Noting that Australia is one of most important third neighbors and largest investors of Mongolia, which consistently supports democracy and reforms in our country, Minister D. Tsogtbaatar expressed gratitude for the valuable contribution of Australian government for training Mongolian public servants.

During the meeting, the parties agreed on the possibility of expanding bilateral relations in all areas, especially the continuation of experience exchange in developing accountable mining and good governance.

Ambassador David Vosen expressed his commitment to pay more attention on increasing reciprocal high-level visits between two countries.

Besides the issues of bilateral relations, the parties also exchanged views on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, such as international and regional cooperation and diversifying economy and attracting investment.

Mr. Raiser has had a long and distinguished career at the World Bank and other international development organizations. Prior to this new assignment, he was the World Bank Country Director for Brazil, the largest country and World Bank borrower in Latin America and the Caribbean. Before moving to Brazil in 2012, Mr. Raiser was Country Director for Turkey, one of the World Bank’s largest clients and the largest borrower in Europe and Central Asia.

“I look forward to this tremendous opportunity to represent the World Bank in China, Korea and Mongolia, three crucial partners in our efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and boost prosperity in the world,” said Mr. Raiser. “I am committed to continuing to grow the strong and successful partnerships we have forged with the three countries.”

Mr. Raiser joined the World Bank in 2003, first as Country Manager for Uzbekistan and then Lead Economist for Ukraine. He was subsequently appointed as Country Director for Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine in 2008, where he focused on managing the response to the global financial crisis in these three countries.

While heading the World Bank’s Office in Brazil, Mr. Raiser oversaw a strategic shift in the program towards supporting fiscal and structural reforms to help the country overcome a deep recession and embark on a sustainable, private investment led growth path.

Prior to the World Bank, Mr. Raiser worked at the Chief Economist Office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In 2012, he co-edited the Golden Growth flagship report on the future of the European economic and social model.

Mr. Raiser is a macroeconomist by training. He holds an MSc in Economics and Development Studies from the London School of Economics and a PhD from Kiel University, Germany.

While recent merger and acquisition transactions have raised concerns about the future of Canada's mining sector, domestic firms remain optimistic about growth opportunities. Canadian stock exchanges are the global leader in mining financings, and Canada continues to be a global hub for mining finance, KPMG reports.

Heather Cheeseman, partner, energy and natural resources, KPMG Canada, believes the industry is at a “crossroads” in Canada.

"Innovation and new technologies are rapidly reshaping the sector, while environmental and social expectations continue to grow. At the same time, we are seeing consolidation in the industry as companies look to find synergies and drive down costs,” Cheeseman said in a statement.

Cheeseman added that despite many factors disrupting the industry, miners remain confident that they will be able to continue to grow their companies.

"While organic growth will always be the main driver, Canadian executives are increasingly seeing mergers and acquisitions and technology as the keys to expansions," she said.

The report finds that mining executives increasingly believe innovation and advances in technology will reshape the industry, with 73% seeing this as more of an opportunity to their companies than a threat.

Of the surveyed, 66% are confident or very confident in their ability to grow in 2019, 73% expect to grow organically, 40% plan to grow via mergers and acquisitions and 29% plan to use innovation and technological transformation to grow.

"There has been some concern about the future of the sector in Canada given recent deals that could shift control out of the country," Cheeseman said. "While I think the conditions driving change will only grow in 2019, I expect the Canadian mining sector to remain healthy. I expect a number of Canadian players to go on offense and be buyers this year."

It is expected to drive 500 kilometers (275 miles) on a single charge thanks to a 78-kilowatt-hour battery (72 kWh for the Chinese market) integrated into the floor.

Production of the electric car in both right and left-hand-drive versions is to start in 2020 in southeast China, according to the automaker. The initial launch markets include China, the US, Canada, and some European countries, and the company vowed to consider further expansion.

“Polestar 2 is our first fully electric car and first volume model,” Polestar’s chief executive officer, Thomas Ingenlath, said in statement on Wednesday.

The range of the new Tesla rival almost equals the long-range version of the Model 3, which is 310 miles, and the price will also be close to the one Elon Musk’s company offers. The car will be priced from €39,900 ($45,500) up to €59,900 ($68,000).

However, during the first year of production it will sell only the limited edition launch model for $63,000, and federal and state incentives can drop the price by $7,500.

Polestar 2 is one of the first cars in the world to feature an infotainment system powered by Android which allows drivers to use Google Assistant, Google Maps and other apps from the Google Play Store.

