Harsh Mongolian winter risks livelihoods of herder families

BEIJING — Exceptionally cold weather in Mongolia is putting the livelihoods of more than 150,000 nomadic herders and family members at risk, just one year after another extreme winter killed more than 1 million animals, the Red Cross said Thursday, as it launched an emergency appeal.

Particularly vulnerable are families still suffering from the impact of last year’s “dzud” (pronounced ‘ZUHD), an extreme weather phenomenon unique to the country that is characterized by a summer drought and then a prolonged winter of heavy snow and temperatures of minus 40 to minus 50 Celsius (minus 40 to minus 59 Fahrenheit).

More than 40,000 cows and other livestock have already died this time, a figure that is expected to jump in the freezing months ahead and into spring when animals are still weak.

A dzud typically happens once every 12 years, but has struck for the second consecutive year this winter. The dzud last year killed more than 1 million livestock, which are the only source of food, transport and outside income for almost half of Mongolia’s population of 3 million.

Aid groups say the situation is compounded by last year’s harsh winter and a deep recession amid a market bust for the vast landlocked nation’s mineral exports.

Many herder families will lose their livestock and livelihoods “and will have no choice but to migrate to the slum areas on the outskirts of (the capital, Ulaanbaatar) and other urban centers where they will face great social and economic hardship,” said Gwendolyn Pang, head of the Beijing office of the International Federation of Red Cross.

The Red Cross said that 70 percent of the country is covered by snow and 157,000 people belonging to herder households in 17 of Mongolia’s 21 provinces are at risk.

The agency appealed for $650,000 to help 2,740 most at-risk families.

Source:AP news agency

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2 Mongolian drug smugglers caught in north China

TWO passengers from Mongolia were arrested in northern China's Inner Mongolia for smuggling drugs, according to local customs Wednesday.

One of the suspects, Enkhjargal, was caught Saturday evening when  taking a train from Beijing to Ulan Bator via Erenhot, with police seizing 72.57 grams of methamphetamine from his luggage. He allegedly bought the drugs for 10,500 yuan (about US$1,529) in Beijing.

Another suspect, Nyamjav, was caught Sunday at the customs in Erenhot.  Nyamjav was carrying 53.65 grams of methamphetamine and 0.84 grams of cannabis, which he allegedly bought in Beijing for 7,500 yuan.

Erenhot is the biggest land port between China and Mongolia. Last year customs in Inner Mongolia handled three cases involving Mongolian suspects carrying drugs via route Erenhot.

Source:http://www.shanghaidaily.com/nation/2-Mongolian-drug-smugglers-caught-in-north-China/shdaily.shtml

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European Union brings relief to Mongolian herders affected by extreme winter conditions

Ulaanbaatar, February 10th, 2017 – In response to the particularly harsh winter which has struck large parts of Mongolia since November, the European Commission is providing over 115 000 EUR in humanitarian funding to bring immediate relief to the most affected families. The aid will directly benefit 5000 most vulnerable individuals in some of the country’s worst-hit provinces, namely Khuvsgul, Selenge, Uvs and Zavkhan.

This EU funding supports the Mongolian Red Cross Society in delivering much-needed assistance through the provision of first aid kits and unconditional cash grants. The kits enable herders to maintain their physical well-being in particularly challenging conditions, while cash assistance allows beneficiaries to cover other immediate needs triggered by the extreme climatic conditions, following their own priorities. The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Vast swathes of Mongolia, particularly in the north, have witnessed an exceptionally cold winter and heavy snow fall over the past few months. The premature severe weather patterns have placed an estimated 157 000 people in 15 out of 21 provinces under high risk of the what is known as the “dzud” climatic phenomenon. The adverse conditions have hampered the capacity of herders to access town centres, where health facilities and other services are located, and threatened the survival of livestock. The Government of Mongolia in late December called for humanitarian assistance from the international community as the situation worsened.

Dzud, characterised by a prolonged summer drought followed by severe winter conditions, is not uncommon in Mongolia. The latest dzud in late 2015 killed more than one million heads of livestock and severely affected thousands of pastoralists whose livelihoods largely depended on animal husbandry. In response, the Commission had provided 420,000 EUR to its humanitarian partners in order to help alleviate the burdens of the most impacted households.

Background

The European Union together with its Member States is the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity towards people in need around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises. The European Commission through its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) helps over 120 million victims of conflicts and disasters every year. For more information, please visit ECHO's website.

The European Commission has signed a €3 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Funds from the DREF are mainly allocated to “small-scale” disasters – those that do not give rise to a formal international appeal.

The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund was established in 1985 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF. For small-scale disasters, the IFRC allocates grants from the Fund, which can then be replenished by the donors. The delegation agreement between the IFRC and ECHO enables the latter to replenish the DREF for agreed operations (that fit in with its humanitarian mandate) up to a total of €3 million.

