1 GOLD AND COPPER PRICES SURGE WWW.UBPOST.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/02      2 REGISTRATION FOR THE ULAANBAATAR MARATHON 2025 IS NOW OPEN WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/02      3 WHY DONALD TRUMP SHOULD MEET KIM JONG- UN AGAIN – IN MONGOLIA WWW.LOWYINSTITUTE.ORG  PUBLISHED:2025/04/02      4 BANK OF MONGOLIA PURCHASES 281.8 KILOGRAMS OF PRECIOUS METALS IN MARCH WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/02      5 P. NARANBAYAR: 88,000 MORE CHILDREN WILL NEED SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS BY 2030 WWW.GOGO.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/02      6 B. JAVKHLAN: MONGOLIA'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES REACH USD 5 BILLION WWW.GOGO.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/02      7 185 CASES OF MEASLES REGISTERED IN MONGOLIA WWW.AKIPRESS.COM PUBLISHED:2025/04/02      8 MONGOLIAN JUDGE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE APPEALS CHAMBER OF THE ICC WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/01      9 HIGH-PERFORMANCE SUPERCOMPUTING CENTER TO BE ESTABLISHED IN PHASES WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/01      10 LEGAL INCONSISTENCIES DISRUPT COAL TRADING ON EXCHANGE WWW.UBPOST.MN PUBLISHED:2025/04/01      УСТСАНД ТООЦОГДОЖ БАЙСАН УЛААНБУРХАН ӨВЧИН ЯАГААД ЭРГЭН ТАРХАХ БОЛОВ? WWW.BLOOMBERGTV.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/02     САНГИЙН ЯАМ: ДОТООД ҮНЭТ ЦААСНЫ АРИЛЖАА IV/16-НААС МХБ-ЭЭР НЭЭЛТТЭЙ ЯВАГДАНА WWW.BLOOMBERGTV.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/02     МОНГОЛБАНКНЫ ҮНЭТ МЕТАЛЛ ХУДАЛДАН АВАЛТ ӨМНӨХ САРААС 56 ХУВИАР, ӨМНӨХ ОНЫ МӨН ҮЕЭС 35.1 ХУВИАР БУУРАВ WWW.BLOOMBERGTV.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/02     Б.ЖАВХЛАН: ГАДААД ВАЛЮТЫН НӨӨЦ ТАВАН ТЭРБУМ ДОЛЛАРТ ХҮРСЭН WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/02     1072 ХУВЬЦААНЫ НОГДОЛ АШИГ 93 500 ТӨГРӨГИЙГ ЭНЭ САРД ОЛГОНО WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/02     Н.УЧРАЛ: Х.БАТТУЛГА ТАНД АСУУДЛАА ШИЙДЭХ 7 ХОНОГИЙН ХУГАЦАА ӨГЧ БАЙНА WWW.NEWS.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/02     “XANADU MINES” КОМПАНИ "ХАРМАГТАЙ" ТӨСЛИЙН ҮЙЛ АЖИЛЛАГААНЫ УДИРДЛАГЫГ “ZIJIN MINING”-Д ШИЛЖҮҮЛЭЭД БАЙНА WWW.BLOOMBERGTV.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/02     ТӨМӨР ЗАМЫН БАРИЛГЫН АЖЛЫГ ЭНЭ САРЫН СҮҮЛЭЭР ЭХЛҮҮЛНЭ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/02     “STEPPE GOLD”-ИЙН ХУВЬЦААНЫ ХАНШ 4 ХУВИАР ӨСЛӨӨ WWW.BLOOMBERGTV.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/02     ҮЙЛДВЭРЛЭЛИЙН ОСОЛ ӨНГӨРСӨН ОНД ХОЁР ДАХИН НЭМЭГДЖЭЭ WWW.GOGO.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/04/01    

Events

Name organizer Where
MBCC “Doing Business with Mongolia seminar and Christmas Receptiom” Dec 10. 2024 London UK MBCCI London UK Goodman LLC

NEWS

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Realization after 9 elections www.ubpost.mn

