New Ulaanbaatar airport to commence operations in 2016

Architectural drawing of the planned  new Ulaanbaatar airport terminal

The new international airport to be built in the Khoshigiin valley if completed as planned, will be
commenced by the end of 2016. On October 23, Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag, viewed the work. On
June 25, 2012, construction of the new airport started and huge construction operations have been launched
enveloping the whole Khoshigiin valley. “Overburden soil has been removed on 2.8 million square meters
and 95 percent of the planned work for this year is being fulfilled. Soil is being removed to 40 cm in depth. Earth removing operations on the 3.6 km long runway is complete and the concrete covering will be laid next year. Construction work on the passenger terminal building, the biggest object of the new airport, the flight control tower, and the concrete pouring work for fire-rescue operation buildings is underway. Nearly 700
people and more than 180 vehicles are being employed everyday for construction of the airport,” said
project director N.Enkhbat. Azusa Sekkei from Japan’s ‘Azusa Sekkei and Oriental Consultants
consortium’ works as project consultant, the Mitsubishi-Chiyoda partnership is operating as general
executor of the project, Samsung C&T Corporation of Korea is operating as general assistant executor, while another 11 Mongolian companies are assisting with the project construction. The project is guided
by an international team consisting of more than 80 engineers and technical staff from Mongolia, Japan, Korea, Britain and the Philippines. Engineers and technical workers of Mongolian national companies are also involved in the construction work. The international airport complex is designed to serve up to three million passengers per year, and has the ability and space for possible future expansion of up to twelve million passengers yearly. The airport will have six jet bridges, modern services, runways able to receive airplanes 24/7 despite weather problems and harsh wind speeds, and modern equipment. The airport will comprise 30 buildings including an airway monitoring tower equipped with the latest technology, independent water treatment, water supply, and heating distribution plants. It will also be equipped with a 24-hour all-weather air traffic control system. The control tower will be 38m high (11m higher than the existing Chinggis Khaan airport control tower) and the site area for the control tower is 474 square meters. It is assumed
that on average, the airport will serve roughly 2.5 million passengers annually. In comparison, the current
Chinggis Khaan International Airport, the largest airport in Mongolia, serves about 900,000 passengers per year and the cargo capacity is set to increase 10-fold. Energy for the new airport will be supplied from two sources. Construction of a sub-station for transmission of 110 kWt electricity from Nalaikh is being completed and is ready for commissioning. Fitting and assembling it with the Songino substation,
the second source of energy, is also being completed and it is planned to be connected next year when the
Songino sub-station is built. Matters for solving the temporal supply of electricity for the construction site was
resolved. By linking the construction site with a fiber-optic communication cable from Ulaanbaatar, they now
have internet connection. Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag expressed satisfaction with progress of the work
in Khoshigiin valley. If we proceed at the same speed, construction will be completed in the planned time, he
said. Earth operations and outside construction will be terminated in mid- November with cold winter weather coming. Nevertheless, the international engineering and technical team will continue to work to draft and project more than 9000-pages of building and construction works for next year and import the required building materials and technical equipment. Project Director N.Enkhbat said they are striving to complete the new airport in 43 months as stipulated in the contract, by intensifying construction operations from next
spring, increasing the workforce, machines and mechanisms. The airport will be completed at an
estimated cost of 49.5 billion JPY, or USD 500 million, and Mongolia will finish paying the loan at 0.2 percent interest over the next 40 years. The new airport situated 54 km from Ulaanbaatar’s central point
will be connected with the capital city by a high speed roadway. A 37.7 kilometer road between the airport
and Ulaanbaatar will be built by a concession contract of the Ministry of Economic Development, while a
13.7 kilometer highway between the Yarmag Bridge and Nisekh Checkpoint are being built with Ulaanbaatar City Funds. A new satellite city with homes for 100,000 citizens is expected to be
established in the valley.

Cranes, heavy equipment, and a large workforce are employed to build the main terminal

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Mongolia’s Prime Minister attends Western China International Fair

Second foreign visit of the PM since he took office

Prime Minister N. Altankhuyag is on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on October

22-26. This is the second foreign visit of Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag since he took office.

Being welcomed at the Capital international airport of Beijing by both countries’ officials, Mongolia’s

delegation led by the Prime Minister headed to Sichuan province. The PM was invited to Sichuan as a key

guest for the 14th Western China International Fair in the province’s Chengdu city where Mr. Altanhuyag

received Sichuan Governor Mr. Wei Hong.

The Sichuan Governor expressed thanks to Mongolia’s PM for the visit and said, “The Annual Western China International Fair under the co-sponsorship 12 provinces (autonomous regions, municipality) and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Government is a unification of international cooperation and serves as an important platform for opening-up China. The event invites foreign state or government leaders every year,” said Mr. Wei Hong. The governor requested N.Altankhuyag to support cooperation and investments

between Sichuan province and Mongolia, and expressed his province citizens’ gratitude for Mongolia’s

humanitarian aid to the province, that included receiving sixty children, who were affected by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

In turn, the PM said, “Mongolia is willing to cooperate and learn from Sichuan province which has high economic growth, abundant natural resources, and leading agricultural industries. So, we give great importance to the Western China International Fair and are attending it with our large group”.

Mr. Altankhuyag said that it will be effective if any of Mongolia’s cities build cooperation with Sichuan

and they can creatively collaborate.“As Sichuan is a big market for international investments, the sides

have great opportunity to cooperate in many sectors, mobilizing our potentiality”.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister attended the opening of the Western China International Fair as

a key guest. The fair is running in Chengdu, China from October 23 to 27.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Altankhuyag addressed the gathering by saying, “The WCIF widens regional and international arenas in an important way to boost economic cooperation”, and expressed

satisfaction with participation in the WCIF as the start of his official visit to China.

He also underscored that Mongolia is full of business opportunities and is open for investments not only in the

mining sector but also in light industry. “Mongolia’s government is willing to have active cooperation to develop a long-term cooperation under mutually beneficial and win-win principle of relations”, he said.

