Thursday, January 26, 2017. № 2028 (3041)

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PLANNED FOR JUNE 26

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Stand­ing Committee on State Structure backed a parliamentary resolution on designat­ing the date for the upcoming Presidential Election. The resolution suggests that vot­ers in Mongolia will cast their ballots in the Presidential election on June 26, 2017. The parliament passed the resolution on the designed election date on Thurs­day’s plenary meeting. Mongolian nationals living outside the country will register their votes on June 10 and 11.

In an interview with MONTSAME, Chair­man of the General Election Committee Ch.Sodnomtseren noted that the date of balloting is being announced in accor­dance with the Law on Elections as it pro­vides that the election date must be settled at least 150 days prior to the election. The law also provides that elections should be held in the last week of June.

Pursuant to the Constitution of Mon­golia, a presidential candidate must be a citizen of Mongolia, aged 45 years or more, must have lived in Mongolia for the five years to the candidature, and be a member of a political party that has at least one seat in parliament.

Current president TsakhiagiinElbegdorj was elected to office in 2009 as the fourth president of Mongolia and symbol of the nation’s unity and was re-elected in 2013.

B.Amarsaikhan

LAW ON ARBITRATION REVISED

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The State Great Khural (Parliament) passed the new version of the Law on Arbitration on Thurs­day’s plenary meeting. The Law on Arbitar­tion was first adopted in 2003.

According to the cabinet’s presentation of the draft new wording, the former law had not met the standards set out by the United Nations Commission on the Interna­tional Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Minister of Justice and Domectic Affairs S.Byambatsogt noted that sophisticating the legal provisions for arbitrary relations will help protect and promote national com­panies and individuals, by facilitating them with adequate arbitrary services and law­yers.

B.Amarsaikhan

REVISED LAW ON THE ELDERLY APPROVED

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Draft new-wording of the law on the elderly was submitted to the parliament on November 11, 2016. After the affiliated standing com­mittee had revised certain provisions, the finalized version was approved by the par­liament session on January 26 at its final reading.

During the introduction of the parliament session on the revised law, PMs S.Erdene, Kh.Bolorchuluun, O.Baasankhuu, S.Chinzorig and D.Lundeejantsan asked questions and stated their positions. From the 57 members, 47 (83.9%) approved dur­ing the vote, also 78.6% voted to repeal the law on social welfaire for the elderly, which was approved in 2005.

The revision secluded one-time free re­sort voucher, instead, set out to add more doctors in every health care clinics. Mini­mum age for endowment grant on national holidays is now set at 65 from 70.

B.Tugsbilig

DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL TO SERVE FOR FOUR YEARS

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Today, Par­liamentary plenary session passed amend­ed law on Diplomatic service. To improve unity of state foreign policy and its activi­ties, the amended law restricts governmen­tal and local administrative organizations to open their representative office abroad or appoint representatives.

Appointment term of diplomatic mis­sion is defined to be four years. One year is added to the term of service considering international standard and as it takes time for diplomatic officials to arrange things, establish good relationship with officials of the relevant country and activate actions.

To improve social guarantee of diplo­mats, it is enacted that the Government would renew salary of diplomatic personnel abroad every three years, kindergarten fee for diplomats’ children would be covered from state budget, and working place of diplomat’s spouse would be kept.

These actions need to be taken, con­sidering that professional young diplo­mats tended to move to private sector due to uncompetitive state of salaries and so­cial welfare in government services. Some USD300 thousand will be required to fi­nance kindergarten fees, however it would not be additional expenditure to the state budget, explained Minister of Foreign Af­fairs Ts.Munkh-Orgil. Savings from opera­tional costs of four diplomatic missions, which are to be closed in June and cuts of employees in some diplomatic missions planned to be spent for it.

B.Ooluun

STATE SECRETARY RECEIVES AMBASSADOR OF BELARUS

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/, On the oc­casion of the 25th anniversary of estab­lishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Republic of Belarus, D.Davaasuren, State Secretary of Minis­try of Foreign Affairs met with Stanislav Chepurnoi, Ambassador of Belarus to Mon­golia on January 25.

At the meeting, the dignitaries ex­changed celebration letters of the Presi­dents, Speakers, Prime Ministers and Min­isters for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and Belarus, in accordance with the anniver­sary.

