The Year In Review 2012 Of Mongolia: "Critics also noted that Mongolia’s vulnerability to a downturn in commodities exports was exposed by a drop in demand from its biggest customer, China, in 2012. Mongolia’s expansionary fiscal policy was also blamed for double-digit inflation and balance of payments pressures.
The IMF in particular targeted spending levels this year, linking them to June elections. In the lead-up to the vote, the Mongolia People’s Party oversaw cash handouts and measures such as raising civil servant wages by more than 50%. But this didn’t stop the Democratic Party taking power by winning six more seats in the 76-member parliament."
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Showing posts with label Election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Election. Show all posts
January 5, 2013
January 2, 2013
Mongolia’s top 9 events for 2012 ~ Mongolian Views
Mongolia’s top 9 events for 2012 ~ Mongolian Views: "1. Regular parliamentary and local elections ran with DP taking the largest number of seats.
Regular parliamentary and local elections ran this year, resulting in the Democratic Party taking the majority of seats. As a result of the Parliamentary Election, 73 members have been sworn in, of whom 32 MPs are from DP, 26 from MPP, 10 from the ‘Justice’ Coalition of MPRP-MNDP, 2 from CWGP and 3 independent. DP and the ‘Justice’ Coalition established what they call the ‘Government for Changes’.
In the local elections, DP became the majority for the first time in its history."
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Regular parliamentary and local elections ran this year, resulting in the Democratic Party taking the majority of seats. As a result of the Parliamentary Election, 73 members have been sworn in, of whom 32 MPs are from DP, 26 from MPP, 10 from the ‘Justice’ Coalition of MPRP-MNDP, 2 from CWGP and 3 independent. DP and the ‘Justice’ Coalition established what they call the ‘Government for Changes’.
In the local elections, DP became the majority for the first time in its history."
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December 5, 2012
Mongolia's former president jailed for corruption ~ Mongolian Views
Mongolia's former president jailed for corruption ~ Mongolian Views: "After a three-day trial, Enkhbayar was found guilty of charges that included the illegal privatisation of a hotel and newspapers and the misuse of donated television equipment to broadcast from his own television station.
Enkhbayar accused state prosecutors of twisting facts and said the corruption charges were politically driven. "I'm not afraid of anyone. I will fight for justice and a new Mongolia," he said.
His wife, Onon Tsolmon, blamed Mongolia's current President Tsakhia Elbegdorj and vowed to fight "the injustice" by all means.
Enkhbayar was president from 2005 to 2009, before narrowly losing to President Elbegdorj in the 2009 presidential election. He was arrested in April by the country's anti-corruption authority.
The court also ordered Enkhbayar to pay more than 54 million tugriks (£26,000) in damages."
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Enkhbayar accused state prosecutors of twisting facts and said the corruption charges were politically driven. "I'm not afraid of anyone. I will fight for justice and a new Mongolia," he said.
His wife, Onon Tsolmon, blamed Mongolia's current President Tsakhia Elbegdorj and vowed to fight "the injustice" by all means.
Enkhbayar was president from 2005 to 2009, before narrowly losing to President Elbegdorj in the 2009 presidential election. He was arrested in April by the country's anti-corruption authority.
The court also ordered Enkhbayar to pay more than 54 million tugriks (£26,000) in damages."
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November 27, 2012
Corruption Possible Cause Behind the Radioactive Licenses
Corruption Possible Cause Behind the Radioactive Licenses: "t is too much for our country. This represents the widespread corruption and bribery that are possibly ongoing in this sector. The related legal organizations must inspect what companies have obtained the Licenses. I’m quite sure that there was corruption and violations of official power in license issuances. Uranium deposits have been discovered in both Dornogovi and Sukhbaatar Provinces. We must suspend their licenses. We, Mongolians, are perfectly able to live safely without digging our soil.”
Only ten members have attended the session and Member of the Parliament M.Batchimeg was critical of other members. She stated “When budget or monetary issues are discussed, the meeting hall gets filled with members. But when it comes to discussing the National Security of Mongolia, only over ten members are present at the session. I feel so sorry for it. It is absurd that politicians mention the National Security only during election period and this topic vanishes into thin air once the elections are finished. It’s been three years since Mongolia formulated a policy to implement in the Nuclear Energy Sector."
