Ulaanbaatar, 2024 February 27 /MONTSAME/. The Government of Mongolia has declared 2024 as the Year to Support Regional Development. To achieve the goal several measures have been taken including conducting the 2024 Parliamentary Election in zonal constituencies, the division of aimags into six regions, and the construction of five ring roads connecting aimag centers and to border ports.

In an effort to promote regional development, Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai has held his first meeting in Tolgoit, Songinokhairkhan district. On February 26, 2024, the Prime Minister held his second meeting with civil servants from the 2nd, 27th, 30th, and 31st khoroos (primary units) of the Bayanzurkh district or Dari-Ekh area.

The area comprises 15,616 households with 53,943 residents. Due to its proximity to the city center, the land value is high. Furthermore, the presence of numerous small and medium-sized enterprises and trade services along the road network makes the area an attractive location for cost-effective infrastructure development.

At the Meeting, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene presented the “Ulaanbaatar - Regional Development.” The Premier said, " Over the past 30 years, while the economy and population have experienced growth, a significant urban-rural imbalance has emerged. The average government tenure of 1.5 years was so short that it was insufficient to develop a feasibility study for even a single major development project. The policy instability has resulted in significant challenges and the absence of long-term policy. Corruption lies at the root of these issues. Many social problems, such as inadequate access to schools, kindergartens, and hospitals, are directly linked to corruption. In response, the Government of Mongolia has developed both the 'Vision-2050' long-term development policy and 'New Revival Policy.’"

Bayanzurkh district has a population of approximately 500 thousand. Regional development will bring public services closer to citizens, improve access to hospitals and schools, and alleviate the burden on public services in the city center. The meeting participants concurred that the regional development of the capital city will be a crucial reform.

Specifically, Head of the Bayanzurkh District Urban Improvement Department N. Bilegsaikhan said, “The implementation of regional development holds the potential to reduce the workload of public employees responsible for managing specific areas. Furthermore, granting the Dari-Ekh area a district status would unlock a multitude of advantages. As the area remains undeveloped, strategic planning could facilitate its comprehensive and sustainable growth.” Meanwhile, Head of the Bayanzurkh District Education Department B. Ganbat noted, “Bayanzurkh district is as large as three aimags combined. It currently houses 70 public schools and over 100 kindergartens. Our department has over ten employees. Regional development would not only alleviate burdens but also improve accessibility to schools and kindergartens.”

Following the Meeting, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene visited the Tsagaan Davaa Landfill in the Bayanzurkh District. The Premier was briefed on the current situation at the landfill, which receives 2-2.5 tons of waste daily. The Bayanzurkh District Urban Improvement Department informed the Prime Minister of their plans to develop waste recycling plants and the proposal submitted to the Ministry of Economy and Development of Mongolia. This proposal seeks to announce a tender for the selection of an enterprise to implement environmentally friendly incineration of household and industrial waste, marking a shift in the district's waste management approach.

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene directed the administration of the capital city to develop the development concept for the Bayanzurkh district based on the characteristics, economic resources, and potentials of the district and present it to the Cabinet.