MM April 2013

Since 1991
No. 14 (1135)
the
MONGOL
MESSENGER
MONGOLIAS FIRST ENGLISH WEEKLY PUBLISHED BY MONTSAME NEWS AGENCY 500
Friday, April 5, 2013
Japanese PM visits Mongolia to strengthen relations Parliaments

Shinzo Abe: Mongolia is increasingly important to Japans foreign policy
spring agenda outlined
Presidential election and foreign investment prioritized

-On March 28, the agenda of issues to be discussed during spring session of parliament was set in order based on Article 15.2 of the Law on Parliament in Mongolia. -Draft parliamentary resolution on scheduling Presidential election dates -Draft parliamentary resolution on fixing the required finance for the Presidential election -Bill to amend the law on regulating foreign investments made to companies operating in strategically important sectors -Revised Bill on the securities market -Performance of the 2012 basic guideline to develop Mongolias socio-economy -Draft parliamentary resolution on approving the 2012 budget performance and governments unified financial report -Bill on funding for building infrastructure in ger (national dwelling) residential areas of Ulaanbaatar -Draft parliamentary resolution on approving a program on investments to be financed by the State Budget in 2014-2016 -2014 State Budget framework and Bill on 2015-2016 budget assumption -Draft parliamentary resolution on approving the basic guidelines to develop the socio-economy for 2014 -Revised bill on civil health insurance -Revised bill on land -Revised bill on land fee -Revised bill on cadastre -Bill to amend the law on geodesy and cartography -Bills to amend the laws on Bayan mongol (Erdenes Mongol) Company and the Human Development Fund -Bill to amend the law on state service -Others
Official welcoming ceremony for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sukhbaatar Square B.Ooluun, The Mongol Messenger On March 30-31, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid an official visit to Mongolia. It is the first visit by a Japanese Prime Minister to Mongolia since August 2006 when Junichiro Koizumi visited the country. Prime Minister Abe met with Mongolias Prime Minister, President, Speaker, MPP leader. The high ranking officials of the two countries expressed their firm position to further strengthen relations and bring relations to the strategic partnership level. Prime Minister Abe made an initiation called Erch (means power or energy in Mongolian) to develop economic relations and cooperation intensively and the Mongolian side supported it to implement. The initiation aims to improve investments and the business environment, create favorable conditions for mutually beneficial cooperation, and recouping each other. In a press conference, Prime Minister Abe said - The importance of Mongolia in Japanese foreign policy is increasing. I proposed to develop relations and cooperation of the two countries on three concepts and in three directions. These are to keep freedom and democracy, peace and help mutually as well as to develop relations in the fields of politics, security, economics and human exchange. My Mongolian counterpart supported them. During the talks, I particularly mentioned expanding economic relations of the two countries said Prime Minister Abe. The two Prime Ministers especially noted developing mutually beneficial Continued on page 5
Labor ministry launches programs to increase employment

Training opportunities offered to fill more than 49,000 jobs
B. Oyundelger, The Mongol Messenger On April 3 Labor Minister Ya. Sanjmyatav reported to journalists about his ministry policy, directives and implementation of the action program. The minister stressed that by setting up the new Ministry of Labor, the new government envisaged to develop labor relations and labor employment issues via the ministry, create a legal environment and carry on labor oriented activities. Previously, the activities were mostly directed at welfare policy, now we will pay attention to develop the man of labor, provide him with skills and qualifications and increase employment. In this sense, the professional education and production centers as well as the small and medium-sized enterprises are affiliated with the ministry. The Ministry of Labor is working to carry out a policy among citizens to create more jobs. The policy of the ministry will be directed at making job places stable, provide unemployed with jobs, employ people with seasonal work and stabilize job employment policy. Ministrys Institute of Labor Research researched the economic activity of Mongolias population. Some 1.018 million of the total 1.7 million able-bodied population of this country is engaged in labor. 22 percent of the employees are the people engaged in private business, 26 percent in livestock and agricultural production, 44 percent are salaried workers, 6 percent in family production, and 2 percent are the cooperative members. Retired people, students, baby-sitters, housewives, disabled people, and seniors are considered as economically inactive population and this number of people reaches 668,000. At the beginning of 2013, the number of unemployed was 87.8 thousand. Under frames of the governments action program, we intend to improve the service sphere. Unemployed people need to visit the Labor exchange offices, register for labor employment, meet with mediators and apply to economic entities interested in employing people, said Ya. Sanjmyatav. Some 28,000 orders for jobs have been received from economic entities and the number of people actively looking for jobs was more than 30,000. This number varied according to seasonal jobs. Despite market circulation, the growing number of people looking for jobs is connected with peoples skill and interest. Employers are interested in employing people in the communication culture who are free of alcohol. In this connection, we launched education and consultation services under the mediatory services. The situation is different in the city from the countryside. In rural places the number of people looking for jobs exceeds the job places while in the city it is vice versa. In order to train qualified and skillful personnel, it is advisable to visit the economic entity and attend their educational training. The rate of students studying at state institutions of higher education is very high. After Continued on page 4
Inside
Interest protection issues for Mongolians talked p2 Consult Expo 2013 p3 PM 10 Questions p4 No Car Day .p7 World Circus back to Mongolia after 30 years.............................................p7
Bloomberg commodity price 2013/04/04
Price GOLD COPPER SILVER BRENT CRUDE SUGAR WHEAT USD/t oz. USD/lb. USD/t oz USD/bbl. USd/lb. USd/bu
1,545.20
331.20 26.79 107.49 19.490 697.25
2 THE MONGOL MESSENGER
news
N E W S-IN-B R I E FFrom The MONTSAME AGENCY