For further information, please contact: Pierre Prakash, Regional Information Officer for Asia and the Pacific, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO): Pierre.Prakash@echofield.eu

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Lavrov says Russia hopes Mongolia’s SCO status will be elevated

MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. Moscow expects Mongolia’s statue in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) where that country is an observer to be elevated, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday following talks with his Mongolian counterpart, Tsend Munkh-Orgil.

"We discussed the issue of Mongolia’s involvement in the SCO as an observer, but do hope this status will be elevated," he said. "Anyway, our Mongolian friends can presently cooperate without restrictions in implementing the SCO programs in security, energy, transport, agriculture and the regional anti-terrorist bodies."

The Russian minister also noted the parties’ close or concurring stances on the key regional and global issues. "We agreed to hold special consultations on foreign policy planning this quarter," he said. "I believe that was a very useful agreement."

Founded in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, with a number of countries - Mongolia, Pakistan, India and Iran - granted observer status. The organization’s key objectives are strengthening stability and security over its vast area, the fight against terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug trafficking, development of economic cooperation, energy partnership, scientific and cultural cooperation.

Source:Tass, Russian News Agency

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Mongolia: Severe Winter Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) n° MDRMN006

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies says Mongolia needs to prepare for potential Zud disaster. So far, there is no sign of Zud in Mongolia.

Hard times for herders usually come in late March and April. So, it is better to be prepared for any potential snow storm and disaster.

Here is 

Emergency plan of Red Cross Society for potential Zud disaster

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Beautiful love story of a Mongolian guy and a New Zealand woman

Mongolian shearer’s challenge

When Enkhnasan Chuluunbaatar began learning how to shear a sheep, it was a two-fold challenge.

Not only did he have to come to grips with using a shearing machine but he was also learning to speak English at the same time.

Fast forward a few years and Mr Chuluunbaatar represented Mongolia at the World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Invercargill last week, in a one-man team which was managed by his Kiwi wife Zoe Leetch.

It was the first time Mongolia had had a team in the championships and it was a proud moment for the pair, who were accompanied by their children Tushinbayar (4) and Temulen (2).

"It’s an honour, really," Ms Leetch said.

The couple met in 2007 at a small goldmine in Mongolia where they were both working. Ms Leetch’s job was mine administrator, which included keeping track of fuel usage, and her future husband’s job was refuelling.

Despite the language barrier — she could not speak Mongolian and he could not speak English — the pair hit it off.

"We just enjoyed each other’s company," Ms Leetch, who comes from Golden Bay, said.

Mr Chuluunbaatar, known as Nasa, came from a nomadic family and she spent time with them when the mine closed down for winter. Life was very different from Golden Bay but it was an "amazing" experience, she recalled.

"I had seen some movies of Mongolia ...  I kept telling myself ‘it’s not going to be like the movies’. It is just like the movies," she said.

His family was very welcoming; Mongolian people were very understanding and did not expect foreigners to know a lot of their language or understand their customs.

Mr Chuluunbaatar came to New Zealand in early 2011 and the couple married in Mongolia later that year.

At the end of that year, they came back to New Zealand and he did a shearing course. He had not used a shearing machine before.

His family were herders and owned sheep but they were shorn with large scissors — not like blade shears — with their feet tied. They were shorn on one side and then turned over and shorn on the other, Ms Leetch explained.

One advantage was Mr Chuluunbaatar knew animals and their physiology and how they behaved, despite having never used a machine before.

That first year he was learning English at the same time.

"You can imagine the English he learned in the shearing sheds," she said, laughing.

He was now shearing in the Golden Bay area and farmers had been very welcoming and generous, she said.

The couple hoped to find a way  to spend time living in both Mongolia and New Zealand. They would like their children to do some of their primary schooling in Mongolia, get to know their Mongolian family and learn about the culture.

They also hoped to introduce machine shearing to Mongolia. Wool there had very little value; sheep were shorn outside, in the dust, and the multi-coloured fleeces were not separated in any way. Ms Leetch hoped a way would be found to increase its value.

The next world championships were being held in France and the pair would like to be involved again, but would have to find a sponsor, Ms Leetch said.

"That’s a big trip but we’d love to represent Mongolia there."

Source:https://www.odt.co.nz/business/farming/mongolian-shearer%E2%80%99s-challenge

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Mongolian Parliament votes to nationalize Erdenet copper Mine

By Michael Kohn,

• Parliament invalidates earlier sale, hands asset to the state
• Probe into deal for Russian stakes in mine showed violations

Mongolia’s parliament approved a resolution to nationalize copper, gold and iron-ore assets in the country following a probe that found a $400 million transaction with a closely held company was illegal.

Parliament’s resolution invalidates a previous government decision that had authorized the sale of 49 percent stakes in both Erdenet Mining Corp. and Mongolrostsvetmet LLC to Mongolian Copper Corp. The resolution was approved by a vote of 49 in favor to 12 against, according to a broadcast carried on Bloomberg TV Mongolia.