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Only ten members have attended the session and Member of the Parliament M.Batchimeg was critical of other members. She stated “When budget or monetary issues are discussed, the meeting hall gets filled with members. But when it comes to discussing the National Security of Mongolia, only over ten members are present at the session. I feel so sorry for it. It is absurd that politicians mention the National Security only during election period and this topic vanishes into thin air once the elections are finished. It’s been three years since Mongolia formulated a policy to implement in the Nuclear Energy Sector."
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Mongolia’s Tavan Tolgoi Coal Field Deadline Delayed to Mid-2013 - Bloomberg
Mongolia’s Tavan Tolgoi Coal Field Deadline Delayed to Mid-2013 - Bloomberg: "Mongolia may delay the selection of companies to develop part of the nation’s biggest coal field to the middle of 2013 from the end of this year, a government mining official said.
Bidders for the West Tsankhi area of the Tavan Tolgoi deposit “have proposed very attractive offers and the government will discuss with each of them in detail and decide which offer has higher value,” Nemekhbayar Enkhbayar, head of the economy, finance and investment division in the Ministry of Mines, said in an interview in Hong Kong today. “We have to take the geographical situation into account and Chinese companies have big advantages on this.”
Companies such as Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU), China’s Shenhua Group Corp. and Japan’s Mitsui & Co. (8031) have expressed an interest in developing the field. Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj set an end-of-year deadline for picking the successful bidders in July."
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Bidders for the West Tsankhi area of the Tavan Tolgoi deposit “have proposed very attractive offers and the government will discuss with each of them in detail and decide which offer has higher value,” Nemekhbayar Enkhbayar, head of the economy, finance and investment division in the Ministry of Mines, said in an interview in Hong Kong today. “We have to take the geographical situation into account and Chinese companies have big advantages on this.”
Companies such as Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU), China’s Shenhua Group Corp. and Japan’s Mitsui & Co. (8031) have expressed an interest in developing the field. Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj set an end-of-year deadline for picking the successful bidders in July."
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November 13, 2012
Mongolia to hold local elections
Mongolia to hold local elections: "The two parties have nominated their candidates for almost all provinces and the districts, with 1,029 candidates from MPP and 1,019 from DP. The councils of provinces and the nine districts of Ulan Bator will be chosen through a mixed electoral system. Elections for citizen’s representatives hurals of counties will also be conducted on the same day. Some 2,500 votes counting machines will be used in the polls after their introduction in the parliamentary elections in June. Analysts said the upcoming polls will be another important test over the popularity of MPP and DP. The DP won 31 seats in the 76-member Mongolian State Great Hural (parliament) in the June elections, while the former ruling party MPP gained 25 seats to become the opposition."
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October 23, 2012
Mongolian Women’s Hard-Won Victory - M.A.D. Investment Solutions
Mongolian Women’s Hard-Won Victory - M.A.D. Investment Solutions: "Owing to its mining wealth, the fledgling democracy that shucked off communism in 1990 has earned medium-human development status in the Human Development Index (HDI) rankings.
Mongolia has been a bit of a star in HDI – a UN measurement based on life expectancy, literacy, education, standard of living, and quality of life – showing the fastest growth from 2000 to 2010, compared to the countries ranked above it. However, taking into consideration the new inequality-adjusted HDI, in use from 2010, the picture looks less promising: Mongolia registers a 14 percent loss, according to the latest UNDP country report. Poverty has stayed at 36 percent since the mid-1990s. Political representation of women in parliament was a mere 3.9 percent prior to the 2012 elections – one of the lowest rates globally.
However, females are more strongly represented in education than males – 60 to 70 percent of university students are women. Women also outrank men in professions such as doctors and teachers, with 80 percent of these positions filled by women. Even so salaries remain very low, according to Member of Parliament Luvsan Erdenechimeg."
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Mongolia has been a bit of a star in HDI – a UN measurement based on life expectancy, literacy, education, standard of living, and quality of life – showing the fastest growth from 2000 to 2010, compared to the countries ranked above it. However, taking into consideration the new inequality-adjusted HDI, in use from 2010, the picture looks less promising: Mongolia registers a 14 percent loss, according to the latest UNDP country report. Poverty has stayed at 36 percent since the mid-1990s. Political representation of women in parliament was a mere 3.9 percent prior to the 2012 elections – one of the lowest rates globally.
