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BUSINESS COUNCIL of MONGOLIA
NewsWire
www.bcmongolia.org
info@bcmongolia.org
Issue 221 – May 11, 2012
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:
Business:
 SouthGobi shares dive on fears of Chalco deal derailment;
 Corruption investigation sinks Ivanhoe’s stock price;
 Draig reports thickest coal intercepts yet at Teeg;
 Xanadu Mines makes headway in Oyut Ulaan acquisition;
 Prophecy Coal targets 2012 sales of 300,000 tons;
 Altan Rio to begin exploration this month;
 Xanadu Mines appoints Ulaanbaatar-based executive director;
 Dennison: Q1 2012 report;
 Khan Resources suffers USD 1.3 million net loss in Q1 2012;
 Swedish fund FMG targets Mongolia consumer stocks;
 GoConnect offers shareholders distribution of First Mongolian shares;
 Rio defends spending on iron ore as higher costs hit Australian coal.
Economy:
 Throwing out the baby with the bathwater;
 Government ownership stalls domestic and foreign firms, per MNMA;
 LSE hosts resource investors preparing for Mongolia’s boom in commodities;
 Development Bank invests in overhaul of roads;
 Boosting local construction of roads, bridges and homes;
 UB government partners with German municipality for health;
 Mongolia 13th on Digital Investment Attractiveness Index;
 Mongolia looks to wipe out food-and-mouth disease from western region;
 Mining truck to tire ratio to stabilize by 2015, says Caterpillar CEO;
 With iron ore in short supply, China looks to Mongolia;
 China's mines still deadly;
 China surplus jumps on weak imports.
Politics
 Parliament shows signs of settling on a Foreign Investment law;
 Negative sentiment surrounds foreign investment bill;
 MPs dilute proposed Foreign Investment draft law;
 Mongolia seeks control over investment from foreign state-owned firms;
 Enkhbayar hospitalized on hunger strike;
 Spring session likely to be extended;
 Parties submit election programs;
 Parties begin candidate selection process;
 Voters to grapple with new ballot system;
 Election campaigns open in UB;
 Mongolia's democracy reputation hinges on 2012 elections;
 Government alters railway contracts;
 Parliament rules against sacking minister of justice;
 New head of Mineral Resources Agency appointed;
 President greets Europe's new heads of state;
 Austria looks for strategic mineral resource alliance with Mongolia;
 Governors prepare for army draft;
 U.S. Defense Department official visits Mongolia;
 Senior Chinese military official visits for strong ties.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS:
 MSE Top 20 Index by Market Capitalization;
 Foreign-listed Companies with Mongolian Assets;
 Inflation;
 Central Bank policy rate;
 Currency rates.
*Click on titles above to link to articles.
SPONSORS
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BUSINESS
SOUTHGOBI SHARES DIVE ON FEARS OF CHALCO DEAL DERAILMENT
Canadian coal miner SouthGobi Resources Ltd.'s Hong Kong shares plunged on Tuesday on concerns
the Mongolian government may scupper a bid by top Chinese aluminum maker Chalco to buy a
controlling stake in it.
State-run Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. (Chalco), offered USD 929 million for Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.'s
57.7 percent stake held in SouthGobi. The offer appears to have caught the Mongolian government
by surprise, as it announced plans to suspend certain exploration licenses that SouthGobi holds.
Analysts say there has been a historic mistrust between the two countries. Helen Lau, analysts with
UOB Kay Hian, said that in a worst-case scenario, the move by Mongolia's government signals that
the deal could collapse.
The Mongolian government's intervention appears like a political move rather than a commercial
decision. This will increase the political risk for Chinese state companies looking to acquire
Mongolian assets,‖ Lau said. SouthGobi's Hong Kong shares fell as much as 13.3 percent on Tuesday
to a one-month low, before cutting their losses to be down 11 percent by midday, heading for their
biggest one-day fall in just over a year. Its Canada shares fell 12.4 percent on Monday on the
Toronto Stock Exchange.
The coal miner said if it receives an official ruling from the Mongolian government, it may need to
suspend operations until an injunction is granted. It has requested Ivanhoe Mines and Chalco discuss
the proposed deal with the Mongolian government. It also has informed Rio Tinto PLC, which has a
51 percent stake in Ivanhoe Mines.
Shares of Ivanhoe Mines fell 5.6 percent to a more than two-year closing low of CAD 12.03 on
Monday on the Toronto bourse. SouthGobi—which owns four coal projects in Mongolia, three
developed projects and a mineral exploration license—said it has no reason to believe its licenses
are not in good standing.
Proven and probable surface coal reserves at Ovoot Tolgoi are estimated to be 175.7 million tons as
of 11 December, 2011.
Source: Yahoo Finance
CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION SINKS IVANHOE‟S STOCK PRICE
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.'s shares fell sharply Tuesday after Mongolian anti-corruption authorities visited
the head office of the Canadian miner's coal operations.
SouthGobi Resources Ltd. said the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) ―formally
requested information‖ from the offices of subsidiary SouthGobi Sands LLC. Vancouver-based
Ivanhoe Mines owns 57.6 percent of SouthGobi Resources. Ivanhoe's shares were down 7 percent at
CAD 9.66 (USD 9.65) in early trading. SouthGobi Resources‘ shares fell by 13 percent in Hong Kong.
SouthGobi Resources said the decline was spurred by an attempt by the Mongolian government to
limit foreign ownership of Mongolian strategic assets to 49 percent and the visit of anti-corruption
officers to its offices.
―SouthGobi has previously been advised this is in connection with an investigation into a third-party
and has no reasons to believe SouthGobi Sands LLC is itself the subject of any investigation,‖ the
company said.
Last month the Mongolian government objected to a bid by China's state-owned Aluminum Corp. of
China Ltd. The Chinese company had agreed to buy a controlling stake in SouthGobi Resources in a
deal valued at as much as HKD 7.2 billion (USD 927 million).
Source: Wall Street Journal
DRAIG REPORTS THICKEST COAL INTERCEPTS YET AT TEEG
Latest drilling on Draig Resources‘ Teeg license has returned the thickest coal seam intercepts to
date.
The company reported apparent thickness of 86.28 meters in one hole, intercepted from a depth of
27 meters. Other thick seams intercepted include one of 66.75 meters and 30-meter-thick
intercepts in a twin angled core hole. Phase one drilling at Teeg, which is located in Uvurkhangai
Aimag, is now complete.
Samples and cores form the program are at the ALS laboratory in Ulaanbaatar for quality testing,
with further tests to be undertaken in Queensland. Planning for the Phase two drilling program is
underway, with further drilling required to connect the due diligence coal intersection achieved in
mid-2011 with the northern extent of the current strike. This work could expand the strike length of
mineralization at Teeg to more than 6.5 kilometers.
Phase two drilling will also include exploration on the neighboring Nariin Teeg license, where
geophysics have identified a number of potential coal bearing targets, and at the four Umnugobi
Aimag licenses.
Source: Proactive Investors
XANADU MINES MAKES HEADWAY IN OYUT ULAAN ACQUISITION
Australia-based metals explorer Xanadu Mines Ltd. has moved forward in its acquisition of the Oyut
Ulaan copper and gold project in the south Gobi region of Mongolian.
After its due diligence is complete and pending approval from Canada's Temujin Mining Corp., the
current owner of the licensed site, Xanadu Mines will renegotiate a final agreement for the
purchase of Oyut Ulaan. Xanadu Mines will make the purchase from Temujin Mining subsidiary
Vantage LLC.
The deal will initially grant Xanadu mines 25 percent interest in the project. Afterwards it will be
the decision of Xanadu Mine's shareholders for the purchase of the remaining 75 percent. Xanadu
plans to complete the deal by the end of the next quarter.
The deal includes the issuance of 3.95 million new shares in Xanadu Mines at AUD 4.25 a share. The
final number of shares issued will depend on Xanadu Mines' share price prior to the decision made
by shareholders on the remaining 75 percent interest in Oyut Ulaan.
An additional 15 million shares will also be issued to Temujin after JORC compliant resource data is
released if a minable area of at least 90 million tons at an average 1 percent copper is found as well
as a return of positive data from a pre-feasibility study.
The 120-square kilometer Oyut Ulaan copper-gold project is located 275 kilometers east of the Oyu
Tolgoi mine and 60 kilometers west of the planned Sainshand industrial complex and trans
Mongolian Railway. Extensive geophysical, trenching and drill data has been compiled by previous
owners, which Xanadu Mines will continue its analysis in the coming months.
Source: Xanadu Mines Ltd.
PROPHECY COAL TARGETS 2012 SALES OF 300,000 TONS
Coal miner and developer of the Chandgana power plant Prophecy Coal Corp. has announced a sales
target of 300,000 tons of coal in a recent sales update.
The company has contracts to deliver an additional 228,388 tons in 2012, the majority of which is to
be delivered to the Darkhan and Erdenet power plants. For the rest of 2012, the company expects
stabilized production cost and minimal capital expenditures at Ulaan Ovoo.
―The coal inventory levels at Mongolian power plants this past winter were down to only a few days,
which created a national emergency,‖ said John Lee, chief executive officer. ―We are committed to
delivering our quota to Mongolian power plants in 2012, while continuing to work with the
Mongolian government on the 600 megawatt Chandgana power purchase agreement to address the
long-term energy needs of this rapidly developing country and at the same time, provide a stable
return to our shareholders.‖
In the past months, Prophecy Coal has experienced a steady increase in both demand and realized
sale price for its coal. In 2012 it received commitment an interest for a substantial quantity of
Ulaan Ovoo coal from Russian buyers, however those sales are on hold until Russia opens the Zeltura
border crossing and a revised export royalty scheme from the Mongolia's General Department of
Taxation is drawn up.
Source: Prophecy Coal Corp.
ALTAN RIO TO BEGIN EXPLORATION THIS MONTH
With the global economy set to limp its way through 2012, gold prices continue to soar toward a
record high. Meanwhile Vancouver-based junior Altan Rio Minerals Ltd. forges ahead with a fast-
paced drill campaign set against the backdrop of mineral-rich Mongolia.
Mongolia is a great place for a Canadian junior like Altan Rio to go exploring. It's one of the world's
most prospective mineral regions, with most of the country having yet to be introduced to modern
exploration methods.
Altan Rio is posed to cash-in on Mongolia's offering with its two primary focus properties;
Chandman-Yol and Khavchuu. Chandman-Yol is situated about 10 kilometers west from Centerra
Gold's Boroo mine and similar makeup to that deposit.
―Our portfolio of projects and experienced management and first-rate Mongolian national team
really sets us apart from other juniors,‖ said Director of Exploration Kelly Cluer. He later added,
―Chandman-Yol isn't your typical junior company project. We really have an opportunity to discover
a large copper-gold porphyry system with huge tonnage potential.‖
As for Kavchuu, investors can expect assay results announced sometime next month. Additionally,
the company plans to begin drilling near-surface targets this month and then deeper targets later in
the season.
Source: Financial Press
XANADU MINES APPOINTS ULAANBAATAR-BASED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Australia-based explorer Xanadu Mines Ltd. has appointed Hadyn Lynch as new executive director
based in Ulaanbaatar in a bid to strengthen its existing in-country management team.
Lynch is a senior financial executive within the Australian and international mining industries and
has worked in corporate advisory and project funding roles with global and domestic investment
banks during the last two decades.
―Mr. Lynch's appointment reflects a determination by the board to grow shareholder value and
advance the company's exploration portfolio in Mongolia,‖ said Chairman Brian Thornton.‖
In January Xanadu acquired two licenses in the highly prospective South Gobi porphyry belt in
southern Mongolia—the Amgalant and Argalant copper-gold projects—which are the target of a
current exploration and drilling program. The two licenses cover about 1,000 square kilometers in
relatively underexplored territory about 100 kilometers northeast of the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine.
Source: Xanadu Mines Ltd.
DENNISON: Q1 2012 REPORT
Denison Mines Corp. today reported a net loss of USD 52 million for the three months ended in
March. The company is currently engaged in uranium exploration in ventures in Mongolia, as well as
Canada, the United States and Zambia.
The total USD 52 million dollar loss represents a loss of USD 0.14 per share compared with a net loss
of USD 7.1 million, or USD 0.02 per share, in the same period a year ago.
For exploration in Mongolia, the company spent USD 306,000 in the first quarter. The company
currently has an 85 percent interest in the Gurvan Saikhan joint venture with the Mongolian
government through Mon-Atom LLC, a state-owned uranium firm. Mongolian law entitles the
government to a holding of 34 to 51 percent interest in the project, depending on its participation
in exploration and at no cost to the government.
Both Denison Mining and Mon-Atom are cooperating to meet the requirements of the Law on Nuclear
Energy.
Source: Denison Mining Corp.
KHAN RESOURCES SUFFERS USD 1.3 MILLION NET LOSS IN Q1 2012
Khan Resources Inc. disclosed a net loss of USD 1.3 million for the first quarter of 2011.
The loss is related to the company's inactivity and legal fees for international arbitration against the
government of Mongolia and Russian uranium miner Atomredmetzoloto JSC (ARMZ) for USD 200
million and USD 300 million respectively. The firm expects arbitration hearings against the
government to be held from 14 May to 16 May.
Khan Resources is also waiting to hear a decision for its appeal after an Ontario course denied its
request for a hearing last March.
Source: Khan Resources Inc.
SWEDISH FUND FMG TARGETS MONGOLIA CONSUMER STOCKS
Swedish fund manager FMG expects strong growth in Mongolian stocks even though the former faces
the uncertainty of parliamentary elections.
Rising demand for natural resources such as coal and oil is expected to fuel the Mongolian economy
and put more money in the pockets of consumers, FMG's principal fund manager Johan Kham told
Reuters in Singapore on Monday.
―Mongolia is a leveraged play on China... Any growth over 5 to percent is still going to be good for
the steel industry,‖ said Kham.
FMG launched a fund at the end of last year to invest in companies listed on the Mongolian Stock
Exchange (MSE). The fund currently has USD 1 million and hopes to grow about USD 25 million over
the next two years, he said. His top picks among Mongolian stocks includes beverage firm APU. The
Mongolian Stock Exchange was the world's second-best performing market after Venezuela last year.
―We'd rather own the consumer [stocks] than mining. The exposure to mining will see wide price
swings. But the domestic companies are growing very fast,‖ he said.
About 60 percent of its portfolio is invested in consumer-related stocks, while the rest are mining
firms, he added.
Source: Reuters
GOCONNECT OFFERS SHAREHOLDERS DISTRIBUTION OF FIRST MONGOLIAN SHARES
GoConnect Ltd. (GCN) confirmed that it would distribute 10 percent of First Mongolian Investment
Holdings Ltd., shares to its qualified shareholder ahead of plans for an offering on the Australian
Securities Exchange (ASX).