For more, go to:

Bloomberg story on Erdenet mine

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Former Mongolian diplomat claims US Secretary of State John Kerry asked Mongolian government in 2016 to accept 3000 refugees every year.

Bayarkhuu Dashdorj,former Mongolian ambassador to Egypt and commentator of international affairs in local media John Kerry asked that Mongolia either accept 3000 refugees from Middle east or pay $ 5 million every year as obligation to international community.

Bayarkhuu said Mongolia avoided this obligation citing its neutral status in international affairs and Mongolia should be bold in asserting its neutral status.

John Kerry visited Mongolia in April, 2016 and praised Mongolia as “oasis of democracy”.

This surprising news was disclosed by Bayarkhuu when he appeared as guest in popular talk show"Hour of Jargalmaa" aired on Eagle News TV.

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Mongolia paves the way for IMF bailout

Feb 10 Mongolia's parliament moved towards meeting the conditions of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout of $3-5 billion on Friday, as lawmakers voted to grant greater independence to the Development Bank of Mongolia.

The country is scrambling to avoid missing a $580 million sovereign-guaranteed debt repayment, issued by the Development Bank, due in March. The economy has been badly hit by weak prices for its coal and dwindling foreign investment.

The Mongolian government is in talks with both the IMF and China to refinance billions of dollars of debt issued since 2012 by the March deadline.

For more:

Reuters story

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Parliament passes resolution to take back 49% share of Erdenet mine from private hands

On its last spring session before going to recess, State Great Khural passed resolution to take back 49% shares of the Erdenet mine from  Mongolian private company “Mongolian copper consortium”.

President Elbegdorj pleaded the lawmakers to consider best interest of country and said this will isolate Mongolia more and more from outside world and investors and ruin the reputation of country.

80.3% of the lawmakers present during the session voted “yes” approving the resolution. All MPP lawmakers voted for the resolution while all lawmakers from opposition Democratic Party except Mr.Batzandan disapproved the resolution.

Now, Mongolian government have to negotiate with the Mongolian Copper Corp on terms of share transfer. 

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President criticizes Parliamentary standing committee decision to take back 49% shares of Erdenet mine from private company

Parliamentary legal standing committee drafted resolution to take back the 49% shares of Erdenet copper mine from private company during its last spring session on Friday.

President Elbegdorj twitted “are private sector not part of people? They are producing 80% of wealth now” criticizing the decision.

Right now, Parliament is hearing about resolution.

Here is the draft resolution of the parliament formulated by the Standing committee

Draft resolution of the State Great Khural

Date:…….. 2017                                                 No.                                                                                         Ulaanbaatar

Re: About some measures to take about “Erdenet enterprise” LLC, “ Mongolrostsvetmet” LLC

State Great Khural of Mongolia decides following based on article 45.2 of the Constitution of Mongolia, article 43.1 of Mongolian law on State Great Khural:

1.Illegally violated state right to buy 49% common shares of the enterprises,  in violation of article 25.1.15 of the Constitution of Mongolia, articles 16.2, 29.2.6 and 7 of the law on Government of Mongolia, article 8.1.1 of the law on State and local ownership, Bilateral agreement of Governments of Mongolia and Russian Federation concerning “Erdenet Enterprise”, therefore, revoke article 1 of resolution no.330 of Mongolian government dated June 13, 2016 concerning some measures about “Erdenet Enterprise” LLC and “Mongolrostsvetmet” LLC.

2.Assign Legal standing committee /Sh.Radnaased/ and Government of Mongolia /J.ERdenebat/ immediately resolve the transfer of 49% common shares of “Erdenet Enterprise” LLC and “Mongolrostsvetmet” LLC which was transferred from ownership of Russian Federation to “Mongolian Copper Corporation” LLC back to State ownership and take measures to run these under status of state owned enterprises.

3.Government of Mongolia / J.Erdenebat/ is assigned to conduct negotiation to take back 49% common shares of “Erdenet Enterprise” LLC, “Mongolrostsvetmet” LLC based on estimation of sources such as  monetary assets deposited by Development bank and Mongolbank at Trade and Development bank, its dividends, exchequer

4.It is assigned to Government of Mongolia /J.Erdenebat/ and Mongolbank/ N.Bayartsaikhan/ to take measures to hold managing officials of Mongolbank, Government, Trade and development bank, Ulaanbaatar City bank which violated laws and regulations repeatedly.

Signature

Parliamentary resolution assigning government to take 49% shares of  the Erdenet mine from  private company " Mongolian Copper Corporation"

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Minister of Natural Environment and Tourism under fire for having squinted eyes

Oyunkhorol, minister of Natural Environment and Tourism lately became target of  public criticism for “allegedly sleeping” during public events or at work.

