Politics
Published: 2025-11-29
Parliament approved the five-year Directions for Development for 2026–2030 after completing first and final readings, incorporating 210 principle-level amendments. The framework aligns national and sectoral plans with the state budget, mandates indicators tied to UN SDGs, and positions the Directions as the basis for government and local annual plans, performance budgets, and agency KPIs. Priority areas span eight policy pillars—from human development and social cohesion to green economy, regional development, competitiveness, and AI—targeting 10 national outcomes. Key targets include raising the middle class share by 20%, adding two years to life expectancy, and lifting the Human Development Index to 0.85 through improved education quality, labor-market alignment, and accessible, financially risk-free health services. An accompanying instruction tasks the Government to draft legal harmonization measures and an investment programming methodology for submission in spring 2026.
“Items lacking baseline research or feasibility studies cannot be included in the core directions; such projects have been removed.” - G. Temuulen, MP and working group lead (gogo.mn)
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Prime Minister Zandanshatar Defends Budget Cuts, Anti-Corruption Drive in Parliamentary Q&A
Published: 2025-11-29
Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar fielded questions in Parliament on fiscal policy, inflation, and industrial support, arguing the government stabilized finances despite falling commodity prices and political turbulence. He said a mid-year budget revision cut 2.2 trillion MNT in “wasteful” spending, helping steady the tugrik and reduce price pressures. The government reports over 300 corruption cases sent to court and back-to-back fiscal surpluses in August and September, with foreign reserves reaching a record $6 billion. Lawmakers pressed on cost-of-living relief, social welfare targeting, and support for domestic manufacturing, including food processing and cashmere value-add. Zandanshatar highlighted programs to expand processing capacity and explore a free trade deal with the Eurasian Economic Union. Opposition MPs urged faster reforms at state-owned enterprises and measures to ease bureaucratic hurdles in land permits and broaden tax rebates for home insulation.
“We revised the budget to avoid shifting the burden onto citizens, cutting 2.2 trillion MNT in wasteful outlays and putting the budget on the right track.” - Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar (montsame.mn)
“Broad-based handouts cannot solve livelihoods; we are overhauling welfare to better target those in need.” - Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar (montsame.mn)
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Bill on Strategic Product Supply Moves to Final Review Stage After Parliament Vote
Published: 2025-11-29
Parliament conducted the initial reading of the government’s bill to support the supply and delivery of strategically important products, submitted on November 25. The Economic Standing Committee had recommended shifting the bill directly from first reading to final passage, noting that no members proposed formal amendments during committee review and that 70.6% of attending committee members backed the fast-track step. However, after questions from MP A. Ariunzaya during the plenary, a procedural vote to advance the bill straight to adoption failed. The measure was instead returned to the Economic Standing Committee for preparation for a final reading. This keeps the legislation on track but extends the timeline for potential enactment, with further amendments and clarifications likely before a decisive vote.
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Economy
EBRD Bars Max Group and Khan Altai Resource from Bank-Financed Projects for 4.5 Years After Bribery Attempt
Published: 2025-11-29
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has debarred Max Group’s Max Impex LLC and Khan Altai Resource LLC—along with 22 affiliated subsidiaries—from participating in EBRD-financed projects for 4.5 years after an ethics probe found they attempted to bribe EBRD staff to influence lending decisions. EBRD employees reported the incident to the bank’s Ethics and Compliance Department and returned the funds. The companies admitted misconduct and cooperated, leading EBRD to calibrate sanctions while imposing remedial conditions. Max Group entities must strengthen ethics programs, undergo independent compliance audits, and implement controls to prevent future violations. Failure to meet these obligations could trigger an additional four-year exclusion. The decision underscores heightened enforcement around procurement integrity in development finance and may affect mining, import, and related supply-chain projects tied to EBRD funding in Mongolia.
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Parliament Advances Plan to Adjust Import Tariffs on Flour and Feed for Western Border Regions
Published: 2025-11-29
Parliament moved a draft resolution to its first reading that would amend the 1999 tariff schedule, allowing the government to set customs duties on imported wheat flour, animal feed, and additives to stabilize supply in western regions facing drought-related shortages. The Agriculture Minister said the sector remains highly sensitive to climate and external shocks, noting earlier duty exemptions boosted flour supply but distorted domestic wheat milling and agriculture. Lawmakers highlighted policy consistency and timing, with concerns that delayed announcements harm businesses and remote households. A request from 64 MPs seeks customs exemptions via five western border posts to maintain supplies. Support stood at 53.7% for advancing the bill to the Budget and Environment, Food and Agriculture committees.
