News 2008

12/24/08

Private-Public Partnership

A group of Mongolian government representatives took part in Private-Public Partnership in Infrastructure Day organized by Asian Development Bank Institute and World Bank Institute in December 15-18, 2008. The group included Mr.Odhuu, MP, Mr.Ganjuur, chairman of energy regulatory authority of Ministry of Minerals and Energy of Mongolia, Mr.Bailihuu of State Property Commissions, Mr.Otgonbat of Ministry of Minerals and Energy and Ms. Tumenbayar of Embassy of Mongolia. The group participated in sessions where participants discussed various aspects of successful implementation of PPP programs in the infrastructure sector, experiences of other countries and management of PPP agencies around the world. Mongolian reps met with experts from ADB and its Institute and WB and its Institute to discuss opportunities of PPP programs in Mongolia, capacity building for a potential PPP agency and receiving a technical assistance in developing a legal basis for PPP projects in the infrastructure sector of Mongolia.

12/10/08

Business workshop for Mongolians is organized

On December 09, 2008, the Embassy organized workshop for Mongolians of the greater DC area on how to start-up and conduct private business in US. It should be said that there are about 20 thousand Mongolians reside in the USA and the DC-MD-VA area has one of the largest communities. The workshop aimed at educating local Mongolians about existing opportunities business and facilitating contacts among private Mongolian businesses as well as with the relevant agencies in the US government.

There were representatives of 3 US government agencies: Ms. Gong Cross, Head of Mongolian Affairs in Department of Commerce, who talked about International Trade Administration and its Mongolia activities; Jane Boorman, SBA Director of International Visitor Services who talked about Small Business Administration and its small business oriented programs; and S.Boykin, Senior Business Analyst of Minority Business Administration of DoC with his presentation of MBDA’s services. The training also featured Antony DeNiro and J.Rincon from PNC bank who talked about lending policies of their bank; immigration attorney Mr. Ganzorig of Ganzorig Consulting presented about visa status for entrepreneurship in USA and CPA Mr.Kim and G.Ganzorig, owner of TriState Granit Co, shared their knowledge and experience of starting and running a private company. Chicago-registered Mongolian American Chamber of Commerce /MACC/ was represented by one of their Board members Mr. Ganzorig, who talked about MACC’s activities and training programs.

The Embassy appreciates the information and advice that the above presenters provided, and the contacts they shared with the audience.

10/24/08

President N. Enkbayar’s Congratulatory Message

On behalf of the Mongolian people and his own name, President of Mongolia, H.E. Mr. Nambaryn Enkhbayar sent a congratulatory message to the 44th President-Elect Barack Obama on his overwhelming victory of the USA’ presidential election.

In congratulatory message, the President Nambaryn Enkhbayar noted the satisfaction of current broad extension of bilateral relations between Mongolia and our third neighbor, the United States and expressed his assurances that the relations and cooperation between two countries will be further expanded and deepened to the benefits of the peoples of our two nations.

Furhermore, President N. Enkhbayar extended his best wishes to the President-Elect Barack Obama and his family as well as to the American people.

10/23/08

MCC’s President Danilovich: collaboration with Mongolia shall be upheld

Ambassador Bekhbat paid a courtesy visit to MCC’s President Danilovich on October 23, 2008. Mongolia is a recipient country for 284 mil dollars funding from Millennium Challenge Corporation, the compact agreement of which was signed by US President Bush and Mongolia President Enkhbayar October 2007.

During the meeting, Ambassador of Mongolia Mr.Bekhbat and MCC’s President Danilovich, expressed their satisfaction with the current status of implementation of the compact agreement. Mr.Bekhbat expressed his thankfulness to President Danilovich and his team for their hard work to prepare the Mongolia projects for approval and assured in continued intention of the Government of Mongolia to successfully realize the projects that are expected to contribute in boosting exports through improvement of the rail network, increasing opportunities for Mongolians to capitalize on their land assets, become healthier and improve their labour productivity. Mr.Danilovich told he was pleased that the Millennium Challenge Corporation plays a certain role in maintaining the current level of strong relations between USA and Mongolia, and that MCC funding appropriations shall be duly secured for the project years.

Ambassador Bekhbat also gave some updates on the policy of the new Government of Mongolia to sharply reduce poverty and boost economic growth and on amendments to the mining and foreign investment legislation that are now being contemplated.

More info: www.mca.mn
http://www.mcc.gov/countries/mongolia/index.php

10/22/08

MidFest International featured sights and sounds of Mongolia

The Midfest International held every fall in Middletown, Ohio, celebrates a different country each year since 1981. October 1-5 of 2008, was a once-in-a-lifetime evening filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of Mongolia. The festival started with a business program in October 1-3 during which a large group of Mongolian businessmen had opportunities to visit and be matched with local companies. The business program was concluded by a business exchange and workshop with more than 150 participants. Mongolian businesses and private entrepreneurs exhibited their products at the MidFest World bazaar. These companies also sponsored Mongolian food sampling and vodka tasting.