lOn March 27, Foreign Minister L.Bold received Mr. Thierry Meyrat, Director of Regional Delegation for East Asia of the International committee of the Red cross (ICRC) and a regional legal advisor of its regional delegation Richard Desgagneon. Mr. Meyrat spoke about the ICRC, its Regional Delegation for East Asia in Beijing and activities implemented in Mongolia. The Minister Bold thanked the organization for activities in the humanitarian sector and underlined that it plays an important role in spreading international humanitarian legislation. He also expressed the willingness of Mongolia to expand cooperation with the Red Cross. lOn March 29, Prime Minister Mr. N.Altankhuyag gave an interview to the Japanese Fuji television. It took place on the eve of the official visit of Japans Prime Minister Abe to Mongolia. Mr. Altankhuyag underlined his hope that this visit will elevate MongoliaJapan ties to a newer level and boost cooperation in many spheres. Mongolia has vast territories and natural wealth. With Japans hi tech the countries can cooperate in mining extraction and infrastructure, he said. Mongolia should learn from Japans experience in animal husbandry and agriculture to make world brands, reduce air pollution and traffic jams, he added. Negotiations have run to take loans from Japan to erect an oil refinery and a airport, but Mongolia does not intend to limit the cooperation by just loans, we will highlight opportunities for making investments, PM Altankhuyag told Fuji TV. lThe Tarbosaurus Bataar case, initiated at request of Mongolias President, has been finalized and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will transfer the skeleton to Mongolias Government in May. Ms. M.Bolortsetseg, General Paleontologist at the Central Dinosaur museum of Mongolia has begun registration of Tyrannosaurus Bataars fossils in the USA. For the time being, many things are still unclear such as the number of bones, their weight and sizes. On April 5, the first meeting of the Mongolians who live in Mongolia, India, Hazara and Myanmar will run in Nepal. It will be co-organized by the World Centre for Mongol-origin people and Indigenous Mongoloid Republican Forum (IMRF). Participation is expected of our delegation led by Doctor O.Nyamdavaa, leader of the World Centre for Mongol-Origin People, three Indian MPs, delegations from Afghanistan, Myanmar and representative of 12 provinces of Nepal. The gathered will discuss Mongolian traditional culture, similar Mongolian words still kept in languages, and history. An appeal to all World Mongolians is to be released. On April 6, a Miss Mongol contest will run with participation of young ladies from the participant states. The winner will receive an invitation to spend a holiday in Ulaanbaatar. This measure has been run since 2009. lOn April 2, Parliament Speaker Z.Enkhbold announced that parliamentary plenary spring sessions will start at 9:00 am and continue to 14:00 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Previously, the times were 10:00 am and 15:00 pm. An obligation was given to chairmen of Standing committees and parliament administration to get adjusted to the new schedule. The sessions will run on Thursdays and Fridays, factions will meet at 10.00 am on Mondays, and Standing committees at 08:30 am and at 14:30 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. lOn March 29, the 33rd international conference on Mongol studies ran in Seoul March 29 organized by the S. Korean Association for Mongol Studies. B.Ganbold, Ambassador to S. Korea and the S. Korean side addressed the gathered. The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the Association for running the studies and advertizing Mongolia. The conference had four break-out sessions such as country study, history, ethnic researches, Mongolian language, culture studies and dissertations of young researchers. In the conference, over 50 scientists and researchers participated from Mongolia, S. Korea and Chinese Inner Mongolia. They delivered 17 lectures and discussed S. Korean investments orientation in Mongolia, direct relations between regions, S. Korean new governments policy towards Mongolia, rock painting in Mongolia, connections between Mongolian and Korean music, Jangar epic. lThe Department of Information technology of Ulaanbaatar and Mongolias National Data Center have established a cooperation memorandum. By this, the department will use the centers infrastructure, hosting, and server, cooperate in creating software and an information database, as well as producing and implementing projects and programs on the IT. The sides are to ensure a collaboration between their branches, to work out rules and regulations, and to form a related legal environment. The document was inked by B.Bat-Olzii, Acting Director of the department and by D.Enkhtsog, Director of the center. lMongolia-Bulgaria business forum (MBBF) and the Business council of Bulgaria-Mongolia (BCBM) signed a memorandum of understanding. M.Khurelsukh, head of the MBBF and M.Ragin, head of the BCBM inked the document at Mongolias Embassy in Sofia. The sides want to develop water and cultural tourism, introduce Bulgarian hi tech to Mongolia, and expand products exchange. The signing ceremony was also attended by Ts.Gankhuyag, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Bulgaria, and his advisor, D.Ganbold. lOn April 2, W.W. Liong, President of Singapore Changi International Airport and L.C. Kiat, Vice President, visited Ulaanbaatars tourism department. The delegation was invited by the Ministry of the Road and Transportation and the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia (CAA). The sides talked about creating a tourist flow between Mongolia and Singapore, and the possibility of opening direct flights between Ulaanbaatar and Singapore in order to attract people from Central Asia, Far East and Siberia. At present, some eight thousand people travel between Singapore and Mongolia each year, and if a direct route is launched, this number will increase greatly, opening a new exit for travelers of Central Asia and Australia as well. Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities and airport emergency services. Over the past three decades, CAG, previously known as part of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, established Changi Airport as the worlds most awarded Best Airport. With more than 420 awards, Changi has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1981, when Terminal 1 first opened. It handled more than 51 million passenger movements in 2012 and registered a monthly record of 4.92 million in December 2012. Presently, Changi Airport serves some 110 airlines flying to over 240 cities in about 60 countries and territories worldwide. A flight takes off or lands at Changi Airport roughly once every 100 seconds. One of the worlds biggest airport of the world Changi is expected to cooperate with Ulaanbaatars tourism advertisement and marketing. lOn April 5-7, an exhibition called HORECA2013 will take place at the Misheel expo center. It is co-organized by Ulaanbaatars tourism department, Mongolias hotels association with support of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and tourism. The aims of this exhibition are to expand activities of hotel and restaurant suppliers, to support cooperation of businessman, to provide high-tech in hospitality service, and to present national producers products. The organizers of the action say that it will be biggest event to support national producers in reducing the high cost of import products. In the exhibition Mongolias famous hotels and restaurants will participate to present various professional skills and products.
Ambassador to Hungary proposes expansion of Mongol studies

On March 27, T.Gandi, Mongolias Ambassador to Hungary visited Szeged of Csongrad province, Hungary. She held a meeting with Anna Magyar, a member of the National Assembly (MP) and president of the General Assembly of Csongrad County. The Ambassador spoke about Mongolias economy, social life, preparation for the Mongolian-Hungarian 4th meeting of Intergovernmental Commission on economic cooperation, and expressed an interest to develop relations in all sectors. Special focus was given to developing regional cooperation, on collaborating in agriculture, food production, environment and water sectors, in implementing programs and projects such as planting fodder plants, building model milk and meat farms, preparing a fodder. Ms. Magyar agreed with the Ambassador and said she will study the proposals. Following the meeting, the Ambassador visited the University of Szeged which has 30 thousand students. Ambassador T.Gandi met Professor Jozsef Pal, PhD, Vice-Rector of international Affairs and public relations of the university, and Maria Ivanics, head of the Department of Altaic Studies. At the meeting, the ambassador proposed to expand cooperation in training and scientific organizations by means of supporting Mongol Studies in Hungary, employing a Mongolian language teacher at the Altai Studies Faculty of the University, founding a Center for Mongol Studies under the faculty, implementing projects and programs, increasing students in the high tech sector and exchanging teachers. Szeged University asked Ambassador T.Gandi to provide them with Mongolian language textbooks and dictionaries.
Mongolia-Turkey meet to collaborate in economic relations

On March 27-28, the 7th meeting of the Mongolia-Turkey intergovernmental joint committee for the economic and trade cooperation ran in Ankara, Turkey. At the end of the meeting, D. Bat-Erdene, Minister of Defense and head of the intergovernmental joint committee for the Mongolian side and Bulent Arinc, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey and head for the Turkish side, signed the protocol. The meeting is significant because it is being organized just before an official visit of the Turkish Prime Minister to Mongolia. The two sides mutually said that the visit can give impetus to bilateral relations, especially economic, trade and investment cooperation. The protocol reviews implementation of a resolution made at the 6th meeting of intergovernmental joint committee, determines the outlook of bilateral economic and trade cooperation for the coming years, directions of cooperation in the nearest 2-3 years, and clearly states ways of collaboration in constructing apartments, roads, bridges, re-planning ger areas, erecting leather factories, introducing the latest technologies in these spheres, attracting investments from Turkey, developing the tourism sector, renovating the airport in Kharkhorin, establishing a historical and cultural tourism center in Orkhon valley, and taking a longterm soft-loan and to augment investments. The Mongolian side put its request forward to the Turkish side to continue projects through its TICA. Considering the mutual equal principle, the Mongolian side said it would apply Mongolian relevant organizations regarding issues on visa-free travel of Turkish citizens to Mongolia and increase of the number of passengers and Turkish Airlines flights between Istanbul and Ulaanbaatar.
Mongolia requests help to resolve cases in Southeast Asia

During his recent working visit to Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia, Sh. Sukhbaatar, head of Consular Division at Foreign Affairs Ministry, held a meeting with authorities of the Consular Departments of Foreign Ministries of Malaysia and Singapore. During the meeting with Mr. Zulkifli Abdullah, head of the Consular Department at the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, Mr. Sukhbaatar requested information about the trial case regarding late Mongolian citizen Sh. Altantuya who was killed in 2006 in their country and informed them that a joint working group for this issue was established. Also, requests by the victims family were conveyed to the Malaysian side. The Malaysian side explained that it is impossible to interfere in court proceedings and reported that an appeals trial was scheduled for June or August of this year. The sides agreed to cooperate on this issue. A letter of Deputy Foreign Minister D. Gankhuyag, requesting to make relations constant with the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, especially the Consular Department and intensify court proceedings regarding Mongolian citizens and show support was conveyed to the State Secretary of Malaysian Foreign Affairs Ministry. Moreover, Mr. Sukhbaatar met Mr. Karpal Singh, attorney for the case of late Sh. Altantuya and requested help to resolve the case within the law, accelerate discussion for civil claims made by the father of late Altantuya, render assistance to her orphaned two children and return remains of the deceased for burial in her home country. Mr. Karpal Singh said that two police officers who were considered suspects, appealed to the court and it slows the proceedings. In connection, a civil claim made by Mongolian citizen S. Shaariibuu is currently impossible to be discussed in court and is in anticipation, he said. He also said that other issues regarding assistance for orphans and returning remains of the deceased can be resolved through a non-government organization. Since the beginning of 2013, four Mongolians have been accused of keeping drugs and are now being investigated in Malaysia. The Mongolian side put a request forward to find an attorney for them and give information about scheduling a court trial and intentionally told that some Mongolians might become victims due to their imprudence. Currently, one of them was released and trials for the other three have been postponed. In the course of his working visit, Mr. Sukhbaatar met authorities of the Union of Mongolian Students in Malaysia and heard their opinions. He also met Ms. Catherine Wong Siow Ping, Director-General of the Consular Operations Division of Foreign Affairs Ministry in Singapore, and shared views on some issues raised to increasing the travel of mutual citizens. A Mongolian citizen died in Singapore in July, 2012. In connection, Mr. Sukhbaatar requested the Singaporean side to accelerate investigation of the case and provide additional information. The sides also exchanged views about contracts on mutual legal assistance and agreed to mutually resolve matters by means of exchanging Notes.
Blue Banner comments on the situation in North Korea

