Politics
Opposition MP Ö.Shijir Denounces Tax Burden on Businesses, Criticizes Officials’ Dubai Travel
Published: 2026-01-10
Opposition lawmaker Ö.Shijir accused the ruling Mongolian People’s Party of breaking its campaign pledge not to raise taxes, asserting that multiple levies and penalties are squeezing companies and employers. He claimed enterprises face higher social insurance contributions, increased vehicle and excise taxes, and new taxes on bank interest, alongside stricter enforcement measures such as account freezes and forced collections. Shijir also alleged wasteful public spending and criticized senior officials for traveling to Dubai during New Year while businesses struggle. He argued state bodies and SOEs have expanded their role in the economy over the past decade without improving services.
“When a MNT 2 million tax discrepancy is found, they open a case and impose fines, while officials jet to Dubai on unclear budgets. Businesses are being shaken down by taxes, premiums, and penalties.” - MP Ö.Shijir (isee.mn)
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Economy
Ulaanbaatar to Release 5,000 Tons of Reserve Meat from Jan 20 at Fixed Prices
Published: 2026-01-10
Ulaanbaatar city authorities will begin selling government-allocated reserve meat on January 20 through 410 outlets, aiming to stabilize prices during the late-winter demand peak. The fixed retail price is set at MNT 15,000 per kg for beef and MNT 13,000 per kg for mutton. Of the 5,000 tons prepared, 40% is beef and 60% mutton. Nine companies were selected last year to stockpile the reserves; officials report preparations are 95% complete and say both scheduled and surprise inspections have been conducted in January to ensure quality and safety. An expanded sale is planned February 7–17 across 18 city locations ahead of Lunar New Year, when consumption typically spikes. This intervention seeks to cushion households and food businesses from seasonal price volatility while maintaining supply continuity.
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Copper Prices Surge on Supply Disruptions and AI-Driven Demand; 2026 Deficit Forecast Deepens
Published: 2026-01-10
Copper futures on the London Metal Exchange neared record territory, rising to $12,960/ton late December and hitting $13,390/ton on January 6, reflecting a more than 30% increase since early 2025. Analysts tie the rally to acute supply shocks—landslide-related stoppages at Indonesia’s Grasberg mine into Q2 2026, reduced output at Chile’s Quebrada Blanca, incidents at Chile’s Teniente and Congo’s Kamoa-Kakula—and precautionary stock-building by traders. U.S. import-tariff speculation also spurred pre-year-end buying, creating short-term inventory imbalances. Morgan Global Research projects a 330,000-ton refined copper deficit in 2026; Wood Mackenzie sees a 6 million-ton shortfall by 2030 absent major new mines. Expanding AI data centers and the energy transition are accelerating demand. For Mongolia, higher prices could lift fiscal revenues beyond coal, with Oyu Tolgoi and Erdenet output poised to exceed 800,000 tons of concentrate annually.
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Budget Panel Targets 90 Mt Coal Exports and Higher Public Sector Pay in 2026 Fiscal Plan
Published: 2026-01-10
Parliament’s Budget Standing Committee reported passing seven laws and three resolutions during the 2025 autumn session, alongside reviews of eight agency reports. Committee chair N. Naranbaatar said the 2026 budget framework assumes coal export volumes of 90 million tonnes at US$70/tonne and copper prices at US$9,700/tonne, with 1.9 million tonnes of copper concentrate exports—projecting MNT 9.3 trillion in mining revenues. Total consolidated spending and net lending is set at MNT 33.0 trillion, with the state budget portion at MNT 22.9 trillion, including MNT 24.9 trillion for current expenditures and MNT 8.6 trillion for capital. Teacher base salaries will rise by MNT 742,000 from January 1, 2026 and reach MNT 2.8 million from November 1, while healthcare staff pay increases 15%. Social benefits will adjust with inflation, with targeted raises for disability-related payments. The plan allocates MNT 3.3 trillion to finance 738 projects with a total cost estimate of MNT 11.1 trillion.