Since 1990, Mongolia has required independent candidates to collect 801 signatures to run in parliamentary elections. After organizing nine elections, the realization has only now dawned on that this threshold may have been set too high. Similarly, citizens wishing to form a political party must gather the same number of supporters. However, as a party is a collective organization, it can meet this requirement through joint efforts. For independent candidates with no party affiliation, gathering 801 signatures within a 21-day period has long been a formidable challenge. Yet, until recently, no formal complaints had been raised about this requirement.
In January, the Constitutional Court (Tsets) reviewed a complaint arguing that this provision in the parliamentary election law violated the Constitution. Consequently, the court issued a ruling to suspend the enforcement of the related provision. This week, parliament is deliberating on the court’s decision, with the Standing Committee on Affairs Division already expressing its support. The final decision is expected to be made during the plenary session. If parliament accepts the Constitutional Court’s conclusion, the signature threshold for independent candidates will be lowered starting from the 2028 elections.
Peak moments
In Mongolia, citizens have the right to run for elections either through a political party or coalition, or as independent candidates. While independent candidates have maintained a modest yet consistent presence in politics, their journey has been anything but easy.
In the country’s first parliamentary election in 1992, 18 individuals ran as independents, with only G.Zuunai of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party securing a seat. However, his success did not spark a broader movement—no independent candidates made it into parliament in 1996. Nevertheless, participation gradually increased, and between 2000 and 2020, independent candidates managed to secure between one and three seats per election.
The 2024 parliamentary election—the first to expand the number of seats to 126—marked a setback, as no independent candidates were elected. In total, only 11 independents have ever been elected across six parliaments, and all but three were former members of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) or the Democratic Party (DP), already established political figures. Success as an independent has largely depended on prior public recognition. For instance, journalist Z.Altai (2008–2012) and singer S.Javkhlan (2016–2020) both leveraged their fame to win seats. The exception was L.Gundalai, who became the first independent to win a seat in 2000, though he was a well-known businessman in Khuvsgul Province.
Interestingly, most independents who enter Parliament eventually align themselves with political parties. Z.Altai and S.Javkhlan, the only two who completed their terms without joining a party, struggled to make a significant impact. Without party backing, independent lawmakers face considerable challenges in advancing legislative initiatives or influencing policy. Attempts to form a caucus—such as those by S.Ganbaatar, Ts.Davaasuren, and Kh.Bolorchuluun—failed to gain traction, given the limited influence of three voices in a parliament of 76.
The 2020 election saw the highest number of independent candidates in Mongolia’s history. Of 208 applicants, 121 met the legal requirements to run—a reflection of growing public disillusionment with political parties and a search for new perspectives. Yet, from this record number, only former Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag won a seat, and before long, he too aligned himself with a party.
Ultimately, Mongolia’s political landscape remains inhospitable to independents. Without the organizational support and policy influence that parties provide, independent MPs often find themselves sidelined, their contributions limited. As history has shown, even when they secure a seat, most eventually return to the party fold.
No consistent figure
In Mongolia’s political landscape, the status of an independent candidate has mostly been reserved for temporarily suspended party members or public figures. Among those who run independently, only a handful of well-known individuals have dared to speak out against illegal practices observed during elections and voiced their dissatisfaction with the results. The 2020 parliamentary election was the first time a significant number of independent candidates came together, organized themselves, and collectively expressed their stance. However, their “struggle” rarely went beyond this initial effort.
There has been little to no history of independent candidates advocating for legislative reforms that would create a more favorable environment for them—such as reducing certain requirements or improving legal frameworks under the Law on Parliamentary Election. Career politicians with party affiliations know that remaining independent is not a viable long-term path, so they pay no attention to such matters. As for other independents, most run only once or twice out of curiosity, only to become disheartened by financial challenges and unfair competition, eventually abandoning the pursuit or aligning themselves with a political party.
A prime example is M.Narantuya –known as the singer Nara, a current Member of Parliament representing the Civil Will-Green Party. She ran as an independent in the 2016 and 2020 elections, but after failing to secure a seat, she eventually decided to join a party—a decision she has openly discussed. From this, one thing becomes clear: there are no steadfast figures constantly running as independents over multiple elections. In essence, independent candidates have remained fragmented and inconsistent. As a result, in the past eight elections—spanning over 32 years—no one has emerged to fight for equal opportunities or a more favorable legal environment for independent candidates.
However, the 2024 election brought forth an unexpected “daredevil”. Among the 35 independent candidates in this election, one individual stood out: D.Altangerel. Although he submitted the necessary documents to run, the General Election Commission (GEC) disqualified him. In response, he took his case to the Constitutional Court, arguing that Articles 31.3 and 31.4 of the Law on Parliamentary Election violated the Constitution by unfairly treating independent candidates the same as those backed by political parties, thereby infringing on his right to be elected.
Moreover, D.Altangerel contended that GEC’s requirement for independent candidates to collect 801 supporters’ signatures—each accompanied by their national registration number—breached the Law on Personal Data Protection. The national registration number holds sensitive information, including personal property records, making its mandatory collection a violation of privacy.
In a historic move, D.Altangerel not only brought the matter in front of the Constitutional Court but also emerged victorious, setting a precedent for revising the 801-signature requirement. Remarkably, no one had previously filed an official complaint regarding this matter, perhaps because lawmakers, deeply entrenched in party politics, were oblivious to the struggles faced by independent candidates.
D.Altangerel’s case marked a turning point—the first time in nine election cycles that an independent candidate challenged the system and succeeded, paving the way for future reforms and inspiring others to fight for fairer conditions in Mongolia’s political arena.
Precedent set after 30 years
It took over 30 years for someone to file a formal complaint challenging the hurdles faced by independent candidates in Mongolia, prompting the Constitutional Court to review the matter. In its deliberations, the court considered international practices regarding independent candidates in parliamentary elections.
So, what hurdles do independent candidates face in other countries? Let’s take a look at a few examples. In Germany, a country Mongolia often looks to for inspiration, candidates seeking to run independently for the Bundestag (Governmental Body) must gather signatures from only 0.1 percent of voters in their constituency—typically no more than 200 people. The exact number varies depending on population size and electoral district. In the United States, the requirements differ from state to state. For instance, in New York, independent candidates for Congress must collect 3,500 signatures, while in California, the number exceeds 7,000.
Interestingly, some countries place less emphasis on collecting signatures and instead require candidates to pay a deposit. In the United Kingdom, independent candidates need just ten signatures from their constituency, but they must pay a 500 GBP deposit. If they secure more than five percent of the total votes, they get their deposit back. Similarly, in Canada’s federal elections, independent candidates must gather 1,000 signatures and pay a deposit of 1,000 Canadian dollars.
Regardless of the approach, one thing is clear: while other nations have mechanisms that encourage participation, Mongolia’s rules have long overlooked independent candidates, creating unnecessary hurdles. D.Altangerel’s bold move has set a precedent for challenging these barriers.
When the Parliamentary Standing Committee discussed the issue, some members reacted sensitively to the idea of lowering the signature requirement. For example, Member of Parliament E.Bat-Amgalan expressed concern that accepting the Constitutional Court’s conclusion could pave the way for questioning other legal thresholds, saying, “If we accept this ruling, what’s next? Are we going to claim that the age requirement of 25 for parliamentary candidates and 50 for presidential candidates is also unconstitutional?”
However, such comparisons miss the point entirely. The age requirement for candidates is a separate issue. If parliament accepts the Constitutional Court’s ruling, it will need to amend the Election Law, lowering the number of supporters required for independent candidates. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to shift the focus from arbitrary numbers to principles of fairness and equality, correcting long-standing biases in the electoral system.
If parliament rejects the ruling, the Constitutional Court will escalate the matter to a full bench hearing, whose decision is final and binding. Either way, the case of D.Altangerel has forced a long-overdue reckoning with an overlooked injustice, and Mongolia now faces a pivotal moment to reform its electoral laws and level the playing field for independent candidates.
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D.Amarbayasgalan met with Mongolian researchers in Oxford www.news.mn