All parties encouraged to restrain from provocative statements and acts
On April 2, Blue Banner, a Mongolian NGO, issued the following statement related to increasing hostilities on the Korean peninsula. Blue Banner, like other organizations is working to promote regional peace and security and is deeply concerned with the prevailing situation on and around the Korean peninsula. Increased political recriminations and military tensions are making the situation even more serious and tense. All are fraught with the danger of further escalation which can easily turn into a miscalculated or unintentional military conflict with grave consequences, not only for the Korean people who have been suffering under the pressures of hostility and a fragile armistice for six decades, but for the region as a whole. On a broader scale, it can lead to mutual suspicion and a regional arms race.
Editor-in-Chief: Givaandondog Purevsambuu Editor: Borkhondoin Indra English Editor: David brown Journalists: Batbayar Ooluun Baatarkhuu oyundelger
Foreign Ministry searches for Mongolian child overseas

Sh. Sukhbaatar, head of Consular Department at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, recently made a working visit to Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia where he held talks on protecting the interests of Mongolians. For instance, Mr. Sukhbaatar met Mr. Jaime Victor B. Ledda, Assistant Secretary (Consular Affairs) in the Department of Foreign Affairs and exchanged views regarding citizens of the two countries. Mr. Sukhbaatar mentioned that when Mongolian citizen T. Ayatungaa was in the Philippines in November, 2012, where she quarreled with Charles Edward Ergen, father of her daughter and a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The father ran away taking their daughter (Tergelsar) with him. Not only did he escape, but he also applied to the court of Philippines and influenced the court to make a resolution based on grounds that the Mongolian woman Ayatungaa was abusive with her child. Mr. Sukhbaatar made a request to help return the child to her home country and to provide information about where Ch.Tergelsar is now or whether she has been given citizenship in another country. Moreover, he also asked for help to clarify what evidence was used as grounds for making the court decision and to take back their identities, documents and other belongings to Mongolia. During the meeting, the Philippines side confirmed that Charles Edward Ergen is not a citizen of the Philippines and provided information that Charles Edward Ergen departed from the Philippines on December 7, 2012 but there is no record about Ch. Tergelsars entry and departure from the country. The Philippines side also said that Mongolian citizens B. Solongo, mother of Ayatungaa, and T. Ayatungaa did not send documents that could prove their innocence and did not come on time when called by the court, which might have caused the court to make a resolution against them. Mr. Sukhbaatar informed them that information about B. Solongo and T. Ayatungaas being searched by Interpol is illegal and Charles Edward Ergen had the court make a baseless resolution against Mongolians with help of counterfeit documents. In connection with the abovementioned issues, the sides also discussed protecting the interest of citizens of the two countries and shared views on establishing legal documents.
Blue Banner, a Mongolian NGO dedicated to promoting nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation as well as institutionalization of Mongolias nuclear-weapon-free status, believes that all the sides involved should take immediate measures to exercise utmost restraint. They need to de-escalate the tension by ceasing all military threats and exercises, avoid any further provocative statements and acts, proceed to political dialogue and seek a peaceful, diplomatic solution based on principles and norms of international law and existing state practice. As Blue Banner has pointed out in its February 13 statement on the issue of the DPRKs nuclear weapons program, only a constructive, pragmatic and comprehensive approach to the issue can lead to a fair and lasting solution for all.
WEATHER
Sunrise: 06.35 Sunset: 19. 24 n Ulaanbaatar and Central Aimags: Night temps between -8oC and -13oC. Day time temps between 3o and 8oC. Snow on April 6. n Eastern Aimags: Night temps between -90C and -140C. Day time temps between -2oC and 3oC. Snow on April 6. nWestern Aimags: Night temps between -3oC and -8oC. Day time temps between 8oC and 13oC.. Snow on April 6. nGobi Aimags: Night temps between -5oC and -10oC. Day time temps between 1oC and 6oC. Snow on April 7.
Translator: Mishigdorj Unurzul Dalkhjav Undrakh Layout/design : Sarantuya munkhtulga The Mongol Messenger, P.O.Box 1514, Ulaanbaatar, MONGOLIA. Telephone: 266740, Tel/Fax: (976-11) 325512, Home Page: www.mongolmessenger.mn E-mail: monmessenger@magicnet.mn The Mongol Messenger is operated by the government news agency MONTSAME and is printed by the MONTSAME
Association of Mongolian Students to be established in EU countries

The first conference of Mongolian students studying in Czech Republic, was held in Prague. At the conference of over 100 students, diplomats of Mongolias Embassy to the country gave an expanded introduction about MongoliaCzech trade and economic relations, Mongolias present economic situation, job opportunities, the demand for and supply of professionals. During the conference, youth who graduated in the Czech Republic and now work for wellknown companies in Mongolia such as Oyu Tolgoi and Unitel were connected online, shared their experiences with students, and agreed to establish an Association of Mongolian Students in the Czech Republic and organize a scientific conference of students staying in EU countries.
ISSN 1684-1883
news
THE MONGOL MESSENGER 3
Corruption survey now measures individual perceptions