Actually, poor minister was not sleeping, it is her squinted eyes to be blamed for recent attack against her. Recent arrest of her former campaign manager and department head of her ministry also likely to add fuel to the fire. 

Someone "photoshopped" her sleeping in all workdays except Friday. 

Minister explained she was playing guitar during her birthday in her daughter's room while, her critics say she was drunk at her office in government house. 

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Follow up story about arrest of corrupt officials at Ministry of Natural Environment and Tourism

Yesterday, we reported about arrest of 3  officials of Ministry of Natural Environment and Tourism arrested by Anti-corruption agents in the act of receiving bribery.

Now more information about the arrest have been coming out. It appears D.Davaasamba, chief of Environment and Natural resources management department, S.Bayarkhuu, specialist of this department, P.Bunchinjav, chief of Evaluation and Auditing department of the ministry arrested for allegedly receiving bribe from an owner of company. 

It is disclosed that Davaasamba received 150 million tugrug and S.Bayarkhuu 40 million tugrug  from that company for permit to export 600 tons of pine nuts to China.

The case may drag current Minister of Natural Environment and Tourism Mrs.Oyunkhorol who appointed Davaasamba last year as head of this important department in charge of implementation of mitigation of environmental degradation, pollution, appropriate use, protection and rehabilitation of natural resources. 

In addition, the department was responsible for issuing licenses and permits for companies to hunt rare wild life and cut timber, pick fruits and nuts.

D.Davaasamba was working as parliamentary election campaign manager of the Minister before his appointment.

Several sources said the three are suspected of receiving bribes from Chinese businesses that export pine nuts. 

Allegedly, police department of Bayangol district of Ulaanbaatar transferred one case related to a Chinese citizen to Investigation department of Independent agency against corruption (IAAC).

Everything started from complaint filed by that citizen that claimed he was cheated of his large sum of money (about 1 billion tugrug or $ 403,063.00 US) while trying to get permit to export pine nuts. The police considered as case of corruption and transferred it to IAAC.

Based on this lead, the anti-corruption agents began to monitor the suspected officials and then nabbed them in the act this week.

Davaasamba, allegedly nabbed by anti-corruption agents in the act of receiving bribe for permit

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From ‘Importer’ to ‘Exporter’: Mongolia Sends Out First Homegrown Adventist Christian Missionary

It all began twelve years ago, with a handwritten note in a small card

POSTED FEBRUARY 9, 2017

By YURE GRAMACHO, with Adventist Review staff

Ahandwritten note a Seventh-day Adventist Mongolian pastor received during a missionary trip to a foreign country twelve years ago, motivated him to become the first homegrown missionary to be sent out of his home country borders, only a couple of decades after the Adventist message made inroads and was organized in that landlocked and sparsely populated East Asia nation.

Pastor Nyamdavaa D., former ministerial secretary and evangelism director in the Mongolian Mission, recently accepted the call to move together with his family to an undisclosed location abroad, where he plans to share the gospel message in a place with no Seventh-day Adventist official presence.

Northern Asia-Pacific Division president Pastor Jairyong Lee, center, prays with staff for a missionary. (NSD photo)

Twelve years ago, during a mission trip abroad to provide training to members in an area where mission work is somewhat restricted, a lady gave Pastor Nyamdavaa a small card where she had written, “Never forget us. Remember that you also have ‘other sheep’ (John 10:16).”

“During my trip back to Mongolia…I cried, because [the note] deeply touched my heart,” said Nyamdavaa as he remembered that day. “Eventually, in 2016, my heart felt such a big burden, that I couldn’t sleep at night because of the sense of God’s call.”

Nyamdavaa and his family finally decided to enrol in the Pioneer Mission Movement (PMM), an outreach initiative of the Northern Asia-Pacific (NSD) region of the church, a territory which includes Mongolia and several other countries in East Asia. The Pioneer Mission Movement looks for ways of planting new churches by sending missionaries to do cross-cultural work, mainly in areas where no Seventh-day Adventist Church exists.

“Once a missionary, always a missionary.”

Pastor Nyamdavaa’s decision is a milestone for the relatively new administrative unit of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which historically depended on “importing” Adventist missionaries from overseas for managing the church work in the country. The recently renamed Mongolia Mission, based in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, was only formed in 1997. Currently, this administrative field serves a church membership of almost 2,200 baptized members who meet in six churches across the country.

In a recent uplifting send-off ceremony to pray and commend Pastor Nyandavaa and his family to God, Pastor Kim YoHan, president of the Mongolia Mission, said how moved he was by Pastor Nyamdavaa’s decision and asked every leader and member to pray for the family.

“I have prayed a lot for him and his family, so that God may stand by him during this new missionary challenge,” said YoHan. “I’m sure that our Lord will help him fulfill His mission and will.”

Pastor Nyamdavaa held no doubts about the lifelong motivation which drives him to such a challenging enterprise.

