a substantial discount to the 6,000 kcal/kg fuel.

Argus assessed 5,500 kcal/kg coal at Newcastle at $78.29 a tonne on July 2. While this grade has doubled from its 2020 lows, it is still some 42% cheaper than the higher-quality fuel popular with North Asian buyers.

Australia’s coal export volumes have largely recovered from the initial hit caused b the China ban and the loss of demand from the coronavirus pandemic. Kpler assessed June shipments at 31.37 million tonnes of all grades, up from 28.74 million in May and the 27.13 million from November, which was the weakest month in 2020.

So far, 57 percent of Mongolian population above the age of 18 has received the second doses of the Covid-19 vaccines since vaccination rollout started in mid-February. Originally, Mongolia had planned to vaccinate 2 million 67 thousand people above the age of 18, however, since June the country has vaccinated 290 thousand children aged between 12-17 as well as pregnant women.

Unfortunately, the rapid global spread of the Covid-19 Delta Variant is causing serious concern – especially after the first cases of the dangerous mutation were recently registered in Mongolia. Therefore, the Mongolian Government has decided to vaccinate its population with third doses of the vaccines. According to official sources, the third doses will be the AstraZeneca vaccine; the new vaccination rollout will begin in August. The first to receive the third dose will be elderly people above 65 years of age. Then mass vaccination rollout of booster doses will start in October.

On July 11, 1,735 new cases have been detected after conducting tests nationwide within the past 24 hours, reported the Ministry of Health through their Facebook page.

More specifically, 873 new cases were detected in the capital city and 861 cases in rural regions, with one passenger that arrived from abroad testing positive.

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mongolia now stands at 137,788. In the past 24 hours, 3,796 patients made recovery, bringing the total recoveries to 103,666.

Furthermore, 11 new COVID-19 related deaths have been reported, raising the country’s death toll to 684. Of the patients currently undergoing treatment at hospitals, there are 8,307 patients in mild, 3,412 in serious, 1,051 in critical, and 227 in very critical condition.

On July 9, President of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh held a telephone conversation with President of the Russian Federation V.V.Putin.

Expressing gratitude to President of Russia V.V.Putin for congratulating him on being elected as the President of Mongolia, President U.Khurelsukh expressed readiness to work in close cooperation with the Russian president in aims of further developing the Mongolia-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in all sectors.

The sides discussed a wide range of issues regarding bilateral relations as well as regional and international cooperation.

Noting that the Mongolia-Russia relations are continuing normally during the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, the two Heads of State highly valued the significance of marking the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on both sides throughout the year, and agreed that the rest of the events planned for the anniversary should be implemented as scheduled.

In the framework of the objective to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation, they also agreed that the implementation of large-scale projects, such as the renovation of train cars being used by ‘Ulaanbaatar Railway’ Mongolian-Russian Joint Stock Company, construction of new railroads, and energy projects, as well as the joint study being carried out on establishing a free trade agreement between Mongolia and the Eurasian Economic Union should be accelerated.

Noting the progress being made in the implementation of the Mongolia-Russia-China Economic Corridor Program, the two sides expressed readiness to support the progress of the construction project for the natural gas pipeline connecting Russia and China through the territory of Mongolia.

They then expressed their confidence in being able to quickly overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding bilateral cooperation and being actively involved in international cooperation for measures against the pandemic.

After agreeing to hold an official meeting once the pandemic situation eases, President of the Russian Federation V.V.Putin invited President of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh to the Eastern Economic Forum that will take place virtually in September this year.

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With its political continuity and well-thought-out developmental plans alongside economic sustainability, Bangladesh not only stands out in South Asia but also other developing countries, says Mongolian Ambassador to Bangladesh G Ganbold.

“I think these accomplishments of sustainable economic growth are internationally acknowledged,” Ambassador Ganbold told UNB in an interview noting that there are many other scopes for further broadening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Mongolia in the areas of cultural exchange, trade and economic cooperation.

He said Bangladesh, as an emerging and growing economy, is accomplishing truly impressive socio-economic growth under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Apart from impressive development in infrastructure, including highways, electricity and drinking water supply in rural areas and increased agricultural production, poverty reduction, vaccine coverage of under 5 years old children, per capita GDP growth, Bangladesh is leading other developing countries, said the Ambassador.

“We’re both Asian and developing countries with parliamentary democracy and market economy,” he said, adding that Mongolia was one of the first five countries that recognized Bangladesh’s independence because of which some countries even went to terminate its diplomatic relations with Mongolia.

Mongolia also co-authored the UN resolution together with India and Bhutan in support of Bangladesh.

“We’re enjoying excellent bilateral relations ever since then and have successfully been collaborating on the international arena,” he said, extending his warm greetings to Bangladeshi friends on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Mongolia's National Day that falls on July 11.

Responding to a question, the Ambassador said being developing countries, they both have the same challenges like benefits of sustainable economic growth need to be seen through the welfare of people.

He said Mongolia is richly endowed with natural and agriculture-based resources and light industries while Bangladesh is well known with its textiles and readymade garment and pharmaceutical industries.

“Therefore, we can learn from each other’s experience and also promote mutually beneficial trade and economic relations. With the advent of modern means of transport and ICT tourism is growing exponentially,” said the Mongolian envoy.

He said, “We all know this challenge of pandemic alike the earlier ones will be extinguished with our combined efforts. Once, good days are coming.”

The Ambassador said tourism has multiple significance in discovering a new land and meeting with peoples and building meaningful collaboration across the globe. “Our economies are still dependent on climate and calamities thus, we need to intertwine our efforts against adverse effects of climate change and natural disaster risks like earthquake, flood, drought, typhoon or zud (snow famine) and industrial accidents with mass implication.”

As a sparsely populated country with four distinct seasons and beautiful sceneries including eternally snow-capped mountain ranges, Mongolia hosts nearly 4.7 to 5.0 lakh tourists annually.

With the completion of construction of a new airport and emerging new hotels, Mongolia expects their number to grow up to 10 lakh within the next few months.

“Mongolia enjoys friendly relations with all neighbouring countries and is known as the shortest route-binding Asia with Europe,” said the Ambassador.

Talking about similarities between Bangladesh and Mongolia, he said from a young age they were reading renowned literary figure Rabindranath Tagore and through his works got acquainted with hard working and proud Bengali people.

“We’re from a landlocked country so perceive Bangladesh as an amazing land of lakes, and experienced bridge and boat- builders. We need to encourage more cultural exchanges and tourism so that our two countries know each other more closely and benefit from their excellent bilateral relations,” he said.

The Ambassador said their people are similar with their openness and hospitality and they are eager to learn and hard working. “Youth delegations and students’ teams need to be exchanged on a reciprocal basis to let them become acquainted with one another more closely.”

The envoy said he visited several museums, historical and sightseeing places in and around Dhaka like Lalbagh, Taghat palace, Cox’s Bazar, National Museum and Sangsad Bhaban. “Based on my limited experience, I’ve got the impression that Bangladesh is a land of bridges, and boat builders.”

“I wish to arrange an exchange of folk arts troupes which are truly fascinating and represent their respective cultures,” he added.

The Ambassador wants to visit the site of the boat-building workshop, and see how they build many different boats. “Varieties and craftsmanship of boat construction in Bangladesh are really amazing! They’re indeed tangible heritages which ought to be preserved and further promoted as a national brand of tourism and sports.”