Families say theyre unaffected by grand corruption
B.Ooluun, The Mongol Messenger On April 3, the Asia Foundation announced results of the Survey on perceptions and knowledge of Corruption. In the survey, 1,350 households in 7 districts in Ulaanbaatar and 21 soums in 6 aimags were polled. The survey builds on the semi-annual corruption bench-marking survey conducted under the USAID-funded Mongolian Anti-Corruption Support Project implemented from 2006 to 2011. While past surveys probed citizens perceptions and actual experience of corruption at the household level, the survey has been expanded to capture data on perceptions and knowledge of administrative practices and grand corruption. The percentage of citizens directly involved in corruption has gone down over the years, from 28 percent in 2006 to 12 percent in 2012. Although 41 percent of respondents do not condone corruption at any level, about 18 percent express no problems with the types of corruption examined in the survey. This attitude has not changed much in six years. The practice of giving bribes to overcome bureaucratic hurdles or unjust regulations has been generally accepted by a strong majority (close to 70 percent) of Mongolians over the years. Nevertheless, 93 percent of respondents believe that citizens should be responsible for reducing corruption. However, it is not clear to the respondents how they could act at the individual level to tackle corruption. From surveys covering 20062012, it is clear that the Mongolian people have more or less the same attitude towards the role of politicians, government officials, and big businesses in corruption. Ninety percent of respondents agreed or somewhat agreed that politicians have no real will to fight corruption as they benefit from its prevalence and practice. In their estimates of the lower and upper limits of bribe amounts, respondents said they could be in the range of tens of million to billions of Mongolian tugriks. About 70.5 percent of respondents said that cash is the most common mode of bribery. Approximately 60.4 percent surveyed believed that offering positions in the administration is the most common form, which also implies that people who obtain positions this way are unlikely to promote a transparent and corruption free culture in the bureaucracy. This survey assessed general impressions of the impact of grand corruption (interviewers explained it as corruption at the level of decision makers) and household experiences of corruption in the last three months. As a majority of the respondents have no direct contact with grand corruption, their attitudes are shaped by the media, word of mouth, participation in social events, etc. As a result, many respondents perceptions of the impacts of grand corruption are rather ambiguous. Of those surveyed, 42.4 percent had difficulty assessing the effect of grand corruption on their families. One of every five respondents believed that grand corruption had no negative impact on them or their families. The number of households reporting involvement in bribery (petty corruption) decreased by 16 percent since 2006. Although the highest frequency of bribery is in the health and education sectors, the average bribe paid to these groups is lower than the national average of Tgs391,000. However, even if ranked at the bottom in frequency, judges and local administrators are at the top in terms of the size of bribes received. For example, the average size of a bribe among judges is Tgs2,364,000, which is three times higher than the national average of bribes. Similarly, clerks in local administrations receive significantly larger bribes than their counterparts in the national administration. Although doctors and teachers are the most corrupt professions in terms of frequency of bribe, the people surveyed regard the related institutions (education and health sectors) as the fairest in treating people. However, we dont know whether the respondents of the survey answer honestly or not; the general tendency and attitude of many years show that the surveys findings were realistic said L.Sumati, Director of the Sant Maral foundation, the implementing partner for the surveys. Among those who stated they were willing to act, no major change is noted over time in the course of action they say they would undertake. While the number of people who thought they would not pay bribes rose from 28.7 percent in March 2010 to 32.5 percent in November 2012, people willing to report the incidents decreased from 20.5 percent in March 2010 to 16.7 percent in November 2012. The survey will be complemented by the newly introduced Study of Private Perceptions of Corruption, which aims to capture data on perceptions of corruption in the business sphere. Together, the semiannual surveys will provide a much broader picture on corruption in Mongolia. By providing information on longterm trends in every day corruption and new information on citizen views on grand corruption, the Asian Foundation believes that the survey will trigger invigorated and critical dialogues on issues of transparency, accountability, and corruption in Mongolia.
C A B I N E T M E E T I N G
On March 30, the Cabinet discussed the following issues at its regular meeting Khalkhgol Soum suffering a harsh winter Khalkhgol Soum of Dornod Aimag has suffered a harsh winter having thick snow of 36 cm and 5090cm snowdrifts. Over 10 thousand animals perished in this soum, 360 km from the Aimag center. The wintering situation was very difficult for this soum, but even spring conditions have worsened. The Cabinet was decided to issue Tgs93 million from the government reserve fund for evacuating families, cleaning paths and mount passes and distributing hay and fodder to herders. Funding resolved for road with heavy capacity When Prime Minister N. Altankhuyag worked in Dornogobi Aimag, he gave instructions to intensify activity to improve the capacity of the Zamyn-Uud border checkpoint and construct a road with heavy capacity to the checkpoint facility, and a 2.3 km road for customs inspection. At the Cabinet meeting, the ministers discussed an issue to ensure implementation of this work and made a decision. A direct contract will be made to execute construction of a 2.3-km customs inspection road before June 15 of this year that will be funded by the Development Bank of Mongolia. This decision is also related to activity to construct an 8.7 km paved road and heavy capacity road between the customs X-ray scanning area and the railway loading terminal before October 15 of this year. The financing for these works is Tgs33 Billion. Some project authorities were given to local administration The Cabinet decided to authorize some aimags to implement several projects and altered a list of works for investment. This list includes the Reform of soum center projects, which in their turn, are reflected with the same name in the action plan of the Government and in 2013 investment package of the Minister of Construction and Urban Planning. The projects are to be realized in Bayanlig Soum of Bayankhongor Aimag and in Zamiin-Uud Soum of Dornogobi Aimag. In the two soums of Bayankhongor, an administrative office, school, kindergarten, cultural center, 20-bed hospital, sewage and drinking water pipelines, a waste treatment plant and a green plant will be built. Zamiin-Uud soum will have a school and kindergarten, hospital, green construction, cultural center, waste treatment plant and sport complex. 1400km road to be constructed with capital from Chinggis Bonds Construction of 1,400 kilometer auto roads will be done by capital of the Chinggis bonds. On March 30, the Cabinet decided to issue a total of Tgs570 Billion.
These roads are to connect Ulaanbaatar to central soums of six aimags Dornod, Dornogobi, Omnogobi, Bayanhongor and Khovsgol within this year. This work has been running in scope of the greater plan on connecting Ulaanbaatar with centers of all 21 aimags by 2016. Support for cashmere manufacturers to come from turnover capital The Cabinet decided to support cashmere manufacturers with turnover capital. It means that herders and manufacturers will be given soft loans, which in turn, will improve raw materials processing and VAT-added export products manufacturing. In 2012, our producers bought less than 40 percent of 5,500 tons of cashmere nationwide. It is needed because the turnover money of wool and cashmere processing entities is too small. Cashmere sector to be supported The Cabinet decided to support technical modernization of the cashmere sector in order to make Mongolian brand products. The Cabinet ordered the Minister of Economic Development to issue Tgs95 Billion from the Chinggis sovereign bonds. This is less than one-third of the financing required for Technical modernization of the cashmere production project. All entities engaged in this project want to install equipment and technologies needed in 2013-2014. It is believed that implementation of the project will stop the export of raw cashmere, increase production of export-oriented cashmere products with VAT, and create 20 thousand jobs at over 200 new small enterprises in various regions. Construction work approved for 2013 Some Tgs200 Billion worth of construction works are to run this year. The Cabinet approved a list of construction projects of engineering lines for apartments to be constructed in Ulaanbaatar and rural areas, and engineering facilities and infrastructure are to be built in ger areas of Ulaanbaatar within the mid-term target program, New Great Construction. A total of Tgs415 Billion will be required for the projects. The first Tgs200 Billion will be financed from Chinggis Bond capital and Tgs216 Billion will be funded in 2014. The Cabinet obliged the Development Bank to finance the construction. Tavan Tolgoi Power Plant company to be established A 450 Mw Tavan Tolgoi Power Plant Company will be established at the Tavan Tolgoi deposit. Minister of energy M.Sonompil was assigned to involve the private sector in realizing this project and control implementation of the work. The special-task company will receive capital from the state so that the latters share will be no less than 34 percent and owned by this Ministry.
Increased services mandated for reindeer herders

President decrees restoration of farms
On March 29, Mongolias President issued a decree with instructions for the Government. With this decree, President Ts.Elbegdorj instructed the Government to intensify implementation of the Restoring reindeer farms improving the Tsaatans life program which is aimed at improving livelihoods, education, health and social welfare services for Tsaatan people living in Tsagaannuur Soum of Khovsgol Aimag, and reinstating the reindeer farm. The same day, Ch. Unurbayar, Legal Policy advisor to the President, delivered the decree to the S. Erdene, Minister of Population Development and Social Welfare. During the event, Ch.Unurbayar said, The President visited Tsaatan families in Tsagaannuur Soum of Khovsgol Aimag in December 2012 and saw their livelihood. During the visit, many pressing issues were touched upon regarding rights of Tsaatan people to study, receive health service and their social issue and protection of rights. The President paid attention to these issues and issued a decree with instructions for the government. Thus, I am handing the decree over to Mr. Erdene, Minister of Population Development and Social Welfare because the ministry plays an
Last December, President Ts.Elbegdorj met with reindeer herders in Khovsgol Aimag important role in many issues related to citizens rights, social welfare, livelihoods and health. Receiving the decree, Minister S. Erdene expressed commitment to set up a working group responsible for conducting precise research and making a plan to implement the decree. Today, we are working to create a structure so that a certain part of economic growth can be spent on people and a certain part of construction work can focus on population development. It includes pressing issues of Tsaatan people. The previous cabinet did some work for the Tsaatan but never considered them in frames of people-targeted complex policy as the President is doing by this decree.
MMCI launches Consult Expo 2013 to promote consulting services

On April 5, the Mongolian Management Consulting Institute (MMCI) is officially launching a twoday Consult Expo event on the first floor of Blue Sky Tower. Consult Expo seeks to promote consulting services as a way to strengthen the management of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event will feature displays from 35 Mongolian consulting firms and will be attended by SME business owners seeking to learn about their services. This initiative is part of the Support to SME Development in Mongolia Project, which is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). As the Mongolian economy grows, SMEs will play an important role in our countrys development, said Enkhbat Enkhbayar, MMCI President. To support this, we are seeking to improve the understanding of how consultants can help SMEs to improve their management. There are currently more than 400 consulting firms in Mongolia providing a range of services, including marketing, strategy, human resources and software solutions. Established in 2011, MMCI is an association, composed of 60 members, which seeks to promote the consulting sector and improve standards. The SME sector comprises nearly 97 percent of the businesses in Mongolia but SMEs are often reluctant to use consulting services because they are unaware of the potential benefits. The Support to SME Development in Mongolia Project seeks to address this problem by helping MMCI explain how consultants can add value to businesses. By promoting the local consulting sector, the project seeks to make the case for how consultants can help SMEs grow and become more competitive. Many entrepreneurs would like to improve their management skills and expand their businesses, explained Masaru Honma, EBRDs Director for Central Asia and Mongolia. A strong consulting sector can help SMEs to fully capitalize on opportunities. Mr. Enkhbat Enkhbayar, President of Mongolian Management Consulting Institute and Mr. Masaru Honma, EBRD Central Asia Director, will be present at the Consult Expo event.
Bill submitted to control use of Chinggis Khaans name and image