“Once a missionary, always a missionary,” said Nyamdavaa. “[To be a missionary] is my life purpose!”

PHOTO & ORIGINAL STORY: http://www.nsdadventist.org/news/news_1_read.html?no=719

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Corrupt officials at the Ministry of Natural Environment and Tourism busted by Anti-corruption agents

Agents of the Mongolian Anti-corruption body arrested and detained 3 corrupt officials of the Ministry of Natural Environment and Tourism of Mongolia on Thursday. This was twitted by Enkhbayar Jadambaa, lawmaker of the State Great Khural or Parliament who congratulated the agents for professionalism.

D.Davaasamba sitting in the center at the Ministry of Natural Environment and Tourism

Agents of the Independent Agency Against Corruption or IAAC conducted special operation and arrested 2 department heads and 1 expert of the Ministry at exact moment of receiving bribes.

It is alleged that these officials were in charge of issuing licenses and permits to gold mining companies, hunting tour operators, logging companies etc.

Currently, they will be detained for 72 hours according to relevant criminal procedure and laws. Court decision will be required for further detention.

One of the arrested officials is D.Davaasamba who is chairman of Natural Resources Department of the Ministry was accused by environmentalists for receiving bribery and kickbacks from hunting tour operator companies.

Senior official of the IAAC confirmed the arrest and didn't provide any comment as  case is under investigation now.

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Mongolia's freshwater revolution

MONGOLIA - Can a government project, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, make fish a staple product of the second-largest landlocked country on earth? Mainbayar Badarch reports on the promising first steps in bringing large-scale aquaculture to Mongolia’s rivers and lakes

Today, fish farming counts as a minor industry in Mongolia. However, over the last few years the Mongolian government has been taking action to develop it. In 2009 the government launched its countrywide “Food Security” programme, a two-stage initiative that was fully implemented in 2016.

One component of the plan was the national fish sub-programme, which the Ministry of Food and Agriculture launched in 2012. A main goal of the sub-programme was to support fish farmers, both in Mongolia’s provinces and in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, with fish resources, with the ultimate aim of expanding domestic fish production to supply 25 per cent of the country’s fish consumption.

Under the fish sub-programme, feasibility studies have been conducted to assess whether fish farms could be established in several big lakes throughout Mongolia. One such project has been approved, and it is to be built using closed fish ponds on Terkhiin Tsagaan lake in Arkhangai province, Central Mongolia. Its capacity is expected to be 50-70 tons of breeding fish per year.

The fish sub-programme’s primary activity has been in the area of technical assistance. From April 2014 to November 2016 the Mongolian government implemented a project jointly with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called “Developing aquaculture for improved fish supply in Mongolia”.

With a budget of USD 268,000, the project involved training 34 employees in cold-water fish-raising techniques and sending three experts to Harbin City, China, for a fish-farming workshop. In addition, the project consultants published a manual for fish farmers and oversaw the translation of the FAO document “Technical guidance for raising Siberian sturgeon in cold water” into the Mongolian language.

The project established two model fish farms in the Tuul River Basin, known as “Sturgeon OST” and “Small Brook”. FAO consultants assisted in the design of the farms and helped to build Small Brook on a 500 square metre site. (The FAO’s technical assistance also supported the establishment of a research laboratory for fish health at the National Agricultural University.)

“Sturgeon OST”, meanwhile, was the sub-programme’s main recipient of help. The fish farm received a loan in the amount of 200 million Mongolian tughrik (around USD 80,000), which it combined with its own investment of 400 million tughrik (around USD 160,000) to fund the construction of outdoor fish ponds.

Part of the loan was used to set up fish cages within the enclosed areas of the lake to protect the fish. The farm received a further 200 million tughrik loan from the Ulaanbaatar city fund for small and medium enterprises under the sub-programme. This loan is intended to expand the operation with more fishponds for taimen and lenok. At the moment, the farm raises 17 types of fish in its 5km-long lake and supplies 20,000 tons of fish for consumers in Ulaanbaatar annually. The owners are planning to construct a tourism complex based on the fish farm by 2020.

Altanshand Badarch, general director of Sturgeon OST, says that many lakes and rivers are likely to dry up due to a mining boom in recent years. As a result, some species of fish have been disappearing. Aquaculture is, therefore, of special importance in terms of protecting and restoring endangered fish species, in addition to the health benefits fish meat will have for human consumers.

Along with the fish sub-programme, the local authorities of the northern provinces, where rivers and lakes are abundant, have taken steps to boost local aquaculture. In Selenge province, for example, where the Selenge river feeds Russia’s Baikal lake, several feasibility studies are underway. Also, Khuvsgul province has announced a plan to develop fish farming on itsa big freshwater lake, Khuvsgul.

Experts agree that the project has built solid foundations for developing aquaculture in Mongolia. As a side benefit, it has increased the number of sturgeon in Mongolia, in a clear demonstration of the feasibility of large-scale fish farming in Mongolia.

