We invited Giorgi Tvalavadze, a citizen of Georgia, to our “Mongolia Through Foreign Eyes” interview segment.

Full name: Giorgi Tvalavadze
Nationality: Georgian
Length of stay in Mongolia: 7 years
Current position: Procurement Agent Manager at the Millennium Challenge Account Mongolia, and Manager at the UK-based consulting firm Charles Kendall International Corporation
Can you share your first impressions of Mongolia? 
In 2019, I arrived in Mongolia. Before coming here, I already had some information and very positive expectations, because many of my friends and international business partners had worked here before. 

They all had very good experiences in the country. I knew Mongolia was a beautiful country, but when I arrived, my impression was even better than I had expected. 

First, I met my wonderful team members. I also noticed how warm and friendly people were — not only colleagues, but also people I met in the streets and at the hotel when I first arrived. Even strangers interacted with each other in a very friendly way. 

I also have a wonderful team here, one of the best teams I have ever worked with. I have worked in many countries before, but Mongolia has unique nature, food, and hospitality that are strongly connected with traditions and family gatherings. 

I was invited many times to family celebrations during Tsagaan Sar and other holidays. So, I am very happy to be here. I have made many friends, and even after this program ends, I will definitely come back. 

It's nice to hear that, sir. You mentioned about the Mongolian nature. I hope you have already got a chance to travel in Mongolia, so what are some of the travel destinations that has left you a lasting impression? 
I think Mongolia is a very big country with many different and beautiful landscapes that vary from region to region. I am from Georgia, so I love mountains. I saw wonderful mountains here for hiking, even around Ulaanbaatar and in the countryside. 

I also saw the beautiful lakes in the north. I haven't had the chance to visit the Gobi Desert yet, but I am planning to go there this summer. 

I have visited several regions close to Ulaanbaatar, as well as some areas farther away in the west and the north. The lakes and forests there are especially beautiful. Overall, it is very impressive. I can say that summer and spring in Mongolia are wonderful. 

It is neither too hot nor too cold, and the climate is very comfortable. Even the winter is not as cold as some people think. As I mentioned, I have worked in other countries such as Moldova and Ukraine, where winters are very harsh and humid. I actually felt the cold there much more than in Mongolia. 

I also had the opportunity to work in tropical countries like Indonesia for many years, and that was quite challenging. Without winter, life can also be difficult. 

THE COMPACT PROGRAM ENSURES THAT MONGOLIA HAS RELIABLE AND CLEAN WATER RESOURCES FOR THE YEARS TO COME 

Can you please tell us about some unique aspects of your work?
We are procurement agents for MCA Mongolia, and I represent Charles Kendall International Corporation, which has headquarters in the UK and the USA. 

Our role is to manage and implement all procurement activities under the Compact. This includes the procurement planning, implementation and contract administration stages. 

Procurement is extremely important in large programs like this because we are managing public funds. For us, it is essential to conduct procurement according to MCC procurement guidelines and international public procurement standards. 

Most importantly, we strictly follow the fundamental principles of public procurement: fairness, transparency, honesty, accountability, and competition. 

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I believe MCA Mongolia has done an excellent job in increasing the capacity of local firms. Many Mongolian companies have learned international standards and best practices through this process. 

Our major role is to enhance competition so that Mongolia receives the best value for money. This means achieving the best possible quality at the best price. 

 We are happy to have very strong procedures and excellent cooperation with the procurement director and the entire procurement team at MCA Mongolia. We are very fortunate to work with such a professional team. 

 One of our key responsibilities is preparing procurement documents. We ensure that the solicitation documents issued to the market clearly describe the process and maintain full transparency. 

 The information is distributed to all market participants, and we conduct a very fair evaluation process. The evaluation is based on objective and measurable requirements that are clearly stated in the solicitation of documents. 

Because of this approach, we have strong competition in our procurements, and many Mongolian firms have won contracts. Over time, we have built strong trust with the market. Companies know that our evaluation process is objective and fair, and we rarely receive challenges to our results. 

Another important aspect is that we apply international standards and best practices without making requirements restrictive. Our role is to ensure that qualified companies have a fair opportunity to participate. 

I believe MCA Mongolia has done an excellent job in increasing the capacity of local firms. Many Mongolian companies have learned international standards and best practices through this process. 

Today, many Mongolian firms are ready to compete and win contracts not only in Mongolia but also internationally. 

This program brings many benefits — not only through infrastructure and facilities, but also through knowledge transfer and institutional development for Mongolia. 

How active are Mongolian local companies in participating in the procurements published by the MCA-Mongolia? What are some of the advantages of the Mongolian companies and what are some things that they must pay more attention to? 
One of the biggest challenges in the beginning was the local firms’ unfamiliarity of MCC’s procurement process and procedures. MCC procurement guidelines, bidding documents, and response forms are all based on international best practices. For many companies, this documentation format is new. They had to prepare proposals according to detailed instructions included in the solicitation documents.  

Another challenge was that all documents had to be prepared in English. Contracts are also written in English, and deliverables must be submitted in English by consultants, contractors, or suppliers.  
In competitive procurement processes, rules must be strictly followed. If a company fails to meet a requirement, it may lose the contract.

However, Mongolian companies also have several advantages. For example, they often have competitive prices, particularly for services and locally supplied goods. Many Mongolian firms have successfully won contracts through various procurement methods, some of which focus on qualifications and experience, while others focus on price and responsiveness. 