Co-sponsored by China’s 16 ministries/commissions, 12 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities)

and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the WCIF—a state-level international expo in western China—has attracted high delegates from 70 countries such as Australia, Canada, Belarus, Macedonia, Tanzania and others.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Xi Jinping, PRC President, and with Zhang Dejiang,

Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Official talks will run between the

Prime Ministers as well. On his second day of the visit, the Prime Minister delivered a speech at the Western China International Forum. In his speech, he said, “China has been the largest partner of Mongolia’s trade and investment for over a decade and the countries elevated their relations to a strategic partnership in 2011. There are many projects and programs that the two countries plan to co-implement in infrastructure, mining and energy; so,the western region of China has been building opportunities to intensify mutually-beneficial cooperation with the southern and western regions of Mongolia”.

He also stressed that Mongolia can be a reliable partner for those willing to run business in Mongolia.

It is assured with the newly-adopted law on investments initiated by the government. There are many business opportunities in Mongolia in sectors such as agriculture and light industry. Moreover, N.Altankhuyag will receive Chen Zhenggao, Governor of Liaoning Province to share views on regional cooperation opportunities. The sides will also sign several documents on bilateral cooperation.

The Prime Minister also intends to meet Mongolians staying in China.

His visit to China continues

Source:Mongol Messenger...

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Mongolian buyer of Chongryon’s HQ says they have no ties to any government

The Tokyo District Court earlier this week postponed their decision on whether or not to approve the sale of the former headquarters of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan or Chongryon to the “mysterious” Mongolian company that won the auction bid for the building. However, the head of the company insists that they bought the building for purely business reasons and that they have no ties to any government in Mongolia, North Korea or even South Korea.

There is a lot of suspicion about the little-known Avar LLC that made the ¥5.01 billion winning bid on the Chongryon headquarters in Tokyo, which also served as the de facto North Korean mission in Japan, since the two neighbours do not have diplomatic relations. But the company’s head Chuvaamed Erdenebat says they have no other intention in Japan except to conduct business, despite reports saying that the Ulan Bator address they provided was non-existent and rumors of espionage circulating. He also said he will reveal the name of the foreign investment fund that will finance the sale only when the Tokyo Court has made a decision.

The Japanese court decided to auction off the building in July 2012 because of unpaid debts of Chongryon to Resolution and Collection Corp. The winner of the initial bidding was a Buddhist temple that was known to have close ties to North Korean officials and to organized crime. They eventually pulled out from the purchase since they were unable to come up with enough funds to pay their bid.

Source: Kyodo News ]

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Speech of visiting Canadian Governor General David Johnston given in the Mongolian parliament today

Address to the State Great Khural (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Friday, October 25, 2013

Thank you for your warm welcome.

It is truly a great honour to be invited to address the State Great Khural, and to be the first governor general of Canada to undertake a State visit to Mongolia.

My wife, Sharon, and I arrived late last night, and already we are getting a sense of the magnificent hospitality of Mongolians. We are delighted to be here.

Let me begin by offering greetings and best wishes on behalf of all Canadians.

As you know, this year marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Mongolia for being such good friends and partners of Canada.

This year also marks another milestone—one of shorter duration, perhaps, but of no less significance to our present and future ties: the 5th anniversary of the resident Canadian Embassy here in Ulaanbaatar.

Canadians and Mongolians may be separated by geography, but we are united by bonds of shared experience capable of transcending great distances. Let me underline all that we have in common.

We are alike in our affection for our distinct and proud histories and cultures. 

We are alike in our sense of being custodians of vast, challenging and beautiful lands.

We are alike in our reverence for democracy, for human dignity and rights, as well as for the rule of law.

While our relationship has in recent times been centred on commerce, particularly resource development, today it embraces a diverse—and growing—array of shared activities and interests. 

I am pleased by this growth. It signals to me that our relationship is evolving into the kind of truly sophisticated, rich partnership that our two peoples deserve, and that is needed to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world—where we work for peace, security and good governance.

Today, Canadians and Mongolians are expanding our ties and learning about each other in new and exciting ways.

For example, Canadians from all walks of life have witnessed with hope and admiration the evolution of Mongolia’s democratic practice. And, as an expression of our commitment to a long-term partnership with Mongolia, we have done more than just observe—we have actively invested, together with Mongolians at all levels of society, in the effort to strengthen this country’s democratic governance. 

We are working together for improvements in public service management, better policing practice, legal and judicial reform, and enhanced local government capacity.

We are also working to develop the administrative and legislative strengths of this critical institution, the State Great Khural.

Canada is partnering with Mongolia in these endeavours because we believe that building strong, transparent and efficient judicial, public service and legislative institutions is both the “smart” thing to do and the “right” thing to do.

It is right and smart because we believe that good governance reinforces democracy, human rights and the rule of law.  

It is right and smart because we believe that well-functioning institutions are also the foundation stones for the economic development to which Mongolia’s citizens overwhelmingly aspire.  In this regard, permit me to underline my own sense of the indispensible role of this Khural, and you as legislators, to that goal.  Your work has direct, lasting impact on the trajectory of Mongolia’s development.  The laws created here either promote a predictable, supportive environment for business and the  economic betterment of your great nation and its citizens, or do not.

I am therefore pleased to learn that Canada and Mongolia are examining possible longer-term support to develop a more professional, non-partisan, accountable, transparent and citizen-centred Mongolian public service.

And I am additionally pleased by the strengthening level of commercial exchanges between our two countries.

We have great potential to expand and diversify our economic ties for mutual benefit. I understand that education and building technologies are two specific areas where there is potential for further growth.

On the international stage, we are joint members of no fewer than 35 international organizations. Canada has been a strong and consistent supporter of Mongolia’s successful efforts to join such fora as the Organization for Security Co-operation in Europe. We are also partners in NATO and the Community of Democracies.

On that note, I would like to congratulate Mongolia on the completion of its term as chair of the Community of Democracies, and most especially for the advancements in protecting and enabling civil society that were made under Mongolia’s leadership.