However, females are more strongly represented in education than males – 60 to 70 percent of university students are women. Women also outrank men in professions such as doctors and teachers, with 80 percent of these positions filled by women. Even so salaries remain very low, according to Member of Parliament Luvsan Erdenechimeg."
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Mongolian Delegation Visits C'ville to Study Elections - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather
Mongolian Delegation Visits C'ville to Study Elections - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather: "An Asian delegation is visiting central Virginia to study the presidential campaigns. Mongolia's president sent the top government advisers to Charlottesville to research America's democratic process and how it plays out in communities like ours.
President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, sent the delegation of six to Charlottesville this weekend to take a look at the campaign process. The group plans to use our presidential election as a model for their country's next election."
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President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, sent the delegation of six to Charlottesville this weekend to take a look at the campaign process. The group plans to use our presidential election as a model for their country's next election."
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October 16, 2012
Canada's Turquoise Hill rejects review of Mongolia investment deal | Reuters
Canada's Turquoise Hill rejects review of Mongolia investment deal | Reuters: "Oct 15 (Reuters) - Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd and its majority shareholder Rio Tinto Ltd have rejected a request from Mongolia to renegotiate the investment agreement for its Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine, the Canadian miner said on Monday.
The Mongolian government's push to review the deal, which was signed in October 2009 and went into effect in March 2010, adds weight to concerns among foreign investors about rising resource nationalism in the Asian country following a June election."
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The Mongolian government's push to review the deal, which was signed in October 2009 and went into effect in March 2010, adds weight to concerns among foreign investors about rising resource nationalism in the Asian country following a June election."
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September 28, 2012
Mongolian coalition government sets out policy direction
Mongolian coalition government sets out policy direction: "Prime Minister Norovyn Altankhuyag, chairman of Mongolia's Democratic Party (Ardchilsan Nam: AN), formed a cabinet on 20 August 2012. This step followed long negotiations between the Justice Coalition (JC) of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (Mongol Ardyn Khuvisgalt Nam: MAKN), led by former president Nambaryn Enkhbayar, and the Mongolian National Democratic Party (Mongolyn Ündesnii Ardchilsan Nam: MUAN), the Civil Will Green Party (Irgenii Zorig-Nogoon Nam: IZNN) and different factions within the AN following the 28 June parliamentary election."
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September 27, 2012
Mongolia's new government faces old problems - BUSINESS NEW EUROPE
Mongolia's new government faces old problems - BUSINESS NEW EUROPE: "The term "Dutch Disease" may have originally been coined in relation to a gasfield in The Netherlands, but Mongolia is finding out that it can just as well apply to coal. This "black gold" that propelled Mongolia's economic growth to a record 17.3% in 2011 is now in a sudden glut and Chinese demand has dropped off a cliff, and the country's new government is learning the hard way about how reliance on a few commodities can endanger the economy.
Mongolia shipped 21.1m tonnes of coking coal to China in 2011 worth $2.25bn, up 26% in volume and a staggering 155% in terms of value from the previous year. The coal excitement reached its peak exactly a year ago in September 2011, when 2m tonnes were sent across the country's southern border to rake in $380m for those in on the deal. The country overtook Australia as China's main coal supplier and the previous government's coffers began to swell with royalty and tax revenue, which it swiftly dealt out to its citizens in preparation for the elections in June this year. But the handouts didn't work, and now a new government has taken the reins. "
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Mongolia shipped 21.1m tonnes of coking coal to China in 2011 worth $2.25bn, up 26% in volume and a staggering 155% in terms of value from the previous year. The coal excitement reached its peak exactly a year ago in September 2011, when 2m tonnes were sent across the country's southern border to rake in $380m for those in on the deal. The country overtook Australia as China's main coal supplier and the previous government's coffers began to swell with royalty and tax revenue, which it swiftly dealt out to its citizens in preparation for the elections in June this year. But the handouts didn't work, and now a new government has taken the reins. "
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September 14, 2012
Mark Juergensmeyer: Globalization Comes to Mongolia
Mark Juergensmeyer: Globalization Comes to Mongolia: "It has been 20 years since I've been in Mongolia, the large country of high desert plains sandwiched between China and Russia, and a lot has changed. Some of it is for the better, a lot of it for the worse. And much of it has to do with globalization.