On March 28, MPs D. Ganbat and G. Bayarsaikhan submitted a Bill to Deputy Speaker of Parliament L. Tsog to regulate the use of Chinggis Khaans name, image, and official portrait. Currently it is open to use Chinggis Khaans name and portrait. Considering that the name and portrait of the Great Chinggis Khaan is used too widely in packaging and in ads that are sometimes humiliating and do not show respect to national pride, nor to Chinggis Khaan. The Bill initiators want to officially limit commercial usage of this name. The Bill has 3 articles and 12 clauses stating conditions to ban the use of the name and portrait and regulations for acceptable use. The lawmakers believe that the Bill can be significant for respecting national pride and national solidarity.
ECONOMY
Correspondents and diplomats ask the PM 10 questions

selection for strategic investors to exploit the West Tsankhi coal deposit of Tavan Tolgoi be restored? The government worked out a policy for making a unified network for railways leading southward from Tavan Tolgoi to Sainshand and from Sainshand to Sukhbaatar and Dornod aimags. The Mongolian railway company is responsible and is now working on the matter. Selection of strategic investors for the West Tsankhi coal deposit was made, but the investors failed to come to an agreement on the final shares. Reconsideration of this matter has not yet been decided. 6. What innovations are being made in the governments foreign political course? No significant changes occurred in the content, but many new things have been taken in the forms. The new government will continue the policy of continuity in foreign policy. 7. Are there any rules or plans for implementing the law connected to the restriction of foreign investment in strategic deposits? Are you going to re-modify or invalidate the law in the process of its implementation? The law for coordinating foreign investment by business economies working in the strategic sector is not directed against investors. We approved the law with an aim to work on equal terms when big investors come to work with us, and when big foreign companies and trans-national corporations invite us to cooperate. I suppose some misunderstanding and doubt by foreign investors related with the law took place before the election. The strategy branch was defined in three sectors; mineral resources, banking and finance, and press and communications. This law is not a vetoing law but, is rather a law providing permission. The provision in the law says, if the share of the foreign investor engaged in activities of the economic entity of the strategic sector exceeds 49 percent, the matter will be decided in parliament after being submitted by the government. It also says that in case the total amount of foreign investment exceeds Tgs100 billion, the matter will be decided by parliament after being submitted by the government. In November, the government will approve and issue rules related to implementation of the law. 8. Amending the agreement signed between the government and Oyu Tolgoi company may negatively affect Mongolias investment from third countries. What can you say about this perception? The growing income tax of Oyu Tolgoi company in the budget calculation seems to contradict the foreign investment agreement. How are you going to regulate the sides without restructuring the agreement? The government is not going to change or renew the whole investment agreement, but we decided to review the implementation of the previous agreement. If necessary, we are ready to talk about some provisions of the agreement. For example, the first investment in the agreement is the most important. The current agreement was for US$4.7 billion. Today, this amount of money has reached US$7.1 billion, meaning it impacts the amount of Mongolias share and loans. The capital investment in the agreement is influenced by the feasibility study as well as touching the interests of shareholders. We think it would be better to talk about the matter again. 9. The government submitted the 2013 draft budget law. Budget losses for 2013 envisage not to exceed 2 percent of GDP. Nevertheless budget income is going to increase by 35 percent. What are the realities to ensure these two indicators? There are several peculiarities in the 2013 budget. Government policy is not yet reflected in the budget. In the budget, the government included total domestic production to be equal to two percent of expenditures. The government introduced many proposals to increase budget income. 10. If Chinggis Khaan lived today, do you think he would prefer to live in the countryside or in Ulaanbaatar? That is a difficult question to answer. But, I believe he would prefer to live in the capital city. The goal of the new government for the coming four years is to change the centers of 21 aimags so that if Chinggis Khaan were alive, he would prefer to live in any aimag center.
Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag answering questions

Prime Minister N.Altanhuyag agreed to meet and respond to questions of permanent correspondents and representatives of foreign embassies in Ulaanbaatar. On March 28, the first such meeting entitled PM, Ten Questions, Ten Answers was held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. 1. What are the major three goals to be forwarded by the Government in 2013? The first goal is to implement new projects related to the countrys construction. The first one is related to railway construction and will to start in the Gobi zone. Significant research works will be taken for housing Mongolian citizens and building the Sainshand industrial park. The second goal will be to design governing policy and an action plan to cooperate with Mongolbank in order to control inflation. The third goal is to eliminate bureaucracy and red-tape. 2. Aside from internal corruption negatively influencing investment in Mongolia, it also increases the daily expenditures of citizens. What are you planning to do in this direction? According to Mongolian law, a person who offers a bribe and those who take a bribe are to be punished by law. We intend to change this and are working on an amendment of the law. A person who had no other way but to give a bribe and who was honest enough to recognize what he had done, will have limited liability. 3. In recent years, the economy of Mongolia has been on the rise, but one-third of the population remains poor. How is the government going to work in this direction? We set forth two goals. First, to increase employment; for this purpose, we set up the Ministry of Labor and started activities. We will also support Soum Development Fund designed to promote labor employment and services in rural regions. Today, the Soum Development Fund has accumulated Tgs50 million, which as we plan, must increase to Tgs150 million and more. The source for the small and medium industry fund which is presently at about Tgs400 billion, needs to be no less than Tgs500 billion. The government is going to support employment growth and business activities of economic entities. Economic entities with the sales income of Tgs1.5 billion a year will get back 90 percent of income tax they have paid, meaning that the entities will pay only 10 percent of the total tax. 4. The government said that due attention will focus on more professional, skillful citizens rather that those affiliated to a political party. Nevertheless, after the election many civil servants were provided politically-appointed jobs at the leading government level. Would you explain this kind of open disparity? The government initiated a draft law to make government service, public service and presented it to parliament this week. As of today, we have ministers and vice ministers with political ranking. The draft law envisaged to include 16 state secretaries and heads of 28 agencies with political ranking. As a result of this law, there will be 44 persons with political ranking that will be called to responsibility. As for state servants on other levels, they will be called public servants as they became able to work after being involved in open competition. 5. Would you say a few words about the prospects of implementing such big projects like the construction of the new railway, infrastructure and investment? When will the
Foreign diplomats seek clarity on 10 pressing issues for Mongolias government
Labor ministry launches programs to increase employment

Training opportunities offered to fill more than 49,000 jobs
Continued from page 1 graduating from higher education, some students restudy at professional technical colleges. There are 25-30 percent of employers who prefer to employ university graduates while the rest prefer to employ skilled and professional workers. Under these circumstances, we have arranged education and retraining at some business entities such as training organized at some entities for public catering or operating heavy machines and vehicles. There are 76 vocational education schools in Mongolia and 48 of them are state-run. The reputation of professional vocational education dropped for a certain period of time; now, we first take job placement orders from economic entities. The main education provided at vocational technical schools is being taught in two months, and the remaining knowledge is being taught relying on the order of the entity. Tgs2 million is being spent from the State Budget to educate one student. This year Tgs12 billion has been assigned from the State Budget to prepare 7000 skilled workers for 5 years. With the purpose to increase family income, the ministry provides facilities to develop macro business which is appreciated by the population. For example, the activities of citizens wishing to develop this kind of business is being supported term to 330 soums. Tgs 1-7 billion in loans have been granted to aimags to develop SME in rural areas. The ministry is going to actively support the private sector which creates jobs, introduces technical innovations for this long term loan in order to increase employment. The Labor Ministry intends to create more than 49,000 workplaces in 2013. By the end of 2015, we are planning to set up 150,000 new job places, said the minister. Chimiddorj, Director of the Labor Research Institute added that employers are not willing to employ people aged 18-24 or older people of 45-60 years of age. Most young people are inexperienced, and most of employers introduce age limit for people in the 45-60 age category, explained Chimiddorj. In 2013, 97,000 workplaces are needed in the infrastructure sphere and more than 50,000 are needed for the private sector. A labor force of 68,000 qualified and skillful workers is needed more than graduates of higher education. The Ministry of Labor is pursuing a policy with South Korea to provide jobs in small and medium-sized industries for Mongolians who are returning home from S.Korea. Today, more than 7000 Mongolians are working on contract in that country said Ya.Sanjmyatav. The policy of the ministry is directed at involving more Mongolians in construction. For that, the ministry is launching training education for two or three months at workplaces to create the required employment. Students involved in this kind of training are being granted a Tgs140-400 stipend and Tgs50,000 for transportation and meals. Additionally, trainers are granted a Tgs66,000 monthly salary incentive for three months. In the final run, this prepares qualified and skilled professionals and contributes to the social development of the country. The Ministry of Labor attaches significant attention to reducing the foreign workforce in the countrys construction, replace foreigners with experienced Mongolian staff to work at places such as the Oyu Tolgoi technical fixing and assembling equipment, or in the cement industry for 15-20 years, or to fix and follow the quota of specific specialists working in road construction. Currently, we employ more than 3000 Chinese workers, 1400 South Koreans and more than 700 Russians, thus making the total number of foreign employees nearly 9000. The lowest labor wage in 2011 was Tgs140-400. With an increase of wages and salaries over the recent years, the lowest wage for civil servants was Tgs328,000 with the state average at Tgs598,000. Most people having the lowest labor wage are working in livestock and service spheres, which make up about 8 percent of the total employed population. The Ministry of Labor drafted a proposal on the lowest amount of labor wage and on February 26 appealed to the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions and the United Federation of Employers for consideration. Labor Minister Ya. Sanjmyatav recently worked at Oyu Tolgoi and familiarized himself with Oyu Tolgoi activities to improve the skill, qualification, education, and production of college leaders. He met there three times with Michael Beck, Vice President of OTs human resource and education department to ask about the disparity in wages and salaries of Mongolian and foreign employees. They agreed to review the financial indications on wage disparity. A working group was created by the Mining ministry, Ministry of economic development, and Labor ministry, to investigate and study the reasons for different wages and salaries of people, especially Mongolians and foreigners working in the same position with the same qualifications. According to them, there were more than 400 very highly qualified foreign professionals. The Mongolian side requested to include Mongolians into that category as well as demanded to follow the Labor Code of Mongolia while they are working in our country. According to the information I received, said the minister, there is 3.5 times as much difference in wage and salaries of foreigners and Mongolians. A final clarification will be made when the working group releases their statement, said Y.Sanjmyatav.
Labor minister Ya.Sanjmyatav by from the ministry, The draft project provides a Tgs 5 million grant for a person so they can get a low-interest loan of up to Tgs10 million. People can also obtain a SME loan with less interest and less security to create workplaces. In 2011, Tgs50 million was granted from the Soum Development Fund to one soum. The government increased this amount three times giving Tgs24 billion at 3 percent interest per year with a 3-year
visit
Japanese PM visits Mongolia to strengthen relations