Only GoConnect shareholders with 250,000 shares or more who meet the deadline for the closing of
the deal will qualify for the distribution. Preparation of a prospectus First Mongolian's proposed ASX
listing is under way. Sino Investment services Pty. Ltd. is the lead manager for the proposed listing.
Additionally, GoConnect shareholders who qualify for the first Mongolian shares on 8 June will also
each be offered a right to subscribe to an additional USD 2,000 of First Mongolian.
Source: GoConnect Ltd.
RIO DEFENDS SPENDING ON IRON ORE AS HIGHER COSTS HIT AUSTRALIAN COAL
Oyu Tolgoi developer Rio Tinto PLC has defended plans to continue to spend heavily on its iron ore
operations in Australia, but cautioned that the country's attraction as an investment destination has
deteriorated and operations such as coal are being hit with sharply higher costs. Australia is also a
direct competitor with Mongolia for iron and coal sales.
Cost inflation coupled with global economic uncertainty have heightened the mining company's
caution before stepping up investment and capital returns, and as a result, some growth
opportunities may not be developed, Rio Tinto's board told shareholders at an annual meeting in
Brisbane.
―We are very careful in the evaluation of our projects and acquisitions,‖ said Guy Elliot, chief
financial officer of the Anglo-Australian company. ―We assess very carefully the risks they present
to us... I don't think we'll be able to do all the things we would like to do.‖
Share prices of Rio Tinto and other miners have been particularly volatile in recent weeks as
investors fret over the Europe's economy and slowed growth in China.
Chairman Jan Du Plessis also singled out Australia—Mongolia's number one competitor of coal
imports to China—as the location where new taxes on iron ore and coal profits, as well as carbon
emissions and other economic factors, has driven up the costs for raw materials and labor. Australia
is as a result less attractive for investment.
Source: The Australian
ECONOMY
THROWING OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATHWATER
News that state-owned Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd. had proposed to purchase 57 percent of
SouthGobi Sands LLC, letters from around the country swept into the capital demanding Parliament
put a stop to this deal. Now, however, it has gone too far and introduced too restrictive legislation.
Foreign investment is a powerful tool that can help stimulate development. Investors came to
Mongolia because they saw opportunity to profit, but will leave quickly if that is no longer true.
Balancing the interests of society and big business is an art form that takes great care, and Mongolia
is like a child who has only just begun its training.
Restrictions in the mining sector over foreign investment are necessary because it is all Mongolia
has to offer the international market. State-owned companies are neither efficient nor conducive
to fair competition, with their far vaster reserve of resources than private enterprises. Allowing a
foreign state-owned firm to get involved in Mongolia's coal industry will likely lead down the
same path as its oil industry, which is today controlled all the way down the line of the value chain
by foreign interests.
Rather than putting the proper regulations in place that are in the best interests of the nation,
Parliament has instead rushed to develop its law on the ‗Regulation of Foreign Investment in
Business Entities Operating in Sectors of Strategic Importance‘. Similarly, it only took Parliament a
weekend to pass the ‗Windfall Profits Tax‘, which resulted in gold miners packing up and leaving to
allow so-called enterprising ―ninja‖ miners to pick up where they left off.
Members propose restricting foreign investment to 49 percent or less in sectors of strategic
importance, such as minerals, banking and finance. Mongolia does not have the kind of leverage
needed to convince investors to put up with this sort of restriction. For that, it would need greater
competitiveness and more assets. Mongolia is not likely see either in the near future without
foreign investment as well.
A well developed law would provide greater clarity as to who will have the right to approve foreign
investments, who must monitor them, and how a deal can be approved. Australia, for example, has
its foreign investment review board (FIRB), which is responsible deciding on cases such as the
SouthGobi-Chalco deal. Australian law also clearly states its limitations on foreign ownership.
If Parliament allows this law to pass with even one sentence that somehow restricts ownership by
foreign state-owned firms, it would do Mongolia a great service. If policy makers fail, however, it is
up to the people to make sure they cannot make this sort of mistake again in the election booths.
________________________________
Jargalsaikhan “defacto” Dambadarjaa is an economist with specialization in banking and the stock
market.
Source: UB Post
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP STALLS DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN FIRMS, PER MNMA
Truly strategic and important business should be ones related solely to national interests, said
Executive Director of the Mongolian National Mining Association.
N. Algaa warned that it is not the country's advantage to allow the government to take control
whenever a business grows too large. He gave the example of raw materials that can substitute for
imports and the breakup of monopolies as times when government can intervene appropriately, but
warned that unchecked power is not in anyone's best interests.
―The present definition of strategically important deposits is too broad and subjective,‖ he said. ―It
means the government can own a big share of a business whenever it wants. The present draft law
is good for neither domestic nor foreign business.‖
He added that government should concentrate on regulating business and tax collection rather than
intervening in their operations.
Source: Udriin Sonin
LSE HOSTS RESOURCE INVESTORS PREPARING FOR MONGOLIA‟S BOOM IN COMMODITIES
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) last week played host to international resource investors
clamoring to grab a chunk of the commodity-fueled economic boom that is sweeping Mongolia.
Over the past four years, the country's mining companies have ramped up their output, and foreign
resources giants are increasingly invested in the region. But if Mongolia is to enjoy the spoils of its
natural wealth, the country's capital markets have to be reformed—starting with its fledgling
national bourse.
Founded in 1991, the Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE) has 366 listings. Many names are inactive and
overall trading on the exchange is thin at just two hours a day. With a capitalization of USD 2 billion
(compared with the LSE's 3.7 trillion) the market is too illiquid for chunky home-grown listings.
―Because of the lack of sophisticated infrastructure, mining companies haven't been able to gain
exposure locally,‖ said Altai Khangai, the exchange's 30-year-old chief executive.
The Mongolian government intends to change this. Last year, the Ulaanbaatar-based partnered with
the LSE to overhaul the Mongolian market. As part of the deal, the MSE will implement the LSE's
technology platform MillenniumIT.
Parliament is reviewing a draft Securities Law which, among other things, incorporates elements of
the United Kingdom's Financial Services Act listing rules and increases transparency and disclosure
requirements. The exchange estimates that the MSE will notch up USD 45 billion in listings during
the next 10 years through the privatization of state-owned companies and other assets—and the LSE
hopes it will get a slice of the action.
Read more…
Khangai also hopes the reforms will result in several of the nearly 50 foreign-listed international
mining companies with assets and operators in Mongolia to seek a dual listing at home. Khangai
added the development of the local market is even more important for non-mining firms, since
domestic Mongolian companies that are not part of the commodities boom find it difficult to gain
international exposure.
Currently the exchange trades stocks and government bonds but it is exploring the introduction of
vanilla exchange-traded funds, which are growing popular among emerging market bourses.
Source: eFinancial News
DEVELOPMENT BANK INVESTS IN OVERHAUL OF ROADS
The Development Bank of Mongolia has committed to MNT 114 billion in investment for road work
this year.
Twenty-two companies have been selected for bids in road construction work. Some work has
already started in Ulaanbaatar's Sukhbaatar, Bayanzurkh and Chingeltei Districts. Plans consist of
constructing 144 kilometers of road work, of which 34 kilometers will be the construction of new
roads, and 107 kilometers of repairs and widening of roads.
Project coordinators have also planned for the repair of two intersections and the construction of
an underground road tunnel for pedestrians to cross, and the repair of 26,000 square meters of
road.
In total, road work will cover 60 locations by 2014.
Source: Zuunii Medee
BOOSTING LOCAL CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, BRIDGES AND HOMES
Mongolia is rolling out an extensive program of development that includes the construction of
roads, bridges, and homes as it gears up for an anticipated natural resource boom that is expected
to transform the economy and pave the way for widespread urbanization.
The government is funding many of the projects through its mining sector and state budget is also
looking to attract investment from the private sector for development that includes the building of
satellites cities to reduce population density, road networks and infrastructure for power.
While the huge volume of work spells good news for Mongolia's builders, concern has been raised
that the country's construction sector will require and extensive overhaul before local firms can
meet increased demand for infrastructure. Some observers have also suggested that efforts to tap
foreign investment need to be stopped up if Mongolia is to attract companies with the necessary
expertise.
In April Mongolia's Cabinet identified several ―urgent‖ roads and bridges to be built, in addition to
5,572 kilometers of roads and 900 kilometers of highways to connect Ulaanbaatar with the rest of
the country. The Asian Development Bank plans to play a key role in driving forwards efforts to
modernize the capital public transport system and develop the ger districts, where 60 percent of
the city's population lives.
One of the capital largest ongoing construction projects, the ―Homes for 100,000 Household‖
program, is set to enter its next phase following Prime Minister S. Batbold's confirmation that the
green light had been given for the building of a second wave of apartments.
Read more…
But while the construction sector looks set to play a vital role in Mongolia‘s development, analysts
believe the industry could be held back by challenges in key areas, such as capacity and regulatory
constraints, shortages of materials and manpower, and transportation bottlenecks.
Although the government's initiatives are expected to fuel considerable growth in construction, the
call is growing for greater efforts to be made to attract more foreign investment and expertise that
would bolster the sector's prospects in the long term.
Source: Oxford Business Group
UB GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WITH GERMAN MUNICIPALITY FOR HEALTH
The mayors of Ulaanbaatar and the German town of Eseen Reinhard Pass have agreed to cooperate
in the health sector.
The agreement established on the ―Joint Declaration on a Partnership Cooperation between
Mongolia and Germany‖ issued on 5 September 2000 permits both sides to cooperate on projects for
treatment and first-aid services.
As he was about to ink the contract, Ulaanbaatar Mayor G. Monkbayar said Mongolian and Germany
had already cooperated in renewing the city's sewage plant and relocating beavers to protect the
Tuul River's ecosystem.
The group formed out of this deal has been conducting post-hemorrhage treatment first introduced
in the United States in 2006. Representatives from Essen have received training from Germany's
First and Second Polyclinics. They consider this an opportunity to introduce proper hygiene
routines, in addition to other areas for guidance.
Source: Montsame
MONGOLIA 13TH ON DIGITAL INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS INDEX
Surprises are coming out of the 2012 Digital Investment Attractiveness Index, including Mongolia's
13th place ranking on the list marking countries for their investment draws.
The index is a ranking of 87 lower and middle-income countries by their potential markets for
digital products and services by firm Strategy Analytics.
―Some countries that have been receiving a lot international investment, like Pakistan and Nigeria,
look less attractive when factors like GDP growth, education, quality of government and access to
grid power are considered,‖ Tom Elliot, director of the emerging markets communications
strategies services (EMCS) and principal analyst of the index.
Strategy Analytics developed the attractiveness index to provide a single quantitative measure of
the relative attractiveness of developing countries as markets for digital products and services. This
tool aggregates 22 country-level measures of demographics, economics, business climate, and
information and communications technology drawn from public sources and Strategy Analytics
databases.
Source: Xinhuanet
MONGOLIA LOOKS TO WIPE OUT FOOD-AND-MOUTH DISEASE FROM WESTERN REGION
Mongolia and the World Animal Health Organization will cooperate to develop animal health
standards and amend veterinary laws in the hopes of eradicating foot-and-mouth diseases from the
western region.
Visiting OIE General Director Bernard Vallat, who met Mongolian President Ts. Elbegdorj, said
Mongolia is one of the 10 countries to which the Paris-based agency pays much attention because of
its nomadic livestock herding practices and high level of livestock per capital.
In order to gather ―health region" status, there should be amendments to Mongolia's veterinary
laws, Vallat said. Afterward the OIE could send analysts to Mongolia and prepare the necessary
documentation for declaring approval for the western region.
The OIE has also agreed to assist with Mongolia's projects to support its veterinary health sector,
while improving the health of its livestock and wildlife in general. Vallat said that the necessary
funds for the projects could be raised through organizations such as the World Bank.
Mongolia boasts of 37 million heads of livestock, including camels, sheep, goats, cattle, and horses.
But rural Mongolia is often plagued by animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.
Source: News.mn
MINING TRUCK TO TIRE RATIO TO STABILIZE BY 2015, SAYS CATERPILLAR CEO
Mining truck and tire production should be on equal footing by 2014 to 2015 onwards, as both tire
and truck manufacturers are spending big money to ensure the increased availability of both, says
Caterpillar chief executive officer Doug Oberhelman.
―We have been playing catch-up with the mining industry for a decade or more,‖ he adds.
Current lead times on securing a mining truck could be anything from 18 months upwards.
Oberhelman said customers have already placed truck orders with Caterpillar for mines opening in
2014, in an attempt to circumvent lead times. He noted that specialized mining tire supply is very
much in the same boat as a mining truck availability with only the recent recession providing
somewhat ―of a breather.‖
However, Oberhelman said the major tire manufacturers have indicated that they are investing
heavily in the production of 32-inch tires and upwards and that the supply-demand situation should
be in balance by 2015 onwards. He warned, however, that a rapid increase in mining truck demand
could upset those dynamics.
Source: Mining Weekly
WITH IRON ORE IN SHORT SUPPLY, CHINA LOOKS TO MONGOLIA
Iron-ore shortages have Chinese steel makers looking north toward Mongolia and its 11 billion tons
of iron-ore resources.
Xijang, a natural-bounty province located in western China with proven mineral resources of around
1.19 billion tons, is seeking steelmaking activities impacted by ingredient shortage due to a lack of
large mining and beatification plants. The shortage will expand with more steel projects coming on
line.
Iron ore supply shortage is indisputable, Cheng Xiang, vice general manager of Xinjiang BaYi Steel
International trade said. He added both neighboring Central Asia and Mongolia have abundant iron-
ore resources. Fourteen major iron-ore zones in Mongolia have around 11 billion tons.
Most Chinese steel mills are planning new projects in Xinjiang. According to incomplete statistics,
there is over 60 million tons of steel capacity under construction or to be constructed in Xinjiang.
Compared to the quick growth in crude steel construction in place, iron ore output can hardly see
any real improvement in the short term because of iron-ore shortage and transportation
bottlenecks.
Many steel mills in the region suggest the flow-in of state-run businesses and social capital into iron
ore mining and logistics, and opening-up of Horgos Port.
Source: Steel Home
CHINA'S MINES STILL DEADLY
China is notorious for containing some of the world‘s deadliest mines—a reputation that has been
corroborated in recent months by a series of fatal accidents. The world's largest consumer and
producer of coal is beset by illegal operations, dangerous working conditions, local corruption, and
cover ups of fatalities. While Mongolia is trying to instill the proper regulations for safety, it may be
best to learn from its southern neighbor's mistakes.
Nine coal miners died and 16 were injured in an explosion in Inner Mongolia in the latest disaster on
23 April. Twenty-one people were detained for the alleged cover up of the deaths of miners. At
least 10 workers in an illegal coal mine in northern Shanxi province died in a flood, and separately
at least another five members died in a flood in central Henan province.