Chairman of the State Great Hural, D.Amarbayasgalan, is currently an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the invitation of the Right Honourable Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons.
The official visit, scheduled from March 18 to 23, 2025, marks the first-ever visit at the level of Mongolia’s parliamentary chairman to the UK.
As Mongolia’s third neighbor and a key European partner, the UK holds significant strategic importance in diplomatic and economic relations. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations, expand economic, energy, and education sector cooperation, and establish a legal framework for enhanced collaboration. It will also promote mutual understanding, increase high-level dialogue, and bolster inter-parliamentary ties between the two nations.
Today, Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia, D.Amarbayasgalan, met with Mongolian researchers who is participating in the 7th International Conference on the Livelihoods of People Living in the Gobi Desert, organized by the School of Geography and the Environment at Oxford University. Also he met with William Hague, Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and Professor Giles Wiggs, Director of the School of Geography and the Environment. They exchanged views on Mongolia’s educational goals, ongoing programs, and areas of potential future research collaboration.
Yesterday, Chairman of the State Great Hural D.Amarbayasgalan was acquainted with activities of Satellite Application Catapult, where a Mongolian citizen B.Maral works as a senior advisor at this world-leading technology and innovation company.

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Tur-Od Lkhagvajav: The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Upholds Trust in Its Partnerships www.montsame.mn