The company, jointly owned by Volvo Car Group and Zhejiang Geely Holding, launched its first car – the Polestar 1 hybrid performance coupe – in 2017. It also plans to start production of a fully electric SUV which will be Polestar 3.

Other major auto companies have already joined the race to win the hearts of eco-friendly customers, with Jaguar launching its I-Pace fully-electric model and Porsche preparing to start sales of its first fully-electric sports car, Taycan.

Last year, Volkswagen-owned premium brand Audi unveiled battery-powered crossover E-Tron.

They are searching for survivors at the site, in the Bolaang Mongondow area, on the island of Sulawesi.

Seven people have died and at least 19 have been rescued, officials say.

Rescuers are hampered by the steep terrain and muddy, unstable ground, which means heavy lifting machinery cannot be used.

They are having to use their bare hands, as well as spades and ropes, to get people out. The survivors are being carried away in makeshift stretchers.

One local official said cracks had appeared at the mine, which collapsed on Tuesday and triggered a landslide, raising fears of a further collapse.

Dozens of people were mining for gold when support beams gave way at the mine due to shifting soil land and numerous mining shafts, officials said. The collapse then triggered a landslide.

Indonesia country profile
A local official said it was difficult to say exactly how many were trapped underground:

"We think there are still many people inside the mine, because it is an illegal mine, so we cannot predict," said Yasti Soepredjo, head of the Bolaang Mongondow region.

"Based on statements from people who survived, the numbers are inconsistent. Some say there were more than 100 in the mine, some said about 80. We are still in the dark when it comes to the actual number."

Small-scale gold mining is banned in Indonesia but remains widespread in rural areas. Lack of regulation and the poor construction of makeshift mines means accidents are relatively frequent.

Campaigners have long argued that a lack of local employment opportunities mean people feel forced to rely on illegal mining.

Australian Ambassador Mr Dave Vosen and GIZ Country Director in Mongolia, Mr Daniel Passon signed a contract to extend the assistance for a further 2 years. The project aims to increase employment opportunities in mining and related sectors.

“The Australian Government is pleased to be able to build the skills of local communities and Mongolian citizens and thereby provide increased opportunities to benefit from Mongolia’s economic development,” said Ambassador Vosen. “Quality vocational education is important to enable Mongolian youth to actively participate and benefit in economic development.

The project, managed by the German Aid Agency, GIZ, will strengthen the curricula for courses offered at the Dalanzadgad Polytechnic College, build the capacity of teaching staff, implement short courses targeting practical working skills, for the unemployed, and continue strengthening of the welding hall responsive to Mongolian weather conditions to allow all-year safe teaching in welding. Also it will implement new courses in industrial mechanics, welding and bricklaying, provide career guidance services to assist graduates find employment and mainstream disability and gender inclusiveness in curricular and teaching methods.

The project started in 2014 and with the extension, will be completing in March 2021.

The project works closely with the South Gobi Government and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. The assistance provided to Dalanzadgad is one component of a larger project funded by Australia, Germany, and Switzerland working across Mongolia’s 11 provinces to improve the quality of technical and vocational education, and provide the workforce required for Mongolia’s future prosperity.

Source: Australian Embassy, Ulaanbaatar

Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, Mongolian Minister of Construction and Urban Development Khavdislam Badyelkhan and Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Xing Haiming attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the plant in the Songino Khairkhan district of Ulan Bator.

"The Mongolian government's action plan (2016-2020) reflects a goal to renovate waste water treatment plants in Ulan Bator and other cities, and build new ones," Khurelsukh said at the ceremony.

"I am happy that within the framework of the goal, a waste water treatment plant will be built in the capital city with soft loans from the Chinese government," Khurelsukh said, while expressing confidence that the plant will help improve the city's environment.

The existing waste water processing plant in Ulan Bator does not have a system of processing silt and waste silt, and heavy metals are dried up outside causing air pollution.

For his part, Xing said, "The project is a vivid symbol of the solid friendship and close cooperation between our two countries."

The Chinese ambassador also expressed hope that bilateral relations and friendship between the two peoples will further expand.

According to the Mongolian Minister of Construction and Urban Development, the waste water treatment plant to be completed in 2020 will have the capacity to purify 250,000 cubic meters of waste water a day.

The Boeing 737-500 aircraft will fly on Mondays and Tuesdays; the flight will last 3 hours and 20 minutes.

SCAT Air Company was established and started operations in 1997. The company operates 18 domestic and 33 international routes.