Ulaanbaatar/MONTSAME/ On occasion of 100 days since a formation of his government, Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh reported press about accomplishments and works to be implemented further.

At the press conference held on January 29, PM U.Khurelsukh said, “Government resumes previous individual income tax rate and will make legal regulations to allow people to retire at 60 for men and 55 for women. If a person wants to work continually, it will be eligible to work until 65 for men and 60 for women. Bills regarding issues abovementioned will be submitted to the Parliament on Wednesday, January 31. The Government also intends to expand issuance of child benefits to 80 percent of alll children and raise retirement pensions and salary of public servants.”

The PM said that the government made the decisions in connection with indications of higher economic growth than expected, ending of an economic failure and improvement of budgetary and financial disciplines and responsibility. Even, the International Monetary Fund endorsed it.
He also cited recent economic growth, increase of the state budget revenue, rises of GDP and industrialization, improvements of Mongolia’s special drawing rights, positive external trade balance, augment of foreign currency reserve, payment of large debt and the increase of livestock.

Moreover, the PM considers that three keystones of the country’s development is to become an exporter country, create reliable energy supply and network and to have oil refinery. Within this frame, the government is working to take all necessary measures to make livestock healthy, continue ‘Third Campaign for Reclaiming Virgin Lands’, enlarge and modernize Thermal Power Plants, construct thermal power plants in 10 aimags and use renewable energy.
 
He stressed the importance of developing agriculture and farming to diversify economy, which is chiefly influenced by mining sector and is very sensitive to fluctuating prices of commodities in the world market.  
About measures to be taken by government in near future, U.Khurelsukh said, “Western five aimags will be connected to Ulaanbaatar city with paved roads, railroads to Tavantolgoi-Gashuunsukhait and other routes will be constructed, air transport sector will be liberalized along with opening of a new airport. In addition, big projects will be implemented to construct the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant and a garbage recycling plant, continue issuance of mortgage loan and build new schools and kindergartens.”

At the conference, U.Khurelsukh announced to ban an access of crude coal into Ulaanbaatar city from April of 2019. Coal-processing plant will be built, the use of electrical heater and liquefied gas will be widely introduced, ger districts will be replaced with apartment towns, but stoves will not be distributed. It is estimated that the ban of crude coal access will reduce air pollution of Ulaanbaatar city by 50 percent.
 

M.Unurzul