Safety conditions at China's mines have advanced considerably. But they continue to be counted as
among the world's most dangerous. Official figures from last year show 1,973 fatalities, down from
2,433 in 2010 and 7,000 in 2002. Activists, however, believe the real numbers are higher still, and
cover ups are still reported.
The government has taken measures to improve safety standards, including the mandate for
underground energy shelter systems built to specification. It also worked to close down illegal
mines. Its law to fire officials who flout safety rules, however, has opened the door for elaborate
attempts to conceal abused, however.
Pressure from the public in an increasingly vocal Internet age is crucial to pushing reforms. It has
become a platform for whistleblowers. For conditions to improve, the government must intensify
efforts for law enforcement and compensation should be provided to the families of victims to
prevent underhanded payoffs.
Source: Asia Times
CHINA SURPLUS JUMPS ON WEAK IMPORTS
China's trade surplus jumped in April as imports and exports both decelerated further, renewing
fears of a harder than expected ―landing‖ for Mongolia's chief consumer of metals and energy
products. Exports grew just 4.9 percent from a year ago, compared with 8.9 percent growth in
March. Imports rose 0.3 percent year-on-year, compared with March's 5.3 percent increase.
The lackluster import growth is raising alarm bells among economists, who are calling for more
monetary easing and growth-oriented policies from Beijing. One economist recommended that
policy makers should concentrate on promoting growth.
Part of the reason for weak imports, economists say, has to do with the continued gloomy outlook
for Chinese exports. The trade data offers signs that Chinese domestic demand is weakening as
well. Imports for domestic consumption grew just 2.1 percent.
However, Tin Lu, Bank of America Merrill Lynch economist, pointed out that there were a number
of distorting factors at work in the April trade figures. Commodity prices peaked last April, for
example, so while iron ore imports fell 5.6 percent in value terms, in volume terms there was
actually a 9.1 percent increase.
―The situation is not as bad as the numbers would indicate,‖ said Lu.
Source: Financial Times
POLITICS
PARLIAMENT SHOWS SIGNS OF SETTLING ON A FOREIGN INVESTMENT LAW
The latest draft of the Foreign Investment Law received a positive reception from a joint session of
Parliament before being sent back to the Security and Foreign Policy and Economic Standing
Committees for further development. The law could be decided upon next week.
Source: BCM
NEGATIVE SENTIMENT SURROUNDS FOREIGN INVESTMENT BILL
The news on Parliament's approval of the latest draft on the bill on ‗Regulation of Foreign
Investment in Business Entities Operating in Sectors of Strategic Importance‘ has analysts worried
Mongolia is showing foreign investors the door out. Parliament has already heard an initial reading
on the draft law, signaling a speedy passage may be imminent.
MPs have voted on some 30 different points with overall support. One change was made to Clause
6.1.1, changing the figure ―one third‖ to ―fifteen percent,‖ likely referring to the stake size
threshold of a strategic company before government approval is necessary.
―It is becoming more difficult for foreign investors to do business in sectors of strategic
significance, namely minerals, banking and finance, and media and telecommunications,‖ said Dale
Choi, Frontier Securities' chief investment strategist.
Choi posited that the bill has a high likelihood of being approved in haste. It won‘t be until the bill
is passed into law that private business will know the implications of its passage, he added.
Source: Frontier Securities
MPS DILUTE PROPOSED INVESTMENT LAW
Mongolian legislators have agreed to water down a draft law to restrict foreign investment amid
fears it could hurt the mineral-rich country's economic growth. However, mining, media, and
banking projects will still be subject to stringent restrictions, though some analysts expect the draft
will be further diluted before becoming law.
MPs agreed on Tuesday to reduce the number of strategic sectors that should be 51 percent state
controlled under the draft law, according to details of a committee meeting published on the
official parliamentary website.
The draft was initiated by nationalist backbenchers in the wake of Chinese aluminum giant
Aluminum Corp. of China's (Chinalco's) efforts to take a majority stake in the Canadian firm
SouthGobi Resources Ltd. A provision saying that projects worth more than MNT 100 billion should
be subject to majority ownership has also been removed.
―If the current (initial) draft Foreign Investment Law is ratified, the BCM believes that this will
undermine Mongolia's development trajectory, which has been on a steep upward path,‖ said the
Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Critics said the definition of 16 ―strategically important‖ sectors, which included minerals, food,
agriculture, power, property, transportation and communications, was too wide. While the list will
now be cut back, the mining and banking sectors will be retained and investors will still need to be
wary, advised securities firm Frontier Securities.
Others included are those that directly or indirectly‖ affect the price of minerals or harm Mongolia's
environment and economic independence. This latter clause was designed specifically to restrict
state-owned Chinese firms like Chinalco.
The new foreign investment legislation was drafted in part by N. Batbayar, a Democratic Party
representative also responsible for drawing up a widely criticized windfall profit tax in 2007. The
tax, passed despite government opposition was eventually repealed in 2009 to pave the way for the
investment agreement on the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project, which granted 66 percent of the
project to Canada's Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. Batbayar also eventually led a movement to increase the
government's stake in that project as well.
Source: Reuters
MONGOLIA SEEKS CONTROL OVER INVESTMENT FROM FOREIGN STATE-OWNED FIRMS
Parliament is discussing a law that will control investment by foreign state-owned firms in strategic
assets said an unofficial source. This new law could potentially stop Chalco's bid to buy a controlling
stake in SouthGobi Resources Ltd.
The source said that in near time, Parliament plans to change the law to ensure that acquisitions by
foreign state-owned firms related to strategic resources, such as resource companies or mines, will
go through a government vetting process akin to that practiced in Canada and Australia.
Currently there is no shareholding limit for foreign state-owned firms looking to invest in Mongolia's
strategic firms.
Source: Business-Mongolia
ENKHBAYAR HOSPITALIZED ON HUNGER STRIKE
Jailed former Mongolian President N. Enkhbayar, who is planning to run in a parliamentary election
next month, was taken to the hospital this week after he began a hunger strike 4 May in protest
over his imprisonment.
Enkhbayar, who previously served as prime minister and then president, was taken to a hospital in
the capital Ulaanbaatar, according to his son Batshugar. The former leader's treatment may further
unsettle foreign investors who helped fuel 17.3 percent economic growth last year, said Oliver
Belfitt-Nash, head of research at Ulaanbaatar-based brokerage Monet Capital LLC. Political
infighting in recent months has hindered efforts by the government to sell off state-run coal mining
companies so it can raise cash for infrastructure projects in the country of 2.8 million people.
―The arrest is just highlighting political risk here,‖ Belfitt-Nash said in a phone interview. ―It's
adding a premium to Mongolia's risk and all the stocks are going down because of it.‖
Enkhbayar's son says the arrest is politically motivated and that the court decreed his father could
be held in detention until 27 June, a day before the elections take place.
Source: Business Week
SPRING SESSION LIKELY TO BE EXTENDED
The spring session of Parliament is likely to run past the planned date for commencement.
When Parliament began its current session, it announced it would run until 10 May. However
extensive debate regarding the Law on Elections has Parliament once again falling behind. Debate
over the dismissal of the minister of justice was also a cause for delay.
When asked about how long the spring session would run, S. Magnaisuren, secretary of the
Parliament Office, said there is currently 11 issues remaining for discussion. He added that
Parliament will have a better idea of when its current session will end on 15 May.
Source: Undesnii Shuudan
PARTIES SUBMIT ELECTION PROGRAMS
Just as election season is about to take full bloom, 11 parties and two coalitions have submitted
their actions plans for their upcoming campaigns.
According to Mongolian law, every party or coalition must send a request to participate in the
election to the General Election Committee at least 50 days prior to election day. It is up to the
committee to approve of that scheme before a party can move forward with campaign activity.
Parties are allowed three days to revise their program before resubmitting it to the Election
Committee.
Mongolian law also strictly forbids promises for employment and gifts.
Source: Zuunii Medee
PARTIES BEGIN CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS
Five of Mongolia's official political parties have registered for the 2012 parliamentary election.
Parties submitted their programs to the National Audit Office and General Election Commission for
review. Now the parties may name their candidates and attach them to the various election
districts.
The Democratic Party (DP) has selected six groups with a combined 48 candidates. The DP has not
named any female candidates for this year's election. Former advisor to the president Ts. Oyugerel
was not able to pay the MNT 50 million fee required by the party to campaign with the DP.
President Ts. Elbegdorj has proposed that his current advisor, M. Batchimeg, run but she may have
suffered from a lack of support because of her recent entrance to the party.
The DP will hold meetings on 14 and 15 May before making its final decision on 25 May who will
represent the party in the upcoming election on 28 June.
Source: Unuudur
VOTERS TO GRAPPLE WITH NEW BALLOT SYSTEM
For the first time, Mongolian voters will be casting two votes on a ballot with two sections. Some
Mongolian observers say, however, that Mongolian voters have not been educated sufficiently about
the new system.
That unfamiliarity, in addition to the shortage of voter identity cards and new election equipment
supplied by Dominion Election Systems of Canada, could produce some confusion and lead to
challenges of results. The two section ballot will first list the names and party affiliations of
candidates in the voter‘s constituency. The second part will list political parties in order of the year
each was founded. That would place the ruling Mongolian People‘s Party (MPP), organized in 1921,
at the top followed by the Democratic Party (DP)
Some observers speculate that Enkhbayar‘s Mongolian People‘s Revolutionary Party might petition
the courts to order the General Election Commission to use the year 1924 as the founding date of
the MPRP in order to improve their position on the ballot. The MPP was organized in 1921 but
changed its name by adding the word ―revolutionary‖ in 1924.
Source: NAMBC
ELECTION CAMPAIGNS OPEN IN UB
Ulaanbaatar has officially kicked off its city election campaigns.
Secretary of the Ulaanbaatar Parliament J. Batbayasgalan announced that candidates may begin
their campaign activities for the upcoming election on 28 June, the same day as state
parliamentary elections. Ulaanbaatar Parliament has 45 seats. A newly passed law mandates that 30
of those 45 seats will be filled by direct election with the remaining 15 to be decided by the party-
list system.
In total, 820,000 voters will participate in the Ulaanbaatar city elections.
Source: Udriin Sonin
MONGOLIA'S DEMOCRACY REPUTATION HINGES ON 2012 ELECTIONS
2012 could be a decisive moment for Mongolian democracy. Mongolia's successful democratization
compared to some of its post-socialist peers is the trustworthiness of the elections results has been
one strength, but this is increasingly being questioned.
This year officials hope to sidestep another occurrence of the anger that erupted on 1 July 2008
after suspicions of voter fraud led to riots that turned violent, leaving four dead and hundreds
injured.
While the rules of the election have been finally set up, there is a question mark on the
organization of election. There is uncertainty over the reliability of the electronic ballot counting
machine that will be used for the first time this election. There has also been some significant gap
in the estimation of the number of registered voters in Mongolia. In 2008, there were claims that
the MPP used its control of civil registration to put the number of voters in favor of itself. Voters
may check online to see their names on the official registration, but alleged voter fraud is said to
be common in rural provinces. The major parties have always dominated the composition of local,
and the central election committee has always dominated too.
There is a lot at stake in this year's election. The most important of which is how fair the elections
are going to be organized to support democratic legitimacy and stability.
Source: Mongolia Today
GOVERNMENT ALTERS RAILWAY CONTRACT
The Cabinet has proposed amendments to a concession contract to the Sainshand-Tavan Tolgoi-
Ukhaa Khudag Railway.
The amendments centered over the construction and eventual transfer of ownership of the railway
back to the state. The Cabinet sent its orders to ministers and agency heads responsible for the
contract for them to have it align with Mongolian law. The contracts will include clauses that
provide national investors with opportunities to cooperate, open trading of shares through the
Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE), and use of a 51 percent stake during the time of construction,
which would pass then to the state without charge when the stipulations of the contract expire.
Additionally, the Cabinet is looking to make amendments to contracts with special license holder
for the construction of the base structure to the Ukhaa Khudag-Gashuunsukhait rail line.
Source: Montsame
PARLIAMENT RULES AGAINST SACKING MINISTER OF JUSTICE
A majority of MPs have ruled against the dismissal of the minister of justice and home affairs.
In a decision 40 to 31 against, members decided that Minister Ts. Nyamdorj should not be removed
from his position. Grounds for his dismissal included his order for the arrest of former President N.
Enkhbayar. Two members of the Civil Will Green Party abstained as they have opted to remain
neutral on the matter.
Members of the Democratic Party unanimously defended their position for Nyamdorj's dismissal, but
could not swing a majority vote. Some policy makers cited the officers' gross violations to human
rights and the running of illegitimate operations during Enkhbayar's arrest for the judge's dismissal.
―I will work to clear up my reputation. I will give up my seat as minister of justice and international
affairs peacefully after the upcoming parliamentary elections,‖ said Nyamdorj.
Prime Minister Batbold weighed in to say that the legislature's investigation concluded that
Nyamdorj did not break any laws when issuing the order for Enkhbayar‘s arrest. Others questioned
the judge's ethical scruples, however.
Other grounds for Nyamdorj's dismissal are the failure to release electronic identification cards on
schedule and delays to the trials of police officers who partook in the shootings at the 1 July riots.
Source: UB Post
NEW HEAD OF MINERAL RESOURCES AGENCY APPOINTED
G. Altansukh has been appointed as head of the Mineral Resources Agency.
Altansukh is a graduate of the Institute at the State Security Committee of the former Soviet Union
and the Management Academy of Mongolia, majoring in law and state administration management.
He has a Master degree on international relations, and has been working for 26 years in the public
service for the General Authority of State Security, the Central Intelligence Agency, and Mongolia's
Embassy in Washington D.C.
Source: Montsame
PRESIDENT GREETS EUROPE'S NEW HEADS OF STATE
President Ts. Elbegdorj has sent letters of congratulations to two of Europe‘s newly elected heads
of state. The president sent salutations and words of congratulations to both newly elected
President of France Francois Hollande and his Hungarian counterpart Janos Ader.
―On behalf of the Mongolian people, I personally and sincerely offer my congratulations to you on
being elected as the President of France and wish you great success,‖ wrote Elbegdorj to his letter
to Hollande.
In his letter, the president added his hope that the two could meet at an upcoming convening of
NATO nations in Chicago in the United States.
To the state head in Hungary, the president mentioned developing closer relations between
Mongolia and the new president‘s nation, and invited him to make an official visit to Mongolia.
Source: Montsame
AUSTRIA LOOKS FOR STRATEGIC MINERAL RESOURCE ALLIANCE WITH MONGOLIA
The Austrian Department of Trade and Industry is aiming for an ―inner-Austrian resource alliance‖
with Mongolia for access to its vast mineral resources.
The alliance is part of Austria's aim to secure a supply of natural resources. It would together
companies, stakeholders, and economic and political policy makers to enable easier access to
natural resource supplies abroad and to create greater resource efficiency at home, said a
statement. Parties involved plan to begin activities in autumn.