 The MONTSAME National News Agency spoke with the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) Mr. Tur-Od Lkhagvajav.
Congratulations on your appointment as the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. When was the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry established, and how have the Chamber's operations evolved over time?
The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry was founded in 1960 under the Ministry of Trade of the Mongolian People’s Republic to manage foreign trade with capitalist or Western countries at that time. Today, our Chamber operates within the confines of the Law on Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which was passed by the State Great Khural of Mongolia in 1995.
The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports the country's economic development by fostering a favorable business environment, facilitating trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation between Mongolian and international entities, and assisting businesses in exporting domestically produced goods and products. The Chamber is a public legal entity. The MNCCI is a nationwide non-governmental organization with voluntary membership. Currently, it has over 6,400 members, of which 2,700 are located in Ulaanbaatar city and 3,700 in rural areas of Mongolia.
We are also delegated with some governmental tasks, such as issuing certificates of origin for national products, providing accreditation, and granting patents for intellectual property and copyrights. Our one significant initiative is the issuance of Force Majeure Certificates through the National Accreditation Center of Mongolia, which I would like to specifically mention, as it was quite instrumental during unforeseen events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. So, businesses can collaborate based on mutual trust, and the Chamber itself upholds this principle by fostering trust among its member organizations and partners. 
You just mentioned that the MNCCI has over 6,400 members. Looking at the distribution by sector, which sector dominates the Chamber’s membership? Based on this, we might get a general picture of which sectors play a major role in our country’s economy.
Today, over 90 thousand entities and entrepreneurs operate in Mongolia. The Chamber's membership includes both large holdings and smaller entities. Small and medium-sized enterprises are also among our members. Over the past 4–5 years, we have actively supported startups, particularly those led by young people and women entrepreneurs. State-owned and locally owned enterprises, such as Erdenet Mining Corporation SOE, Mongolrostsvetmet SOE, and Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC, which collectively account for more than 90 percent of Mongolia’s GDP, are proud members of our Chamber. Additionally, MNCCI member organizations provide employment for over one million people.
The mining and extractive industry plays a pivotal role in our country's government budget. Therefore, the Chamber supports transparency in the mining sector. We have launched programs and projects to improve corporate governance and uphold business ethics in mining companies, especially focusing on state-owned and locally owned enterprises. 
Currently, 22 policy councils operate under the MNCCI. In 2025, we established the Regional Development Policy Council. The Chamber also has affiliated local chambers in all 21 aimags of Mongolia. To drive regional development forward, we have restructured our local chambers into seven regions with designated plans and budgets for them. Starting this year, the Chamber and the Government of Mongolia will jointly host the Regional Development Forum and implement various multilateral initiatives.
Following the 2024 Parliamentary Elections of Mongolia, the Government of Mongolia has announced its Action Program. What legislative proposals is the Chamber developing, and what innovative regulations are expected to be introduced?
The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry will partner with the Government of Mongolia under Mongolia's long-term development policy "Vision-2050," the New Revival Policy, and the Government's 2024-2028 Action Program, focusing on three main areas: first, the transition to a green economy; second, the shift towards artificial intelligence and advanced technologies; and third, the transformation of the labor force and labor market.
We are currently working on amending certain laws that directly impact the business environment in Mongolia. One of the most pressing challenges businesses face is the tax environment. The MNCCI conducts a Business Environment Survey among its member organizations every two years. The 2023 survey concluded that "The tax environment is not always favorable for businesses." In response, we are collaborating with the Working Group established by the State Great Khural of Mongolia to organize a series of discussions and develop provisions to be reflected in these laws. In addition, we are working on draft laws related to business and finance, such as the Law on Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Law on Energy Reform, the Law on Increasing Productivity and Improving Governance of State-Owned and Locally Owned Enterprises, the Law on Labor Force Migration, the Law on Permits, and the Law on Commerce.
Mongolia does attract foreign investors. How friendly is our country to foreign investors?
The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry has restructured its organizational framework, reducing the number of departments from 11 to three main departments to enhance efficiency. The Trade Policy Department aims at supporting foreign trade, with a dedicated center for promoting exports and imports. The Industrial Policy Department will focus on fostering industrial development, particularly the establishment of industrial parks, in alignment with the Government's objectives. The Investment Policy Department will closely cooperate with the Ministry of Economy and Development of Mongolia and the Investment and Trade Agency of Mongolia to protect the interests of domestic and foreign investors, including the development of the draft Law on Investment to create a more favorable legal environment for investors.
What are the most common concerns raised by foreign investors? What mechanisms does Mongolia use to resolve business disputes?
There are several foreign-invested Mongolian companies registered with the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. One of the main concerns of foreign investors is the need for political stability. With the formation of a Coalition Government following the 2024 Parliamentary Elections, it is expected that Government operations will continue steadily in the coming years. Among the most well-known initiatives are the 14 mega projects of the Government of Mongolia, for which the MNCCI is working hard to attract foreign investment and establish partnerships.
Another issue raised by foreign investors is the stability of the legal environment. We will submit a set of proposals and recommendations for the draft Law on Investment. Our goal is to have the Parliament of Mongolia discuss and approve the law that creates a favorable environment for foreign and domestic investors, ensuring its validity for at least 15-20 years and possibly even beyond 30 years without amendments.
Foreign investors also bring up the issue of dispute resolution with the MNCCI. Similar to the chambers of other countries, our Chamber operates the Mongolian International Arbitration Center. This Center is staffed by legal experts specializing in economics, finance, banking, and investment, ensuring that disputes are resolved fairly and impartially.
The world is increasingly focusing on sustainable development and green economy. What regulations do our business laws provide for incentives for foreign investors? What improvements could be made in the legal framework in this area?
The MNCCI has long supported the production of environmentally friendly products from the very beginning. The Chamber is a leader in driving the green transition. Annually, the MNCCI presents the "Greenpreneur" Award to Mongolian entrepreneurs and foreign nationals for their contributions to the development of green businesses. Starting this year, businesses contributing to the green economy will benefit from cuts in corporate income taxes. Another noteworthy initiative is the collaboration between the MNCCI and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia to establish a special fund. This fund has already been introduced to the Chamber's member organizations and aims at accumulating MNT 1 trillion every year to support the green transition.