This objective is one Canada also holds dear; Canada is proud to chair the Community’s Working Group on Civil Society. In particular, I would like to highlight the joint efforts of Canada and Mongolia to develop a “curriculum for democracy education,” which I understand will be deployed in Mongolia’s school systems as well as in a number of other Community member states.

Canadians understand that we derive great benefit from engagement with the wider world. 

We also know that, with that engagement, there comes a responsibility to act in the defence of good international governance and peace.

I would therefore like to take a moment to salute the efforts of Mongolia’s servicemen and servicewomen who, in UN-led peacekeeping operations in Sudan and other locations far from their homes and loved ones, are working to secure international peace and stability.

Canada, through its military training programs, is also contributing to the development of Mongolia’s international peacekeeping capacities and efforts. Working together, we believe we can foster regional and global security and help bring about a more fair, just and peaceful world.  

I would like to thank you again for the gracious invitation you have extended to Sharon and me to visit Mongolia. We are looking forward to learning and seeing as much as we can of this fascinating country in the short time we have here.

I began my comments today by noting that we are on the threshold of 40 years of diplomatic recognition—an anniversary we will formally celebrate in November of this year.  In those 40 years, our relationship has grown beyond the bounds of diplomacy into a robust and living friendship—one that exists on many levels and in many spheres of activity. 

In 1973, Mongolia was a different place than the one we know now; in many ways, so is Canada. What matters is how far we have come, together.  

For its part, Mongolia continues to undergo an extraordinary evolution. Whatever challenges you may face, and whatever opportunities arise, Mongolians should know that they have no more committed partner than Canada—today and in the years to come.

Let us therefore continue our work together.

Thank you.

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Mongolian PM Altankhuyag visits China along with Russian and Indian Premiers; turning point in Mongolia-China relation

PM Altankhuyag is paying official visit to China. One interesting fact of this visit is, for the first time in Chinese history, Premiers of 3 largest neighbors of China is paying visit to China. Russian and Indian Premiers are also visiting China along with our PM Altankhuyag. 

Mongolia, Russian, India share longest border with China stretching thousands of kilometers. China is also largest trading partner for all three. All 3 had various historic conflicts and disputes with China. Today, as China is growing and turning into an economic giant which needs enormous amount of raw materials and commodity, all three wants to benefit from it and meet this Chinese demand. Especially, Mongolia and Russia are competing in sales of minerals commodities to China. 

They say we don't select our parents and neighbors. Although, there is no sign that our third-neighbor policy alienated our two most important neighbors, they are carefully watching our every mistake and arrogant behaviour. In the past,  Mongolia already acted like a little arrogant brat to our neighbors.  We should not belittle our immediate neighbors to please our 3rd neighbors. 

China is all for business.It is time for Mongolia to grab this opportunity and do more business with China. Now China is led by new generation of leaders. This visit of PM Altankhuyag should be a turning point for Mongolia-China relation and uplift it to strategic level. 

We have to be very pragmatic.So, Mr.Altankhuyag, watch your mouth while visiting China and think about the best interest of Mongolia. Nothing else. 

By Shagai

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In China, presence of three Premiers amid several disputes with neighbours

The simultaneous visit of Indian, Russian and Mongolian PMs underscores Beijing’s efforts to check U.S. influence

The rare occurrence of simultaneous visits to China by three Prime Ministers — of India, Russia and Mongolia — on the same day has underlined the new leadership’s emphasis on bolstering ties with neighbours amid several disputes, Chinese officials and state media said on Wednesday.

As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday, the leaders of China’s neighbours to the north — Russia and Mongolia — also began their visits.

“The three visits show that the new government attaches importance to relationships with neighbouring countries,” said Luo Zhaohui, Director-General of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Asian Affairs Department. “In China, we say that if the host is gracious, there will be frequent visits by guests,” Mr. Luo told journalists at a briefing after Dr. Singh’s talks with his counterpart.

The concurrent visits were seen by Chinese state media and analysts as emphasising a renewed focus on the periphery amid strains over territorial disputes and Chinese anxieties over the United States “pivot” or strengthening of alliances in Asia.

The Global Times, a tabloid published by the Communist Party’s official People’s Daily newspaper known for its hardline views, said the visits “underline an emphasis on peripheral diplomacy in overall diplomatic strategy against the backdrop of the U.S. pivot to the Asia-Pacific.”

Su Hao, a strategic affairs expert at the China Foreign Affairs University, said the pivot had put “great pressure on China and triggered some problems in its neighbouring region.”

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced a slew of energy deals, including an agreement to supply an additional 10 million tons of crude oil each year. This would amount to 100 million tons in the next 10 years, and would be worth $85 billion, he said.

“Both Russia and China feel pressure from the U.S. and the consolidation of China-Russia relations will contain the U.S.’ pivot to Asia,” Mr. Su said.

India, on the other hand, was “an independent power and the strengthening of Sino-Indian relations will help reduce the pressure from the U.S., and contain Washington’s pivot,” he suggested.

A separate commentary published by The Global Times said “an enemy on the west gate as powerful as India would jeopardise [China’s] ambitions.”

“India can act as a balancing force, and its choice of flexibility will break the balance and ensure its interests,” the commentary said, adding “China should welcome and encourage an India pursuing strategic autonomy.”

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Mongolian Dinosaur Sites Under Siege By Poachers

Dinosaur-bone poaching is on the rise, as thieves around the globe plunder sites where evidence of ancient creatures has been discovered. The poachers sell or trade the fossils they find, often to private collectors, and scientists are raising the alarm that important research areas are being destroyed as a result of these illicit digs.

iStockphotos.com

In an article published this week in The New York Times, one paleontologist said about the poaching issue: “This is huge. It isn’t just one or two specimens. A fair proportion of very good fossils just disappear from knowledge, and few are ever seen again.”