As part of the plan, the country's economic minister, Reinhold Mitterlehner, said it was necessary to
engage in ―resource diplomacy‖ with resource-rich countries such as Mongolia, which could provide
minerals such as molybdenum and tungsten to Austrian companies.
Mitterlehner said talks with Mongolian representatives have been underway, adding that he hoped a
bilateral partnership ―can be achieved in 2013.‖
Source: Strategy Analytics
GOVERNORS PREPARE FOR ARMY DRAFT
The first phase of this year's military draft began last week nationwide. The drafting period runs
from 4 to 13 May this year.
The governors of various municipalities of rank and size are obligated to draft young Mongolian men
between the ages of 18 to 25. Additionally, they are responsible for receiving decommissioned
soldiers and organizing farewell ceremonies.
According to Mongolia's constitution, serving in the Army and protecting his country is a basic duty
of every Mongolian male citizen. Citizens are given the choice of either serving in the army or
paying a one-time fee of MNT 3 million to MNT 4 million.
Source: Zuunii Medee
U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL VISITS MONGOLIA
Some top officials from Mongolia and the United States met last weekend in Ulaanbaatar to bolster
bilateral military ties.
At a press conference following a meeting with U.S. Acting Under Secretary of Defense James Miller
and Mongolian Defense Minister J. Enkhbayar, the military officials expressed satisfaction with
current Mongolian-U.S. Cooperation.
The officials said that both parties exchanged their views on international and regional security
issues of common concern, including the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. They said the
governments of both countries should work together to solve this conflict through peaceful means.
Miller stayed in Mongolia for a two day visit to meet with officials.
Source: Xinhuanet
SENIOR CHINESE MILITARY OFFICIAL VISITS FOR STRONG TIES
A senior Chinese military official described the China-Mongolia border as a bridge of friendship at
the start of a visit to Mongolia Wednesday night to promote ties between the two militaries.
Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou said on arrival at Chinggis Khan
International Airport that China and Mongolia were friendly neighbors that had friendly relations
between their armed services.
In recent years, the two sides had enjoyed cooperation and exchanges in all fields. The bilateral
strategic partnership established in 2011 marked a new stage of development for bilateral ties, Xu
said, adding the two countries' military ties had been growing continuously.
Xu said the purpose of his visit was to consolidate and further develop the traditional China-
Mongolia friendship and deepen friendly cooperation of the two armed forces. He said he would
exchange views with his Mongolian counterpart on common concerns and further promote mutual
understanding. Mongolia and China's military also stands to expand consensus to boost inter-military
cooperation.
Source: CRI English
NEW MONGOLIAN LAWS
The following laws and addenda to laws were published in the latest weekly Government bulletin.
Unless otherwise decided by Parliament, they will take effect ten (10) days after publication.
Date Laws
04.05.2012 Acceding to Convention against International Organized Crime, its addenda:
Protocol on prevention, stop, penalty of human, particularly women, children
traffic,
Protocol against illegal admittance of immigrants by land, sea and air,
Protocol against fire weapons, cell, parts, illegal transportation, manufacturing of
fire weapons.
Acceding to International Pact on Civil and Political Rights'; Additional Protocol II
directed to abolish death penalty.
Please visit BCM's website, Legislative Working Group, for a summary of new Mongolian laws. BCM
members who wish to access complete versions of the laws and regulations in Mongolian language
are welcome to email the BCM office: info@bcmongolia.org.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FUTURE MONGOLIA, 16-19 MAY, UB SPORTS PALACE
Mongolia first-ever world-class exhibition, Future Mongolia, will open from 16 to 19 May at Buyant
Ukhaa Sports Palace in Ulaanbaatar. Future Mongolia is an international trade fair and conference
for sustainable development.
Future Mongolia is on the best track to become the leading trade fair in Mongolia for the
international capital goods industry. Industry giants, e.g. Caterpillar, Liebherr and the mining
equipment manufacturer TAKRAF already confirmed their participation. The organizer is confident
that the envisaged number of more than 100 exhibitors will be reached. BCM is a Supporting
Organization for the trade fair. For more information visit the website.
Those interested in the event can call +49 89 244 41 9370 or email info@future-mongolia.com.
___________________________________________
2nd COALTRANS MONGOLIA IN ULAANBAATAR ON 23-24 MAY
In less than two weeks traders, coal producers, contractors, consultants, technology providers,
financiers, lawyers, representatives from power plants and steel mills are meeting to take
advantage of this unique opportunity to see and understand at first hand one of the last remaining
coal frontiers.
With more and more people registering each day – can you afford to miss out? Here is a selection of
companies who have confirmed their attendance so far:
Adamant LLC
ADEN Services Mongolia LLC
Alfred H Knight Asia Analytical LLC
Alinos Enterprises Ltd
Alpha Natural Resources
ALS Coal Asia Pacific
Anglo American
Anglo American Exploration (Australia) Pty
Aquaterra East Asia
Argus Media
Asian Development Bank
Aspire Mining Limited
Ausenco Taggart
Banpu Public Company Limited
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
BHPBilliton
Bhutan Ferro Alloys Ltd
BLC Co Ltd.
Blue Energy
BM Mongolia Partner/Hazemag
Bukkehave Corporation Ltd
Bureau Veritas
Business Council of Mongolia
Central Geological Laboratory
Changsha Kaiyuan Instruments Ltd
Clyde & Co
Clyde & Co LLP
Coaltrans Conferences Ltd
Coeclerici Coal & Fuels SpA
Cougar Energy Pty Ltd
CRU China
Eclipse Computing Australia
Ecoal China
Ekh Goviin Chuluu LLC
Energy Resources LLC
EPSA
Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC
ERINA
Euro Khan Co Ltd
Fenwei Energy Consulting
Foreign Invesment and Foreign Trade Agency
of Mongolia
Frontier Securities
Global Trade Information Services Inc
Golomt bank
Greta Industries Pte Ltd
Hancock Prospecting
Hazemag & EPR GmbH Hunnu Coal LTD
Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd
IEEC Limited, Moscow
Incolab Services Latvia
ISSM
Itochu Corporation
Khan Bank
Mesco Steel Mongolia Ltd
Mideast Integrated Steels Ltd
Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy
Mitsui & Co Ltd Repr. Office in UB
Monadelphous
Mongolia Stock Exchange
Mongolian Express Co. Ltd
Mongolian Railway State Owned Shareholding
Company
Mongolian Society of Economic Geologists
Oxford Business Group
Peabody Energy
Petrovis LLC
Prophecy Coal Corp
PT Pamapersada Nusantara Mongolia
PTT International Company Limited
Quintana Energy Partners
Railway Authority of Mongolia
Renaissance Capital
RPS Aquaterra
Salva Resources
Signum Industrial Corp.
Silk Road Management
Stewart Mongolia LLC
Suntrans Mongolia LLC
Sustainability
Taggart Global, L.L.C.
TATA South East Asia Ltd.
Techenomics International Pty Ltd
Teck Resources Limited Beijing Rep. Office
ThyssenKrupp AG Hong Kong Office
Transwest Mongolia LLC
Trinity Development LLC
UBS AG
VOLVO (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
Wagner Asia Equipment LLC
XacBank
Xanadu Mines Mongolia LLC
Xstract Group
Xstrata Coal
Join them on 23 & 24 May 2012 cement your position as leading player in the Mongolian market.
BCM is supporting this event. BCM members will receive special 15% discount.
___________________________________________
ALS THREE-DAY COAL QUALITY COURSE BEGINS 28 MAY
The ALS Coal Quality Course will begin run 28 until 30 May at the Blue Sky Tower Hotel. The early
bird registration discount for a cost of USD 1250 ends 7 May.
The course is a comprehensive introduction to the broad issues of coal quality, from mining and
preparation through the end user. It is delivered in bite-size modules to assist students in
understanding how to obtain the maximum benefits from a coal product.
Students will attend the three-day comprehensive course on broad issues of coal quality, from
exploration, to mining, testing and preparation through to delivery to the end user, delivered by
expert presenters.
For more information call 343882, 99092732, or email b.sainbileg@alsglobal.com for registration
and additional information about the course.
___________________________________________
ECOPRENEUR 18-22 JUNE, ULAANBAATAR
Ecopreneur 2012 will be held 18-22 June in Ulaanbaatar.
The event is the second international ―green‖ business plan competition for young entrepreneurs
aged 18-36. Its slogan is ―planet first,‖ appealing to the desire to save our beautiful planet through
responsible eco-friendly business. The mission is to promote young entrepreneurial initiatives and
creative ideas for green economic development, more socially and environmentally responsible
companies, and creating awareness for environmental preservation.
The event is Hosted by the Ministry of Nature and Tourism, the Mongolian government, and the
Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), with the Mongolian Entrepreneur
Association leading its organization.
For more information, visit ecropreneur.mn. Those interested in attendance may call +976 7018
6353, +976 9999 0941, or +976 9990 6883; or email ecopreneur2012@gmail.com
___________________________________________
MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2012, LAS VEGAS, 24-26 SEPTEMBER
The Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) and the Mongolian National Mining Association (MNMA) with
the support of the U.S. Embassy‘s Commercial Section in Ulaanbaatar are now registering a
Mongolian business delegation to participate in ―MinExpo International 2012‖ which will be
organized at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 24-26, 2012.
MinExpo International 2012 is the world's largest and most comprehensive exposition dedicated to
mining equipment, products and services. More than 1,400 exhibitors in eleven exhibit halls will
display the latest technology, equipment, components, parts and services for exploration,
extraction, safety, environmental remediation and preparation and processing of metallic ores,
coal, industrial minerals and more!
Registration deadline is 5 p.m., 30 April. Please contact BCM at 70114442, tugi@bcmongolia.org or
MNMA at 314877, enkhbold@miningmongolia.mn for registration and additional information about
the event.
___________________________________________
REGISTER NOW FOR MONGOLIAN MINING DIRECTORY-2013
Mongolian Mining Directory-2013 which provides information database for Mining companies,
investors, suppliers, service companies, government and non government organizations will be
published for the fourth year to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Mongolian mining
industry. The MMD is distributed free of charge to international and domestic mining companies,
international conferences and exhibition, embassy offices in Mongolia and foreign countries to
investors.
BCM is a Supporting Organization of the MMD and welcomes Mongolian mining industry participants
who are interested in advertising their products and services in Mongolian Mining Directory-2013.
For more information please visit: www.mining.mn, www.mongolianminingdirectory.mn or call
+976-7011 5590.
___________________________________________
“MM TODAY” on MNB-TV, Fridays at 18:25 [TONIGHT]
BCM is pleased to announce Mongolian National Broadcasting continues its cooperation with BCM on
―MM Today‖. This English news program is aired every Friday for 10 minutes and is scheduled for
18:30 tonight! Tune in to watch this program that reports stories from today‘s BCM NewsWire.
___________________________________________
POSTINGS ON MONGOLIAN WEBSITE „PRESENTATIONS‟ AND „NEWS‟ SECTIONS
The new ‗Presentations‘ section on BCM‘s Mongolian website which can be reached via link to
bcm.mn/itgeluud. Several presentations already posted include 9 from Coal Mongolia in February
9-10, 2012.
As a key component of BCM‘s Mongolian website ‗News‘ section, articles from the Government‘s
―Open-Government.mn‖ site are regularly posted.
___________________________________________
POSTINGS ON ENGLISH WEBSITE 'PRESENTATIONS', 'MONGOLIA REPORTS' AND „MONGOLIAN
BUSINESS NEWS‟
On BCM‘s English website, ‗Resource, Presentations‘ section, for your review are 4 presentations
from BCM‘s April 23 monthly meeting; 3 speeches from ―Corporate Governance Training for
Directors‖ on April 27-28; 12 presentations on Mongolian entities at Mines and Money Hong Kong
2012 on March 21-23; 11 presentations from Coal Mongolia 2012 on February 9-10; 7 speeches from
the Mongolian Investment Summit on December 8-9, 2011 in London; several speeches at the Risk
Management Forum on November 8 co-organized by BCM and Mandal Insurance; speeches at
Discover Mongolia 2011; and speeches from all BCM‘s monthly meetings in 2011-12.
Also on BCM‘s English website, ‗Resource, Mongolia Reports‘ section, please note the Polit
Barometer, April 2012 by Sant Maral Foundation (Mongolian and English versions); ―Preliminary
estimates of staggering costs of inefficient trade regulation in Mongolia‖ by Olin McGill, consultant
to USAID BPI; ADB‘s Asian Development Outlook, April 2012; detailed results of BCM‘s NewsWire
survey of March 2012; World Bank‘s Mongolia Quarterly Economic Update, February 2012; Executive
Summary of the Mongolian Real Estate Report 2012 by M.A.D. Investment Solutions; Mongolia –
World Bank Country Survey 2011; Welcoming remarks by Jim Dwyer, BCM at Mongolia Investment
Summit 2011 Hong Kong, Mining Journal Supplement for Mongolia, October 2011; and ―Mongolia‘s
Mining Services Cluster 2010‖, Professor Michael E. Porter, Harvard University, The Microeconomics
of Competitiveness.
We are now posting some news stories and analyses relevant to Mongolia to BCM website's
‗Mongolian Business News‘ as they come, instead of waiting until each Friday to put them all
together in the weekly NewsWire. The NewsWire will, however, continue to be issued on Friday,
and will incorporate items that are already on the home page, so that it presents a consolidated
account of the week‘s events.
___________________________________________
SOCIAL NETWORK WITH BCM
The Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) has expanded its reach to your favorite social networks.
Keep up to date on the latest business deals in Mongolia and how the climate for investment is
improving each day with BCM.
Connect with BCM on LinkedIn to join the diverse group of professional contacts creating a better
business environment in Mongolia today.
Add BCM on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-BUSINESS-COUNCIL-OF-
MONGOLIA/129826330435540 to read the latest announcements and comment on events carried in
the NewsWire with the community.
Hear breaking news and announcements as they happen when you follow BCM on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/#!/bcMongolia.
Of course for news information, interviews, and announcements regarding our organization, visit
the official BCM website at www.bcmongolia.org and www.bcm.mn.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
INFLATION
Year 2006 6.0% [source: National Statistical Office of Mongolia (NSOM)]
Year 2007 *15.1% [source: NSOM]
Year 2008 *22.1% [source: NSOM]
Year 2009 *4.2% [source: NSOM]
Year 2010 *13.0% [source: NSOM]
Year 2011 *10.2% [source: NSOM]
April 30, 2012 *16.0% [source: NSOM]
*Year-over-year (y-o-y), nationwide
Note: 17.8% y-o-y, Ulaanbaatar city, April 30, 2012
CENTRAL BANK POLICY RATE
December 31, 2008 9.75% [source: IMF]
March 11, 2009 14.00% [source: IMF]
May 12, 2009 12.75% [source: IMF]
June 12, 2009 11.50% [source: IMF]
September 30, 2009 10.00% [source: IMF]
May 12, 2010 11.00% [source: IMF]
April 28, 2011 11.50% [source: IMF]
August 25, 2011 11.75% [source: IMF]
October 25, 2011 12.25% [source: IMF]
March 19, 2012 12.75% [source: Mongol Bank]
April 18, 2012 13.25% [source: Mongol Bank]
CURRENCY RATES – May 10, 2012
Currency Name Currency Rate
U.S. dollar USD 1,316.21
Euro EUR 1,705.74
Japanese yen JPY 16.50
British pound GBP 2,121.14
Hong Kong dollar HKD 169.60
Chinese yuan CNY 208.46
South Korean won KRW ` 1.15
Russian ruble RUB 43.67
Disclaimer: Except for reporting on BCM‘s activities, all information in the BCM NewsWire is
selected from various news sources. Opinions are those of the respective news sources.