The sides exchanged views on issues of intensifying relations and cooperation between Mongolia and Belarus in the fu­ture, strengthening legal foundation and organizing high level visits from Belarus to Mongolia.

In particular, Belarusian side will hold a regular meeting of the Belarusian-Mon­golian Joint Commission on trade and economic cooperation and a consultative meeting between Ministries of Foreign Af­fairs in Minsk city, Belarus.

B.Oyundelger

LONGEVITY GRANT TO BE ISSUED THIS FEBRUARY

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ During its regular meeting on January 25, the Cabinet discussed and approved the procedure for issuance of Longevity grant for elders. N.Nomtoibayar, Minister for Labor and Social Protection was assigned to see to the issuance of the grant starting this Feb­ruary.

Law of Mongolia on Elders’ Social Pro­tection reflects that elders will receive a Longevity grant twice a year on national holidays Tsagaan sar and Naadam. In com­pliance with this, elders of age 65-69 will be given MNT 50 thousand, 70-79 MNT 80 thousand, 80-89 MNT 150 thousand and el­ders above 90 will receive MNT 250 thou­sand.

Following document submission and related process, elders meeting the age re­quirement or their confidential legal person will receive the benefit through a commer­cial bank which established an agreement with the corresponding government organi­zation in charge of social welfare. The law also states that the benefit will be issued to a legal person of elders living abroad after accreditation by a diplomatic mission in the country.

The commercial banks will initiate a bank account for longevity grant for free. The Longevity grant procedure also autho­rizes that the banks won’t charge elders transaction fee of any kind. More impor­tantly, the benefit won’t be deducted in re­payment of pension loan or any loan and loan interest.

The Longevity grant will be issued to some 122 thousand elders on national level in 2017. Age-wise, there are 43,089 elders aged between 65 and 69, 57,624 elders of age 70-79, 18,700 elders of age 80-89 and 2,492 elders aged above 90.

Kh.Aminaa

GOVERNMENT TO RESUME TALKS ON GATSUURT DEPOSIT

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ During its regular meeting on January 25, the Cabinet resolved to establish working groups de­signed to hold talks with Centerra Gold Inc, which holds a mining license in Gatsuurt gold deposit regarding the establishment of investment and exploitation agreements on the strategic deposit.

Representatives of the Ministry of Min­ing and Heavy Industry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports and Ministry of Environment and Tourism are included in the working group on exploitation agreement whereas those of the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Indus­try, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Educa­tion, Culture, Science and Sports, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Development Agency are included in the working group on investment agreement.

The Gatsuurt gold deposit was defined a deposit of strategic importance by Par­liament resolution issued on January 23, 2015. Moreover, Parliament resolution of February 4, 2016 fixed the Government ownership percentage of the deposit at 34 percent. Though a working group estab­lished by an ordinance of Prime Minister had been engaging in talks on exploitation and investment agreements in accordance with the above mentioned resolutions, the talks were at a halt. And now, the agreement talks are set to resume.

Kh.Aminaa

REGULATIONS FOR MILITARY PROFESSIONS FOR “STUDENT-SOLDIER” APPROVED

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Admissions for military service and military professions for male students of university, college, high school and vocational training center or institute of technology will be regulated by the regulation on military profession of Student-Soldier, approved by the Cabinet on January 25.

“Student-soldier” volunteer training is available for freshmen students of accred­ited universities or high schools. The par­ticipating students must be registered to the military staff office of relevant districts or province by March 10 each year.

Minimum GPA for the participants must be 2.8 or higher while physical develop­ment and health will be the main criteria. The applicant must prepare identification card, student card, health insurance, ap­proval of school/university, identification, student performance table and his request for training.

B.Tugsbilig

EXCISE TAX ON PETROL AND DIESEL FUEL REDUCED

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ During its regular meeting on January 25, the Cabinet refixed the rate of excise tax imposed on petrol and diesel fuel in order to subdue the increasing price of petrol and diesel fuel in connection with a rise of oil price on global market, and maintain it.

The Cabinet resolution reduces excise tax on petrol from MNT 160 thousand to MNT 50 thousand /MNT 30 thousand for above 90 octane petrol/ and diesel fuel from MNT 180 thousand to MNT 70 thousand. Al­though state budget revenue will decrease by MNT 110 billion as a result, correspond­ing Ministry and organization see that such decision can subdue the rise of petrol and diesel fuel prices.