Dinosaurs first roamed the planet some 230 million years ago, and researchers still have many questions about how they lived as well as why they died out about 65 million years ago, for reasons that remain a mystery. The market for dinosaur fossils heated up in 1997 after a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton unearthed in South Dakota by a commercial fossil hunter was purchased by Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History for a record $8.4 million. At 42 feet long and 12 feet high at the hips, it is the largest, most complete and best-preserved T. rex ever found (and is dubbed Sue in honor of the woman who made the historic discovery).

Today, a single dino bone can sell for thousands of dollars at auction houses or on websites such as eBay. As a result, poachers are digging up–and destroying–fossil-rich sites in places such as the Nemegt Basin in the Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia. The area has been plagued by looting, according to The Times’ article, despite the fact Mongolia has had laws since the 1920s that fossils are national property and can’t be commercially exported.

In one recent case that made international headlines, an American fossil dealer, Eric Prokopi of Florida, pleaded guilty in December 2012 to smuggling dinosaur skeletons into the United States from Mongolia. In May of that year, Prokopi put up for auction in New York City a Tarbosaurus bataar skeleton measuring 8 feet tall and 24 feet long . A relative of T. rex, T. bataar resided in the Gobi Desert around 70 million years ago and was discovered there by researchers in 1946. The auctioned skeleton consisted of about 75 percent of the prehistoric carnivorous creature’s original bones, a rarity to be that complete, and sold for some $1 million. However, the deal didn’t go through because a paleontologist warned Mongolia’s president that the specimen likely had been stolen from his country and he in turn asked the United States to investigate. American law enforcement agents eventually arrested Prokopi, who was accused of smuggling the T. bataar bones into the United States then reassembling them into skeleton form. As part of a plea deal, Prokopi agreed to hand over the T.bataar bones along with other dinosaur skeletons he confessed to illegally importing. In May 2013, U.S. officials returned the stolen T. bataar to the Mongolians at a ceremony in New York, and it’s now on display at a new dinosaur museum in Ulan Bator, Mongolia’s capital city.

Despite the successful repatriation of the T. bataar skeleton, scientists say paleontological poaching remains a serious issue in Mongolia and other locations, and they contend governments can do more to safeguard their dinosaur sites, crack down on the illegal sale of prehistoric fossils and educate the public about the problem. Additionally, they urge private collectors to ask about a fossil’s provenance before buying it.

Source:http://www.history.com

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Mapping Ulaanbaatar’s Ger Districts

By Ariunaa Norovsambuu, Munkhtsetseg Ulziikhutag, and Enkhtungalag Chuluunbaatar

Mongolia is now one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and nowhere is this growth more evident than the bustling and energetic capital, Ulaanbaatar. Expensive high rises, luxury stores, and modern apartment buildings are common in this city of 1.5 million; tower cranes dot the rising skyline, harbingers of even more cutting-edge development projects to come. But in the shadows of the cranes and high rises, are the city’s ger districts, where more than half of the capital’s residents live without access to basic public services like water, sewage systems, and central heating.

More than half of Ulaanbaatar’s residents live in ger districts many of whom without access to basic public services like water, sewage systems, and central heating. Photo/
Kristin Kelly Colombano

In 1989, 26.8 percent of Mongolia’s population lived in Ulaanbaatar; by 2006 that number had risen to 38.1 percent; and by the 2010 census, 45 percent of Mongolia’s population lived in the capital. Looking forward, population growth in the capital is expected to continue at the same pace, and with little affordable housing available, most of the newcomers ultimately settle in the ger areas.

Dealing with the ramifications of such large settlements in unplanned locations and effectively delivering services to all the city’s residents, particularly in Mongolia’s extreme weather conditions, is a massive challenge. Given the fluid nature of the areas, and the very limited data on demographics and availability of services for the neighborhoods, or khoroos, citizens’ participation in decision-making and planning has been limited. In addition those managing the city have faced significant information deficits when making decisions on how to invest their limited public resources.

Working together with activists and kheseg (local) leaders, the mayor’s office and The Asia Foundation have partnered to map each and every khoroo in the ger areas, and then used that data to carry out spatial analysis to identify service levels and gaps in accessibility and coverage of public services. Using eight indicators, the maps measure the availability and accessibility of services in five sectors: water, health, education, transportation, and safety. The data collected by the local leaders is plotted onto local maps that can be used by citizens and city officials. The mapping process is also designed to activate local citizens and leaders to engage in discussions of the availability of public services in their communities, and to form clear ideas for the prioritization of resources and investment by the city and the community members.

Local leaders and residents participate in an Asia Foundation community mapping workshop to discuss landmarks in their khoroo. Photo/Tenzing Paljor

The process started in 2012 as a pilot project in 11 khoroos, but at the Ulaanbaatar mayor’s request, the Foundation and city municipality extended the project to cover all 87 khoroos of the Ulaanbaatar ger area.  Last week, the mayor’s office and The Asia Foundation presented the results and analysis of their joint community mapping initiative to officials from the City Municipality.

Feedback on the results was positive. Mr. Bat-Uul, the capital city governor and the mayor of Ulaanbaatar, said that, “previously all decisions were made based on statistics. However, statistics are not ‘live’ numbers; they may not always reflect the reality. Now we have community-made maps, which clearly show us where schools and kindergartens are located, where we need additional water kiosks, and what the optimal locations are for infrastructure development across the city.”

Ulaanbaatar’s city manager, Mr. Badral, reiterated the importance of community mapping for future budget discussions and city planning, saying that “the mapping process should continue, given its positive implications not only for the community, but also for decision-makers.”

The mapping process turned out to be a useful process for community members as well: they may know about their gudamj, or street, they may know where the nearest shops or water kiosks are, but they may not know much about their entirekhoroo area. After seeing this information on a map, many people discover the bigger picture and start to make comparisons between advantages and disadvantages of neighboring khesegs or khoroos. These maps are helping ger residents to understand how their community relates to the wider surrounding environment and to build stronger community relationships in their neighborhoods, where they often live close together, share common goods, and need to work toward the community’s well-being as a group.