“We have based the budget on coal at US$70 per tonne with exports at 90 million tonnes, and copper at US$9,700 per tonne with 1.9 million tonnes of concentrate exports, projecting MNT 9.3 trillion in mining revenue for the budget.” - N. Naranbaatar, Chair of Parliament’s Budget Standing Committee (montsame.mn)
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Infrastructure
Havirga–Arkhashaat Border Crossing Extends Weekday Opening to 07:00 After Council Review
Published: 2026-01-10
Dornod Province’s border checkpoint council approved updated operating rules for regional crossings, advancing an earlier weekday opening at the Havirga–Arkhashaat post to 07:00 from 08:00. The decision follows the council’s second integrated meeting with law enforcement and provincial leadership to align procedures across crossings with China (Havirga, Sümber, Bayankhoshuu) and Russia (Ulkhán, Ereentsav), as well as one air checkpoint. The move aims to streamline passenger travel and cargo flows by extending morning access, a modest but practical adjustment that can ease congestion and improve logistics timing for cross-border trade. Authorities emphasized that the refreshed guidelines apply to both export-import activities and leisure travel. Further harmonization of rules across the province’s land and air checkpoints is anticipated as coordination continues.
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Society
Foreign Resident Population Rises 7.4% as Chinese Nationals Lead Registrations
Published: 2026-01-10
As of December 31, 2025, Mongolia had 34,272 registered foreign residents from 136 countries, up 7.4% year on year. Chinese nationals comprise the largest group at 19,952, followed by Russia (3,001), India (2,278), South Korea (1,693), and the United States (1,124); citizens of other countries total 6,224. Foreign residents living in Mongolia for private purposes account for 0.9% of the national population, within legal limits that cap total private residents at 3% and any single nationality at 1%. By purpose, 17,168 are employed, 5,213 are students, 5,329 are investors, 3,022 are family-related, 1,767 are immigrants, 560 are on official assignments, 134 are for religious activities, and 1,079 for other private reasons. Chinese nationals alone represent 0.56% of the population, Russian 0.09%, Indian 0.06%, South Korean 0.04%, and U.S. 0.03%.
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Pre-Sale Housing Scheme Defrauds 260 Buyers of Over MNT 2 Billion
Published: 2026-01-10
Authorities have identified a three-year housing pre-sale fraud in which an individual referred to as “B” signed contracts with 260 buyers and collected deposits of MNT 20–120 million each for an unfinished project, causing losses exceeding MNT 2.0 billion, according to isee.mn. The case underscores persistent risks in Mongolia’s pre-construction apartment market, where weak due diligence and limited consumer protections can expose buyers to contractor default. Prospective purchasers are urged to verify developers’ legal registration, track record of timely project delivery, court or debt status, and completeness of permits before signing contracts. Engaging qualified legal or professional advisors is recommended to mitigate risk. The incident may prompt renewed calls for tighter regulation of pre-sales, escrow mechanisms, and stricter enforcement against unlicensed or undercapitalized developers.
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Environment
Government Sends Fodder Reserves to High-Risk Provinces as Winter Conditions Worsen
Published: 2026-01-10
Provincial emergency committees report severe wintering conditions in Övörkhangai, where 80% of territory is snow-covered and 34% faces high dzud risk. Several soums—including Uyanga, Nariinteel, Bayang-Öndör, Sant, Tögrög, Bayangol, Guchin-Us, and Ölgii—have exhausted local fodder stocks, forcing a shift to full feeding after heavy snowfall from November. Over 133,800 head of livestock have been moved to winter pastures in 50 soums across 14 other provinces, yet more than 500 animals have already perished. National feed reserves cover 75% at the aimag level but only 48% on average in soums. In response, Deputy Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry B. Nyamjav said the government allocated 549 tons of fodder from state reserves to Övörkhangai for urgent distribution via the Emergency Commission. The General Authority for Veterinary Services is also providing medicines and financing to local veterinary units, while local officials request vehicles, fuel, and equipment to open access routes and support emergency services.
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Health
Government Sets 2026 Health Insurance Premium at 4% Split Between Employers and Employees
Published: 2026-01-10
The Cabinet set 2026 health insurance contributions at 4% of monthly wages and equivalent income, split 2% by employers and 2% by employees, aligning with the Health Insurance Law’s annual rate-setting requirement. Ulaanbaatar began annual military registration for citizens aged 18–50, with reserve officers up to 65 and qualified women required to register through Jan. 23. The government formed a working group to prepare the Borteeg section of the Tavan Tolgoi coal field for investment selection under the National Wealth Fund framework. The Cabinet appointed P. Delgernaran as Director General of the General Customs Office before the ongoing recruitment process concluded, effectively terminating it. Seniors’ groups called for a 50% pension increase in the 2026 budget revision, while pension loan rates were reportedly cut to 18% with terms extended to 36 months. A 4.5-magnitude quake was recorded near Khuvsgul’s Khank soum.
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