Shinzo Abe: Mongolia is increasingly important to Japans foreign policy
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife arrive in Mongolia Continued from page 1
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Ts.Elbegdorj meet in the state ceremonial ger Continued from page 1 and complementary cooperation for recouping each others disadvantages which means Mongolia is rich in natural resources while Japan has high technology. They also mentioned the importance of encouraging private sector cooperation to strengthen relations. Our negotiations have run in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, trust and friendliness and have been fruitful, said Mongolian Prime Minister Altankhuyag about his talks with the Japanese Prime Minister. He said Mongolias government is giving a great political importance to friendly relations and cooperation with its Third Neighbor Japan. Developing a strategic partnership and cooperation with Japan is one of the priorities of Mongolias foreign policy; accordingly, our official negotiations focused on activating this partnership in all social spheres, especially elevating economic ties to a new level he said. The Erch initiative has two main purposes: The first part relates to improvement of investment and the business environment. Negotiations on the Economic Partnership agreement will intensify in this respect and from April 2 to 5, the third round of the negotiations will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Last December, the second round of negotiations was held in Tokyo. It will be the first free trade agreement for Mongolia while Japan has such agreements with 13 countries. Subsequently, the 6th consultation meeting on investment and trade with participation of the government and private sector, will be held on May 3, and a Japanese business fair in Mongolia will be organized on May 3-4 by the Mongolian Chamber of Trade and Industry and Japanese JETRO. The second part concerns cooperation designed for Mongolian economic sustainable development and several projects will be financed with a Japanese loan aimed to improve living conditions, creating infrastructure for development, and training of human resources. For example, a Japanese loan will be given to renovate the 4th power plant, the biggest one in Mongolia, with a 580 megawatt capacity (4.2 billion yen loan), to build a new international airport, to make a study on construction of a 640 meter long overpass, and a joint study to build a metro in Ulaanbaatar. Japan also promised to give grants to build a hospital designed for training and diagnosis, start implementing the bilateral offset credit mechanism for low carbon development partnership,
as well as assisting in improving the capacity of higher education institutions in the engineering and technical fields. The sides also agreed to take urgent necessary measures that JBIC would make loans to Mongolian companies to buy mining equipment and services, and JBIC and other Japanese private companies would make loans to build an oil refinery in Darkhan with the capacity of 2 million tons per year. The Japanese side expressed its hope that Mongolia would realize a policy that the sides agreed to at the PMs level last March, which ensures Japans participation in the TT project. Mongolia is interested in launching a communications satellite for earth reconnaissance and Japan is ready to resolve it by establishing a memorandum for a joint program to use a Japan-made satellite.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) welcomed on Sukhbaatar Square
High-level meeting of Mongolian and Japanese leaders During the press conference, the PMs were asked to talk about tensions in current Japan-China relations, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Mongolia is for easing the intricate situation and restoring relations between South and North Korea. As Mongolia has a normal relationship with North Korea, we are ready to help if the sides decide to meet in Ulaanbaatar. Six party talks are not only the efficient mechanism regarding the Korean peninsula, but also ensuring security in the region. As a member country of UN, Mongolia also supports and will follow the UNs resolution relating to North Korea, adopted in 2012 said PM N.Altankhuyag. Thanks to Mongolias cooperation, Japan and North Korea were able to hold talks in Ulaanbaatar in November 2012. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that he explained that North Korea never accepted Japans position about North Koreas actions as provocation. Relations between Japan and China are very important. Japan is in no position to exacerbate the situation and we think the situation should not influence the whole relation. For Japan, the door is open for talks. I asked Mongolia for support relating to the Chinese situation and Mongolia expressed its understanding of Japans position. I understand Mongolias situation regarding this issue he replied. On March 30, Mongolias President Ts. Elbegdorj received Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The leader of Mongolia expressed gratitude to Mr. Abe for paying the official visit and said it shows the importance that the Japanese people and government attach to Japan-Mongolia relations. He said Mongolians warmly received and spread Mr. Abes letter in all media prior to his visit. It has been said many times that with Mongolias wealthy resources and Japans hi tech, we can develop complementary cooperation, and now it is time to be realized, said the President. Japanese Prime Minister Abe said that Japan and Mongolia have been contributing to ensuring peace and stability in the regional and international arenas and Mongolias contribution to the development of the democracy is great. He thanked Mongolia for its support by holding Japan-North Korea intergovernmental negotiations in Ulaanbaatar last November. Prime Minister Abe also said economic ties should be strengthened, and business cooperation widened. He underlined that a stable legal environment is vital for Japanese companies to invest in Mongolia. The President said Mongolians greatly appreciate Japans help in expanding secondary school buildings. On March 31, Parliament Speaker Z.Enkhbold met with Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Mr. Abe said he is proud of the way Mongolia has been strengthening its democracy. Having noted that any investment must be mutually beneficial, he said the Japanese want to cooperate in Mongolias mining sector and make investments. The friendship groups in Japans parliament have played a special role in expanding and boosting the relationship between legislative bodies of the two countries, he said. The Speaker noted that ties and cooperation between the two parliaments have been promoted more than those between the two governments, and informed Mr. Abe that the government submitted a related draft law to parliament in order to attract foreign investors and to increase investments. On the last day of the two day visit, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe laid a wreath at the Japanese soldiers memorial at Dambadarjaa, as former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi did during his visit to Mongolia.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offering a solemn milk toast
Japans Prime Minister touring Mongolias State House
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society
Disabled people parade to raise social awareness

Department established to improve lives of disabled citizens
B. Oyundelger, The Mongol Messenger On April 2, disabled people and non-government organizations (NGOs) for disabled people joined together to organize a parade of over 1000 citizens. They started parading from Central Stadium to Sukhbaatar Square. At the parade, workers of cultural organizations, relevant government and non-government organizations and comedians delivered greetings. Supporting the parade of disabled people, Deputy Minister of Population Development and Social Welfare E. Tamir, head of the Regulatory Department for Population Development Policy Implementation D. Amarsaikhan, head of the Department for Development of Disabled People T. Batdulam, General Director of National Center for Rehabilitation and Development B. Narantuya and others participated in the parade. The parade involved more than 1000 disabled citizens from all districts and representatives from non-government organizations. The parade aims at increasing social involvement of disabled people. Preceding the national forum Development and Welfare Policy Reform of Disabled People to be run on May 3, the parade was organized as an opening for a campaign Lets make involvement real to run in 9 districts and 21 aimags. As a result of the campaign, voices and opinions of disabled citizens will be discussed and resolved at the national forum. Within the parade, discussions, scientific and theoretical meetings on disabled citizens will be organized and a creative contest is intended to be announced among students of universities, colleges as well as school and preschool children. During the parade, Minister of Population Development and Social Welfare S. Erdene said, Implementation of the campaign is significant to make social position of disabled people real and create an environment so they can live, work and develop at the same level as other people. The campaign was officially launched throughout the nation by Deputy Minister E. Tamir, with a speech, I think that representatives of disabled people touched upon many problems through this parade being organized within the campaign. or instance, I saw how people got depressed when traffic movement stopped for an hour. But with this parade, we became aware of how disabled people have suffered this difficulty and problem for ages. Since its establishment, the Ministry prioritizes human development policy; in particular, we plan to realize many initiatives and proposals toward disabled citizens. For this purpose, a department was established to ensure development of disabled citizens. Moreover, we will focus on improving the living and working environment and conditions of disabled people in accord with great construction works in the country. Representing the supporting organizations, Minister of Nature, Environment and Green Development S. Oyun said, The Government attaches importance to the issue on disabled people and reflected many issues in its action plan. For instance, the center for disabled citizens will be founded in all aimags and districts. Also, Parliament has discussed amending the relevant law with new clauses about social welfare, health and education of disabled citizens, and children in particular. Not only the Ministry of Population Development and Social Welfare, but also the Government, all ministries and state organizations need to actively take part in resolving issues regarding disabled citizens. Some 2.8 percent or 69.2 thousand of Mongolias population are disabled citizens. Of them, 55.2 percent are men and 44.8 percent are women. Out of the total number of disabled citizens, 35.5 percent are born disabled and 64.5 percent became disabled due to household or industrial accidents. There are 82,645 disabled people of working age and 20.7 percent of them are engaged in labor.
The lawyers advice