“If this resolution is passed, we can resolve the import notification issue promptly.” - Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry M. Badamsuren (montsame.mn)
“State policy must be clear and stable; frequent changes to tax-free imports through western ports should stop.” - MP S. Byambatsogt (montsame.mn)
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Infrastructure
Ulaanbaatar Plans 50,000 Households on Gas by 2026 as City Expands Anti-Pollution Drive
Published: 2025-11-29
Ulaanbaatar city officials outlined an accelerated air-quality program following an extraordinary session of the city council. Authorities are insulating 5,000 homes in Bayangol and Chingeltei this year and will begin converting them to gas heating from January 2026. The plan scales up sharply next year, targeting insulation and energy conversion—gas, electric and renewables—for over 50,000 additional households, alongside ongoing ger-area redevelopment and land acquisition for around 5,000 plots in 2026. The city has shifted sales to 100% semi-coke briquettes and installed 117,000 carbon monoxide alarms, with extensive response and public education. Early November–late November readings show declines in SO2 (−43%), PM2.5 (−8%) and PM10 (−19%), while NO2 rose, driven by traffic near 600,000 daily vehicles.
“We will supply over 170,000 households with semi-coke briquettes this heating season, moving fully to semi-coke within two weeks.” - Kh. Nyambaatar, Ulaanbaatar Mayor (news.mn)
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Health
Flu Ward Pressure Eases in Ulaanbaatar District as Bed Capacity Expands and Vaccination Gaps Emerge
Published: 2025-11-29
Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar inspected Songinokhairkhan District General Hospital, where pediatric flu cases remain high but emergency arrivals have declined in recent days (198 overnight, 58 admitted). Hospital leaders credit extended hours at family clinics for easing pressure. Of 281 hospitalized children, 81% were not vaccinated against influenza, underscoring low coverage: only 27,430 doses were administered to target groups in a district of 130,000 children. Authorities added 100 beds—now 240—through a city-funded renovation (MNT 2.1 billion), with another 100-bed pediatric unit under refurbishment that will lift child capacity above 300. Nationwide, flu-like illnesses are at outbreak levels; 2,304 children are hospitalized, 88% with severe acute respiratory infections. Songinokhairkhan’s respiratory illnesses are up 67% year-on-year, highlighting ongoing demand for pediatric care and the urgency of improving vaccine access.
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Schools Shift Online in Ulaanbaatar as Flu Surges; Cabinet Reshuffle Confirms New Economic, Agriculture Chiefs
Published: 2025-11-29
Ulaanbaatar will move grades 1–5 online from December 1–5 and grades 6–9 from December 8–12 due to a citywide flu surge, while preschools and high schools remain in person. Health authorities report rapid increases in respiratory infections, with children comprising the majority of cases, prompting extended hospital hours and funding for diagnostics. Education Minister P. Naranbayar said classroom learning for younger cohorts will pause, citing higher infection rates among them, while maintaining preschools to avoid workforce disruptions.
“Primary classes will switch to online next week, with middle grades following a week later, while high schools continue in person; preschools will operate normally to ensure parents can work.” - Education Minister P. Naranbayar (eagle.mn)
Parliament also formalized key appointments: J. Enkhbayar became Deputy Prime Minister and Economy and Development Minister, and MP M. Badamsüren was named Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Minister. Separately, Constitutional Court member L. Ölziisaikhan was released to serve as Parliament’s Secretary-General. Lawmakers scheduled a December 8 hearing for the central bank governor nominee amid leadership transition.
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Health Ministry Probes State First Hospital After U.S. Traveler Dies Following Power Outage and Alleged Misdiagnosis
Published: 2025-11-29
The Ministry of Health has launched an internal audit at the State First Central Hospital following a complaint alleging that a U.S. tourist died after a prolonged misdiagnosis and a one-hour power outage disabled life-support equipment. The complaint claims the patient, who fell ill in June 2025, suffered a diaphragmatic hernia with gastric strangulation that went undiagnosed for a week, leading to gastric necrosis. After a partial gastrectomy, the patient was placed in intensive care, where a reported power disruption on June 23 allegedly halted ventilators and the hospital’s substation failed to provide backup. The audit reportedly includes scrutiny of the hospital director, L. Byambasuren, and broader reviews of internal management, staff conduct, and service quality, amid multiple complaints from the public about deteriorating operations. The case highlights infrastructure reliability risks and clinical governance gaps within a leading tertiary facility.
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