The Government of Mongolia submitted new laws to Parliament.
The government of Mongolia announced 2023 and 2024 as the “Years to Visit Mongolia. In order to implement the policy and improve the legal framework of the tourism industry, the revised draft of the Law on Tourism has been prepared. The Prime Minister of Mongolia, L. Oyun-Erdene, submitted the draft law to the Speaker of the Parliament, G. Zandanshatar, and kindly requesting the Parliament on prompt action. The new law on Tourism enables 100 percent of VAT refund for tourists, number of E-Visa issued countries will be doubled, and visas will be issued online within 48 hours through an electronic system, flights to Mongolia will not restricted, and aircraft from all countries will be accepted.
New railway begins with ambition
On 27 November Prime Minister of Mongolia, L. Oyun-Erdene, opened a major new rail link which will provide a significant boost to the country’s export competitiveness and wider economy as part of the Government’s ‘New Revival Policy’. The Zuunbayan-Khangi railway, which runs for 226.9km across south eastern Mongolia, provides a vital connection between the Tavantolgoi-Zuunbayan railway and the Khangi-Mandal border crossing on the Mongolia–China border.Through a further connection to a new railway under construction on the Chinese border, the transportation distance for freight across this important economic corridor will be almost halved, significantly boosting trade in minerals such as iron ore.
With construction of the Zuunbayan-Khangi railway only beginning in March 2022, the completion of this project is set to lead to a rapid 30% increase in Mongolian export freight volume, with annual freight volumes set to stabilise at around twice their current level of 10.4 million tonnes from 2025, significantly boosting state budget revenues and local employment. Having no access to the sea, Mongolia relies on 42 dry-road border points for its trade, yet as of March this year only three of them were connected by railroads. The completion of this project delivers a second new railway crossing in the south of the country, and the ambition of the New Revival Policy is to ensure that all border points are connected by roads, railways and highways in consecutive steps.
“Tsagaannuur” free economic zone starts permanent operation
As part of the “New Revival Policy” and port revival policy, the Cabinet decision made to start permanent operation for the “Tsagaanuur” free economic zone for passengers and cargo vehicles starting from January 2, 2023. In this regard, the relevant government bodies have been directed to prepare for the operations providing state services such as customs, inspection and security.
The “Tsagaanuur” free economic zone has an area of 708.4 hectares, located 65 km north of the center of Bayan-Olgii province and 25.8 km from the Tsagaanuur border post with the Russian Federation. It has the advantage of being located along the Asian highway AN-4, which leads from western provinces and China to Russia and further to Europe. The start of permanent operation of the free economic zone will increase the variety of imported goods from China, Russia, and Kazakhstan, provide cheap and high-quality goods to the people of the western province, turn the free economic zone into an economic cycle, increase jobs as well as income of people.
Mongolia will launch first commercial satellites into orbit
For the first time in its history, Mongolia will launch a commercial satellite, aiming to bring communication industry into a new level. Important public-private strategic joint project will be implemented by ONDO Space LLC supported by Mongolian government. The Mongolian National Space Council, Kyushu Institute of Technology and ONDO Space LLC signed a memorandum of understanding and a cooperation agreement on November 28, 2022.
Representing the National Space Council of Mongolia, N. Uchral, Member of Parliament, Cabinet, Minister of digital development and communication, Head of the National Space Council, Yasunori Mitani, President of Kyushu Institute of Technology, ONDO Space Company Founder and President Ch. Anar and Executive Director O. Altanshagai have signed. ONDO Space Company will conduct space environment tests of satellites in cooperation with the Kyushu Institute of Technology, use the equipment, and prepare human resources in Japan in the field of space technology to share “Know How” at the space environment test laboratory that will be established for the first time in Mongolia. The Kyushu Institute of Technology is a world leader in the development and launch of small satellites.