The results and analysis of the community mapping process will be used in discussions of the city’s five-year investment plan, as well as the parliamentary budget sessions for 2014. It will be the first time that spatial analysis is used as a basis for the political level budgetary discussions. We are also supporting the city on a new website, which will be launched soon as an online resource with community maps available to citizens. The site will serve as a database for Ulaanbaatar city officials to update the maps and track progress over time. The Foundation will also support the city to make community mapping a sustainable tool through training and planning for regular updates of information as well as through further discussions on the strategic use of the data generated by the maps.

Since May 2012, The Asia Foundation has been implementing the Urban Services Project for the Ger Districts of Ulaanbaatar (USP) project as part of its Strategic Partnership with the Australian Agency for International Development(AusAID).

Ariunaa Norovsambuu is an Asia Foundation project coordinator and Munkhtsetseg Ulziikhutag and Enkhtungalag Chuluunbaatar are project officers for the Foundation’s USP project in Mongolia. They can be reached atAriunaa.Norovsambuu@asiafoundation.org,Munkhtsetseg.Ulziikhutag@asiafoundation.org, andEnkhtungalag.Chulaanbaatar@asiafoundation.org, respectively. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the individual authors and not those of The Asia Foundation.

Source:Asia Foundation

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Kincora Completes IP Programme and Provides Corporate Update

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Oct 23, 2013 (Menafn - Marketwired via COMTEX) --Kincora Copper Limited (the "Company", "Kincora") is pleased to provide an update on recent operational and corporateactivities:

--Large scale, high priority copper porphyry targets advanced and refined
following recently completed Induced Polarisation ("IP") survey,
covering 48.96km2, and other field season activities at flagship Bronze
Fox license
--Independent consultant review of the Bronze Fox's regional setting,
encountered hydrothermal copper activity and exploration targets ongoing
following recent site visit with positive initial findings
--Mongolian Parliament approves new Investment Law aimed at encouraging
foreign direct investment and private sector activities
--Uncertainty concerning Golden Grouse licenses, Tourmaline Hills and
North Fox, continues and is being closely monitored
--Director on-market acquisition of shares continues
--Further overhead/administrative cost savings realised, additional steps
taken and other measures planned

Commenting on today's announcement, Sam Spring, President and CEO ofKincora, said:

"Preliminary results of the recently completed IP (geophysical)programme coupled with internal and independent interpretation ofgeology provides a number of exciting and high priority follow uptargets, particularly nearer surface, which we expect warrantdrilling. Further analysis and integration of various activitiescompleted in the current and previous field seasons are ongoing butinitial findings have confirmed Bronze Fox's strategic location in aproven but underexplored productive porphyry copper belt and enhancedour understanding of its favourable regional setting, extensivecopper-gold system(s), and advanced both nearer surface andpotentially higher grade target areas. Construction of the TsagaanSuvarga project, and associated infrastructure, continues within 40kmof Bronze Fox and initial production from Oyu Tolgoi, 140km awayalong strike, is ramping up with discussions for financing of theunderground development ongoing.

The aim of our field season was to responsibly add value at the assetlevel while remaining comfortably funded into 2014 by both refiningexploration data and specifying target generation of large scale,potentially world-class size, porphyry copper-gold targets. This hasbeen accomplished as Kincora completed one of the most active copperexploration programmes in Mongolia during 2013, on one of the mostadvanced and prospective projects with the benefit of having one ofthe youngest exploration licenses. I would like to thank ouremployees and contractors for their recent hard work and look forwardto providing a further update once final results are to hand."

Exploration update

The recently completed Induced Polarisation ("IP") programme utilizedthe Search Exploration system with preliminary analysis bothconfirming previous, and generating new, large scale high prioritycopper porphyry targets on the Company's flagship Bronze Fox license(15000X). The programme not only penetrated to a greater target depththan previously experienced but also covered a number of untestedareas. In total 35 blocks, 238 transmitting and 476 receiving linekilometers respectively were completed covering a 48.96km2 area alongthe central prospects of the Bronze Fox license with no accidents orinjuries - refer Figure 1.

The success of similar IP programmes at Oyu Tolgoi and the technicalsuccesses experience by Kincora in late 2012 with drilling results attwo undercover new targets (with no supporting existing geology)reconciling to the geophysics targets, adds significant substance tothe IP analysis. Bronze Fox continues to be one of the more advancedcopper exploration projects in the highly prospective South Gobiregion, offering large scale potential supported by known widespreadlower grade copper mineralisation, and localized higher grades, withone of the youngest aged exploration licenses. Previous geochemical,geological mapping and alteration studies coupled with groundmagnetics, shallower IP programmes and drilling results, includingintersected mineralised copper porphyry and porphyry dykes, definedthe scope of the recently completed programmes.

Other field season activities have included geological and alterationmapping, and Infra-Red ("IR") spectrum analysis, the latter completedwith TerraSpec by consultant Plus Mineral, across various selectedtarget areas - refer Figure 5. Additional petrographic andlithogeochemcial analysis is ongoing following a recent site visitfrom Professor Tony Crawford. Initial findings regarding Bronze Fox'sregional setting, encountered hydrothermal copper activity andexploration targets have been positive.

Analysis and integration of various activities completed in thecurrent field season and previous work are ongoing, particularlygiven the ability to reconcile both recent and historical geophysicalanalysis against existing drilling data and recent advancements ininternal and independent understanding and interpretation of geology.Key focus areas of continuing analysis include the Sophie Northprospect (discussed further below highlighted in Figures 2 and 3), alarge conductive zone around the Happy Geo prospect with a discretehigh chargeability anomaly to the south of Happy Geo and furthergeophysical interpretation of anomalies relative to previous drillingand alteration zone mineralogy at the West Kasulu and Leca Passprospects which have also identified further targets with are not yetdrill tested - refer Figures 2 and 3.

Additional geological and IP results are expected in approximatelyone month's time which will assist advancing the current workingmodel of the extensive hydrothermal copper activity encountered atBronze Fox and prioritize follow up drill targets. The ongoinginversion modeling indicates potential world-class size porphyrycopper-gold target(s), often supported by positive known geology,which are expected to be drill tested in the 2014 field season.

