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Analysis

Key routes: Plans for the new railroad are taking shape
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Railroad plans are central to the country’s development strategy, as a massive boost in capacity is required to preserve and extend the mining boom under way now. The country’s parliament, the Great Khural, formed a new government corporation to address the needs in 2008, and made clear its railway policy in 2010. There has been little progress in implementation, however, as the evolving economic…

Analysis

The other project: Choosing partners to develop Tavan Tolgoi and related infrastructure
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Much of the attention in the mining sector in late 2012 had been on Oyu Tolgoi, where production of copper and gold was imminent but the focus was instead on the controversy over how the government and its partners would split the revenue. Meanwhile, developments at Tavan Tolgoi (TT), the other flagship mining project in Mongolia, were ongoing at a slower pace. TT is important for several reasons.…

Analysis

Heritage branding: The country aims to showcase its rich history and culture
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Tourism authorities are eager to preserve and promote Mongolia’s cultural heritage to tourists both foreign and domestic. Indeed, after some 70 years of relative isolation under Soviet rule, the country’s exotic mix of Buddhism, Soviet interlude, nomadic traditions, shamanism and empire-building history form a culture that authorities are keen to exhibit. “It is crucial for us to analyse…

Analysis

Traffic relief: Addressing the congestion on the capital’s roads
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As Mongolians migrate to their capital city in search of work, Ulaanbaatar is increasingly suffering from traffic congestion. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in summer 2012 approved a loan for a bus rapid transit (BRT) system that its designers expect will have a significant mitigating impact. RAPID GROWTH: Ulaanbaatar is boxed in by mountains to the north and south, which means growth comes…

Analysis

A complex solution: Hopes are being pinned on Sainshand to diversify the economy
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Progress at the Sainshand Industrial Complex should see Mongolia get more from its national assets. Most of the country’s resources are currently exported unprocessed, and the vast majority of the profits go elsewhere. At Sainshand, value will be added to raw materials so that Mongolia can realise gains currently being earned in other countries. "We are exporting raw materials," said B. Tsogtgerel,…

Analysis

Branding cashmere: Initiatives well under way to catch up with regional and global players
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As Mongolia works to shore up its industries – investing in production facilities lacking in capital and working to improve sourcing methods – it is also paying attention to the far end of the value chain: marketing. Under the Sovietmodel, products did not have to be sold, as the state ordered almost everything. After the collapse, it was an aspect of business largely ignored. The country…

Analysis

The great outdoors: An intriguing combination of ancient festivals and extreme sports
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Long established as an adventure tourism destination, Mongolia is making a more concerted push to attract travellers seeking sporting activities. The new government is promoting more natural niches like bird-watching and hunting, as well as traditional festivals celebrating activities such as the “three manly sports” of wrestling, archery and horse racing. At the same time, tour operators are…

Analysis

Keeping options open: Wi-Fi has not stood out among the many internet services
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Wi-Fi has never truly caught on in Mongolia. In its 2011 White Paper, the Information, Technology, Post and Telecommunications Authority (ITPTA) noted that only 0.2% of all internet connections were made using that method, which was even less than connections made using dial-up, which came in at 0.7% of the total. The most popular way of accessing the internet in Mongolia was general packet radio…

Analysis

High consumption: Huge demand for cement as large projects get under way
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The cement sector features characteristics common to so many markets in the country’s economy: short supply, mushrooming demand, Chinese imports and plans to boost local capacity. The importance of new domestic supply cannot be understated, as the government’s plans in the next five years include $40.5bn in spending on major projects in energy, housing, rail, roads and industry. Each will address…

Analysis

New restrictions: Regulations related to resource nationalism may have mixed effects
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Mongolia had a relatively open and free telecoms market — that was until May 2012 when the government passed the Foreign Investment Law of Mongolia that, among other things, restricted investment in the key areas of minerals, banking, finance, media and communications. The law was primarily motivated by the growing concern that foreign interests would take over the country’s mining assets.…