Also, many Mongolian consulting firms were awarded contracts based on the evaluation of both technical and financial proposals. 

Through these processes, they have gained significant experience in preparing proposals and implementing projects in accordance with international standards. This experience will help them to participate in international tenders in other countries as well. There are many opportunities in other MCA countries, as well as in projects funded by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other international organizations. 

In this sense, through this program, Mongolian firms have gained experience and strengthened their capacity. 

As for improvements, companies must carefully follow all instructions in the bidding documents. Sometimes proposals were rejected because certain documents were missing, or requirements were not fully followed. In the event that any aspect of the solicitation document is unclear, the companies must promptly request clarifications.  

In competitive procurement processes, rules must be strictly followed. If a company fails to meet a requirement, it may lose the contract. However, these experiences help companies to learn and improve their capacity over time. 

MONGOLIANS PLACE GREAT VALUE ON GOOD EDUCATION, WHICH IS VERY POSITIVE

You’ve worked with Mongolian colleagues for a number of years. What is your impression of working with Mongolians compared to other foreigners you’ve worked with?  
I have worked in many countries, including Indonesia, Moldova, Ukraine, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan, as well as several others for shorter periods. 

In all these places, I worked with local colleagues. However, Mongolia is unique. I can say that the main reason for our success is the team. 

Our procurement team at MCA Mongolia is one of the best teams I have ever worked with. We have very intelligent, motivated, and proactive individuals who understand their responsibilities very well. They often take initiative and clearly understand their roles and objectives. 

Education is also very important in Mongolian society. From what I see, Mongolians place great value on good education, which is very positive. Mongolians are highly intelligent people, and when you combine education, motivation, and natural ability, it creates a very strong professional environment. 

Continuous development is the most important thing. I would feel confident working anywhere in the world with this team because they are truly excellent. 

I’m curious about your thoughts about their ability to keep time? Because sometimes we are blamed for not being on time.
At the beginning we had some minor issues, mainly related to traffic or the fact that some people live far from the office. However, overall, we have no serious issues with punctuality. It depends a lot on teamwork and organizational culture. 
When I first arrived, air pollution and traffic were major concerns. However, I have seen improvements over the years.

About the traffic jam, how do you adapt to Ulaanbaatar's issues, like traffic jams, air pollution, etc.? 
Before coming to Mongolia, I lived in Jakarta for more than six years. Compared to Jakarta, Ulaanbaatar’s traffic is actually much easier to manage. 

Of course, traffic congestion is still a challenge. When I first arrived, air pollution and traffic were major concerns. However, I have seen improvements over the years. The government is working to address these issues by improving road infrastructure and launching new development projects. 

There are also discussions about constructing a metro or underground transportation system in the future, which would be very important for the city. 

Regarding air pollution, the government introduced policies such as restricting the use of raw coal, which in my opinion, have improved the situation. The most important thing is that there is a strong political will to solve these problems. There is also public demand for solutions. I believe the development of ger areas and ongoing investments will also help to improve the situation in the future.  

How do you spend your free time here in Mongolia? 
I have a wonderful time here. On weekends, I often go out of the city with friends, teammates and colleagues. There are many beautiful places near Ulaanbaatar where you can relax, such as Terelj and other destinations. 

Ulaanbaatar itself also has many nice restaurants, and social places. I have many good friends here, so there are always things to do and people to spend time with. 

In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of working and living in Mongolia? 
Ulaanbaatar is probably one of the best cities I have lived in, and I would definitely be happy to come back. Many people might say that the biggest disadvantage is the cold winter. But in reality, it is not as difficult as people imagine. 

Before I arrived, some of my friends told me, “It’s extremely cold.” But if you are well prepared, it is perfectly manageable. Honestly, I do not see many disadvantages. It is a nice city to walk around, meet people, visit museums, enjoy restaurants, and explore the surrounding nature. The people are also very friendly. All of these are great advantages. 

What do you think are some innovations or modern solutions that can be used in Mongolia in terms of what you’ve observed during your time here? 
Mongolians are highly intelligent people with strong potential. This means they can successfully develop innovative projects and programs. 

I also see that tourism and investment are gradually increasing, which is very positive. However, I think the most important innovations for Mongolia should focus on the energy sector. Developing new energy sources and increasing domestic energy production is probably the biggest challenge. 

I truly hope Mongolia will continue to develop and become a strong and prosperous country. I will always remain a fan of this country. 

Transportation is another important area — especially railway development and modern transport systems. With the right investments and innovative projects, Mongolia has strong potential for growth. 

Mongolia also has good relationships with neighboring countries such as South Korea and China, which support business development and investment. 

In addition, countries such as the United States and Australia continue to support important development programs. All these factors can contribute to Mongolia’s future development. 

Is there anything you want to say that I didn't ask and maybe related to your work and job? 
I am very proud of the work we have done and what we continue to achieve. We had the opportunity to visit the facilities that were built through this program. 

I hope you will also have the chance to see these large and important projects completed by MCA Mongolia. They will become valuable assets for the country.  The Compact program ensures that Mongolia has reliable and clean water resources for the years to come — for drinking, recycling, and all other uses. 

I truly hope Mongolia will continue to develop and become a strong and prosperous country. I will always remain a fan of this country. 

Thank you for your time with us. 

Published Date:2026-03-23