Ulaanbaatar, April 6, 2023 /MONTSAME/. During its regular session on April 5, 2023, the Cabinet made the following decisions:

Prime Minister’s Order to Intensify the Anti-Corruption Operations Issued

The Government of Mongolia has declared 2023 the “Year to Combat Corruption" and started the five “W” operations. Minister of Digital Development and Communications N. Uchral presented on the process of “Wide-Open” Operation, aimed at ensuring citizens’ rights to search and obtain information at the Cabinet Session. Following the presentation, the Prime Minister’s Order to intensify the “Wide-Open” Operation was issued. In pursuit of the Order, the Cabinet members, governors of aimags and capital city, Head of the Government Agency for Policy Coordination on State Property and Regulation, and Director of Government’s Special Fund were mandated to submit the following information to the Minister of Digital Development and Communications within June 1, 2023. These are:

• Certificates of land use issued in specially protected areas, environmental impact assessments of economic activities carried out by individuals and legal entities in this area, their agreements, and payment history of land fees;
• Certificates of Building Commission issued by the State Commission certifying that the building has been completed;
• Structures of the board of directors and supervisory boards of state or locally-owned legal entities, detailed information about their members, including full name, amount of salary and incentives, and contacts, requirements for management of this type of legal entities and their recruiting procedures, recruiting calendars and detailed information on applicants;
• Information on the expenditure of the Government’s special fund and financed projects from the fund, along with related decisions. 

Minister of Digital Development and Communications N. Uchral was tasked to oversee the implementation of the Order, consolidate information, and present the process at the Cabinet Session in June 2023.

Ch. Khurelbaatar: The resumption of border ports and increased exports impacted the foreign exchange (forex) reserves to increase

Minister of Economy and Development Ch. Khurelbaatar briefed on the completed work since the adoption of the Government Resolution No. 362 on Measures to Increase the Foreign Exchange Reserves. According to the presentation, the forex reserves, which fell to USD 2.5 billion in September 2022, have reached USD 3.4 billion as of end of March 2023. The resumption of border ports and increased exports mainly impacted the forex reserves to increase. As of the first three months of 2023, 14 million tons of coal have been exported, an increase of 10 million tons and 2.5 million tons compared to the same period of last year and 2019, respectively. 

Science sector’s participation to be prioritized in the implementation process of the mega projects 

The Government Resolution on Measures to be taken in the Science and Technology sector in order to implement the targeted programs of the “New Revival Policy”, based on public-private partnership and active participation of the science sector, was issued.

As specified in the Resolution, making a list of projects, which can be completed by domestic science organizations and scientists, such as developing new technologies to process and concentrate mining products, construction technology of natural gas pipelines, and new technologies for improving agricultural and food product supply chain, as well as conducting feasibility studies for the mega projects, was mandated to the line ministers.

Draft Law on Supporting Cultural and Creative Industry

A Draft Law on Supporting Cultural and Creative Industry was discussed and the members of the Cabinet agreed to submit it to the State Great Khural.

The Draft Law will regulate all issues related to developing the cultural and creative industry, improving the competitiveness of value-added and import substitution products and services, and enhancing the legal basis to promote and manage the cultural and creative industry. Upon the adoption of the Draft Law, a favorable environment, where the cultural and creative industry can thrive and be commercialized, will be created.  

Brief News

• The Cabinet discussed a Draft Law on the Ratification of the General Financing Program between Mongolia and ADB (Loan Plan 2022-2023) and agreed to submit it to the State Great Khural.
• The World Export Development Forum will take place in Ulaanbaatar between June 26 and 29, 2023. Drafts of the Letter of Exchange and Memorandum of Understanding between the International Trade Centre and the Ministry of Economy and Development were discussed and decided to grant the signing right to Ch. Khurelbaatar, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development.