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11.05.2012, NEWSWIRE, Issue 221

  • 1. BUSINESS COUNCIL of MONGOLIA NewsWire www.bcmongolia.org info@bcmongolia.org Issue 221 – May 11, 2012 NEWS HIGHLIGHTS: Business:  SouthGobi shares dive on fears of Chalco deal derailment;  Corruption investigation sinks Ivanhoe’s stock price;  Draig reports thickest coal intercepts yet at Teeg;  Xanadu Mines makes headway in Oyut Ulaan acquisition;  Prophecy Coal targets 2012 sales of 300,000 tons;  Altan Rio to begin exploration this month;  Xanadu Mines appoints Ulaanbaatar-based executive director;  Dennison: Q1 2012 report;  Khan Resources suffers USD 1.3 million net loss in Q1 2012;  Swedish fund FMG targets Mongolia consumer stocks;  GoConnect offers shareholders distribution of First Mongolian shares;  Rio defends spending on iron ore as higher costs hit Australian coal. Economy:  Throwing out the baby with the bathwater;  Government ownership stalls domestic and foreign firms, per MNMA;  LSE hosts resource investors preparing for Mongolia’s boom in commodities;  Development Bank invests in overhaul of roads;  Boosting local construction of roads, bridges and homes;  UB government partners with German municipality for health;  Mongolia 13th on Digital Investment Attractiveness Index;  Mongolia looks to wipe out food-and-mouth disease from western region;  Mining truck to tire ratio to stabilize by 2015, says Caterpillar CEO;  With iron ore in short supply, China looks to Mongolia;  China's mines still deadly;  China surplus jumps on weak imports. Politics  Parliament shows signs of settling on a Foreign Investment law;  Negative sentiment surrounds foreign investment bill;  MPs dilute proposed Foreign Investment draft law;  Mongolia seeks control over investment from foreign state-owned firms;  Enkhbayar hospitalized on hunger strike;  Spring session likely to be extended;  Parties submit election programs;  Parties begin candidate selection process;  Voters to grapple with new ballot system;  Election campaigns open in UB;  Mongolia's democracy reputation hinges on 2012 elections;  Government alters railway contracts;  Parliament rules against sacking minister of justice;  New head of Mineral Resources Agency appointed;  President greets Europe's new heads of state;
  • 2.  Austria looks for strategic mineral resource alliance with Mongolia;  Governors prepare for army draft;  U.S. Defense Department official visits Mongolia;  Senior Chinese military official visits for strong ties. ECONOMIC INDICATORS:  MSE Top 20 Index by Market Capitalization;  Foreign-listed Companies with Mongolian Assets;  Inflation;  Central Bank policy rate;  Currency rates. *Click on titles above to link to articles. SPONSORS Khan Bank Eznis Airways Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace Mongolian National Broadcasting Breakthrough PR Oxford Business Group Asia Pacific Securities BUSINESS SOUTHGOBI SHARES DIVE ON FEARS OF CHALCO DEAL DERAILMENT Canadian coal miner SouthGobi Resources Ltd.'s Hong Kong shares plunged on Tuesday on concerns the Mongolian government may scupper a bid by top Chinese aluminum maker Chalco to buy a controlling stake in it. State-run Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. (Chalco), offered USD 929 million for Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.'s 57.7 percent stake held in SouthGobi. The offer appears to have caught the Mongolian government
  • 3. by surprise, as it announced plans to suspend certain exploration licenses that SouthGobi holds. Analysts say there has been a historic mistrust between the two countries. Helen Lau, analysts with UOB Kay Hian, said that in a worst-case scenario, the move by Mongolia's government signals that the deal could collapse. The Mongolian government's intervention appears like a political move rather than a commercial decision. This will increase the political risk for Chinese state companies looking to acquire Mongolian assets,‖ Lau said. SouthGobi's Hong Kong shares fell as much as 13.3 percent on Tuesday to a one-month low, before cutting their losses to be down 11 percent by midday, heading for their biggest one-day fall in just over a year. Its Canada shares fell 12.4 percent on Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The coal miner said if it receives an official ruling from the Mongolian government, it may need to suspend operations until an injunction is granted. It has requested Ivanhoe Mines and Chalco discuss the proposed deal with the Mongolian government. It also has informed Rio Tinto PLC, which has a 51 percent stake in Ivanhoe Mines. Shares of Ivanhoe Mines fell 5.6 percent to a more than two-year closing low of CAD 12.03 on Monday on the Toronto bourse. SouthGobi—which owns four coal projects in Mongolia, three developed projects and a mineral exploration license—said it has no reason to believe its licenses are not in good standing. Proven and probable surface coal reserves at Ovoot Tolgoi are estimated to be 175.7 million tons as of 11 December, 2011. Source: Yahoo Finance CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION SINKS IVANHOE‟S STOCK PRICE Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.'s shares fell sharply Tuesday after Mongolian anti-corruption authorities visited the head office of the Canadian miner's coal operations. SouthGobi Resources Ltd. said the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) ―formally requested information‖ from the offices of subsidiary SouthGobi Sands LLC. Vancouver-based Ivanhoe Mines owns 57.6 percent of SouthGobi Resources. Ivanhoe's shares were down 7 percent at CAD 9.66 (USD 9.65) in early trading. SouthGobi Resources‘ shares fell by 13 percent in Hong Kong. SouthGobi Resources said the decline was spurred by an attempt by the Mongolian government to limit foreign ownership of Mongolian strategic assets to 49 percent and the visit of anti-corruption officers to its offices. ―SouthGobi has previously been advised this is in connection with an investigation into a third-party and has no reasons to believe SouthGobi Sands LLC is itself the subject of any investigation,‖ the company said. Last month the Mongolian government objected to a bid by China's state-owned Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. The Chinese company had agreed to buy a controlling stake in SouthGobi Resources in a deal valued at as much as HKD 7.2 billion (USD 927 million). Source: Wall Street Journal DRAIG REPORTS THICKEST COAL INTERCEPTS YET AT TEEG Latest drilling on Draig Resources‘ Teeg license has returned the thickest coal seam intercepts to date. The company reported apparent thickness of 86.28 meters in one hole, intercepted from a depth of 27 meters. Other thick seams intercepted include one of 66.75 meters and 30-meter-thick intercepts in a twin angled core hole. Phase one drilling at Teeg, which is located in Uvurkhangai Aimag, is now complete. Samples and cores form the program are at the ALS laboratory in Ulaanbaatar for quality testing, with further tests to be undertaken in Queensland. Planning for the Phase two drilling program is underway, with further drilling required to connect the due diligence coal intersection achieved in mid-2011 with the northern extent of the current strike. This work could expand the strike length of mineralization at Teeg to more than 6.5 kilometers. Phase two drilling will also include exploration on the neighboring Nariin Teeg license, where
  • 4. geophysics have identified a number of potential coal bearing targets, and at the four Umnugobi Aimag licenses. Source: Proactive Investors XANADU MINES MAKES HEADWAY IN OYUT ULAAN ACQUISITION Australia-based metals explorer Xanadu Mines Ltd. has moved forward in its acquisition of the Oyut Ulaan copper and gold project in the south Gobi region of Mongolian. After its due diligence is complete and pending approval from Canada's Temujin Mining Corp., the current owner of the licensed site, Xanadu Mines will renegotiate a final agreement for the purchase of Oyut Ulaan. Xanadu Mines will make the purchase from Temujin Mining subsidiary Vantage LLC. The deal will initially grant Xanadu mines 25 percent interest in the project. Afterwards it will be the decision of Xanadu Mine's shareholders for the purchase of the remaining 75 percent. Xanadu plans to complete the deal by the end of the next quarter. The deal includes the issuance of 3.95 million new shares in Xanadu Mines at AUD 4.25 a share. The final number of shares issued will depend on Xanadu Mines' share price prior to the decision made by shareholders on the remaining 75 percent interest in Oyut Ulaan. An additional 15 million shares will also be issued to Temujin after JORC compliant resource data is released if a minable area of at least 90 million tons at an average 1 percent copper is found as well as a return of positive data from a pre-feasibility study. The 120-square kilometer Oyut Ulaan copper-gold project is located 275 kilometers east of the Oyu Tolgoi mine and 60 kilometers west of the planned Sainshand industrial complex and trans Mongolian Railway. Extensive geophysical, trenching and drill data has been compiled by previous owners, which Xanadu Mines will continue its analysis in the coming months. Source: Xanadu Mines Ltd. PROPHECY COAL TARGETS 2012 SALES OF 300,000 TONS Coal miner and developer of the Chandgana power plant Prophecy Coal Corp. has announced a sales target of 300,000 tons of coal in a recent sales update. The company has contracts to deliver an additional 228,388 tons in 2012, the majority of which is to be delivered to the Darkhan and Erdenet power plants. For the rest of 2012, the company expects stabilized production cost and minimal capital expenditures at Ulaan Ovoo. ―The coal inventory levels at Mongolian power plants this past winter were down to only a few days, which created a national emergency,‖ said John Lee, chief executive officer. ―We are committed to delivering our quota to Mongolian power plants in 2012, while continuing to work with the Mongolian government on the 600 megawatt Chandgana power purchase agreement to address the long-term energy needs of this rapidly developing country and at the same time, provide a stable return to our shareholders.‖ In the past months, Prophecy Coal has experienced a steady increase in both demand and realized sale price for its coal. In 2012 it received commitment an interest for a substantial quantity of Ulaan Ovoo coal from Russian buyers, however those sales are on hold until Russia opens the Zeltura border crossing and a revised export royalty scheme from the Mongolia's General Department of Taxation is drawn up. Source: Prophecy Coal Corp. ALTAN RIO TO BEGIN EXPLORATION THIS MONTH With the global economy set to limp its way through 2012, gold prices continue to soar toward a record high. Meanwhile Vancouver-based junior Altan Rio Minerals Ltd. forges ahead with a fast- paced drill campaign set against the backdrop of mineral-rich Mongolia. Mongolia is a great place for a Canadian junior like Altan Rio to go exploring. It's one of the world's most prospective mineral regions, with most of the country having yet to be introduced to modern exploration methods. Altan Rio is posed to cash-in on Mongolia's offering with its two primary focus properties;
  • 5. Chandman-Yol and Khavchuu. Chandman-Yol is situated about 10 kilometers west from Centerra Gold's Boroo mine and similar makeup to that deposit. ―Our portfolio of projects and experienced management and first-rate Mongolian national team really sets us apart from other juniors,‖ said Director of Exploration Kelly Cluer. He later added, ―Chandman-Yol isn't your typical junior company project. We really have an opportunity to discover a large copper-gold porphyry system with huge tonnage potential.‖ As for Kavchuu, investors can expect assay results announced sometime next month. Additionally, the company plans to begin drilling near-surface targets this month and then deeper targets later in the season. Source: Financial Press XANADU MINES APPOINTS ULAANBAATAR-BASED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Australia-based explorer Xanadu Mines Ltd. has appointed Hadyn Lynch as new executive director based in Ulaanbaatar in a bid to strengthen its existing in-country management team. Lynch is a senior financial executive within the Australian and international mining industries and has worked in corporate advisory and project funding roles with global and domestic investment banks during the last two decades. ―Mr. Lynch's appointment reflects a determination by the board to grow shareholder value and advance the company's exploration portfolio in Mongolia,‖ said Chairman Brian Thornton.‖ In January Xanadu acquired two licenses in the highly prospective South Gobi porphyry belt in southern Mongolia—the Amgalant and Argalant copper-gold projects—which are the target of a current exploration and drilling program. The two licenses cover about 1,000 square kilometers in relatively underexplored territory about 100 kilometers northeast of the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine. Source: Xanadu Mines Ltd. DENNISON: Q1 2012 REPORT Denison Mines Corp. today reported a net loss of USD 52 million for the three months ended in March. The company is currently engaged in uranium exploration in ventures in Mongolia, as well as Canada, the United States and Zambia. The total USD 52 million dollar loss represents a loss of USD 0.14 per share compared with a net loss of USD 7.1 million, or USD 0.02 per share, in the same period a year ago. For exploration in Mongolia, the company spent USD 306,000 in the first quarter. The company currently has an 85 percent interest in the Gurvan Saikhan joint venture with the Mongolian government through Mon-Atom LLC, a state-owned uranium firm. Mongolian law entitles the government to a holding of 34 to 51 percent interest in the project, depending on its participation in exploration and at no cost to the government. Both Denison Mining and Mon-Atom are cooperating to meet the requirements of the Law on Nuclear Energy. Source: Denison Mining Corp. KHAN RESOURCES SUFFERS USD 1.3 MILLION NET LOSS IN Q1 2012 Khan Resources Inc. disclosed a net loss of USD 1.3 million for the first quarter of 2011. The loss is related to the company's inactivity and legal fees for international arbitration against the government of Mongolia and Russian uranium miner Atomredmetzoloto JSC (ARMZ) for USD 200 million and USD 300 million respectively. The firm expects arbitration hearings against the government to be held from 14 May to 16 May. Khan Resources is also waiting to hear a decision for its appeal after an Ontario course denied its request for a hearing last March. Source: Khan Resources Inc. SWEDISH FUND FMG TARGETS MONGOLIA CONSUMER STOCKS Swedish fund manager FMG expects strong growth in Mongolian stocks even though the former faces the uncertainty of parliamentary elections.