It is worth noting that the historic drilling illustrated in the 2013preliminary analysis of IP survey results in Figure 2 has notpenetrated to the target depth of the geophysical anomalies. Mostholes have been drilled to approx. 300m depth (maximum hole depth isless than 500m), relative to most targets from the 2013 programmecommencing at 400-500m.

Of particular note are initial inversions that have defined aclassical circular chargeability high, with a resistivity low almostin the core of the latter, just offset to the west at the SophieNorth prospect, which extends into Buchanan Heights. The geophysicalprofile supports previous drilling results which returned anomalouscopper and gold mineralisation near the IP target zone which coupledwith an potential outcropping tonalite porphyry with unidirectionalsolidification textures (USTs) just further south, supports that theupper mineralized parts of the porphyry intrusions may have beenpreserved in a relatively unexplored area directly to the north ofthe West Kasulu prospect in shallower trending region. Followingpositive preliminary analyses of anomalies identified at Sophie Northand Buchanan Heights as part of the 2013 programme an additional fourblocks to the north were completed and preliminary analysis is notyet available. Recent geophysical and geological developments supportthis target being a drill ready, large-scale, high prioritycopper-gold porphyry target.

The preliminary data processing and inversion for the whole surveymay is expected to take a few weeks with detailed processing (3Dmodel) and interpretations expected in approximately one month'stime.

New Mongolia Investment law

On October 3rd, 2013, 83% of Mongolia's Parliament members voted toapprove a new law on investment ("Investment Law"), that is intendedto introduce a stable tax and legislative environment, and will notdistinguish between foreign or domestic investors. While full detailsof the new law are not yet available it is proposed to come intoeffect on November 1st, and is expected to repeal the StrategicEntities Foreign Investment Law ("SEFIL"), which was enacted in May2012 and restricted investments in strategic sectors, includingmining, by requiring government, or even parliamentary, approval forcertain transactions.

The Investment Law is the first of a number of proposed legislativeinitiatives driven by the recent decline of Foreign Direct Investment("FDI") and private sector activity in Mongolia. One of the key goalsof the new law is to provide a stable and favourable investmentenvironment through two mechanisms. Firstly, four key taxes(corporate income tax, customs duty, VAT and mining royalties) willbe stabilized for a defined period of time, 5 to 15 years, dependingon the value and location of the investment with a certificate to beissued to both domestic and international investors. Secondly, tosafeguard the key principles of the new Investment Law a vote of atleast two-thirds of the members of Parliament is required for anyamendments to be made in the future. The Investment Law retains anapproval process for certain state-owned foreign entity transactions.

Director on-market acquisition of shares continues with further cashcost reduction realised

The Company continues to look to take measures to reduce cashoutflows and provide flexibility regarding future commitments. Acomprehensive review of executive and non-executive remuneration hasrecently been completed using comparables of both similar size TSXVand companies with Mongolian asset class exposure. Kincora is wellbelow average on General & Administrative cash costs ("G&A") withinour peer group with one of the more favourable Exploration andDevelopment ratios to G&A.

As previously announced on May 10th, 2013, Kincora adopted aremuneration policy for director's fees such that there is acommitment for the on-market acquisition of shares, which remains inplace with all directors participating in the programme. Refer toSEDI for further details (www.sedi.ca). Additional measures areexpected to be taken to further promote the alignment of interestsbetween management, directors and shareholders to reflect currentmarket conditions.

The Company's cash balance as at the end of September, 2013 wasapproximately 1.39m supporting activities comfortably into 2014 withthe management continuing to focus on further reducing G&A cashoutflows as evidenced by recent significant reductions in bothVancouver and Mongolian office costs. Discussions with potentialstrategic investors regarding technical and financial synergiesremain ongoing.

Golden Grouse license update

Uncertainty concerning the Company's wholly owned Tourmaline Hills(15075X) and North Fox (15076X) licenses due to criminal legalproceedings against former Government officials, impacting a total of106 mineral licenses, continues to be closely monitored. Kincoraacquired these licenses as part of the Golden Grouse transaction inApril 2012 and are lower priority exploration targets relative to theCompany's flagship Bronze Fox license (15000X). There is nosuggestion that these licenses were originally issued as a result ofany criminal wrongdoing.

Kincora paid 5m in script for the two licenses, incurredapproximately 71,000 in legal costs relating to the acquisition andhave spent approximately 1.85m in exploration costs since. Theacquisition of the licenses followed full detailed due diligence,with the licenses confirmed to be in good standing by the MineralResource Authority of Mongolia (MRAM), with exploration costsincurred following approval of the proposed exploration programswhich have been subsequently accepted, annual license fees incurredand licenses extended by MRAM.

A recent series of criminal court cases relating to a number ofex-MRAM high-ranking officials (D.Batkhuyag, the former head of theMRAM and L.Davaatsogt, the former head of Geology, mining andcadastre department) has brought into question the legal rights andinterests for the owners of 106 exploration licenses. MRAM is theappropriate implementing Government agency for the mining and mineralindustry.

It is estimated 11 foreign and 67 local groups are the owners of the106 licenses. At present, 24 companies holding 31 licenses of theabove suspended 106 licenses are actively seeking direct dialog anddiscussions with appropriate government authorities. These 31 speciallicenses were issued before approval of the President's decree to banissuance of new licenses for Mineral Resources dated April 20th,2010.

It is estimated that for only 31 of the 106 licenses, that aboutUS19m has been invested and a further US36m investment planned(from only 17 of the 24 companies). The 106 licenses cover a landmassapproximately six times larger in surface area than active MiningLicenses in Mongolia. The recent previous peak number of employeesand contractors employed by groups impacted by the license issue was743 and these groups have only employed a peak number of 333 thisyear.

Consultations with key third neighbor governments have been ongoingand continue as the affected license holder's work with theGovernment of Mongolia on resolving this situation. The MongolianNational Mining Association ("MNMA") is also assisting wherepossible.