Ts.Dashdorj, Minister for Mining and Heavy Industry and B.Lkhagva, Director of Authority for Fair Competition and Con­sumer Protection were assigned to see to the implementation of the resolution.

Previously, the Cabinet twice reduced the excise tax on petrol and diesel fuel.

Kh.Aminaa

CABINET APPROVES 2017 DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ At its regular meeting on January 25, the Cabinet ap­proved an action scheme to realize ‘The 2017 directions for the economic and social development of Mongolia’. General budget administrators were ordered to allocate and spend the required money efficiently, and work attentively towards mustering non-budgetary sources.

In accordance with the scheme, a total of 342 measures - 31 in macro-economic sphere, 118 in frames of sectorial policies to facilitate economic growth, 64 in frames of policy on regional and rural development and environment, 65 in frames of social pol­icy on human development and 64 in gover­nance, legal renovation, foreign policy and defense will be taken.

This year, the Government will focus on activating major mining and infrastruc­ture projects, ensuring economic growth, reducing unemployment, maintaining infla­tion at a low and stable level, lowering bud­get deficit than last year’s and enforcing progress in every sector.

With realization of the scheme, it’s es­timated that economic growth will reach 3 percent, inflation 6.5 percent, percentage of budget deficit in GDP 9.1 percent and unem­ployment rate no more than 9 percent. MNT 5.4 trillion is required to realize the scheme; and the financing sources are state budget - MNT 353.9 billion, private sector invest­ment 4.1 trillion and foreign sources - MNT 825 billion and others - MNT 104 billion.

Kh.Aminaa

LOAN FROM POLAND TO BE COUNSELED WITH PARLIAMENT

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ During the yesterday’s cabinet meeting, the Govern­ment discussed general intergovernmen­tal agreement draft between Mongolia and Poland on conditional loan and decided to counsel it with the relevant Parliamentary Standing Committees.

The EUR 50 million loan has 28 year term with annual interest of 0.15 per cent and basic repayment exemption is for 5 years. The loan is planned to be spent on sectors of agriculture, infrastructure, edu­cation and environment protection.

B.Ooluun

CABINET MEETING IN BRIEF

- A national forum under the theme ‘Rights, employment and social protection guarantee of elders’ will be organized on February 10 in Ulaanbaatar, under the aus­pices of the Prime Minister of Mongolia.

- Undue loss for unpaid tax in legally scheduled time, excess amount of paid tax due to miscalculation by tax inspectors or tax offices to tax payers, is defined to be 0.054 per cent a day.

- 100th birth anniversary of a renowned representative of Mongolian literature and prominent social figure Lodoidamba Chadraabal will be celebrated in 2017 and a composition of a commission to organize the celebration was approved.

- A list of peacekeeping operations and international trainings and joint military ex­ercises to be attended by Mongolian Armed Forces and military teams was approved. Currently 1187 military officers are partici­pating in peacekeeping operations in six countries.

B.Ooluun

ENERGY MINISTER ATTENDS FIRST SESSION OF ESCAP COMMITTEE ON ENERGY

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Mongolian delegation headed by Energy Minister P.Gankhuu attended the first session of the Committee on Energy of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), ran on January 17- 19 in Bangkok.

The session discussed pressing energy issues in Asia and the Pacific, particularly equal distribution of energy resource in the region for sustainable development, creat­ing cross border energy network to reduce coal consumption and increasing utiliza­tion of renewable energy and developing partnership in sub-regions, following the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

On January 17, during a panel on “Op­portunities and challenges of Energy sys­tems transformation in Asia and the Pa­cific” Minister P.Gankhuu introduced the Government position on boosting energy connections in North East Asia, regional economic cooperation and integration as well as its priorities.

The same day, Minister P.Gankhuu met with Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations and Execu­tive Secretary of ESCAP and exchanged views on issues regarding cooperation be­tween Mongolia and ESCAP.

B.Ooluun

IMPORTANCE OF BIOSAFETY TOUCHED ON

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The National Committee on Biosafety of Mongolia and the European Union CBRN CoE initiative are planning to implement project, entitled ‘Strengthening the National Legal Frame­work and Provision of Specialized Training on Bio-Safety and Bio-Security in Central Asian Countries P53’.