  • 6. Rising demand for natural resources such as coal and oil is expected to fuel the Mongolian economy and put more money in the pockets of consumers, FMG's principal fund manager Johan Kham told Reuters in Singapore on Monday. ―Mongolia is a leveraged play on China... Any growth over 5 to percent is still going to be good for the steel industry,‖ said Kham. FMG launched a fund at the end of last year to invest in companies listed on the Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE). The fund currently has USD 1 million and hopes to grow about USD 25 million over the next two years, he said. His top picks among Mongolian stocks includes beverage firm APU. The Mongolian Stock Exchange was the world's second-best performing market after Venezuela last year. ―We'd rather own the consumer [stocks] than mining. The exposure to mining will see wide price swings. But the domestic companies are growing very fast,‖ he said. About 60 percent of its portfolio is invested in consumer-related stocks, while the rest are mining firms, he added. Source: Reuters GOCONNECT OFFERS SHAREHOLDERS DISTRIBUTION OF FIRST MONGOLIAN SHARES GoConnect Ltd. (GCN) confirmed that it would distribute 10 percent of First Mongolian Investment Holdings Ltd., shares to its qualified shareholder ahead of plans for an offering on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Only GoConnect shareholders with 250,000 shares or more who meet the deadline for the closing of the deal will qualify for the distribution. Preparation of a prospectus First Mongolian's proposed ASX listing is under way. Sino Investment services Pty. Ltd. is the lead manager for the proposed listing. Additionally, GoConnect shareholders who qualify for the first Mongolian shares on 8 June will also each be offered a right to subscribe to an additional USD 2,000 of First Mongolian. Source: GoConnect Ltd. RIO DEFENDS SPENDING ON IRON ORE AS HIGHER COSTS HIT AUSTRALIAN COAL Oyu Tolgoi developer Rio Tinto PLC has defended plans to continue to spend heavily on its iron ore operations in Australia, but cautioned that the country's attraction as an investment destination has deteriorated and operations such as coal are being hit with sharply higher costs. Australia is also a direct competitor with Mongolia for iron and coal sales. Cost inflation coupled with global economic uncertainty have heightened the mining company's caution before stepping up investment and capital returns, and as a result, some growth opportunities may not be developed, Rio Tinto's board told shareholders at an annual meeting in Brisbane. ―We are very careful in the evaluation of our projects and acquisitions,‖ said Guy Elliot, chief financial officer of the Anglo-Australian company. ―We assess very carefully the risks they present to us... I don't think we'll be able to do all the things we would like to do.‖ Share prices of Rio Tinto and other miners have been particularly volatile in recent weeks as investors fret over the Europe's economy and slowed growth in China. Chairman Jan Du Plessis also singled out Australia—Mongolia's number one competitor of coal imports to China—as the location where new taxes on iron ore and coal profits, as well as carbon emissions and other economic factors, has driven up the costs for raw materials and labor. Australia is as a result less attractive for investment. Source: The Australian ECONOMY THROWING OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATHWATER News that state-owned Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd. had proposed to purchase 57 percent of SouthGobi Sands LLC, letters from around the country swept into the capital demanding Parliament put a stop to this deal. Now, however, it has gone too far and introduced too restrictive legislation.
  • 7. Foreign investment is a powerful tool that can help stimulate development. Investors came to Mongolia because they saw opportunity to profit, but will leave quickly if that is no longer true. Balancing the interests of society and big business is an art form that takes great care, and Mongolia is like a child who has only just begun its training. Restrictions in the mining sector over foreign investment are necessary because it is all Mongolia has to offer the international market. State-owned companies are neither efficient nor conducive to fair competition, with their far vaster reserve of resources than private enterprises. Allowing a foreign state-owned firm to get involved in Mongolia's coal industry will likely lead down the same path as its oil industry, which is today controlled all the way down the line of the value chain by foreign interests. Rather than putting the proper regulations in place that are in the best interests of the nation, Parliament has instead rushed to develop its law on the ‗Regulation of Foreign Investment in Business Entities Operating in Sectors of Strategic Importance‘. Similarly, it only took Parliament a weekend to pass the ‗Windfall Profits Tax‘, which resulted in gold miners packing up and leaving to allow so-called enterprising ―ninja‖ miners to pick up where they left off. Members propose restricting foreign investment to 49 percent or less in sectors of strategic importance, such as minerals, banking and finance. Mongolia does not have the kind of leverage needed to convince investors to put up with this sort of restriction. For that, it would need greater competitiveness and more assets. Mongolia is not likely see either in the near future without foreign investment as well. A well developed law would provide greater clarity as to who will have the right to approve foreign investments, who must monitor them, and how a deal can be approved. Australia, for example, has its foreign investment review board (FIRB), which is responsible deciding on cases such as the SouthGobi-Chalco deal. Australian law also clearly states its limitations on foreign ownership. If Parliament allows this law to pass with even one sentence that somehow restricts ownership by foreign state-owned firms, it would do Mongolia a great service. If policy makers fail, however, it is up to the people to make sure they cannot make this sort of mistake again in the election booths. ________________________________ Jargalsaikhan “defacto” Dambadarjaa is an economist with specialization in banking and the stock market. Source: UB Post GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP STALLS DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN FIRMS, PER MNMA Truly strategic and important business should be ones related solely to national interests, said Executive Director of the Mongolian National Mining Association. N. Algaa warned that it is not the country's advantage to allow the government to take control whenever a business grows too large. He gave the example of raw materials that can substitute for imports and the breakup of monopolies as times when government can intervene appropriately, but warned that unchecked power is not in anyone's best interests. ―The present definition of strategically important deposits is too broad and subjective,‖ he said. ―It means the government can own a big share of a business whenever it wants. The present draft law is good for neither domestic nor foreign business.‖ He added that government should concentrate on regulating business and tax collection rather than intervening in their operations. Source: Udriin Sonin LSE HOSTS RESOURCE INVESTORS PREPARING FOR MONGOLIA‟S BOOM IN COMMODITIES The London Stock Exchange (LSE) last week played host to international resource investors clamoring to grab a chunk of the commodity-fueled economic boom that is sweeping Mongolia. Over the past four years, the country's mining companies have ramped up their output, and foreign resources giants are increasingly invested in the region. But if Mongolia is to enjoy the spoils of its natural wealth, the country's capital markets have to be reformed—starting with its fledgling national bourse.
  • 8. Founded in 1991, the Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE) has 366 listings. Many names are inactive and overall trading on the exchange is thin at just two hours a day. With a capitalization of USD 2 billion (compared with the LSE's 3.7 trillion) the market is too illiquid for chunky home-grown listings. ―Because of the lack of sophisticated infrastructure, mining companies haven't been able to gain exposure locally,‖ said Altai Khangai, the exchange's 30-year-old chief executive. The Mongolian government intends to change this. Last year, the Ulaanbaatar-based partnered with the LSE to overhaul the Mongolian market. As part of the deal, the MSE will implement the LSE's technology platform MillenniumIT. Parliament is reviewing a draft Securities Law which, among other things, incorporates elements of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Act listing rules and increases transparency and disclosure requirements. The exchange estimates that the MSE will notch up USD 45 billion in listings during the next 10 years through the privatization of state-owned companies and other assets—and the LSE hopes it will get a slice of the action. Read more… Khangai also hopes the reforms will result in several of the nearly 50 foreign-listed international mining companies with assets and operators in Mongolia to seek a dual listing at home. Khangai added the development of the local market is even more important for non-mining firms, since domestic Mongolian companies that are not part of the commodities boom find it difficult to gain international exposure. Currently the exchange trades stocks and government bonds but it is exploring the introduction of vanilla exchange-traded funds, which are growing popular among emerging market bourses. Source: eFinancial News DEVELOPMENT BANK INVESTS IN OVERHAUL OF ROADS The Development Bank of Mongolia has committed to MNT 114 billion in investment for road work this year. Twenty-two companies have been selected for bids in road construction work. Some work has already started in Ulaanbaatar's Sukhbaatar, Bayanzurkh and Chingeltei Districts. Plans consist of constructing 144 kilometers of road work, of which 34 kilometers will be the construction of new roads, and 107 kilometers of repairs and widening of roads. Project coordinators have also planned for the repair of two intersections and the construction of an underground road tunnel for pedestrians to cross, and the repair of 26,000 square meters of road. In total, road work will cover 60 locations by 2014. Source: Zuunii Medee BOOSTING LOCAL CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, BRIDGES AND HOMES Mongolia is rolling out an extensive program of development that includes the construction of roads, bridges, and homes as it gears up for an anticipated natural resource boom that is expected to transform the economy and pave the way for widespread urbanization. The government is funding many of the projects through its mining sector and state budget is also looking to attract investment from the private sector for development that includes the building of satellites cities to reduce population density, road networks and infrastructure for power. While the huge volume of work spells good news for Mongolia's builders, concern has been raised that the country's construction sector will require and extensive overhaul before local firms can meet increased demand for infrastructure. Some observers have also suggested that efforts to tap foreign investment need to be stopped up if Mongolia is to attract companies with the necessary expertise. In April Mongolia's Cabinet identified several ―urgent‖ roads and bridges to be built, in addition to 5,572 kilometers of roads and 900 kilometers of highways to connect Ulaanbaatar with the rest of the country. The Asian Development Bank plans to play a key role in driving forwards efforts to modernize the capital public transport system and develop the ger districts, where 60 percent of the city's population lives.
  • 9. One of the capital largest ongoing construction projects, the ―Homes for 100,000 Household‖ program, is set to enter its next phase following Prime Minister S. Batbold's confirmation that the green light had been given for the building of a second wave of apartments. Read more… But while the construction sector looks set to play a vital role in Mongolia‘s development, analysts believe the industry could be held back by challenges in key areas, such as capacity and regulatory constraints, shortages of materials and manpower, and transportation bottlenecks. Although the government's initiatives are expected to fuel considerable growth in construction, the call is growing for greater efforts to be made to attract more foreign investment and expertise that would bolster the sector's prospects in the long term. Source: Oxford Business Group UB GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WITH GERMAN MUNICIPALITY FOR HEALTH The mayors of Ulaanbaatar and the German town of Eseen Reinhard Pass have agreed to cooperate in the health sector. The agreement established on the ―Joint Declaration on a Partnership Cooperation between Mongolia and Germany‖ issued on 5 September 2000 permits both sides to cooperate on projects for treatment and first-aid services. As he was about to ink the contract, Ulaanbaatar Mayor G. Monkbayar said Mongolian and Germany had already cooperated in renewing the city's sewage plant and relocating beavers to protect the Tuul River's ecosystem. The group formed out of this deal has been conducting post-hemorrhage treatment first introduced in the United States in 2006. Representatives from Essen have received training from Germany's First and Second Polyclinics. They consider this an opportunity to introduce proper hygiene routines, in addition to other areas for guidance. Source: Montsame MONGOLIA 13TH ON DIGITAL INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS INDEX Surprises are coming out of the 2012 Digital Investment Attractiveness Index, including Mongolia's 13th place ranking on the list marking countries for their investment draws. The index is a ranking of 87 lower and middle-income countries by their potential markets for digital products and services by firm Strategy Analytics. ―Some countries that have been receiving a lot international investment, like Pakistan and Nigeria, look less attractive when factors like GDP growth, education, quality of government and access to grid power are considered,‖ Tom Elliot, director of the emerging markets communications strategies services (EMCS) and principal analyst of the index. Strategy Analytics developed the attractiveness index to provide a single quantitative measure of the relative attractiveness of developing countries as markets for digital products and services. This tool aggregates 22 country-level measures of demographics, economics, business climate, and information and communications technology drawn from public sources and Strategy Analytics databases. Source: Xinhuanet MONGOLIA LOOKS TO WIPE OUT FOOD-AND-MOUTH DISEASE FROM WESTERN REGION Mongolia and the World Animal Health Organization will cooperate to develop animal health standards and amend veterinary laws in the hopes of eradicating foot-and-mouth diseases from the western region. Visiting OIE General Director Bernard Vallat, who met Mongolian President Ts. Elbegdorj, said Mongolia is one of the 10 countries to which the Paris-based agency pays much attention because of its nomadic livestock herding practices and high level of livestock per capital. In order to gather ―health region" status, there should be amendments to Mongolia's veterinary laws, Vallat said. Afterward the OIE could send analysts to Mongolia and prepare the necessary
  • 10. documentation for declaring approval for the western region. The OIE has also agreed to assist with Mongolia's projects to support its veterinary health sector, while improving the health of its livestock and wildlife in general. Vallat said that the necessary funds for the projects could be raised through organizations such as the World Bank. Mongolia boasts of 37 million heads of livestock, including camels, sheep, goats, cattle, and horses. But rural Mongolia is often plagued by animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease. Source: News.mn MINING TRUCK TO TIRE RATIO TO STABILIZE BY 2015, SAYS CATERPILLAR CEO Mining truck and tire production should be on equal footing by 2014 to 2015 onwards, as both tire and truck manufacturers are spending big money to ensure the increased availability of both, says Caterpillar chief executive officer Doug Oberhelman. ―We have been playing catch-up with the mining industry for a decade or more,‖ he adds. Current lead times on securing a mining truck could be anything from 18 months upwards. Oberhelman said customers have already placed truck orders with Caterpillar for mines opening in 2014, in an attempt to circumvent lead times. He noted that specialized mining tire supply is very much in the same boat as a mining truck availability with only the recent recession providing somewhat ―of a breather.‖ However, Oberhelman said the major tire manufacturers have indicated that they are investing heavily in the production of 32-inch tires and upwards and that the supply-demand situation should be in balance by 2015 onwards. He warned, however, that a rapid increase in mining truck demand could upset those dynamics. Source: Mining Weekly WITH IRON ORE IN SHORT SUPPLY, CHINA LOOKS TO MONGOLIA Iron-ore shortages have Chinese steel makers looking north toward Mongolia and its 11 billion tons of iron-ore resources. Xijang, a natural-bounty province located in western China with proven mineral resources of around 1.19 billion tons, is seeking steelmaking activities impacted by ingredient shortage due to a lack of large mining and beatification plants. The shortage will expand with more steel projects coming on line. Iron ore supply shortage is indisputable, Cheng Xiang, vice general manager of Xinjiang BaYi Steel International trade said. He added both neighboring Central Asia and Mongolia have abundant iron- ore resources. Fourteen major iron-ore zones in Mongolia have around 11 billion tons. Most Chinese steel mills are planning new projects in Xinjiang. According to incomplete statistics, there is over 60 million tons of steel capacity under construction or to be constructed in Xinjiang. Compared to the quick growth in crude steel construction in place, iron ore output can hardly see any real improvement in the short term because of iron-ore shortage and transportation bottlenecks. Many steel mills in the region suggest the flow-in of state-run businesses and social capital into iron ore mining and logistics, and opening-up of Horgos Port. Source: Steel Home CHINA'S MINES STILL DEADLY China is notorious for containing some of the world‘s deadliest mines—a reputation that has been corroborated in recent months by a series of fatal accidents. The world's largest consumer and producer of coal is beset by illegal operations, dangerous working conditions, local corruption, and cover ups of fatalities. While Mongolia is trying to instill the proper regulations for safety, it may be best to learn from its southern neighbor's mistakes. Nine coal miners died and 16 were injured in an explosion in Inner Mongolia in the latest disaster on 23 April. Twenty-one people were detained for the alleged cover up of the deaths of miners. At least 10 workers in an illegal coal mine in northern Shanxi province died in a flood, and separately at least another five members died in a flood in central Henan province.
