Mongolian parliament closed the irregular session; no draft laws were approved

Despite all expectation of public and analysts, Mongolian parliament did not finalize approval of the draft laws submitted by the GoM. Yesterday or Friday the 27th, the irregular session of the parliament is closed. 

 During this irregular session, draft laws on investment, common minerals, investment fund and creating transparency in gold sales and draft amendment to the regulation to implement the long name law (banning minerals exploration and mining along river and forest basins) submitted by GoM  were discussed. Total 5 drafts laws were submitted by the government for the irregular session of the parliament.

The above draft laws were not able to be approved during this irregular session held from Sept 16-27. This was due to following reasons:

First, The draft laws on investment and investment funds were discussed in the standing committee level and about 170 business-like conclusions and feedback of the lawmakers were reflected in the draft and transferred to final discussion for full parliamentary session. However, in terms of time, it was not possible to include all these feedback and suggestions for the final draft law on investment and approve it,

Second, DP and Justice coalition of MPRP-MNDP parliamentary groups proposed since amendment of the regulation to implement the long name law requires collection of additional information related to the law and feedback, it is better to discuss it during the regular fall session of parliament scheduled to start on Oct 1,

Third, MPP parliamentary group took break from the session considering that draft laws on creating transparency in gold sales and common minerals should be aligned with state policy on minerals sector.

During the session, MPP group proposed that the irregular session should discuss about economic and financial crisis of Mongolia and discuss ways to address this crisis. However,the ruling DP did not consider this proposal. Basically, during the session, the draft laws on investment, investment fund were discussed in detail and other 3 draft laws (common minerals law, amendment to regulation to implement the long name law and draft law on  creating transparency in gold sales) related to the minerals were not discussed as many considered these should be discussed after the state policy on minerals sector. The parties considered that the draft laws on investment and investment fund should be approved during the fall session after careful consideration of the feedback and suggestions of the lawmakers. 

The irregular session paved the way for approval of the 2 investment laws during the fall session. This is the significance of the irregular session, according to the Mongolia analysts.

Source:MonInfo news services