In 1992 Mongolia had just been liberated from the grips of the Soviet communist system, which did much to provide social services to people but eviscerated the traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. The managerial formula of state socialism also left little room for democratic participation in governance.
So 20 years ago, the Mongolian air was full of excitement and anticipation. I visited new Buddhist monasteries that seemed to have sprouted up everywhere, and talked with leaders of a plethora of political parties that had emerged to compete in democratic elections. One of them was a Buddhist Party, based on traditional values."
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In 1992 Mongolia had just been liberated from the grips of the Soviet communist system, which did much to provide social services to people but eviscerated the traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. The managerial formula of state socialism also left little room for democratic participation in governance.
So 20 years ago, the Mongolian air was full of excitement and anticipation. I visited new Buddhist monasteries that seemed to have sprouted up everywhere, and talked with leaders of a plethora of political parties that had emerged to compete in democratic elections. One of them was a Buddhist Party, based on traditional values."
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September 9, 2012
Mongolia lawmakers urge talks to rework Oyu Tolgoi deal - 2825
Mongolia lawmakers urge talks to rework Oyu Tolgoi deal - 2825: "Reuters reported that an influential group of Mongolian backbench lawmakers has urged Prime Minister Norov Altanhuyag to seek talks to trim mining giant Rio Tinto's stake in the USD 13 billion Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold project in the country's South Gobi region.
Elections in June ushered in a coalition government under which the major risk for mining firms, the engines of economic growth, threatens to be the influence of lawmakers who want Mongolia to have greater control of its resources.
Oyu Tolgoi, located 80 kilometers north of Mongolia's Chinese border is expected to become one of the world's three largest copper and gold mines when it reaches full production in 2018. The deposit contains an estimated 41 billion pounds of copper and 21 million ounces of gold. It is anticipated that revenue from the mine could boost Mongolia's GDP by one third."
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Elections in June ushered in a coalition government under which the major risk for mining firms, the engines of economic growth, threatens to be the influence of lawmakers who want Mongolia to have greater control of its resources.
Oyu Tolgoi, located 80 kilometers north of Mongolia's Chinese border is expected to become one of the world's three largest copper and gold mines when it reaches full production in 2018. The deposit contains an estimated 41 billion pounds of copper and 21 million ounces of gold. It is anticipated that revenue from the mine could boost Mongolia's GDP by one third."
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September 7, 2012
REFILE-Mongolia lawmakers urge talks to rework Oyu Tolgoi deal | Reuters
REFILE-Mongolia lawmakers urge talks to rework Oyu Tolgoi deal | Reuters: "(Reuters) - An influential group of Mongolian backbench lawmakers has urged Prime Minister Norov Altanhuyag to seek talks to trim mining giant Rio Tinto's stake in the $13-billion Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project in the country's South Gobi region.
Elections in June ushered in a coalition government under which the major risk for mining firms, the engines of economic growth, threatens to be the influence of lawmakers who want Mongolia to have greater control of its resources.
Oyu Tolgoi, located 80 km north of Mongolia's Chinese border, is expected to become one of the world's three largest copper and gold mines when it reaches full production in 2018."
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Elections in June ushered in a coalition government under which the major risk for mining firms, the engines of economic growth, threatens to be the influence of lawmakers who want Mongolia to have greater control of its resources.
Oyu Tolgoi, located 80 km north of Mongolia's Chinese border, is expected to become one of the world's three largest copper and gold mines when it reaches full production in 2018."
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August 24, 2012
Mongolia mining minister seeks bigger Oyu Tolgoi stake: report | Reuters
Mongolia mining minister seeks bigger Oyu Tolgoi stake: report | Reuters: "(Reuters) - Mongolia should seek to raise its stake in the giant Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold project, the country's new mining minister said, adding weight to concerns among foreign investors about rising resource nationalism following a June election.
That election resulted in the formation of a coalition government, during whose administration the major risk for mining firms -- the engines of economic growth in Mongolia -- will be the influence of lawmakers who want Mongolia to have greater control of its resources."
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That election resulted in the formation of a coalition government, during whose administration the major risk for mining firms -- the engines of economic growth in Mongolia -- will be the influence of lawmakers who want Mongolia to have greater control of its resources."
