Ulaanbaatar-Darkhan road extension to be funded by EBRD www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Minister of Road and Transport Development B.Enkh-Amgalan received Bruno Balvanera, Managing Director for Central Asia at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

China approves 6 mln T coal mine project in Inner Mongolia region www.reuters.com

China’s state planner said on Tuesday it has approved an open-pit coal mine project in Inner Mongolia region worth 1.46 billion yuan ($218 million)

Minister: Mongolia is keen to benefit from Azerbaijan’s rich experience in oil and gas industry www.azertag.az

“Mongolia is keen to take advantage of Azerbaijan’s rich experience in the field of oil and gas,” said the country’s Energy Minister Tserenpil Davaasuren as he met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Parviz Shahbazov.

Liberty International headed to Mongolia in 2019 www.atlasnetwork.org

Liberty lovers and famous libertarian activists will be gathering in the beautiful city of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from June 6–9, 2019 to discuss and celebrate freedom at the Liberty International World Conference. Hosted by Atlas Network partner Silk Road Foundation, the conference will feature a vibrant learning and networking environment in a breathtaking city. The Silk Road Foundation is an NGO established in 2013 that focuses on promoting free markets, individual liberty, and a limited government in Mongolia.

Liberty International is one of the premier conferences for libertarians around the world to connect and share ideas. With the stated goal of inspiring the creation and growth of regional networks, as well as grassroots organizations, the conference provides valuable training to classical liberals across the globe. The Liberty International conference has previously been hosted in 24 different countries. Some previous cities include Athens, Rome, Berlin, and San Francisco.

“The main goal of the conference is to introduce current libertarian points of interest to an already liberty-oriented audience with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation,” said M. Khaliunbat, the founder and CEO of Silk Road Foundation.

With so many supporters of the global liberty movement congregating in one location, the event promises to be filled with the best and brightest minds engaging in provocative discussions. Theoretical discussion, real-time case studies, networking, lectures, and panelists will highlight the conference’s many events. These liberty-oriented programs are geared towards promoting the movement of freedom and liberty. In addition to these opportunities, the networking dinners will provide attendees with fantastic opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and discuss the developments of the liberty movement. With speakers hailing from all over the globe, the event will undoubtedly provide a diverse and unique take on the future of liberty throughout the world.

This year’s speakers will include Atlas Network’s Dr. Tom G. Palmer, Ken Schooland, and Christopher Lingle. In addition to these speakers, Atlas Network will also be facilitating a training session in conjunction with the Liberty International conference. More information will be released soon on the Atlas Leadership Academy page.

Not only will the event provide those in attendance with a unique experience to meet and discuss with like-minded liberty lovers, but it will also provide a fantastic opportunity to explore the the stunning natural and cultural aspects of Mongolia. The Liberty International World Conference will advocate for core universal principles in a country that is sure to take your breath away!

“By coming to Mongolia for Liberty International you’ll be able to explore the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, and meet other freedom lovers and famous libertarian activists from all over the world,” continued Khaliunbat. “It is going to be a networking event with many interesting lectures and insights on liberty.”

Asiana wins rights to fly to Mongolia; Jeju, Eastar win routes to Singapore www.m.koreaherald.com

Asiana Airline Inc. secured the right to fly additional routes on the highly sought after South Korea-Mongolia route, while Jeju Air Co. and Eastar Jet Co. were allocated flights to Singapore, the government said Monday.

Energy Minister visiting Azerbaijan www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Minister of Energy Ts.Davaasuren is paying an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan at the invitation of his Azerbaijani counterpart Parviz Shahbazov, holding talks on the opportunities for bilateral cooperation in energy sector.

Mongolian rock band ‘Hu’ to perform at ‘Tons of Rock’ Festival www.news.mn

A band from Mongolia that blends the screaming guitars of heavy metal and traditional Mongolian guttural singing has picked up 8 million views for its two videos. The Hu call their style “hunnu rock” — from the Mongolian root word for human being: “hu.” The band will perform at the ‘Tons of Rock’ international rock festival in Oslo on 27-29 June.

Death in custody! Mongolian judge dies at detention centre www.news.mn

Well-known Mongolian female judge L.Byambaa has died at detention centre 461 after being arrested by the Independent Authority against Corruption on 22 February. According to a source, L.Byambaa’s body was found on 23 February strangled by her own brassiere in a room of the detention centre. She had only five hours left to being released when the 48 hours custody period ended.

Aero City planned at Mongolia’s new international airport www.news.mn

As Ulaanbaatar’s brand new international airport nears completion, planning is underway to establish a satellite town with a population of some 51.5 thousand people and a highway link to Ulaanbaatar. According to the general plan for Aero City, 9479 households will reside in the city. The plan was approved by Government Resolution No. 29 of last month. The satellite city will be established alongside the new international airport in Khushig Valley.

74 countries make up 3.5 percent of Mongolia’s exports www.zgm.mn

Mongolia exports to one out of three diplomatically related countries; however, the country imports from two out of three, resulting in a foreign exchange (FX) loss. Although the export amount is high, it still falls short compared to import deficit. By importing from 159 countries and exporting to 77, the export rate remains at only half of total imports.

According to the Mongolian Customs General Administration (MCGA), only three countries, namely the People’s Republic of China, the United Kingdom, and the Russian Federation, made up 96.5 percent of total exports in 2018. China, being the first on the list, accounts for 92.8 percent of Mongolia’s total exports. The remaining 3.5 percent is formed by 74 countries.

The MCGA report shows that Mongolia exported USD 303,000 worth goods to Africa as of the end of 2018, of which USD 235,000 were exported to Egypt. The export items mainly consisted of rugs, wool, and animal intestines. Compared to the same period of 2017, the export rate dropped by half in 2018. Next up on the list is a country where Mongolian peacekeepers are in. With a total of USD 64,000 worth goods exported, export to Sudan remains rather high in 2018 compared to previous years. Sudan buys used tires, tire tubes, car mirrors, and other car parts. Throughout last year, Zimbabwe bought micronutrients, the Republic of South Africa bought laboratory reagent. and a few wickerworks were noted in the customs report. As such, African countries mainly bought samples and used parts from Mongolia; however, the FX inflow from Africa was three times lower compared to 2016. The same could be said for export as it has been falling in recent years. Especially in the last two years, Mongolia’s biggest trade partners in Africa, namely Angola with a total trade turnover of USD 280,000 and Kenya with USD 604,000, have stopped trading with Mongolia.

Exports to Asia and the Middle East were mainly made to China, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore last year. Some interesting items were also noted. For example, North Korea purchased frozen beef cigar, and 1 million cigarettes from Mongolia within the financial year.

China, UK and Russia account for 96.5 percent of total exports
Located in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain bought a single type of product worth USD 125,000, which is livestock and its by-products. Mongolia also exports camel wool to Balboa and other products totaling USD 260,000. Bhutan bought 250kg cheese for USD 600. On the contrary, trades with Jordan, Lebanon, and Oman are rapidly increasing. These countries have been mainly interested in purchasing animal husbandry goods, such as raw meat and leather. Unlike Africa, exports to Asia is on the rise.

As for exports to Europe and America, Great Britain is at the forefront. The key trade partners include Russia, Italy, Germany, and France. These countries mostly buy animal hides.

Exports to Estonia stand at a mere USD 6,800, which consisted of amplifiers and its related products. These are the general exports made from Mongolia that are falling behind our biggest buyer China. Mongolia has been actively developing foreign trade for almost three decades. But the number of goods and trade partners are few compared to other countries. Mongolia does have trading systems through the continent, but the profit falls short, thus, there is an urgent need to diversify exports and trading partners.