Source:TheFishSite News Desk

http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/28757/mongolias-freshwater-revolution/

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What is the status of Mongolian government negotiation with IMF?

We received e-mails from some readers asking latest about ongoing negotiation between Mongolian government and IMF Team started since Jan 31, 2017.

As far as we understand and reported in local news media, Minister of Finance Choijilsuren is heading Mongolian side in the negotiation.

Currently, Mongolia is negotiating the terms of aid package offered by IMF. According to IMF, Mongolia have choice: it can select either Standby Arrangement or Standby Credit Facility. 

Development bank of Mongolia set aside $ 200 million dollars towards repayment of $ 580 million dollars Euro Bond loan due in March 21. Officials of Mongolbank, central bank and PM Erdenebat repeatedly reiterated that Mongolia can and will pay the loan on time, fully, despite the fact it is short of $ 380 mill dollars to pay the loan. 

Deal between IMF and Gov't is expected to be disclosed for public by Feb 15, that's next Wednesday. Previously, Gov't asked for loan from Japan, China, South Korea, Russia, Gulf Countries and Russia refused and Gulf countries diplomatically said they will consider the request. 

Dalai Lama's visit in Nov, last year interrupted normal relationship of Mongolia and China including the loan talk. However, recently, China signaled it can help Mongolia during its times of need. Vice director of Development bank of Mongolia confirmed that loan talk with China resumed. 

Government said it received positive responses from Japan and South Korea regarding loan request. 

Our take is even if deal with IMF is not reached, Government will be able to repay the Euro Bond loan this time and no default or near default situation will emerge.

It seems, all officials at Mongolbank and government unanimously agree that the Euro bond loan default will send most negative signal to international investors about Mongolian economic potential and must be prevented at any cost. 

Given the interest of those readers, we will update about status of IMF and Government negotiation.

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Bitter row over who will get free hepatitis C virus drug in Mongolia

Members of “Patient-social representation council” NGO and “Onom” foundation held press conference on Monday opposing distribution of free hepatitis C virus drug “ Harvoni” provided by US Based Pharmaceutical company “Gilead Sciences” for Mongolia in Arkhangai province.

Earlier, Government announced it selected Arkhangai province to distribute the free trial medicine provided by the US pharmaceutical company. Government said Arkhangai aimag tops the list of highest hepatitis C infection in the nation justifying its decision to distribute the drug in that province.

Dr.Naranbaatar Dashdorj, board chairman of Onom foundation refuted the government claim and said Arkhangai province ranks lowest in liver cancer cases of the nation citing brochure “health indicators-2016” and until now, national liver hepatitis virus distribution study haven’t been done.

According to Naranbaatar, death due to liver cancer is twice more higher in eastern province Sukhbaatar than Arkhangai province and selection of Arkhangai province for handout of free liver hepatitis drug is purely political, motivated by desire to gain support of local constituents.

Naranbaatar and others demanded the drug should be given to those socially vulnerable and can’t afford virus hepatitis treatment and medical professionals who infected during performance of their official duty.

Naranbaatar and others criticized Health Minister Tsogttsetseg and Baatarbileg, lawmaker elected from Arkhangai province for favoring Arkhangai province over other provinces with similar liver disease situations.  

Baatarbileg, former governor of Arkhangai province and lawmaker sitting in the parliament representing the province developed proposal” Arkhangai aimag free of C hepatitis virus” in May, 2016 and met with representatives of “Gilead Sciences” company requesting their help to treatment of virus hepatitis C in his province.

The company accepted the request and stated it would donate 3,000 Harvoni drugs for this. In Feb, Gilead Science shipped 1000 man dosage or 3,000 boxes of the drug to Mongolia.

According to health ministry, it was Arkhangai province and the lawmaker Baatarbileg that were better and more enterprising over other provinces and  received the help of US pharmaceutical company.

Currently, there are 130 thousand  active Virus C hepatitis carriers in Mongolia including 52.5 thousand people urgently requires hepatitis treatment. In addition, there are about 400 people with chronic hepatitis virus infection.

Dr.Naranbaatar and others critical of selection of Arkhangai province

Dr.Naranbaatar and others critical of selection of Arkhangai province

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Case of deputy chief of Mongolian state special security authority that beat policeman dropped by court

Chingeltei district court of Ulaanbaatar dismissed case of high-ranking state special security officials beating ordinary policemen at night club.

P.Bataa, deputy director of  Mongolian State special security authority and T.Batbileg, senior officer of the same authority attacked and beaten police patrol while drunk in night club” Face” in downtown Ulaanbaatar in midnight of Dec 18, 2016.

According to local news media, P.Bataa and T.Batbileg tried to run over the policemen with their official vehicle that belonged to State Special security Authority / plate no.00-11 УНҮ/ and tore uniforms and threw away cell phones of the policemen.