  • 11. Safety conditions at China's mines have advanced considerably. But they continue to be counted as among the world's most dangerous. Official figures from last year show 1,973 fatalities, down from 2,433 in 2010 and 7,000 in 2002. Activists, however, believe the real numbers are higher still, and cover ups are still reported. The government has taken measures to improve safety standards, including the mandate for underground energy shelter systems built to specification. It also worked to close down illegal mines. Its law to fire officials who flout safety rules, however, has opened the door for elaborate attempts to conceal abused, however. Pressure from the public in an increasingly vocal Internet age is crucial to pushing reforms. It has become a platform for whistleblowers. For conditions to improve, the government must intensify efforts for law enforcement and compensation should be provided to the families of victims to prevent underhanded payoffs. Source: Asia Times CHINA SURPLUS JUMPS ON WEAK IMPORTS China's trade surplus jumped in April as imports and exports both decelerated further, renewing fears of a harder than expected ―landing‖ for Mongolia's chief consumer of metals and energy products. Exports grew just 4.9 percent from a year ago, compared with 8.9 percent growth in March. Imports rose 0.3 percent year-on-year, compared with March's 5.3 percent increase. The lackluster import growth is raising alarm bells among economists, who are calling for more monetary easing and growth-oriented policies from Beijing. One economist recommended that policy makers should concentrate on promoting growth. Part of the reason for weak imports, economists say, has to do with the continued gloomy outlook for Chinese exports. The trade data offers signs that Chinese domestic demand is weakening as well. Imports for domestic consumption grew just 2.1 percent. However, Tin Lu, Bank of America Merrill Lynch economist, pointed out that there were a number of distorting factors at work in the April trade figures. Commodity prices peaked last April, for example, so while iron ore imports fell 5.6 percent in value terms, in volume terms there was actually a 9.1 percent increase. ―The situation is not as bad as the numbers would indicate,‖ said Lu. Source: Financial Times POLITICS PARLIAMENT SHOWS SIGNS OF SETTLING ON A FOREIGN INVESTMENT LAW The latest draft of the Foreign Investment Law received a positive reception from a joint session of Parliament before being sent back to the Security and Foreign Policy and Economic Standing Committees for further development. The law could be decided upon next week. Source: BCM NEGATIVE SENTIMENT SURROUNDS FOREIGN INVESTMENT BILL The news on Parliament's approval of the latest draft on the bill on ‗Regulation of Foreign Investment in Business Entities Operating in Sectors of Strategic Importance‘ has analysts worried Mongolia is showing foreign investors the door out. Parliament has already heard an initial reading on the draft law, signaling a speedy passage may be imminent. MPs have voted on some 30 different points with overall support. One change was made to Clause 6.1.1, changing the figure ―one third‖ to ―fifteen percent,‖ likely referring to the stake size threshold of a strategic company before government approval is necessary. ―It is becoming more difficult for foreign investors to do business in sectors of strategic significance, namely minerals, banking and finance, and media and telecommunications,‖ said Dale Choi, Frontier Securities' chief investment strategist. Choi posited that the bill has a high likelihood of being approved in haste. It won‘t be until the bill
  • 12. is passed into law that private business will know the implications of its passage, he added. Source: Frontier Securities MPS DILUTE PROPOSED INVESTMENT LAW Mongolian legislators have agreed to water down a draft law to restrict foreign investment amid fears it could hurt the mineral-rich country's economic growth. However, mining, media, and banking projects will still be subject to stringent restrictions, though some analysts expect the draft will be further diluted before becoming law. MPs agreed on Tuesday to reduce the number of strategic sectors that should be 51 percent state controlled under the draft law, according to details of a committee meeting published on the official parliamentary website. The draft was initiated by nationalist backbenchers in the wake of Chinese aluminum giant Aluminum Corp. of China's (Chinalco's) efforts to take a majority stake in the Canadian firm SouthGobi Resources Ltd. A provision saying that projects worth more than MNT 100 billion should be subject to majority ownership has also been removed. ―If the current (initial) draft Foreign Investment Law is ratified, the BCM believes that this will undermine Mongolia's development trajectory, which has been on a steep upward path,‖ said the Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) in a statement issued on Wednesday. Critics said the definition of 16 ―strategically important‖ sectors, which included minerals, food, agriculture, power, property, transportation and communications, was too wide. While the list will now be cut back, the mining and banking sectors will be retained and investors will still need to be wary, advised securities firm Frontier Securities. Others included are those that directly or indirectly‖ affect the price of minerals or harm Mongolia's environment and economic independence. This latter clause was designed specifically to restrict state-owned Chinese firms like Chinalco. The new foreign investment legislation was drafted in part by N. Batbayar, a Democratic Party representative also responsible for drawing up a widely criticized windfall profit tax in 2007. The tax, passed despite government opposition was eventually repealed in 2009 to pave the way for the investment agreement on the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project, which granted 66 percent of the project to Canada's Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. Batbayar also eventually led a movement to increase the government's stake in that project as well. Source: Reuters MONGOLIA SEEKS CONTROL OVER INVESTMENT FROM FOREIGN STATE-OWNED FIRMS Parliament is discussing a law that will control investment by foreign state-owned firms in strategic assets said an unofficial source. This new law could potentially stop Chalco's bid to buy a controlling stake in SouthGobi Resources Ltd. The source said that in near time, Parliament plans to change the law to ensure that acquisitions by foreign state-owned firms related to strategic resources, such as resource companies or mines, will go through a government vetting process akin to that practiced in Canada and Australia. Currently there is no shareholding limit for foreign state-owned firms looking to invest in Mongolia's strategic firms. Source: Business-Mongolia ENKHBAYAR HOSPITALIZED ON HUNGER STRIKE Jailed former Mongolian President N. Enkhbayar, who is planning to run in a parliamentary election next month, was taken to the hospital this week after he began a hunger strike 4 May in protest over his imprisonment. Enkhbayar, who previously served as prime minister and then president, was taken to a hospital in the capital Ulaanbaatar, according to his son Batshugar. The former leader's treatment may further unsettle foreign investors who helped fuel 17.3 percent economic growth last year, said Oliver Belfitt-Nash, head of research at Ulaanbaatar-based brokerage Monet Capital LLC. Political infighting in recent months has hindered efforts by the government to sell off state-run coal mining
  • 13. companies so it can raise cash for infrastructure projects in the country of 2.8 million people. ―The arrest is just highlighting political risk here,‖ Belfitt-Nash said in a phone interview. ―It's adding a premium to Mongolia's risk and all the stocks are going down because of it.‖ Enkhbayar's son says the arrest is politically motivated and that the court decreed his father could be held in detention until 27 June, a day before the elections take place. Source: Business Week SPRING SESSION LIKELY TO BE EXTENDED The spring session of Parliament is likely to run past the planned date for commencement. When Parliament began its current session, it announced it would run until 10 May. However extensive debate regarding the Law on Elections has Parliament once again falling behind. Debate over the dismissal of the minister of justice was also a cause for delay. When asked about how long the spring session would run, S. Magnaisuren, secretary of the Parliament Office, said there is currently 11 issues remaining for discussion. He added that Parliament will have a better idea of when its current session will end on 15 May. Source: Undesnii Shuudan PARTIES SUBMIT ELECTION PROGRAMS Just as election season is about to take full bloom, 11 parties and two coalitions have submitted their actions plans for their upcoming campaigns. According to Mongolian law, every party or coalition must send a request to participate in the election to the General Election Committee at least 50 days prior to election day. It is up to the committee to approve of that scheme before a party can move forward with campaign activity. Parties are allowed three days to revise their program before resubmitting it to the Election Committee. Mongolian law also strictly forbids promises for employment and gifts. Source: Zuunii Medee PARTIES BEGIN CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS Five of Mongolia's official political parties have registered for the 2012 parliamentary election. Parties submitted their programs to the National Audit Office and General Election Commission for review. Now the parties may name their candidates and attach them to the various election districts. The Democratic Party (DP) has selected six groups with a combined 48 candidates. The DP has not named any female candidates for this year's election. Former advisor to the president Ts. Oyugerel was not able to pay the MNT 50 million fee required by the party to campaign with the DP. President Ts. Elbegdorj has proposed that his current advisor, M. Batchimeg, run but she may have suffered from a lack of support because of her recent entrance to the party. The DP will hold meetings on 14 and 15 May before making its final decision on 25 May who will represent the party in the upcoming election on 28 June. Source: Unuudur VOTERS TO GRAPPLE WITH NEW BALLOT SYSTEM For the first time, Mongolian voters will be casting two votes on a ballot with two sections. Some Mongolian observers say, however, that Mongolian voters have not been educated sufficiently about the new system. That unfamiliarity, in addition to the shortage of voter identity cards and new election equipment supplied by Dominion Election Systems of Canada, could produce some confusion and lead to challenges of results. The two section ballot will first list the names and party affiliations of candidates in the voter‘s constituency. The second part will list political parties in order of the year each was founded. That would place the ruling Mongolian People‘s Party (MPP), organized in 1921, at the top followed by the Democratic Party (DP) Some observers speculate that Enkhbayar‘s Mongolian People‘s Revolutionary Party might petition
  • 14. the courts to order the General Election Commission to use the year 1924 as the founding date of the MPRP in order to improve their position on the ballot. The MPP was organized in 1921 but changed its name by adding the word ―revolutionary‖ in 1924. Source: NAMBC ELECTION CAMPAIGNS OPEN IN UB Ulaanbaatar has officially kicked off its city election campaigns. Secretary of the Ulaanbaatar Parliament J. Batbayasgalan announced that candidates may begin their campaign activities for the upcoming election on 28 June, the same day as state parliamentary elections. Ulaanbaatar Parliament has 45 seats. A newly passed law mandates that 30 of those 45 seats will be filled by direct election with the remaining 15 to be decided by the party- list system. In total, 820,000 voters will participate in the Ulaanbaatar city elections. Source: Udriin Sonin MONGOLIA'S DEMOCRACY REPUTATION HINGES ON 2012 ELECTIONS 2012 could be a decisive moment for Mongolian democracy. Mongolia's successful democratization compared to some of its post-socialist peers is the trustworthiness of the elections results has been one strength, but this is increasingly being questioned. This year officials hope to sidestep another occurrence of the anger that erupted on 1 July 2008 after suspicions of voter fraud led to riots that turned violent, leaving four dead and hundreds injured. While the rules of the election have been finally set up, there is a question mark on the organization of election. There is uncertainty over the reliability of the electronic ballot counting machine that will be used for the first time this election. There has also been some significant gap in the estimation of the number of registered voters in Mongolia. In 2008, there were claims that the MPP used its control of civil registration to put the number of voters in favor of itself. Voters may check online to see their names on the official registration, but alleged voter fraud is said to be common in rural provinces. The major parties have always dominated the composition of local, and the central election committee has always dominated too. There is a lot at stake in this year's election. The most important of which is how fair the elections are going to be organized to support democratic legitimacy and stability. Source: Mongolia Today GOVERNMENT ALTERS RAILWAY CONTRACT The Cabinet has proposed amendments to a concession contract to the Sainshand-Tavan Tolgoi- Ukhaa Khudag Railway. The amendments centered over the construction and eventual transfer of ownership of the railway back to the state. The Cabinet sent its orders to ministers and agency heads responsible for the contract for them to have it align with Mongolian law. The contracts will include clauses that provide national investors with opportunities to cooperate, open trading of shares through the Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE), and use of a 51 percent stake during the time of construction, which would pass then to the state without charge when the stipulations of the contract expire. Additionally, the Cabinet is looking to make amendments to contracts with special license holder for the construction of the base structure to the Ukhaa Khudag-Gashuunsukhait rail line. Source: Montsame PARLIAMENT RULES AGAINST SACKING MINISTER OF JUSTICE A majority of MPs have ruled against the dismissal of the minister of justice and home affairs. In a decision 40 to 31 against, members decided that Minister Ts. Nyamdorj should not be removed from his position. Grounds for his dismissal included his order for the arrest of former President N. Enkhbayar. Two members of the Civil Will Green Party abstained as they have opted to remain neutral on the matter.
  • 15. Members of the Democratic Party unanimously defended their position for Nyamdorj's dismissal, but could not swing a majority vote. Some policy makers cited the officers' gross violations to human rights and the running of illegitimate operations during Enkhbayar's arrest for the judge's dismissal. ―I will work to clear up my reputation. I will give up my seat as minister of justice and international affairs peacefully after the upcoming parliamentary elections,‖ said Nyamdorj. Prime Minister Batbold weighed in to say that the legislature's investigation concluded that Nyamdorj did not break any laws when issuing the order for Enkhbayar‘s arrest. Others questioned the judge's ethical scruples, however. Other grounds for Nyamdorj's dismissal are the failure to release electronic identification cards on schedule and delays to the trials of police officers who partook in the shootings at the 1 July riots. Source: UB Post NEW HEAD OF MINERAL RESOURCES AGENCY APPOINTED G. Altansukh has been appointed as head of the Mineral Resources Agency. Altansukh is a graduate of the Institute at the State Security Committee of the former Soviet Union and the Management Academy of Mongolia, majoring in law and state administration management. He has a Master degree on international relations, and has been working for 26 years in the public service for the General Authority of State Security, the Central Intelligence Agency, and Mongolia's Embassy in Washington D.C. Source: Montsame PRESIDENT GREETS EUROPE'S NEW HEADS OF STATE President Ts. Elbegdorj has sent letters of congratulations to two of Europe‘s newly elected heads of state. The president sent salutations and words of congratulations to both newly elected President of France Francois Hollande and his Hungarian counterpart Janos Ader. ―On behalf of the Mongolian people, I personally and sincerely offer my congratulations to you on being elected as the President of France and wish you great success,‖ wrote Elbegdorj to his letter to Hollande. In his letter, the president added his hope that the two could meet at an upcoming convening of NATO nations in Chicago in the United States. To the state head in Hungary, the president mentioned developing closer relations between Mongolia and the new president‘s nation, and invited him to make an official visit to Mongolia. Source: Montsame AUSTRIA LOOKS FOR STRATEGIC MINERAL RESOURCE ALLIANCE WITH MONGOLIA The Austrian Department of Trade and Industry is aiming for an ―inner-Austrian resource alliance‖ with Mongolia for access to its vast mineral resources. The alliance is part of Austria's aim to secure a supply of natural resources. It would together companies, stakeholders, and economic and political policy makers to enable easier access to natural resource supplies abroad and to create greater resource efficiency at home, said a statement. Parties involved plan to begin activities in autumn. As part of the plan, the country's economic minister, Reinhold Mitterlehner, said it was necessary to engage in ―resource diplomacy‖ with resource-rich countries such as Mongolia, which could provide minerals such as molybdenum and tungsten to Austrian companies. Mitterlehner said talks with Mongolian representatives have been underway, adding that he hoped a bilateral partnership ―can be achieved in 2013.‖ Source: Strategy Analytics GOVERNORS PREPARE FOR ARMY DRAFT The first phase of this year's military draft began last week nationwide. The drafting period runs from 4 to 13 May this year. The governors of various municipalities of rank and size are obligated to draft young Mongolian men between the ages of 18 to 25. Additionally, they are responsible for receiving decommissioned
  • 16. soldiers and organizing farewell ceremonies. According to Mongolia's constitution, serving in the Army and protecting his country is a basic duty of every Mongolian male citizen. Citizens are given the choice of either serving in the army or paying a one-time fee of MNT 3 million to MNT 4 million. Source: Zuunii Medee U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL VISITS MONGOLIA Some top officials from Mongolia and the United States met last weekend in Ulaanbaatar to bolster bilateral military ties. At a press conference following a meeting with U.S. Acting Under Secretary of Defense James Miller and Mongolian Defense Minister J. Enkhbayar, the military officials expressed satisfaction with current Mongolian-U.S. Cooperation. The officials said that both parties exchanged their views on international and regional security issues of common concern, including the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. They said the governments of both countries should work together to solve this conflict through peaceful means. Miller stayed in Mongolia for a two day visit to meet with officials. Source: Xinhuanet SENIOR CHINESE MILITARY OFFICIAL VISITS FOR STRONG TIES A senior Chinese military official described the China-Mongolia border as a bridge of friendship at the start of a visit to Mongolia Wednesday night to promote ties between the two militaries. Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou said on arrival at Chinggis Khan International Airport that China and Mongolia were friendly neighbors that had friendly relations between their armed services. In recent years, the two sides had enjoyed cooperation and exchanges in all fields. The bilateral strategic partnership established in 2011 marked a new stage of development for bilateral ties, Xu said, adding the two countries' military ties had been growing continuously. Xu said the purpose of his visit was to consolidate and further develop the traditional China- Mongolia friendship and deepen friendly cooperation of the two armed forces. He said he would exchange views with his Mongolian counterpart on common concerns and further promote mutual understanding. Mongolia and China's military also stands to expand consensus to boost inter-military cooperation. Source: CRI English NEW MONGOLIAN LAWS The following laws and addenda to laws were published in the latest weekly Government bulletin. Unless otherwise decided by Parliament, they will take effect ten (10) days after publication. Date Laws 04.05.2012 Acceding to Convention against International Organized Crime, its addenda: Protocol on prevention, stop, penalty of human, particularly women, children traffic, Protocol against illegal admittance of immigrants by land, sea and air, Protocol against fire weapons, cell, parts, illegal transportation, manufacturing of fire weapons. Acceding to International Pact on Civil and Political Rights'; Additional Protocol II directed to abolish death penalty. Please visit BCM's website, Legislative Working Group, for a summary of new Mongolian laws. BCM members who wish to access complete versions of the laws and regulations in Mongolian language are welcome to email the BCM office: info@bcmongolia.org.