The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry issues certificates of origin for export goods and products. What are the advantages of this certificate? How many types of goods are currently certified?
One important service that the MNCCI provides to entities and businesses is the issuance of certificates of origin. In 2024, the Chamber issued 14,575 certificates, directly supporting exports. Mongolia has the right to supply over 7,500 products to the European Union under preferential tariffs. Experts from relevant ministries and agencies in Mongolia and Japan held seven rounds of negotiations for three years, starting 2012, and established a Free Trade Agreement. Furthermore, Mongolia is working on establishing similar agreements with the Eurasian Economic Union and South Korea. A notable opportunity for Mongolia arose in 2019 when it joined the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect in 2021.
Which countries and international organizations does the MNCCI cooperate with? How is the Chamber expanding its foreign relations and cooperation?
The MNCCI collaborates with trade and industrial chambers and trade promotion organizations of over 160 countries. It has signed memoranda of understanding with approximately 130 organizations of more than 40 countries. The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a member of several prestigious international organizations, including the International Chamber of Commerce-World Chambers Federation (ICC WCF), the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), the Asia Trade Promotion Forum (ATPF), the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement Chamber of Commerce and Industry (APTA CCI), and the Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI), all of which facilitate close cooperation. This allows the MNCCI to engage in regional and international business networks, stay informed about economic, trade, and business trends, share information with entrepreneurs, and promote Mongolia's business environment at international fora. It also provides opportunities to voice the opinions of business owners, participate in seminars and training sessions, and foster collaboration. Also, the MNCCI works closely with neighboring countries on joint projects, exhibitions, trade fairs, and other initiatives.
Since the beginning of 2025, the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry has organized two important business forums in Türkiye and Uzbekistan. How fruitful have the business forums and business trips to foreign countries been?
The frequency of high-level visits by the Head of State and government leaders of Mongolia has notably increased in recent years. A key part of any such visit is the business delegation. During these visits, the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the host country's national chamber, organizes a Business Forum. During the State Visit of President of Mongolia to the Republic of Türkiye on January 15-19, 2025, we organized the Mongolia-Türkiye Business Forum. Approximately 100 business representatives accompanied the President of Mongolia. The Mongolia-Türkiye Business Forum and B2B meetings were successfully held in Ankara, the capital city of Türkiye, and Istanbul, the financial hub of Türkiye. The B2B meetings are a crucial event where business people of the two countries meet face-to-face, discuss potential collaborations, and establish partnerships. In Türkiye, Mongolian enterprises and companies conducted over 10 negotiations, resulting in agreements worth more than MNT 30 billion. This highlights the importance of business forums and B2B meetings organized by the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in other countries.
The MNCCI also signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye, which represents over 2 million businesses and organizations. This Agreement aims to enhance exports and imports between the two countries, balance foreign trade, implement joint projects and programs, and provide Mongolian manufacturers access to the Turkish market and, eventually, through Türkiye, to other countries' markets. Additionally, we have agreed to collaborate with the Foreign Economic Relations Board under the Ministry of Trade of Türkiye, with the goal of elevating bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries. This Agreement can be seen as a roadmap for enhancing economic ties with third neighbors. 
The business forum and B2B meetings were held in Tashkent, the capital city of the Republic of Uzbekistan, during the first Meeting of the Mongolia-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economy, Science, and Technology Cooperation. A delegation of over 50 business people of Mongolia visited Uzbekistan. Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan paid an official visit to Uzbekistan as the Chairman of the Mongolian party to the Commission.
Around 200 business representatives from Mongolia and Uzbekistan participated in the business forum and B2B meetings. Uzbekistan is increasingly attracting global attention of investors and business people. Its economy is becoming more open, and its population is growing rapidly. Mongolian companies and entrepreneurs have started showing interest in the Uzbek market too.
To give you an example, Mongol Basalt JSC of Mongolia is building a factory in Tashkent, while the Tavan Bogd Group is opening a branch of NURA Center in Uzbekistan. "Voyage Mongolia" has established a representative office and is now selling water in Uzbekistan. Several Mongolian food companies are actively working on importing fruits, berries, and other food products from Uzbekistan. Many Mongolian companies have expressed their intention to explore this new market further and are planning to return to Uzbekistan. In such ways, we are working to connect our member companies with international markets, collaborate with the Government to create a favorable legal environment, raise awareness, and open up wider business opportunities.
Where can foreign entrepreneurs find information and advice on Mongolia's market, including business and trade opportunities, as well as the tax environment? How accessible are these services?
As I mentioned earlier, the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports foreign investors and businesses in investing, trading, and developing economic relations with Mongolia. All this information can be found on our website www.mongolchamber.mn. At the same time, our Chamber has established an Institute for Economic and Market Research. The research center will conduct policy-level research. In particular, it intends to provide domestic market information to foreign investors and exporters and importers, and on the other hand, to distribute information on the markets of other countries to domestic producers and importers.
What goals are you planning to accomplish in the near future?
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As part of the anniversary celebrations, revising the Law on Chamber of Commerce and Industry has become our priority. The MNCCI is actively involved in drafting several laws aimed at improving the business legal environment and is working towards achieving concrete results. Additionally, the Chamber is focusing on strengthening its branches in rural areas to provide support and training for local businesses. We will also organize business forums during the State Visits of President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa to Poland and the Czech Republic, scheduled for March 2025. Preparations for these forums are underway. Additionally, we are preparing for successful participation in both domestic and international exhibitions, trade fairs, and expos.
This year, the World Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Japan, under the theme "Designing a Future Society for Our Lives." The Expo aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 and expresses a commitment to raising awareness and driving action towards eliminating hunger and poverty, promoting social equality, resolving ecological challenges, and mobilizing citizens globally to contribute to achieving these goals. As the largest international event, the Expo sees the participation of over 170 countries and is held every five years. Preparations are underway to involve Mongolian businesses and companies, particularly members of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in this prestigious event. The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry is gearing up for an exciting year ahead, celebrating its 65th anniversary with a packed calendar of events, including domestic and international forums, discussions, exhibitions, trade fairs, and policy advocacy initiatives.