The first meeting of the project P53 is taking place in Ulaanbaatar on January 26- 27. The meeting is being attended by over 50 representatives from 24 organizations, such as CBRN CoE initiative, international organizations, Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia, the National Commit­tee on Biosafety of Mongolia and other or­ganizations engaged in biosafety.

The participants are reviewing the needs and demand for reducing dangers and current situation of chemical, biologi­cal, radioactive and nuclear risks and iden­tifying works to be implemented within the project. The National Committee on Biosafety of Mongolia serves under the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. It is needed to reduce and prevent from poten­tial biological dangers, ensure readiness and improve the national legal environment for solving management after disaster and empowering human resources and organi­zations and toughen its control, the partici­pants underlined.

In his opening speech at the project meeting, Ts.Batbayar, Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism said “Formulat­ing a policy on the reduction of chemical and biological risks are growing concerns of world countries. The Ministry of Environ­ment and Tourism and the National Com­mittee on Biosafety of Mongolia are work­ing to ensure participation of all sides on the successful implementation of the proj­ect successful in Mongolia.

B.Oyundelger

“KUWAIT DISTRICT” PROJECT TO ASSIST FLOOD VICTIMS IN BAYAN-ULGII

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Govern­ment of Kuwait will provide USD 274,835 non-refundable aid to Bayan-Ulgii province to build a district for 35 households. “Ku­wait District” project was signed on Janu­ary 26 by the head of Mongolian Red Cross Society, MP N.Enkhbold and the Ambassa­dor of Kuwait, Khalid Yateem Al-Fadhli.

On July 10 of last year, Ulgii sum of Bayan-Ulgii aimag was hit by a flood and a total of 361 families fell victim to the disas­ter. Some 105 houses got collapsed and 70 houses were in risk of collapsing. Accord­ingly, on November 7, 2016, the Govern­ment of Kuwait approved an order to pro­vide non-refundable aid.

“Kuwait District” will be established eight kilometers from the Ulgii soum of Bayan-Ulgii. The construction work will continue from January 26 till August 15. MP N.Enhbold said the district will hold 35 houses of 5x9 meters, a Muslim mosque for 100 people, 10 light poles, sidewalks and 2 wells for drinking water.

Also in October of 2016, AWQAF pub­lic foundation of Kuwait donated USD 60 thousand to built power line network and groundwater well in displaced area. Earlier this week, the Embassy of Kuwait provided USD 64.7 thousand of aid package to 205 flood victims. The embassy is planning to provide the next package soon.

B.Tugsbilig

HERDERS TO RECEIVE AS­SISTANCE FROM USAID AND RED CROSS

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ On January 26, Mongolian Red Cross Society informed that herder families facing harsh winter disaster or dzud in 13 aimags will receive CHF 160 thousand from the found of re­lief assistance during emergencies of the International Committee of the Red Cross and USD 100 thousand from United States Agency for International Development.

This assistance will be delivered in two stages. Firstly, 1740 herder families of Uvs, Khovd, Zavkhan, Khuvsgul and Selenge provinces, where severe winter is being experienced will receive USD 100 each through “Khan Bank”. The World Animal Protection International will render first-aid kits and veterinary treatment packages.

The second assistance of USD 100 will be delivered after the Mongolian traditional Lunar New Year for another 1740 herder families of Tuv, Uvurkhangai, Darkhan-Uul, Orkhon, Khentii, and Dornod provinces. Moreover, children of herder families are going to be involved in mental health train­ing.

B.Oyundelger

SANITIZING TRANSITING VEHICLES IN NALAIKH

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Contagious animal disease “pox” was reported in Na­laikh district by the analysis of State Cen­tral Veterinary Laboratory (SCVL). With the A/26 ordinance of the governor of Nalaikh district, the epicenter of the disease area was quarantined on January 24.

The report came in on January 23, stat­ing two herders of a household was infect­ed in 5th khoroo of Nalaikh district, known as “Darkhanii noyn khudag”. Veterinarians of “Bukh-Mo” animal hospital, N.Altantuya, R.Ulziibayar and A.Munguntsetseg made in­spection on 399 sheep and detected “pox” disease on 51 sheep, quarantining the area. On this allegation, Ts.Gantumur, veterinar­ian at SCVL had taken samples of 15 sheep to test in laboratory, soon after clarified as “pox”.

