by Robert Ritz
Your essential source for Mongolian news, politics, economics, and business. Daily and weekly briefings delivered to your inbox.
Politics Budget Revision Raises Pensions, Welfare Payments and Public-Sector Pay From November 1 Published: 2026-10-20 Parliament finalized the 2026 budget revision on October 16, setting total spending at MNT 33.9 trillion and the deficit at MNT 2 trillion. From November 1, all pension
Politics Tax Changes Will Raise VAT Threshold and Ease Some Compliance Rules Published: 2026-10-19 Tax amendments approved in June will take effect from January 1, 2027, with changes to personal income tax beginning January 1, 2028. The package ends temporary bank-account freezes for bu
Politics Parliament Passes Mining Law Amendments on Royalties, Local Funding and Mine Closure Published: 2026-10-18 Parliament gave final approval on October 16 to amendments to the Minerals Law intended to update mining regulation, expand geological research and exploration, support de
Politics Parliament Finalizes 2026 Budget Revision Published: 2026-10-17 Parliament has given final approval to the 2026 budget revision, directing additional funds to pensions, welfare, public-sector pay, food and fuel reserves, and energy-sector repairs. From November 1, 435,000 older
Politics Parliament Approves 2026 Budget Revision With MNT2 Trillion Deficit Published: 2026-10-16 Parliament gave final approval to the 2026 budget revision on October 16, setting consolidated revenue at MNT31.9 trillion and a MNT2 trillion deficit, equivalent to 2 percent of GDP. The
Politics Parliament Advances 2027 Budget Bills to Third Reading Published: 2026-10-15 Parliament held the second reading of four 2027 budget bills on October 15 and voted to refer them for third-reading preparation. Of 90 members voting, 71, or 78.9%, supported the bills concerning the
Politics Government to Launch Housing Registry With Unit QR Codes by November 15 Published: 2026-10-14 The government will establish a public electronic registry for unfinished and under-construction housing by November 15 to prevent duplicate presale contracts. Justice and Home Affairs
Politics Government Plans Public Poll on Proposed Oyu Tolgoi Dividend Spending Published: 2026-10-13 The government plans to ask citizens through E-Mongolia how a proposed Oyu Tolgoi dividend should be spent, pending a final decision at the October 14 cabinet meeting. Prime Minister Uch
Politics Court Orders Journalist T. Shinebayar Held for 30 Days Published: 2026-10-12 A district court ordered Dens.mn journalist T. Shinebayar held in pretrial detention for 30 days, beginning October 11, following a prosecutor's request. The decision followed an urgent arrest after a
Economy Prime Minister Sets November Deadline for Erdenet Copper Smelter Agreements Published: 2026-10-11 Prime Minister Uchral instructed officials to accelerate the USD 772 million copper-concentrate smelting and processing plant planned at Erdenet Mining Corporation and complete cont
October 10, 2026 to October 16, 2026 --- 1. AI-92 petrol prices rose to MNT 3,600 per liter as Russian import costs increased Regular AI-92 retail prices rose by MNT 500-560 per liter to MNT 3,600 at some stations after Russia's October supply price increased by USD 190 per tonne to USD
October 3, 2026 to October 9, 2026 --- 1. Airport Agreement Restricts Buyant-Ukhaa to Non-Commercial Flights The agreement governing Chinggis Khaan International Airport prohibits another commercial airport within 150 kilometers, leaving Buyant-Ukhaa, about 50 kilometers away, limited to
September 26, 2026 to October 2, 2026 --- 1. Mongolia and Rio Tinto agree to cut Oyu Tolgoi financing and management costs Mongolia and Rio Tinto have agreed to amend the Oyu Tolgoi shareholders' agreement after negotiations confirmed in a September 11 joint statement by Prime Minister N
September 19, 2026 to September 25, 2026 --- 1. Oyu Tolgoi shareholders agree in principle to target dividends from 2027 Oyu Tolgoi LLC shareholders have agreed in principle to amend their agreement after nearly two years of talks, cutting Rio Tinto shareholder-loan interest from SOFR pl
September 12, 2026 to September 18, 2026 --- 1. Mongolia and Rio Tinto Sign Oyu Tolgoi Amendments, Target 2027 Dividends Mongolia and Rio Tinto signed amendments to the 2011 Oyu Tolgoi Shareholders’ Agreement after negotiations that began in August 2025, the first changes in 17 years. Th