The cultural program was held October 3-5 which stared by remarks of Mongolian Ambassador Kh.Bekhbat, and a blessing by Arjia Rinpoche, former abbot of the Tibetan Kumbum Monastery. Cultural event feature a colorful and intense Buddhist Tsam dance, students of the Khanhongor High School for the Performing Arts, young dancers from the Mongolian School of the National Capitol Area, American musicians demonstrating their skills in throat-singing, a classically trained Mongolian violinist Degi, Mongolian wresting and archery performances, a large exhibition of Mongolian traditional dresses, crafts, utensils, paintings and calligraphy, and many more.

This event was primarily organized by MidFest volunteers and sponsors, city of Middletown and its Business Incubator. Also Friends of Mongolia society of DC area generously contributed their time, knowledge and assistance in making this event a success.

Inquiries about business opportunities with Mongolian business participants as well as about crafts and exhibits should be addressed to N.Tumenbayar, n.tumenbayar (@)mongolianembassy.us

09/30/08-1

Group of Mongolian law-makers met with American businesses

On September 25, 2008, the Embassy hosted a luncheon for Mr. Batkhuu, Deputy Speaker of State Great Hural (Parliament of Mongolia), MPs D.Baldan-Ochir and Ts.Sedvanchig and a group of about 20 notable American businesses which represented American mining, energy, real estate, banking and technology sectors. Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Mr.Batkhuu gave a brief update on results of the recent parliamentary election in Mongolia and the process of forming a new Cabinet. American companies expressed their continued interest to invest in economy of Mongolian and contribute to development of the country. For example, acting Director of Rio Tinto Mining’s Washington office Ms.Ambrose told of their interest to carry on their cooperation with Mongolian Government and mining businesses and noted Rio Tinto’s high environmental standards and past undertakings in Mongolia. She expressed Rio Tinto’s hope for speedier process of defining the Government’s mining strategies.

09/30/08

Prime Minister’s visit in Washington D.C

H.E. Mr. S. Bayar, the Prime Minister of Mongolia, paid a working visit in Washington D.C on September 25th, 2008. Mr. G.Batkhuu, vice speaker of the parliament, Mr. D.Baldan-Ochir, Mr. Ts.Sedvanchig, Mr. E.Munh-Ochir, members of the parliament and Mr. Yo. Otgonbayar, the minister for Education, Science and Culture were accompanied with the Prime Minister.

During the working visit the Prime Minister S. Bayar had a courtesy call to H.E. Mr. D. Cheney, the vice president of USA at the White House. The vise president D. Cheney highly valued the Mongolia’s stake in the Iraq’s freedom and restoration operation. Also, he had a meeting with representatives of the U.S–Mongolia friendship group within the House of Representatives led by the Congressman J. Pitts from the Pennsylvania State. Throughout the meeting, both sides expressed the satisfaction for recent political developments and inter parliamentary ties between Mongolia and USA.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister S. Bayar visited to the IRI, NDI, where he met with presidents of both institutes and shared views, insights and discussed for further cooperation. In the evening, he met with citizens of Mongolia, who residing in the USA. In this meeting he introduced the main goals of new cabinet, shared views on domestic issues, challenges and inspired broad discussions about the development of Mongolia. More than 250 people attended at the meeting.

09/12/08

Business conference and exchange at MiddFest to be held

Middfest International will host a three-day Business Exchange and Conference October 1-3, 2008 at Middletown's Manchester Inn for local U.S. and Mongolian businesses. T he program is an important component of Middfest's exploration of world neighbors and seeks to give business leaders from both countries a mutual opportunity to learn about each other's products, services and business practices in a cooperative setting.

The Business Exchange and Conference program begins on Wednesday, October 1 with an overview of Butler County's economic development activities followed by group tours of area businesses including engineering, construction and building materials, mining and technical services, vocational/technical education, information technology and financial services, and banking. One-on-one meetings and visits to offices and plants are scheduled for Thursday in addition to tours of the US Air Force Museum and industrial areas surrounding Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The program activities conclude on Friday morning with a breakfast and roundtable discussion followed by a tour of AK Steel's Middletown Works.

In addition to state and local government representation, attendants will include the Ambassador of Mongolia Mr.Bekhbat, commercial officer and other staff of the Embassy, representatives of the US Department of Commerce in Washington DC and Cincinnati. Mongolian businesses will be represented by groups from the Tourism Agency of Mongolia, Mongolian Foreign Investment and Foreign Trade agency (FIFTA), Mongolian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mongolian Tourism Association as well as Mongolian-American Chamber of Commerce of Chicago.

Middfest's weekend celebration of Mongolia shall begin at 5:30pm on Friday, October 3 at Donham Plaza and continues through Sunday, October 5. Visit www.middfestinternational.org for more information on the many events scheduled throughout the weekend.

Contact Adriane Scherrer, executive Director of MiddFest, tel 513-705-4100, middfest@sicom.net or Ms.Tumenbayar n.tumenbayar@mongolianembassy.us for additional registration information