State special security officers are long considered “special or privileged” people that often acts above law and abuses and threatens ordinary citizens of the country.

The authority is responsible for guarding government facilities and offices and considered to be a den of corrupt and powerful officials that wear official uniforms.

Criminal case have been launched against the duo under article of the criminal law” hooliganism” and investigated by Police department of the Chingeltei district.

Unsuprisingly, the case was dropped by police authorities after the two violent officials are dismissed from their official positions by the state security authority.

 If ordinary citizens were charged under hooliganism, they usually convicted jail time according to Criminal law of Mongola.

Losing their jobs seems most severe punishment for those government officials long considered “holy cows” that can not be touched by law.

Source:www.medee.mn

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A Deadly Virus in Mongolia Threatens Cashmere and Local Food Supplies

The plague-like virus is killing thousands of animals, including sheep, Cashmere goats and the endangered saiga.

By Jen Viegas

Thousands of animals have suddenly died in western Mongolia due to a virus that is afflicting sheep, Cashmere goats and the endangered saiga, which is an Asian antelope.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) veterinarians have raced to the area in hopes of containing the epidemic, which is threatening not only these and other animals, but also the welfare of people living in the region.

The cause is believed to be a virus known as "Peste des Petits Ruminants," or PPR. People are not thought to be at risk for the viral disease that most commonly sickens goats and sheep. It can cause fever, digestive problems, pneumonia and sometimes death. The virus was first reported in 1942 at Africa's Ivory Coast, but has since spread to other countries around the globe.

"PPR is a serious disease of domestic small ruminants," WCS Mongolia country director Enkhtuvshin Shiilegdamba told Seeker. Ruminants are hoofed mammals that chew cud. "Mongolia's food security — sheep — and a significant component of its economy — Cashmere goats — are dependent on livestock."

While resulting food shortages would likely only impact locals, the luxurious cashmere wool is transported all around the world, so the epidemic could affect its supply.

Shiilegdamba and her colleagues believe that the virus was transmitted from China through goats and sheep. There is a vaccine, so it is being given to as many animals as possible now.

It is difficult to vaccinate wildlife, however, which are dying by the thousands. An estimated 2,500 saiga have recently perished, taking out a quarter of the local population of this already endangered antelope, according to WCS.

This die-off suggests that saiga antelope are highly susceptible to the disease and it is likely that over half of the population will be lost in this initial wave of disease transmission," Shiilegdamba said.

PPR is also believed to infect gazelle, ibex, endangered wild Bactrian camels, wild boars and other animals. The deaths of these animals are expected to hurt apex predators, such as wolves and snow leopards, which are endangered and on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

"All of the currently affected species are snow leopard prey, and mass mortalities may lead to depletion of snow leopard food resources and may increase the livestock and wildlife conflict, as snow leopards are likely to attack livestock if their major prey species are depleted," Shiilegdamba said.

"Herders may shoot if wildlife attacks their livestock or their herd, and may create a big conflict," continued Shiilegdamba. "All of this becomes evidence of ecosystem disturbance."

Even birds of prey are expected to be affected, since they feed on young saiga and Mongolian gazelle during calving season.

During breeding and calving seasons, Mongolian gazelle form large groups, which Shiilegdamba suspects "makes it very easy for the virus to move quickly through an entire population."

As of now, the virus continues to spread and has not been contained. The current scene is quite grim, with veterinarians in protective clothing incinerating piles of dead animals, hoping to prevent the virus' spread.

Close-up of a saiga. Credit: WCS Mongolia

Burning saiga carcasses. Credit: WCS Mongolia



Source:Source:http://www.seeker.com/a-deadly-virus-in-mongolia-threatens-cashmere-and-local-food-supplies-2245495098.html

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How to shut down black markets in veliciraptor country or Mongolia

Bolortsetseg Minjin has a bold plan for Mongolia, a country with terrible infrastructure and lots of bones

Bolortsetseg Minjin grew up on top of dinosaur bones. That’s not unusual in Mongolia. What was unusual in Mongolia. What was unusual about her childhood is that she saw them and learned the difference between a tarbosaur and a protoceratops early. Her father, a prominent paleontologist trained in Russia, worked in the Gobi desert, looking for the sorts of fossils that made diggers like the American Museum of Natural History’s Roy Chapman Andrews famous in the 1920s.

For more:

https://www.inverse.com/article/26944-bolortsetseg-minjin-mongolia-dinosaur-museum-paleontology-tarbosaur-gobi-desert

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Aspire Mining reveals Erdenet to Ovoot Rail concession extended

Aspire is the largest coal tenement holder in Mongolia’s Northern provinces.

Aspire is the 100% owner of the world class Ovoot Coking Coal Project

Aspire Mining (ASX:AKM) has outlined that it has received confirmation from Mongolia’s National Development Agency that it has approved an 18 month extension to the time required to complete the conditions precedent for the Erdenet to Ovoot Rail Concession Agreement.