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Official Visit of Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia to the United Kingdom Begins www.montsame.mn

Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve is paying an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on March 18-23, 2025. 
Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve held an official meeting with Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom the Right Honorable Sir Lindsay Hoyle at the Palace of Westminster on March 19, 2025. During the official meeting, the two sides expressed satisfaction with the active development of bilateral relations and cooperation across all sectors in recent years and emphasized the strengthening of mutual understanding. Additionally, the two sides exchanged in-depth views on expanding cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries, particularly enhancing relations between the Secretariats and Parliamentary Friendship groups. 
At the meeting, Speaker Amarbayasgalan introduced the objectives set by the newly formed State Great Khural of Mongolia, the “Three Perfections” policy aimed at strengthening parliamentary governance, as well as the initiatives and legal reforms being implemented to develop Mongolia’s economy, boost trade, and increase investment. Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, expressed gratitude for accepting his invitation and for undertaking the first official visit of a Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia to the United Kingdom. Sir Lindsay Hoyle further expressed confidence that this official visit would contribute to strengthening cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries.
Following the meeting, Speaker Amarbayasgalan signed the Book of Honored Guests of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.

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Mongolia's external debt grows by 7.4 percent at the end of 2024 www.xinhuanet.com

Mongolia's external debt grew by 7.4 percent at the end of 2024, reaching 37.1 billion U.S. dollars, according to data released by the country's National Statistics Office on Wednesday.
The growth in external debt was caused by an increase in direct investment and intercompany loans by 14.4 percent, official data showed.
It is noted that nearly 46.5 percent of Mongolia's total external debt was built up from direct investments and intercompany loans, 21.2 percent from the government's debt and 7.2 percent from debts of other savings institutions, 2.9 percent from the country's Central Bank, and 22.2 percent from other sectors.
Meanwhile, World Bank experts predict that Mongolia's economy will grow by 6.5 percent in 2025 due to growth in the mining industry and increased domestic demand.

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Mongolia: A gradual macroeconomic improvement drives an upgrade in the MLT political risk to 6/7 www.credendo.com

Mongolia has been on a bumpy road since spring 2017, when it was bailed out by multilateral and bilateral creditors to avoid a sovereign debt default. During the following years, while the authorities strived to reduce the country’s heavy debt burden, the economy was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic due to the border closure with China, its top export market (accounting for more than 80% of Mongolian goods exports). However, since 2021, the country has gradually seen its macroeconomic performances improve and now seems to have turned the corner. Real GDP growth is back to sustained high rates, recording a 6% average across 2022-24, a rate which is also forecast for the next three years. The economy remains highly reliant on the mineral commodity sector (coal, copper, gold and iron ore) as the main growth driver, although this is also a major weakness as it means that Mongolia is dependent on price fluctuations – this risk is mitigated by high prices for gold, huge market potential for copper in the green transition and rising demand for critical minerals from neighbouring China. Moreover, the large mining production expansion – after the launch of the huge Oyu Tolgoi mine in 2023, one of the world’s largest copper and gold mines – will be a valuable buffer in making Mongolia more resilient to future commodity demand and price fluctuations. The government also wants to boost economic diversification, notably by developing the country’s high tourism potential and untapping huge renewable potential (such as hydropower and solar) to reduce external energy dependency. These current and future mining and energy projects will boost exports and GDP growth in the MLT, thereby keeping the current account deficit at more acceptable levels. The deficit is much lower than its pre-Covid level, having halved from 16% to an expected 8% of GDP between 2019 and 2024, although a slow, gradual widening is forecast in the future. That said, FDI is expected to remain high and therefore finance the current account deficit in the MLT. Foreign exchange reserves are therefore likely to remain around an adequate level of three months of import cover.
A sharply squeezed public debt alleviates the heavy external debt burden
Stronger GDP and exports growth, combined with contained new borrowing, have contributed to reducing the heavy external debt ratios, resulting in a reduction in the external debt-to-GDP ratio from 237% in 2016 to 169% in 2023 since Mongolia’s sovereign debt crisis. A gradual but limited increase is however expected from 2026. It is worth noting that most debt is private, and an important decline in external debt comes from the decrease in public debt. Meanwhile, fiscal consolidation has enabled a remarkable improvement in public finances as public debt has dropped from 77.8% of GDP in 2020 to an estimated level of less than 40% in 2024. The fiscal balance has been in surplus since 2021 (a small deficit is forecast in the MLT), with government revenue surging to more than 35% of GDP so that the public debt-to-revenue ratio now amounts to just 112% (compared to over 300% at the time of Mongolia’s debt crisis). Looking ahead, public debt sustainability is projected to weaken a fraction, but without endangering the successful achievements of recent years. Therefore, the concrete progress towards a more sustainable external public debt and an upbeat outlook for Mongolia’s mineral sector led to an upgrade in the MLT political risk category to 6/7 last December.
Global trade protectionism and deteriorating monetary conditions remain downside risks
While external debt service reached more than half of current account receipts between 2017 and 2023, it is expected to sit at a much lower level comparatively in the coming years, although future external debt repayments will be monitored closely since they are projected to be equal to the level of foreign exchange reserves. In this context, Mongolia should benefit from easing US interest rates and a largely stable tugrik close to its levels of two years ago – albeit partly resulting from the central bank interventions.
Nevertheless, improved market conditions and confidence in the country could be exposed to a global trade war led by Trump’s import tariff hikes which could harm the Chinese economy, fuel inflation pressures and compel a pause in the Fed’s easing rate cycle. A stronger US dollar is also a concern, given the ever-challenging debt service. These are important downside risks to watch this year and beyond in the light of Mongolia’s external debt, which is still high. Although inflation has eased away from double-digit figures since 2023 amid monetary tightening, it still rose to 9.6% in January 2025. Inflation is likely to persist at relatively high levels, a chronic feature for the deadlocked economy.  
Political stability and geostrategic position
Mongolia’s currently favourable outlook is supported by heightened political stability. Already in control of the presidency, the victory of the ruling Mongolian People’s Party in the June 2024 elections strengthened prospects of cautious policy continuity and a preserved democratic system. Nonetheless, in spite of finalised negotiations with Rio Tinto regarding the Oyu Tolgoi mine, the authorities have yet to show long-term commitment to strengthening institutions, which have been volatile in the past, in order to maintain appeal for foreign investors in the LT. Moreover, the government will continue to face protests in the absence of progress in tackling structural problems such as the high cost of living, the lack of socioeconomic benefits from commodity extraction and air pollution.
Externally, Mongolia is expected to continue to reap benefits from its geostrategic and transit location between Russia and China (its dominant trade and investment partner), notably as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. The authorities are also committed to diversifying their trade and economic links with the West as they aim to mitigate the risks associated with economic reliance on two partners. However, looking ahead, a chaotic geopolitical environment could complicate the authorities’ attempts to navigate between Mongolia’s partners.
Analyst: Raphaël Cecchi – r.cecchi@credendo.com