There is no definitive timeline available for final resolutionrelating to the 106 mineral licenses, which would be a ruling outsideof the criminal courts jurisdiction in an administrative matter, andwould support liability for damages caused by government officialsunder the Civil Code of Mongolia if the rights of existing licensesholders were negatively impacted. Kincora continues to activelyseeking direct dialogue and discussions with appropriate governmentauthorities, and will continue to inform the market of any materialdevelopments.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release wasprepared in accordance with the standards of the Canadian Instituteof Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and National Instrument 43-101 -Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and wasreviewed, verified and compiled by Kincora's geological staff underthe supervision of John Rickus, Chairman and Director of KincoraCopper, who is the Qualified Person for the purpose of NI 43-101.

About Kincora Copper Limited

Kincora Copper Limited is a junior resource company engaged in theacquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties with afocus on copper/gold projects in Mongolia.

Kincora's ambition is to be the leading listed independent copperexploration and development company in the highly prospective andproven Oyu Tolgoi South Gobi porphyry copper belt in southeastMongolia. The Company is currently exploring its wholly owned BronzeFox, Tourmaline Hills and North Fox projects which host an extremelylarge and strategically located mineralised footprint covering over40km2.

The projects are situated only 250km from the Chinese border andwithin 140km of two large scale greenfield copper constructionprojects: Oyu Tolgoi, invested capital to date approximately US6.6billion and target production of up to 160,000t/ day; and, TsagaanSuvarga, estimated capex US1b and target production of 40,000t/ day.Other significant mines and associated infrastructure are beingdeveloped in this immediate region.

The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, was formed in mid2011, with its head office located in Vancouver, Canada, and aregional office in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Figures are available at the following address:http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/906179f.pdf

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:
Sam Spring, President and Chief Executive Officer
sam.spring@kincoracopper.com
61431 329 345

Kincora Copper Limited
http://www.kincoracopper.com

SOURCE: Kincora Copper Limited

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Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp becomes first Japanese bank to open office in Mongolia

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. has become the first Japanese bank to open an office in the central Asian nation of Mongolia, opening a representative office in Ulaanbaatar, the landlocked nation's capital, on Oct. 23.

Mongolia is becoming more attractive for foreign business interests due to the double-digit economic growth it has experienced by making the most of its abundant natural resources, such as copper and coal, SMBC said.

Development Bank of Mongolia, Mongolia’s only government-operated bank and Khan Bank, Mongolia’s largest private bank, already have business ties with SMBC.

SMBC also sees growth in Mongolia's underdeveloped energy sector. The bank along with Hitachi Ltd. and the Mongolia Ministry of Energy have executed a business alliance agreement to jointly develop an electrical transmission and distribution network in Mongolia

Source:THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

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Mongolian president to visit North Korea next week

TOKYO, Oct. 23 (Yonhap) -- Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj will visit Pyongyang next week for talks with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong-un, a news report said, as the two nations are endeavoring to deepen their strategic ties.

Elbegdorj, who plans to arrive there on Monday, will become the first foreign head of state to meet the North's young leader since he formally took the helm of the reclusive communist nation last year, according to Japan's Kyodo News Service, which cited an unnamed Mongolian government source.

His reported travel plan comes as the two countries mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

North Korea, stuck in drawn-out diplomatic isolation, has stepped up efforts to reach out to ex-communist Mongolia.

Earlier this year, Pyongyang asked Ulan Bator to provide food aid.

Mongolia has also tapped business opportunities in the North and sought to use the bilateral relationship to enhance its role in regional security.

In November, Japan and North Korea had senior-level talks in the Mongolian capital about the issue of North Korea's abduction of Japanese nationals.

Kyodo said the Mongolian leader may raise the issue in his meeting with the North's leader.

Japan has urged North Korea to fully account for Japanese nationals it abducted decades ago.

Source:South Korean News Agency Yonhap

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Famur to sell $100 mln in equipment to Mongolian firms

Polish mining machinery producer Famur may sign contracts worth $100 million with companies in Mongolia, Economy Minister Janusz Piechociński said. Famur was one of 40 businesses that took part in a Polish-Mongolian economic forum on Monday.

The Polish firm signed letters of intent for the supply of machinery to three Mongolian mining companies: Baganuur, Tsagaan Shonkhor Holding and Tsetsens Mining and Energy.

Mr Piechociński said that apart from Famur, other Polish sector companies, including Damel, Kopex and Węglokoks, have plans to do business in Mongolia. He expects Polish-Mongolian cooperation in the mining industry to increase in the coming years.

Minister Piechociński and Mongolian Minister of Mining Davaaj Gankhuyag signed a declaration of cooperation in the mining sector.

“We will increase our involvement in the mining industry and we will share our experience in the field,” said Mr Piechociński. The declaration also covers an exchange of scientific knowledge and education of the sector employees.

According to Ministry of Economy data, after seven months of 2013, Poland's exports to Mongolia were worth €23 million, 22 percent more than the same period of 2012. Imports from Mongolia amounted to just €36,000.

Source:http://polandam.pl/

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Photo exhibit captures 19th Century Mongolian lifestyle

Once scientific records, the photos are now valuable cultural items

On October 5-25, a photo exhibition ‘Mongolia-Looking through time’ by Russian photographer N.A. Charushin is open to the public at National History Museum of Mongolia. The exhibition displays 50

very rare photos that show the lifestyle, traditions and anthropological features of Mongolians as well as images of Urgoo, Kyakhta and Maimaa cities around the 1880s.

The exhibition is being coorganized by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism of Mongolia, Culture Minister of the Republic of Buryat, Kyakhta city museum and the National History Museum of Mongolia.

At the opening of the exhibition, present were MP G. Bayarsaikhan, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport

and Tourism M. Tumenjargal, Culture Minister of the Republic of Buryat Mr. Timur Gombojapovich Tsybikov, advisor at the Russian Embassy Mr. Arjeev Igor Nikolaevich, Cultural Attaché at the Russian Embassy Ms. Rakshaeva Olga, and S.S. Petushkeev, chief of the Kyakhta Museum.