These activities include completion of feasibility studies, environmental studies and permits, land use agreements, commercial agreements including the EPC Contract and its funding.

Northern Railways, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aspire, now has until August 2018 to complete all the conditions precedent for the Erdenet to Ovoot Railway.

The Mongolian Cabinet also approved a submission from Northern Railways to alter the alignment as it approached Erdenet to avoid a potential overlap with other infrastructure.

This opened the way for approval for the extension in accordance with the Rail Concession Agreement.

Engineering work performed as part of the submission shows that the alternative alignment does not add to the capital or operating costs of the Erdenet to Ovoot Railway.

Background

Aspire is the largest coal tenement holder in Mongolia’s Northern provinces and is focused on identifying, exploring and developing quality coking coal assets.

Aspire is the 100% owner of the world class Ovoot Coking Coal Project, which is the second largest coking coal project by reserves in Mongolia.

Source:Proactive Investors

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China can be Mongolia's friend in need with bond problem

Principles must be respected in bilateral relationship: experts

As concerns mount about whether Mongolia can repay a $580 million bond due in March, experts said that the country can tap into its economic cooperation with China, its biggest trading partner, to help with its financial impasse and reverse its slow growth.

Mongolian citizens are scratching up cash and donating money, jewelry and even horses to the government to help it keep going for long enough to get an international bailout, according to an article posted by the Foreign Policy magazine on February 3.

A prominent Mongolian economist and members of parliament have been leading the donation drive, media reports said.

The bond in question was issued by the Development Bank of Mongolia in March 2012, with a tenor of five years and a coupon of 5.75 percent. The bond will mature on March 21.

Foreign Policy said that the Mongolian government is negotiating a bailout with China and the IMF amid a severe economic crisis in the country, which has dragged down GDP from double-digit growth a few years ago to contraction.

However, despite concerns raised in the media, the Mongolian government said it will stay current on its debt obligations.

The Ministry of Finance of Mongolia assured investors that the government will stay current on all its debt obligations and that the liquidity position of the Mongolian government is strong enough to fully repay the $580 million notes coming due on March 21, read a statement on the website of the Development Bank of Mongolia on January 20.

The Mongolian government has no intention of embarking on any avenue that would be considered unfriendly by the international capital markets and talks with the IMF are continuing in a positive manner, and they are expected to be concluded soon, the statement said.

Experts said China, Mongolia's largest trading partner, can play a positive role in helping the crisis-stricken country.

As of the end of September 2016, Mongolia's overall debt stood at $23.78 billion, up 10 percent from a year earlier and exceeding 210 percent of its GDP, according to a statement posted on January 25 on the website of the economic and commercial counselor's office of the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia.

The statement cited data from Mongolia's statistical authority and the central bank in the country.

A slump in commodity prices, coupled with natural disasters in 2016, caused Mongolia's GDP in 2016 to contract 1.6 percent.

Sun Huijun, an expert on relationships among China, Russia and Central Asian countries, told the Global Times Sunday that as China's neighbor is experiencing hardships, China can prove to be "a friend in need."

"China can help Mongolia secure low-interest loans from multilateral institutions, or arrange loans after inter-governmental negotiations," Sun said.

Mongolia's trade in 2016 totaled $8.27 billion, down 2.3 percent year-on-year, the same statement showed. Trade with China, which accounted for 60 percent of its total trade, declined 6.4 percent to $4.96 billion. Mongolian exports to China were down 0.2 percent year-on-year to $3.9 billion and imports sank 23.7 percent to $1.06 billion.

Li Xing, director of the Eurasian Studies Center with the Beijing Normal University, said that China has the capacity to lift Mongolia out of the current crisis and improve its economy, but there is a condition.

"Under China's proposed 'One Belt and One Road' (B&R) initiative, there is an economic corridor starting from China, running through Mongolia and onward to Russia. This is a plan drawn up by the Chinese government, and much can be done under the framework," Li said.

Formally called the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the B&R initiative was proposed in 2013.

The B&R initiative has many plans involving infrastructure and connectivity, and it can bring lots of money to Mongolia, Li told the Global Times Sunday.

Sun said prosperous neighbors and partners also suit China's ambitions to push its B&R initiative, against the backdrop of likely uncertainties in world trade brought up by the Trump administration.

"Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia are especially important to the northern route of the Silk Road initiative," noted Sun.

Li said that $580 million liquidity is within easy reach for China, "but China has its principles that are non-negotiable." Li noted that the visit by the Dalai Lama to Mongolia last year hurt bilateral relations.

The Mongolian foreign minister has said that the Dalai Lama would not be invited to Mongolia again, according to media reports in December 2016.

Source:http://www.ecns.cn/business/2017/02-06/244169.shtml

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