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Government to Facilitate Households Residing in Insulated Gers and Passive Houses www.montsame.mn

Measures to reduce air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, the Capital City of Mongolia, will be implemented as a nationwide campaign involving all government administrative bodies and the public. Accordingly, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia Odontuya Saldan announced that the Government of Mongolia will support households residing in insulated gers and passive houses.
During the regular session of the Cabinet of Mongolia on March 19, 2025, Minister of Finance of Mongolia Javkhlan Bold was instructed to focus on ensuring that commercial banks, particularly the State Bank of Mongolia, provide concessional loans. 
The Scientific Advisory Board of the National Committee for Air Pollution Reduction of Mongolia received numerous proposals from individuals presenting their work. Among the initiatives presented, the most effective and adequate solutions will be assessed, and citizens will be offered various options and advice on insulating their homes.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia has officially notified 173 steam boilers and 2,263 enterprises that collectively burn 200,000 tons of raw coal annually that they must cease using raw coal starting September 1, 2025. To accelerate the plan of allocating 1 percent of corporate income tax revenue to air pollution reduction efforts, Minister Odontuya has scheduled meetings with enterprise leaders to discuss solutions for their employees residing in ger districts.

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Government Approves Resolution to Help Thousands of Ulaanbaatar Households Switch to Gas Heating www.montsame.mn

During its regular session on March 19, 2025, the Cabinet of Mongolia approved a resolution to reduce air pollution in Ulaanbaatar City.
Governor of the Capital City of Mongolia Nyambaatar Khishgee noted, “More than 200,000 households in the capital use solid fuel. There are also 804,000 cars on the road. Sources such as power plants are also polluting the air. In this regard, a resolution has been approved to switch 32,000-50,000 households to gas in preparation for the winter of 2025-2026. If households voluntarily refuse solid fuel and switch to gas fuel, they will be provided with gas stoves for heating. Moreover, from September 15, 2025, to May 15, 2026, a subsidy of MNT100,000 will be provided to households that converted to gas. All ministries are responsible for reducing air pollution. Therefore, this resolution stipulates that ministries are responsible for reducing household heat loss in ger districts, each being assigned a certain area. Military organizations will also be involved in reducing the heat loss of households and bringing them into compliance with standards. State-owned companies will support this effort."
Annual gas consumption in Mongolia is 46 thousand tons. It is estimated that by switching 32-50 thousand households to gas, the consumption will increase to 100 thousand tons. The Governor of the Capital City said that a draft agreement on cooperation with gas-importing enterprises is being formulated.

 

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Industrial Output of Mongolia Reaches MNT 5.1 Trillion www.montsame.mn