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August 4, 2012
Mongolia's former president jailed for corruption - Telegraph
Mongolia's former president jailed for corruption - Telegraph: "His wife, Onon Tsolmon, blamed Mongolia's current President Tsakhia Elbegdorj and vowed to fight "the injustice" by all means.
Enkhbayar was president from 2005 to 2009, before narrowly losing to President Elbegdorj in the 2009 presidential election. He was arrested in April by the country's anti-corruption authority.
The court also ordered Enkhbayar to pay more than 54 million tugriks (£26,000) in damages."
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Enkhbayar was president from 2005 to 2009, before narrowly losing to President Elbegdorj in the 2009 presidential election. He was arrested in April by the country's anti-corruption authority.
The court also ordered Enkhbayar to pay more than 54 million tugriks (£26,000) in damages."
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July 24, 2012
Coalition takes over at crucial time in Mongolia's development - BUSINESS NEW EUROPE
Coalition takes over at crucial time in Mongolia's development - BUSINESS NEW EUROPE: "The next biggest party in the coalition is the controversial Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), a splinter group from the old communist party. This is led by Nambaryn Enkhbayar, who was arrested before the election on corruption charges and is to be tried at the end of July. The MPRP's aggressive policies on national ownership of the country's coal, copper, uranium, gold, zinc and lead mines has worried some investors that the new government may further lean away from luring foreign investment. They are due to take four or five of the 18 ministries on offer, and analysts predict that a member of this party could take the finance minister position, key to the country's investment agenda. "
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Saudi Gazette - Mongolia Democrats form coalition govt
Saudi Gazette - Mongolia Democrats form coalition govt: "ULAN BATOR — Mongolia’s generally pro-business Democratic Party is forming a coalition government with smaller populist parties, raising concerns about policy changes for foreign companies in the country’s mining boom. Three weeks after legislative elections, the Democratic Party announced late Thursday it had reached an agreement with a group of smaller parties. The coalition will combine the 31 seats the Democrats won with the other parties’ 13 seats, giving them a majority in the 76-seat parliament. Among the biggest winners is former President Enkhbayar Nambar. Though barred from "
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July 23, 2012
Mongolia coalition takes shape, fans fears of resource nationalism | Reuters
Mongolia coalition takes shape, fans fears of resource nationalism | Reuters: "(Reuters) - Mongolia's Democratic Party (DP), which failed to win enough seats in last month's elections to govern alone, has agreed to form a coalition with populist fringe parties in a move that could worry foreign investors, local media said.
The broadly free-market DP won 31 of the 76 seats available in the June 28 poll, eight short of an overall majority, causing concern among foreign investors that the party would be forced to make concessions to the growing number of "resource nationalists" in the country's parliament.
The new government, to be led as prime minister by DP chief Norov Altanhuyag, will include minority parties such as the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party and Mongolian National Democratic Party, which both want to limit foreign investment in the booming mining sector, said local news portal news.mn late on Thursday. The coalition deal was struck earlier in the day."
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The broadly free-market DP won 31 of the 76 seats available in the June 28 poll, eight short of an overall majority, causing concern among foreign investors that the party would be forced to make concessions to the growing number of "resource nationalists" in the country's parliament.
The new government, to be led as prime minister by DP chief Norov Altanhuyag, will include minority parties such as the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party and Mongolian National Democratic Party, which both want to limit foreign investment in the booming mining sector, said local news portal news.mn late on Thursday. The coalition deal was struck earlier in the day."
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Mongolia’s Democrats form coalition with smaller parties raising questions on mining policies - The Washington Post
Mongolia’s Democrats form coalition with smaller parties raising questions on mining policies - The Washington Post: "ULAN BATOR, Mongolia — Mongolia’s generally pro-business Democratic Party is forming a coalition government with smaller populist parties, raising concerns about policy changes for foreign companies eager to join the country’s mining boom.
Three weeks after legislative elections, the Democratic Party announced late Thursday that days of bargaining yielded an agreement with a group of smaller parties. The coalition will combine the 31 seats the Democrats won with the other parties’ 13 seats, giving the group 44 of the parliament’s 76 seats."
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Three weeks after legislative elections, the Democratic Party announced late Thursday that days of bargaining yielded an agreement with a group of smaller parties. The coalition will combine the 31 seats the Democrats won with the other parties’ 13 seats, giving the group 44 of the parliament’s 76 seats."
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