  • 17. ANNOUNCEMENTS FUTURE MONGOLIA, 16-19 MAY, UB SPORTS PALACE Mongolia first-ever world-class exhibition, Future Mongolia, will open from 16 to 19 May at Buyant Ukhaa Sports Palace in Ulaanbaatar. Future Mongolia is an international trade fair and conference for sustainable development. Future Mongolia is on the best track to become the leading trade fair in Mongolia for the international capital goods industry. Industry giants, e.g. Caterpillar, Liebherr and the mining equipment manufacturer TAKRAF already confirmed their participation. The organizer is confident that the envisaged number of more than 100 exhibitors will be reached. BCM is a Supporting Organization for the trade fair. For more information visit the website. Those interested in the event can call +49 89 244 41 9370 or email info@future-mongolia.com. ___________________________________________ 2nd COALTRANS MONGOLIA IN ULAANBAATAR ON 23-24 MAY In less than two weeks traders, coal producers, contractors, consultants, technology providers, financiers, lawyers, representatives from power plants and steel mills are meeting to take advantage of this unique opportunity to see and understand at first hand one of the last remaining coal frontiers. With more and more people registering each day – can you afford to miss out? Here is a selection of companies who have confirmed their attendance so far: Adamant LLC ADEN Services Mongolia LLC Alfred H Knight Asia Analytical LLC Alinos Enterprises Ltd Alpha Natural Resources ALS Coal Asia Pacific Anglo American Anglo American Exploration (Australia) Pty Aquaterra East Asia Argus Media Asian Development Bank Aspire Mining Limited Ausenco Taggart Banpu Public Company Limited Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP BHPBilliton Bhutan Ferro Alloys Ltd BLC Co Ltd. Blue Energy BM Mongolia Partner/Hazemag Bukkehave Corporation Ltd Bureau Veritas Business Council of Mongolia Central Geological Laboratory Changsha Kaiyuan Instruments Ltd Clyde & Co Clyde & Co LLP Coaltrans Conferences Ltd Coeclerici Coal & Fuels SpA Cougar Energy Pty Ltd CRU China Eclipse Computing Australia Ecoal China Ekh Goviin Chuluu LLC Energy Resources LLC EPSA Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC ERINA Euro Khan Co Ltd Fenwei Energy Consulting Foreign Invesment and Foreign Trade Agency of Mongolia Frontier Securities Global Trade Information Services Inc Golomt bank Greta Industries Pte Ltd Hancock Prospecting Hazemag & EPR GmbH Hunnu Coal LTD Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd IEEC Limited, Moscow Incolab Services Latvia ISSM Itochu Corporation Khan Bank Mesco Steel Mongolia Ltd Mideast Integrated Steels Ltd Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy Mitsui & Co Ltd Repr. Office in UB Monadelphous Mongolia Stock Exchange Mongolian Express Co. Ltd
  • 18. Mongolian Railway State Owned Shareholding Company Mongolian Society of Economic Geologists Oxford Business Group Peabody Energy Petrovis LLC Prophecy Coal Corp PT Pamapersada Nusantara Mongolia PTT International Company Limited Quintana Energy Partners Railway Authority of Mongolia Renaissance Capital RPS Aquaterra Salva Resources Signum Industrial Corp. Silk Road Management Stewart Mongolia LLC Suntrans Mongolia LLC Sustainability Taggart Global, L.L.C. TATA South East Asia Ltd. Techenomics International Pty Ltd Teck Resources Limited Beijing Rep. Office ThyssenKrupp AG Hong Kong Office Transwest Mongolia LLC Trinity Development LLC UBS AG VOLVO (China) Investment Co., Ltd. Wagner Asia Equipment LLC XacBank Xanadu Mines Mongolia LLC Xstract Group Xstrata Coal Join them on 23 & 24 May 2012 cement your position as leading player in the Mongolian market. BCM is supporting this event. BCM members will receive special 15% discount. ___________________________________________ ALS THREE-DAY COAL QUALITY COURSE BEGINS 28 MAY The ALS Coal Quality Course will begin run 28 until 30 May at the Blue Sky Tower Hotel. The early bird registration discount for a cost of USD 1250 ends 7 May. The course is a comprehensive introduction to the broad issues of coal quality, from mining and preparation through the end user. It is delivered in bite-size modules to assist students in understanding how to obtain the maximum benefits from a coal product. Students will attend the three-day comprehensive course on broad issues of coal quality, from exploration, to mining, testing and preparation through to delivery to the end user, delivered by expert presenters. For more information call 343882, 99092732, or email b.sainbileg@alsglobal.com for registration and additional information about the course. ___________________________________________ ECOPRENEUR 18-22 JUNE, ULAANBAATAR Ecopreneur 2012 will be held 18-22 June in Ulaanbaatar. The event is the second international ―green‖ business plan competition for young entrepreneurs aged 18-36. Its slogan is ―planet first,‖ appealing to the desire to save our beautiful planet through responsible eco-friendly business. The mission is to promote young entrepreneurial initiatives and creative ideas for green economic development, more socially and environmentally responsible companies, and creating awareness for environmental preservation. The event is Hosted by the Ministry of Nature and Tourism, the Mongolian government, and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), with the Mongolian Entrepreneur Association leading its organization. For more information, visit ecropreneur.mn. Those interested in attendance may call +976 7018 6353, +976 9999 0941, or +976 9990 6883; or email ecopreneur2012@gmail.com ___________________________________________ MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2012, LAS VEGAS, 24-26 SEPTEMBER The Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) and the Mongolian National Mining Association (MNMA) with the support of the U.S. Embassy‘s Commercial Section in Ulaanbaatar are now registering a Mongolian business delegation to participate in ―MinExpo International 2012‖ which will be
  • 19. organized at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 24-26, 2012. MinExpo International 2012 is the world's largest and most comprehensive exposition dedicated to mining equipment, products and services. More than 1,400 exhibitors in eleven exhibit halls will display the latest technology, equipment, components, parts and services for exploration, extraction, safety, environmental remediation and preparation and processing of metallic ores, coal, industrial minerals and more! Registration deadline is 5 p.m., 30 April. Please contact BCM at 70114442, tugi@bcmongolia.org or MNMA at 314877, enkhbold@miningmongolia.mn for registration and additional information about the event. ___________________________________________ REGISTER NOW FOR MONGOLIAN MINING DIRECTORY-2013 Mongolian Mining Directory-2013 which provides information database for Mining companies, investors, suppliers, service companies, government and non government organizations will be published for the fourth year to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Mongolian mining industry. The MMD is distributed free of charge to international and domestic mining companies, international conferences and exhibition, embassy offices in Mongolia and foreign countries to investors. BCM is a Supporting Organization of the MMD and welcomes Mongolian mining industry participants who are interested in advertising their products and services in Mongolian Mining Directory-2013. For more information please visit: www.mining.mn, www.mongolianminingdirectory.mn or call +976-7011 5590. ___________________________________________ “MM TODAY” on MNB-TV, Fridays at 18:25 [TONIGHT] BCM is pleased to announce Mongolian National Broadcasting continues its cooperation with BCM on ―MM Today‖. This English news program is aired every Friday for 10 minutes and is scheduled for 18:30 tonight! Tune in to watch this program that reports stories from today‘s BCM NewsWire. ___________________________________________ POSTINGS ON MONGOLIAN WEBSITE „PRESENTATIONS‟ AND „NEWS‟ SECTIONS The new ‗Presentations‘ section on BCM‘s Mongolian website which can be reached via link to bcm.mn/itgeluud. Several presentations already posted include 9 from Coal Mongolia in February 9-10, 2012. As a key component of BCM‘s Mongolian website ‗News‘ section, articles from the Government‘s ―Open-Government.mn‖ site are regularly posted. ___________________________________________ POSTINGS ON ENGLISH WEBSITE 'PRESENTATIONS', 'MONGOLIA REPORTS' AND „MONGOLIAN BUSINESS NEWS‟ On BCM‘s English website, ‗Resource, Presentations‘ section, for your review are 4 presentations from BCM‘s April 23 monthly meeting; 3 speeches from ―Corporate Governance Training for Directors‖ on April 27-28; 12 presentations on Mongolian entities at Mines and Money Hong Kong 2012 on March 21-23; 11 presentations from Coal Mongolia 2012 on February 9-10; 7 speeches from the Mongolian Investment Summit on December 8-9, 2011 in London; several speeches at the Risk Management Forum on November 8 co-organized by BCM and Mandal Insurance; speeches at Discover Mongolia 2011; and speeches from all BCM‘s monthly meetings in 2011-12. Also on BCM‘s English website, ‗Resource, Mongolia Reports‘ section, please note the Polit Barometer, April 2012 by Sant Maral Foundation (Mongolian and English versions); ―Preliminary estimates of staggering costs of inefficient trade regulation in Mongolia‖ by Olin McGill, consultant to USAID BPI; ADB‘s Asian Development Outlook, April 2012; detailed results of BCM‘s NewsWire survey of March 2012; World Bank‘s Mongolia Quarterly Economic Update, February 2012; Executive Summary of the Mongolian Real Estate Report 2012 by M.A.D. Investment Solutions; Mongolia –
  • 20. World Bank Country Survey 2011; Welcoming remarks by Jim Dwyer, BCM at Mongolia Investment Summit 2011 Hong Kong, Mining Journal Supplement for Mongolia, October 2011; and ―Mongolia‘s Mining Services Cluster 2010‖, Professor Michael E. Porter, Harvard University, The Microeconomics of Competitiveness. We are now posting some news stories and analyses relevant to Mongolia to BCM website's ‗Mongolian Business News‘ as they come, instead of waiting until each Friday to put them all together in the weekly NewsWire. The NewsWire will, however, continue to be issued on Friday, and will incorporate items that are already on the home page, so that it presents a consolidated account of the week‘s events. ___________________________________________ SOCIAL NETWORK WITH BCM The Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) has expanded its reach to your favorite social networks. Keep up to date on the latest business deals in Mongolia and how the climate for investment is improving each day with BCM. Connect with BCM on LinkedIn to join the diverse group of professional contacts creating a better business environment in Mongolia today. Add BCM on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-BUSINESS-COUNCIL-OF- MONGOLIA/129826330435540 to read the latest announcements and comment on events carried in the NewsWire with the community. Hear breaking news and announcements as they happen when you follow BCM on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/bcMongolia. Of course for news information, interviews, and announcements regarding our organization, visit the official BCM website at www.bcmongolia.org and www.bcm.mn. ECONOMIC INDICATORS
  • 21. INFLATION Year 2006 6.0% [source: National Statistical Office of Mongolia (NSOM)] Year 2007 *15.1% [source: NSOM] Year 2008 *22.1% [source: NSOM] Year 2009 *4.2% [source: NSOM] Year 2010 *13.0% [source: NSOM] Year 2011 *10.2% [source: NSOM] April 30, 2012 *16.0% [source: NSOM] *Year-over-year (y-o-y), nationwide Note: 17.8% y-o-y, Ulaanbaatar city, April 30, 2012 CENTRAL BANK POLICY RATE December 31, 2008 9.75% [source: IMF] March 11, 2009 14.00% [source: IMF] May 12, 2009 12.75% [source: IMF] June 12, 2009 11.50% [source: IMF] September 30, 2009 10.00% [source: IMF] May 12, 2010 11.00% [source: IMF] April 28, 2011 11.50% [source: IMF] August 25, 2011 11.75% [source: IMF] October 25, 2011 12.25% [source: IMF] March 19, 2012 12.75% [source: Mongol Bank] April 18, 2012 13.25% [source: Mongol Bank]
  • 22. CURRENCY RATES – May 10, 2012 Currency Name Currency Rate U.S. dollar USD 1,316.21 Euro EUR 1,705.74 Japanese yen JPY 16.50 British pound GBP 2,121.14 Hong Kong dollar HKD 169.60 Chinese yuan CNY 208.46 South Korean won KRW ` 1.15 Russian ruble RUB 43.67 Disclaimer: Except for reporting on BCM‘s activities, all information in the BCM NewsWire is selected from various news sources. Opinions are those of the respective news sources.