At the meeting, it was decided to strengthen coronavirus precautions and State Emergency Commission informed of the measures being taken and planned to prevent the disease.

The Cabinet decided to withdraw additional MNT 6.5 billion from the Government reserve fund to take comprehensive coronavirus precautions. The additional funds will be spent on medicines, medical tools and equipment, personal protective equipment, test kits, disinfectants, sanitizers, as well as the over-time pay and transport allowance of doctors and other health care workers.

It was decided to increase the funding as Mongolia is at very high risk of a coronavirus transmission and high risk of spread of the virus according to a Public Health Emergency Risk Assessment. Moreover, 771,805 people including elders and patients with chronic and other conditions are considered to be more at risk of infection.

So far, no coronavirus case has been confirmed in Mongolia. 216 people who had traveled to the countries affected by the virus, have tested negative for the virus after being quarantined and test results of seven suspected cases are pending.

After hearing about the ongoing and planned precautions, Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh ordered the State Emergency Commission to extend the suspension of traffic movements between Ulaanbaatar and 21 aimags until March 2 and look into and resolve the matter of suspending flights between Mongolia and Japan over coronavirus concerns.

The automated control system selects the optimal mode of operation for the plant. It analyzes a set of parameters to determine when to store energy, and when to direct it to the network.

"The new SES provides reliable and uninterrupted power supply to the Burzyansky district, and in the event of an emergency shutdown or repair work on the power line, it can work autonomously," Rusnano said.

According to the chairman of Rusnano's board, Anatoly Chubais, the integration of renewable energy facilities and energy storage systems is a global trend. "For remote areas, such solutions not save costs on expensive diesel fuel, but also guarantee an uninterrupted energy supply based on green energy," he said.

The resolution is intended to be an update of a 1998 concurrent resolution in support of efforts to foster friendship and cooperation between the United States and Mongolia, to meet mutual goals and in line with future trends, as presented by Minister of Foreign Affairs D.Tsogtbaatar.

He introduced at the meeting that the resolution, promoting the development of the Strategic Partnership as well as a broader economic partnership, will show Mongolia’s willingness to intensify economic ties with the USA and will bring impetus to the US Congress approval of the ‘Mongolia Third Neighbor Trade Act’.

“This draft, upon approval, has a great significance to the strengthening of Mongolia’s third neighbor policy and national security.” said the Minister. In July 2019, Mongolia and the USA brought their relations to a new level - Strategic Partnership.

The Mongolian Parliament is expected to review the draft by summoning an irregular session before the Speaker’s visit as its regular spring session for 2020 is scheduled to open on April 5.

Also at the meeting, Minister D.Tsogtbaatar presented an issue of opening Consulate General of Mongolia to Chicago, where more than 8 thousand Mongolian nationals are residing in.

Until his latest appointment, Mr. Enkhbold served as Director-General of the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Department in his country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs beginning in August 2016 until January 2020. He was previously senior adviser at the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, between 2013 and 2016.

Mr. Enkhbold served as Ambassador-at-Large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2012 and Ambassador to India and Sri Lanka from 2008 to 2011. He was Director-General of the Trade Policy and Economic Cooperation Department in the Ministry of Industry and Trade from 2004 until 2008.

In other foreign postings, Mr. Enkhbold was the Third and subsequently Second Secretary at Mongolia’s Embassy and Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva from 2001 to 2004. He was also Senior Officer in the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Department within the Ministry of External Affairs from 1999 until 2001.

Earlier, Mr. Enkhbold was Chief of the Investment Promotion Division at the Foreign Investment and Foreign Trade Agency of Mongolia beginning in 1996 until 1999, Economic Officer at the Mongolian Chamber of Commerce and Industry between 1991 and 1996, and a research fellow at the Institute of Renewable Energy of Mongolia from 1989 to 1991.

Mr. Enkhbold holds a PhD in international economics from the School of International Relations at the National University of Mongolia, and a master’s degree from the Technical University of Vladimir in the Russian Federation.

Born in Ulaanbaatar in 1965, he is married and has three daughters.

"We believe that under the strong leadership of the Chinese government, China will overcome the epidemic as soon as possible," Khurelsukh said while meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Chai Wenrui.

The prime minister said Mongolia is willing to continue to provide necessary support to China.

"Mongolia attaches great importance to developing relations with China and regards the development of friendly and cooperative relations with China as a priority of Mongolia's foreign policy. Our relationship is currently in its best period in history," Khurelsukh said.

Mongolia is willing to continuously strengthen friendly cooperation with China in various fields, he said. Enditem

During his visit to Russia in December, 2019, Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh agreed with Moscow’s proposal to commence the project to establishment a gas pipeline to China through the territory of Mongolia. At that time, the PM emphasized that project will be implemented within the Economic Corridor between the three countries, and would make a significant contribution to the social and economic development of the three countries.

On February 10, the State Emergency Commission decided to suspend coal exports until March 2 through borders with China, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Statistics show that 98 percent of Mongolia's coal exports is accounted for China.