Hanns Seidel Foundation
In cooperation with Hanns -SeidelFoundation Project Mongolia and its Legal Education Academy
-I have heard that the new edition of the Civil Code contains a provision on self-protection. Is this a notion meaning that I can deter a person who caused me damage and violated my rights within the self-protection framework? In case it is impossible to get timely assistance from competent authorities, without which it is impossible to exercise civil rights or if serious impediment to such rights may occur, respective actions may be taken by a participant of a civil legal relationship in order to self-help and protect his/her own legitimate interests, and targeted at detaining the performer who might seize, destroy or damage, escape or halt counter measures by the latter against legitimate actions taken by the competent person, shall not be deemed illegal. Legal persons that took such actions shall immediately notify the competent authority in order to seal the assets or detain the obligated person. Self-help or self-protection actions shall not exceed the norms appropriate for the particular situation. A person who takes action stated in the law by mistake or by exceeding the norms shall be obligated to eliminate the harm. -Can the court decision implementation process be suspended? Pursuant to the Law of Mongolia on Court decision implementation, the decision implementation process might be temporarily suspended or delayed based on rules and grounds set forth in the law. The process shall be suspended by decree of judge in the case specified in provisions of the Article 15.1 or a senior officer of the decision implementation office shall suspend the process by a resolution in the case specified in Article 15.2 of this law, and it is prohibited to suspend the process on grounds other than the abovementioned. In case grounds for postponing of the decision implementation process are found, the officer responsible for the process shall inform the court or senior officer within 3 subsequent days. A competent person (the judge or the senior officer) shall continue the process, if it is considered that there are no grounds for the suspension. -What rights and obligations do citizens have with respect to environmental protection? -As promulgated in the Constitution of Mongolia, citizens of Mongolia have the right to live in healthy and safe environment, and to be protected against environmental pollution and ecological imbalance. To protect the environment is every citizens sacred obligation. Rights and obligations of citizens on environmental protection are obviously set out in Article 4 of the Law of Mongolia on Environmental Protection. Citizens shall have the following rights and obligations to protect the environment; to bring claims for compensation of damage caused to property or health due to adverse environmental impact against the person responsible for the damage; to fight against breaches of legislation on environmental protection, demand the person to be responsible for his adverse conduct to the environment to and sue for compensation for harm caused to the environment; to form a public organization and set a fund for environmental protection, to conserve and rehabilitate natural resources and deserve benefit from them through local peoples voluntary assembles; to obtain true information on the environment from relevant organizations; to require relevant authorities to make decisions on restriction or prohibition of actions which may cause adverse environmental impacts and to prohibit the establishment of new business entities or organizations whose activities may cause adverse environmental impacts; to assemble voluntarily for the purpose of exercising legitimate rights to conserve, utilize and possess certain types of natural resources in the neighboring area of residence on the basis of contracts in compliance with the legislation by establishing citizens partnerships. Citizens shall have the following obligations with respect to environmental protection: to comply with legislation on environmental protection; to acquire and apply traditional knowledge and skills in protection of the environment and to provide their children with ecological education; to prevent adverse environmental impacts and restore or compensate for any damage or loss arising from their conduct; Citizens who find evidence of practice or illegal use, damage and destruction of natural resources shall immediately notify the local Governor, state inspector and rangers involved in natural protection; Type of legal person, association, foundation and cooperative. What they mean? Legal persons should be established in two forms, for-profit (partnership or company) and non-profit (association, foundation or cooperative). An Association is a legal person based on the voluntary union of several persons with common specific goals and membership. A Foundation is a legal person without membership, established by one or more founders by raising funds to attain publicly beneficial common goals. A Cooperative is a legal person, established jointly on a voluntary basis by several persons to carry out activities aimed at satisfying common economic and social needs of its members, based on joint assets with collective governance and control.
UB citizens mark No Car Day

Public awareness raised, but no effect shown on number of accidents
B. Oyundelger, The Mongol Messenger On March 31, Ulaanbaatar city marked No Car Day for 4th year. To welcome the day, a week-long campaign for traffic movement was organized from March 24 through 29. During the campaign, information and publicity activities regarding traffic safety and supporting low burden means of transport such as bicycles and public transportation, except for automobile were conducted. It was co-organized by the Ulaanbaatar Governors Office and its agencies and district offices, contract organizations of Health Project of the MCAMongolia, Traffic Police Department, Mongolian Students Union, Cyclists Association, Mongol Daatgal Insurance Company and Skytel Company. Discussions and TV programs ran about preventing traffic accidents, not making signals during the traffic movement campaign, appealing to follow traffic rules, and other actions. On the day activity on crossing roads safely, volunteers helped people to cross the roads and appealed to people to cross the road at specific crosswalks. On the day for bicycles, shops and clubs of bicycles publicized themselves and gave information about advantages of bicycles. Also, a meeting was organized on traffic information and training day to prevent and protect children from traffic accidents. On the day to support public transport service, ethical public transport service was publicized. On No Car Day, or March 31, traffic movement was restricted between 10am and 5pm on Peace Avenue from the east four crossroads to the west four crossroads and on Revolutionists Avenue and Youth Avenue of Small Ring Road. That day, citizens walked as they like through central streets and rode bicycles without fear of cars and some kinds of sports and cultural events were organized. A parade of bicyclists, a running competition, painting competition, cultural performance and drum concert as well as others activities were organized on Sukhbaatar Square. In recent years, importance has been attached to have an impact on urban transportation and traffic movement. In particular, efforts have been made to connect types of citizens travelling with activities to reduce air pollution. It is being reflected in measures of the No Car Day. No Car Day aims at attracting public attention to reducing loads of auto roads stage-by-stage and decreasing the negative effects caused by the use of automobiles to environment and society. When central roads were closed on No Car Day, there were traffic jams throughout roads going through apartment blocks, and 118 calls for fender-benders and contradictions were recorded, showing no decrease compared to other days. Thirty traffic accidents were recorded, taking four lives. According to statistics provided by the Traffic Police Department,
Snow and slush didnt deter pedestrians and bicyclists on No Car Day traffic accidents and injuries increase and deaths caused by accidents do not decrease. Health sector statistics for 2011 indicated that 17.6 percent of deaths from injury, poisoning and/or with extrinsic influence were found to have been caused by traffic accidents. Throughout the nation, over 7,600 accidents and crashes occurred; however, 1 out of every 10 accidents was caused by a drunk driver and 7 out of every 100 were caused by excessive speed. From 2005 to 2011, there were 5,101 traffic accidents and crashes recorded in which children were involved and children suffered from accidents. Of those, 266 children died and 5,023 were injured. Of total accidents that children suffered, 87.9 percent were recorded in Ulaanbaatar. As of 2012, 1,863 children were injured in traffic accidents and crashes and 113 of them, or 61.7 percent, were in Ulaanbaatar. About 70, or 38.3 percent of children were injured in rural areas and 43 children died. As of the first two months of 2013, 49 children suffered traffic accidents and 1 died. According to the age category of these injured children, there were 25 children aged 0-7, 20 children aged 8-14 and 4 children aged 15-18.
World Circus extends performances by popular demand

