Politics
Published: 2026-11-08
Prime Minister Uchral presented the 2027 state budget draft at an “Ask the Prime Minister Directly” meeting in Sainshand, Dornogovi Province. Parliament is due to approve the draft next week. The government plans to cut taxes’ share of budget revenue from 90 percent to 79 percent, relieve citizens and businesses of 1.3 trillion tugrik in taxes, and raise public-sector salaries 10-20 percent. State-owned companies are to contribute 3.5 trillion tugrik of net profit to the budget, and Uchral said their directors will be relieved of their posts and replaced through open selection. He added that the state is set to receive its first Oyu Tolgoi dividend in 17 years. A 2027-2030 housing program will also start, with 16,000 new mortgage loans planned next year.
“Next year, 50 percent of total mortgage financing will go to the regions. This includes rent-to-own housing.” - N. Uchral (tug.mn)
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Economy
Police Investigate Suspected Fraud and Money Laundering Tied to “Ger Coin” Virtual Asset
Published: 2026-11-08
The Criminal Police Department is investigating shareholders and executives of a legal entity that operated in Mongolia over suspected fraud and money laundering. The report does not name the company. Investigators have preliminarily established circumstances suggesting that the suspects may have misused funds raised from citizens through primary and secondary market trading of a virtual asset called “Ger coin,” and may have deliberately created artificial circumstances to commit fraud. Under the Criminal Code, fraud covers deceiving others with documents, property or electronic means, creating false circumstances, exploiting religious belief, concealing reality, or abusing reputation and established trust to take another person’s assets or property rights. Such acts carry criminal liability. The case remains under investigation.
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Agriculture Minister Presses Russia and Eurasian Commission on Export Barriers
Published: 2026-11-08
Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Ts. Iderbat discussed expanding farm exports during an official visit to Russia that began November 3. He met Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister M.V. Markovich and Eurasian Economic Commission trade minister A.A. Slepnyov. Talks covered producing foot-and-mouth vaccine at Mongolia’s Biocombinat with Russia’s VNIIZZh, reviewing Russia’s temporary limits on Mongolian meat imports, and speeding transit permits through the Argus system. The sides also agreed to update their 1993 plant protection and quarantine agreement. On November 6, Iderbat and Slepnyov reviewed the interim trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, which gives 264 light-industry products tariff preferences; 112 can be produced in Mongolia. Few of the 74 food products covered have been exported. Iderbat said animal-disease restrictions, quarantine, standards, laboratory requirements, capacity, and logistics hinder exports.
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Diplomacy
Australia Starts Collecting Fingerprints and Photos From Mongolian Visa Applicants
Published: 2026-11-08
Australia began collecting biometric data, namely fingerprints and facial photographs, from citizens of Mongolia applying for visas on October 26, 2026. The program is one of the measures running in about 60 countries to strengthen the security of Australia’s visa system. When biometrics are required, the Australian Department of Home Affairs notifies the applicant officially and sends instructions. Depending on circumstances, applicants must either attend an Australian biometric collection center in person or submit the data digitally through the Australian Immi App. Applicants already registered in Australia’s biometric system who hold a valid foreign passport can use the app free of charge. The requirement covers applications lodged after October 26 and does not affect applications submitted before that date, according to the Australian Embassy in Mongolia.
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Infrastructure
Zamyn-Uud Trial Moves Electric Truck “Green Station” Network Into Full Implementation
Published: 2026-11-08
The final trial of the “Green Station” heavy electric truck charging project ended successfully on November 7 at the Gegeen solar power plant in Zamyn-Uud, Dornogovi Province, with Prime Minister Uchral attending. The project now moves into full implementation. Solar-powered charging stations with energy storage will be built at seven locations along the roughly 700 km Ulaanbaatar–Zamyn-Uud corridor, including the country’s first megawatt-class charging station. Nexus MLG LLC, a joint venture of Monlogistics Holding JSC and MMS Engineering LLC, is carrying out the project with Premium Nexus JSC. Monlogistics Holding plans to buy 200 heavy electric trucks. Project estimates show transport costs could fall by up to 30 percent. At the Zamyn-Uud border port, Uchral also instructed officials to establish a dedicated lane for electric trucks and to negotiate extended operating hours with the Chinese side.
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President Honors Rail Builders After Hazardous-Cargo Bypass Opens
Published: 2026-11-08
President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh met rail workers and national builders on November 6 to thank them for the Bagakhangai-Khushigiin Khundii and Emeelt line. The line opened last month, and the first hazardous-cargo train traveled around the capital. In 2025, 22-23 wagons carrying over 20 types of hazardous and explosive substances crossed central Ulaanbaatar daily, or 8,180 wagons a year. Transport Minister Borkhuugiin Delgersaikhan said the bypass ensures the safety of the capital’s 1.5 million residents:
“Going forward, we will commission the Gashuunsukhait-Gants Mod cross-border railway and increase export transport revenue, making it possible to finance the next major national railway projects.” - Borkhuugiin Delgersaikhan (gogo.mn)
Khurelsukh awarded state-owned Mongolian Railway the Altan Gadas order. The company’s chief executive reported cargo volume of 11.7 million tonnes this year.
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Crews Spread 370 Tonnes of Salt to Prevent Icy Roads
Published: 2026-11-08
Municipal crews have spread 370.5 tonnes of salt and 86 tonnes of another substance on roads and public areas to prevent ice and slippery surfaces, according to figures reported as of 07:00 on November 7, 2026. The Urban Maintenance Department, district maintenance service companies, and contracted businesses and organizations are carrying out the cleaning and maintenance work. A total of 822 people are on the operation. They are using 106 vehicles and machines, 58 small-scale devices, and 162 handheld blowers. Salt accounts for most of the material applied, with the 86 tonnes of other substance spread alongside it. The figures show the scale of the effort to prevent ice and slippery surfaces on roads and public areas.
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Society
Nationwide Day Off Set for Tuesday on Chinggis Khaan’s Birthday
Published: 2026-11-08
Tuesday, November 10, is a nationwide day off for Mongol Pride Day, which marks the birthday of Chinggis Khaan. The date falls on the first day of the first winter month in the traditional lunar calendar. Article 4.1.8 of the law on public holidays and commemorative days sets the day as a public holiday across Mongolia. This year marks the 864th anniversary of Chinggis Khaan’s birth, and the day is observed to honor national history, cultural heritage and statehood traditions. A second nationwide day off follows later this month on Thursday, November 26, when the country marks the day the Republic was proclaimed. Both dates are nationwide days off under the law.
Coverage:
Innovation
Second-Quarter Classes Begin Monday at General Education Schools
Published: 2026-11-08
Students at general education schools return to class on Monday, November 9, when the second quarter of the 2026-2027 academic year begins. The first-quarter break ran from November 2 to 8. The new quarter opens with a holiday soon after: Tuesday, November 10, is Mongolian Pride Day, a national public holiday. General education schools have followed a four-quarter structure since the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, so this is the second of four teaching periods. The break gave pupils a full week between terms, with classes resuming on the first school day after it. Parents and employers should note both the Monday restart and the Tuesday holiday.
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