M. Tumenjargal, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism said, “In 1888, N.A. Charushin saw the Tsam Dance of Mongolians. Mr. Charushin wrote “I have had a chance to take part in the festival called ‘Tsam’. It seems like the Olympic Games in some ways. Fast horse racing and wrestling competitions were run and many fast horses from Bogd Khaan’s abundant horses raced. In the valley where the festival ran, Mongolians wore many kinds of colored national garments made of silk and rode horses. Bogd Khaan and his queen consort arrived at the Naadam followed by aides.””

Mr. Timur Gombojapovich Tsybikov said, “During the past 125 years, these photos were scientific

facts; but now, they are valuable cultural items. Through the exhibition, we believe it can be one of the bridges of cooperation between Mongolia and Buryatia”. In 1888, N.A. Charushin first arrived in Mongolia as a member of a field expedition led by Mr. Potanin. His photos ‘A Mongolian family of the steppe,’ ‘Caravan’ and ‘Woman collecting dried droppings’ make people feel like they returned to Mongolian lifestyles in the19th Century. He also took a photo of the brother of Bogd Khaan and his consort. In the other words, he took many photos of Mongolian nobles and commoners. However it was difficult

to take these photos and keep them for a memorial. Mr. Charushin once said, “In the beginning, my objective to take photos that showed anthropological features of Mongolians was very complicated and I only took a few photos. Since Mongolians never had an understanding about photographs before, they were very suspicious. They had a thought that if someone has his photos taken, he will lose his heart to others. Finally, I found some old friends from Potanin’s field expedition. Afterwards, people started allowing me to take their photos, following others. Overcoming such difficulties, I could build a collection of many photographs that absolutely meet the research of Potanin’s field expedition while being in Urgoo city.”

N.A. Charushin opened his first photo studio in 1886 in Troitskosavsk. In 1887, he actively participated to

establish a Public Library together with some intellectual people in Kyakhta. The same year, he travelled

through the Lena River Valley with his assistant I.F. Fedorov to take photos of gold placers owned by Ya. A. Nemchinov, a merchant of Kyakhta.They travelled through the vast area including Irkutsk, Uduginski,

Baikal Lake, Yakutia and took many historical photos. Mongolia was one of the countries they studied.

In 1937, prominent photographer N.A. Charushin passed away in Kirov. His collection of photographs became a valuable cultural heritage in the world and is now being preserved at the Kyakhta Museum. He perpetuated very rare photos of Mongolians,Buryat, Chinese and Mongolian people, and Russian and Chinese economic relations. The collections of photos being preserved at the museum show images of Mongolia’s old capital city Urgoo, tea trades, inner Baikal, Uduginski, Baikal Oblasti, Troitskosavsk, Kyakhta and Maimaa cities as well as lifestyles of merchants. As times goes by, these professionally-taken high-quality photos are becoming more valuable.

Below are some of the photos of the N.A.Charushin.

Gate dedicated to 9th Bogd Khaan of Mongolia

Mongolian wrestler

Mongolian woman collecting dung

Younger brother of 9th Bogd Khaan

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Mystery Mongolian firm buys pro-Pyongyang organization’s headquarters

Tokyo headquarters of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan – also better known as Chongryon 

The building which served as the former Tokyo headquarters of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan – also better known as Chongryon – has been bought by a mystery Mongolian firm, fueling rumors of espionage around the purchase. The successful bidder was Avar Limited Liability Company, a business entity that is based in Mongolia who bid around 5 billion yen (about US$51 million) for the building.

Aside from the name of the company and their location, almost nothing else is known about the winner of the bid, fueling the rumors and speculations. No Mongolian business has ever bought a building inTokyo before, making this the first time an entity or organization from that country has ever owned real estate property in the Japanese capital. Located in the city’s Chiyoda district, the former Chongryon headquarters building stands 10 storeys high and has two basement floors. The property was built in 1986.

The Japanese court decided in July 2012 to auction off the building after Chongryon was left owing 62.7 billion yen to Resolution and Collection Corp. after the credit union serving the pro-North Korean residents collapsed and went bankrupt. One of the winners of the initial round of bidding was a Buddhist temple in Kagoshima Prefecture who was known to be friendly with North Korean officials. The temple had bid 4.519 billion yen for the 10-story building, but later withdrew from the purchase as it could not come up with the funds needed for the purchase.

Source:http://japandailypress.com

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Copper concentrates from Oyu Tolgoi may reach China soon

October 17 (MetalBulletin) Copper concentrate from Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia may start reaching Chinese buyers soon, after customs authorities agreed to release material held at the border.

About 38,000 tonnes of concentrate was blocked at customs in July, forcing Rio Tinto to stockpile material from the new mine while its customers negotiated a solution. 

Customs authorities have now agreed to release the blocked concentrate, according to two smelter sources with direct knowledge of the situation. 

“After a long effort, Chinese customs finally compromised and deemed copper concentrates as special product and let the cargo go. All stuck cargo might finish customs clearance by the end of November,” a smelter official told Metal Bulletin. 

“The attitude from Chinese customs has softened, [so] hopefully some parcels will get approval to be collected from the warehouse early next week,” a second smelter source said. 

This does not necessarily mean that all material from Oyu Tolgoi is now free to pass into China but it is does confirm that progress is being made to make that happen. 

Oyu Tolgoi’s concentrator is running at its maximum rate, processing 100,000 tonnes of ore each day, according to Turquoise Hill Resources, the Rio Tinto-controlled company which runs the mine. Output of copper in concentrate is still expected to be between 75,000 and 80,000 tonnes this year, it added. 

“Shipments of concentrate are expected to be aligned with production rates by the end of 2013,” the company said. 

The prospect of Oyu Tolgoi copper finally coming to the market may help smelters as they negotiate annual treatment and refining charges for 2014 with miners.

Source:Metals Bulletin

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