B. Oyundelger, The Mongol Messenger Beginning March 25, the World circus in Mongolia is being played at Asa Circus. It was first planned to play for a week, but it was decided to expand by one more week at requests of audiences. More than 60 circus artists from 13 countries such as Mongolia, the USA, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Canada, Vietnam, Guatemala, Azerbaijan, China, Spain and Armenia are performing at Mongolian circus arena. These artists have participated in international circus festivals and competitions and won gold, silver and bronze medals. The performance is being coorganized by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism and Development Center of Mongolian Circus NGO with a purpose to show the present development of world circus to Mongolian youth and children. They plan to organize such circus performance in Mongolia every two years. Mongolia, artists headed by Ts. Purevjargal gave a rope performance and artist E. Lkhagva-Ochir performed a balancing act. Tickets for the international circus performance run Tgs15,000 for adults and Tgs10,000 for children. Ts. Selenge, Academic Director of the Mongolian circus said, During the socialist system, only artists of socialist countries came to Mongolia. This time, it is significant to have participation of many countries such as the USA, Spain and Guatemala. Air flying of Russian artists, a balancing show by Vietnamese artists, contortion by American artist as well as others are shown. The conjuration by Hungarian artists is very amazing as they change clothes many times in just three seconds. Also Chinese circus players are well-known in the world. The best Chinese circus artists who work for Sun Circus of the World came here with a group of 13-persons. Also, little animals such as dogs and cats came here along with a Spanish clown. The Circus artists make 5-6 performances a year. Now they are performing new acts for children. When we were young, there was a performance every day. Citizens liked to visit the circus. But now, it is possible to watch all things on the Internet. In May, Mongolian circus artists intend to organize a competition of
High-flying circus acts amaze audiences of all ages professional contortionists named after State Honored Artist B. Norovsambuu. They aim to widen it to the international level; and on June 1, a childrens performance will be given. During the Naadam holiday, they plan to have a circus performance. Moreover, the circus will give a performance in rural areas and for foreign tourists in the summer time.
Address : Sukhbaatar District, Khoroo 6, Sukhbaatar Street 11-2, Office of the Legal Education Academy (inside the court of the Childrens Art Center, in the right side) Tel : 321294
art&culture
ARTS COUNCIL OF MONGOLIA

By Teresa Nichols From April 1 through April 5, a special exhibition at the National Modern Art Gallery of features 24 paintings that have been restored after being damaged during the 2008 fires. This collaborative exhibition was organized by the Center of Cultural Heritage; the Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Tourism; and the U.S. Embassy to Mongolia. With financial support from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund and training from the Williamstown Art Conservation Center, the Center of Cultural Heritages conservation program was able to purchase specialized technical equipment including a Vacuum Heat Table and to restore several paintings to their former condition. Previously, Mongolian conservators had little experience working with fire-damaged materials, so this longterm project and intellectual exchange has restored an important part of Mongolias national art collection and built the capacity of Mongolian conservators. At the exhibition opening on April 1, G. Enkhbat, Director of the Center of Cultural Heritage, M. Tumenjargal, Vice Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism and Piper Campbell, U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia gave speeches emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in expanding the skills of Mongolian conservators and of preserving the rich artistic legacy of Mongolia. The Center of Cultural Heritage conservators gave a short presentation about the restoration techniques used, and the audience was invited to view the 24 paintings with explanatory panels that showed the extent of fire damage and the high quality of the restoration
Paintings damaged in fire see new life
G.Enkhbat opens the exhibit with US Ambassador Piper Campbell (LC) work. Several more paintings are yet to be restored through the continued efforts of the Cultural Heritage Center and will hopefully soon be back before audiences. For more information on the restoration project in both Mongolian and English, please visit http://www.artpainting.eheritage.mn/
G.Tserendondog. Herder Tseren. 1954
G.Orosoo. Khorgoi khurem. 1967
Classical artists offer a stunning stage performance

More Mongolians are beginning to value classical music
The history of classic music in Mongolia is deeply intertwined with the history of the Music and Dance College, which opened in 1937. Classical music in Mongolia benefited greatly from Russian professors who came to train young Mongolians and then sent them to Russia and Europe to continue their studies. After 1990 however, the venues for classical music lost much of their audience. Today, more and more people in Mongolia are starting to understand and value classical music again and places like the Opera and Ballet Theatre are being filled with listeners who are hungry for sophisticated performers like the three artists featured in the Classical Trio Concert. They began their musical training through the Russian school system in Mongolia before 1990 and remained true to their professions after the Democratic Revolution. After advancing their skills through study in Europe, D. Galbadrakh (violinist), Ts. Bekhbat (cellist), and B. Oyu (pianist) have united to perform their first professional classical trio concert on April 11 at the Opera and Ballet Theatre. They have performed in Europe many times, where classical music has always been greatly valued; but it is now time for Mongolian audiences to experience a stunning stage performance by truly classically trained artists. The concert will perform Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor by Felix Mendelssohn and the Triple Concerto in C major by Ludwig van Beethoven for the first time ever in Mongolia. Celebrated American conductor Brad Sawyer will conduct the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Ulaanbaatar as well for Giuseppe Verdis La Forza del Destino to add to the evenings enjoyment, and during his stay he will give free master classes to the student orchestra of the Music and Dance College. Everyone is welcome to attend the concert and experience a virtuosolevel performance.
Joint Exhibition The Shaman Vision
Mongolias influence on Euro-Asian civilization explored

From April 7 to 14, a special exhibition will be held at the Pearl Art Gallery featuring 20 works from artists M. Uranberkh, D. Bulgantuya, T. Nurmaajav, Ts. Bolor, D. Soyolmaa, J. Bolortuvshin, D. Badam, B. Codnomdorjaa, Z. Tumenjargal, B. Nandinerdene, and Ts. Davaanayam. This is a follow-up to previous showings in New York and Seoul around the theme Mongolian vision, and the exhibition showcases works about Shamanism and Mongolian traditional customs as explored through modern art. For more than two thousand years, the Mongols dominated the center of the Silk Road and combined ancient Shamanic and Indo-Tibetan Buddhist traditions into a significant cultural fusion. The resulting influence on Euro-Asian civilization is only now being fully appreciated and will be explored at this joint exhibition. As a special part of the exhibition opening, a documentary film team from the USA will be interviewing the artists as part of their film on shamanism.
Arts Council of Mongolia, Delta Foundation Center, IV floor, Tourists Street-38, Chingeltei District Tel/Fax: 976-11-319015 E-mail: education@artscouncil.mn Web: www.artscouncil.mn
The Mongol Messenger is operated by the government news agency MONTSAME and is printed by the MONTSAME. Home Page: www.mongolmessenger.mn;E-mail: monmessenger@magicnet.mn (ISSN 1684-1883)

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Since 1991

Friday, April 5, 2013

Japanese PM visits Mongolia to strengthen relations Parliaments

spring agenda outlined

Presidential election and foreign investment prioritized

Labor ministry launches programs to increase employment

331.20 26.79 107.49 19.490 697.25

2 THE MONGOL MESSENGER

Friday, April 5, 2013

N E W S-IN-B R I E FFrom The MONTSAME AGENCY

Ambassador to Hungary proposes expansion of Mongol studies

Mongolia-Turkey meet to collaborate in economic relations

Mongolia requests help to resolve cases in Southeast Asia

Blue Banner comments on the situation in North Korea

Foreign Ministry searches for Mongolian child overseas

Association of Mongolian Students to be established in EU countries

Friday, April 5, 2013

THE MONGOL MESSENGER 3

Corruption survey now measures individual perceptions

Increased services mandated for reindeer herders

MMCI launches Consult Expo 2013 to promote consulting services

Bill submitted to control use of Chinggis Khaans name and image

4 THE MONGOL MESSENGER

Friday, April 5, 2013

Correspondents and diplomats ask the PM 10 questions

Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag answering questions

Foreign diplomats seek clarity on 10 pressing issues for Mongolias government

Labor ministry launches programs to increase employment

Friday, April 5, 2013

THE MONGOL MESSENGER 5

Japanese PM visits Mongolia to strengthen relations

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) welcomed on Sukhbaatar Square

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offering a solemn milk toast

Japans Prime Minister touring Mongolias State House

6 THE MONGOL MESSENGER

Friday, April 5, 2013

Tel: 99101861, 99906863

ELITE TOWER Office for rent

Aeroflot time schedule for summer 2013

Tel: 99101861, 99906863

SU-331 SU-330 SU-331 SU-3850* SU-3851*

Mongolian Press Photo - 2012

Friday, April 5, 2013

THE MONGOL MESSENGER 7

Disabled people parade to raise social awareness

The lawyers advice

UB citizens mark No Car Day

World Circus extends performances by popular demand

8 THE MONGOL MESSENGER

Friday, April 5, 2013

ARTS COUNCIL OF MONGOLIA

Paintings damaged in fire see new life

G.Tserendondog. Herder Tseren. 1954

G.Orosoo. Khorgoi khurem. 1967

Classical artists offer a stunning stage performance

Joint Exhibition The Shaman Vision

Mongolias influence on Euro-Asian civilization explored

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