According to preliminary results for the first two months of 2025, the total production of the industrial sector reached MNT 5.1 trillion, marking an increase of MNT 747.1 billion compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was mainly driven by the mining and extractive sector, which contributed MNT 492.9 billion, and the manufacturing sector, which accounted for MNT 129.5 billion. 
The total production output of the mining and extractive sector reached MNT 3.5 trillion, an increase of MNT 492.9 billion from the same period in 2024. This growth was largely attributed to the extraction of metal ores, which rose by MNT 280.4 billion, and lignite mining, which increased by MNT 204.1 billion. The production volume of iron ore, lignite, zinc concentrate, copper concentrate (in metal content), fluorspar, and fluorspar concentrate increased by 4.1-92.3 percent compared to the same period in 2024. However, the production volume of iron ore concentrate, unrefined gold, processed coal, hard coal, crude oil, and silver concentrate declined by 0.1-13.6 percent. 
In the manufacturing sector, the physical production volume of key products such as bottled water, soft drinks, juice, cashmere knitwear, combed cashmere, compressed coal briquettes, regular pastries, liquid milk, and cigarettes increased by 2.8-87.3 percent. 
The industrial sector’s sales amounted to MNT 7.1 trillion, a decrease of MNT 971.8 billion compared to the same period in 2024. This was due to the decrease of MNT 1.3 trillion in the mining and extractive sector’s sales. 
The total sales of products in the industrial sector amounted to MNT 7.1 trillion, representing a decrease of MNT 971.8 billion compared to the same period in 2024. This decline was mainly due to a MNT 1.3 trillion drop in sales within the mining and extractive sector.
The total sales of the mining and extractive sector fell by MNT 1.3 trillion from the previous year, primarily due to MNT 1.7 trillion decrease in coal sales and MNT 26.8 billion decline in crude oil sales. 
As of the first two months of 2025, export sales amounted to MNT 4.8 trillion, with the mining and extractive sector accounting for MNT 4.7 trillion. The composition of mining exports was as follows: 
Coal- 42.4 percent, 
Metal ores- 52.7 percent, 
Crude oil- 3.4 percent, 
Other mineral extractions- 1.5 percent.

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Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Mongolia: Insights from the Multi-stakeholder validation meeting www.unesco.org

UNESCO, in partnership with Rio Tinto Mongolia, has embarked on a transformative project titled “Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Mongolia through UNESCO Cultural and Geo Heritage.” This project aims to leverage the country's rich cultural and geological heritage to promote sustainable tourism. On 13 March 2025, a multistakeholder validation meeting took place at the “Zovshiltsol” Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized by the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, and Rio Tinto Mongolia. The validation meeting brought together representatives from a diverse array of organizations and local administrative bodies The validation meeting brought together representatives from a diverse array of organizations and local administrative bodies, © Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO The event brought together over 60 representatives, including officials from key government ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth and their affiliated agencies. It also included local representatives from the Governor’s Office of Umnugovi province, officials from Manlai and Khanbogd soums, the members of the Mongolian National Geopark Committee, tourism association representatives, and donor organizations. The meeting focused on several critical topics, including the discussion on the findings from two major studies on the identification of potential geopark sites with proposed travel routes and the cultural heritage inventory of Umnugovi province. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Boldsaikhan S, Secretary General of the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, and Mr. Zanabazar J, Deputy Governor of Umnugovi province. Mr. Boldsaikhan underscored the necessity for cooperation in designating geopark sites in respective areas in Umnugovi province. Meanwhile, Mr. Zanabazar highlightedlocal efforts toward sustainable tourism development in the region and expressed strong commitment of the local government to support the project implementation. In a presentation by Mr. Munkhbileg N, Head of the Mineral Resources Division, National Geological Survey, findings from the science mapping study were presented, revealing significant insights into the region's geological and paleontological heritage elements. The research team conducted a thorough assessment of the heritage sites and identified key places as potential sites for an aspiring geopark. To effectively establish UNESCO Global Geopark in the country, the team also emphasized the need for legislative changes that would support and facilitate this initiative. Mr. Enkhbat G, Director of the National Center for Cultural Heritage, presented findings from the study on the inventory of intangible cultural heritage in Umnugovi province to support sustainable tourism. The study proposed various tourism routes, while also exploring market opportunities for tourism products that highlight local specialties. The study team also proposed a detailed plan for further development until 2030. The meeting featured contributions from Ms. Bolorchimeg B, Project and Partnership Management Associate at the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia (UB Antenna Office), and Mr. Mainbayar B, Head of the Paleozoology Department at the Institute of Paleontology, who shared insights from their participation in the Eighth International Training Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks held in Xiangxi, China, in October 2024. Their experiences provided valuable international perspectives on practical examples that can be applied in geopark development in Mongolia. Mr. Tumendelger Kh, Head of the Tourism Association of Umnugovi province, emphasized the region’s significance as a critical habitat for rare bird species and wildlife, underscoring its potential for sustainable tourism. Local leaders, including Mr. Tseveenravdan M, Governor of Khanbogd soum, and Mr. Baasantsogt P, Governor of Manlai soum, shared their commitment to supporting the geopark initiative as the it is identified as one of the priorities of the local government action plan for 2025-2028. During the discussion, participants voiced their enthusiasm for the proposed geopark sites and highlighted the necessity for comprehensive research on the biodiversity of these areas. Discussions also explored how local administrations can support the geopark’s establishment with a focus on infrastructure development. The participants expressed their potential contributions based on the detailed activity plan developed using the “Self-Evaluation Checklist for Aspiring UNESCO Global Geoparks” and recommendations from the UNESCO Global Geoparks experts’ meeting held in 2018 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. There was a strong consensus on the urgency of establishing a de facto geopark and forming a dedicated management team. Concerns regarding transportation safety to Umnugovi province were also raised, along with calls for local engagement in the geopark initiative. Overall, the meeting marked a significant step toward advancing sustainable tourism in Umnugovi province, facilitating collaboration and network among stakeholders. The dialogue established not only the foundational elements for the project but also a robust network of support among diverse participants committed to Mongolia's sustainable tourism vision.
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