Currently the residents of 5th khoroo, along with the military units are detained in the area. The emergency commission of Nalaikh district called an emergency con­ference and took immediate actions. As of January 23, 24 and 25, a total of 1762 sheep were inspected and 173 have shown signs of pox.

The military unit located in the epicenter of the animal disease is patrolling the area within 3 posts in the area. Currently, sanita­tion is in progress within the area. The vac­cination will be conducted soon.

B.Tugsbilig

KHUSUGTUN PERFORMS FOR MONGOLIA-BRAZIL DIPLOMATIC ANNIVERSARY

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Khusug­tun, Mongolian ballad group, has staged a full-length concert in Brasilia in frames of the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Mongolia and the Federative Republic of Brazil.

The concert was given opening remarks by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plen­potentiary of Mongolia, MsCh.Sosormaa, the President of Parliament of the Brasilia Federative District, MrJ.Valle and the direc­tor of the East Asia Department of the Min­ister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Ms Maria Isabel Vieira. The dignitaries pledged their efforts to broaden the bilateral ties in all ar­eas.

In the audience were, over 500 del­egates, including the heads of diplomatic missions and political and business fig­ures.

Last week, The Khusugtun participat­ed in an international music festival, took place in Brazil’s ancient capital Salvador, and successfully presented the wonders of the Mongolian national folk art.

The Mongolian ballad group is the first runner-up of the Asia’s Got Talent 2015.

B.Amarsaikhan

AUTOMOBILE IMPORT INCREASES, WHILE TRUCK IMPORT DROPS

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Automobile imports increased by 1.7 percent in 2016 compared to that of previous year. A total of 37 thousand and 738 automobiles were imported to Mongolia last year.

In terms of value, the import totaled USD 219.7 million, which represents 4.6 percent increase against 2015. USD 185.1 million or 84.2 percent of the total imported cars came from Japan, while German cars make up 7.0 percent and S.Korean cars – 3.6 percent.

In 2016, Mongolia imported automobiles from 24 countries.

On the other hand, the import of trucks decreased by 12.2 percent, going down to 6,835 trucks. The value of truck import fell by 7.5 percent to USD 46.4 million.

The majority of imported trucks are sup­plied from China and South Korea.

B.Amarsaikhan

MONGOLIAN CLINIC PERFORMS 228 OPEN HEART SURGERIES A YEAR

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The State Central Third Clinic is the only hospital on national level that provides complete medi­cal services in connection with cardiac operations. The number of open heart sur­gery with artificial circulation per year hit 228, the largest number ever in Mongolia, in 2016.

In the past five years, a total of 137,301 patients received specialized medical ser­vices from the Clinic, including cardiac di­agnosis, treatment and surgeries. Among them, 6,643 patients received in-patient treatment and 3,887 received heart opera­tions. In the same period, 571 surgeries were carried out to operate on children’s congenital and acquired heart defects.

A goal was set by the clinic, in the margin of the MOH005 Project on Cardio­vascular Center, Health of Mothers and In­fants and Expaction of Online Healthcare, to achieve a performance level, where the clinic would be able to perform one heart surgery per day and 250 per year. The proj­ect is assisted by the Government of Lux­embourg.

Achieving such a large number of suc­cessful heart operations was especially thanks to the efforts and collaboration of the National Institute of Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology of Luxem­bourg, the Heart Foundation of the Repub­lic of Korea, Yonsei Severance Hospital and the team of thoracic surgery professors of the Seoul National University.

The surgical team of the state clinic has been working with the abovementioned in­stitutes on 5-6 trainings of heart operation each year, and has collectively been ensur­ing that 20-30 children in need received expensive heart operations for free every year.

Out of all 228 open heart surgeries, 158 were performed on adults, 70—on infants and children. Thirteen of the open heart surgeries with blood transfusions on chil­dren were for the treatment of chronic car­diovascular conditions. The 75 percent of costs of the operations were covered by the Government of Mongolia, pursuant to the revised Health Insurance Law, and the rest were funded by Rafael International NGO of the Republic of Korea.

B.Amarsaikhan