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Tuesday Feb 09

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  • Air Flight Schedule - Mongolia EzNis Airways -
      Destination Flight number Flight days Departure Arrival Effective date
    1 Ulaanbaatar –Dalanzadgad ZY 955 .2..5.. 08:10 09:40 2009.01.26 - 2009.03.08
    Dalanzadgad-Ulaanbaatar ZY 956 .2..5.. 10:05 11:30
    2 Ulaanbaatar - Murun ZY 951 .2..5.. 12:00 13:35 2009.01.26 - 2009.03.08
    Murun - Ulaanbaatar ZY 952 .2..5.. 14:00 15:25
    3 Ulaanbaatar - Choibalsan ZY 909 1.3.5.. 16:00 17:35 2009.01.26 - 2009.03.08
    Choibalsan -Ulaanbaatar ZY 910 1.3.5.. 18:00 19:50
     
    4
    Ulaanbaatar- Bayankhongor ZY 941 ..3.... 08:00 09:25  
    2009.01.26 - 2009.03.08
    Bayankhongor-?ltai ZY 941 ..3.... 09:50 11:05
    Altai - Bayankhongor ZY 942 ..3.... 11:30 12:45
    Bayankhongor- Ulaanbaatar ZY 942 ..3.... 13:10 14:35
     
    5
    Ulaanbaatar -?ltai ZY 941 .....6. 08:00 10:10 2009.01.26 - 2009.03.08
    ?ltai -Ulaanbaatar ZY 942 .....6. 10:35 12:45
     
     
    6
    Ulaanbaatar- Bayankhongor ZY 975 ……7 13:30 14:55  
    2009.01.26 - 2009.03.08
    Bayankhongor-Donoi ZY 975 ……7 15:20 16:40
    Donoi- Bayankhongor ZY 976 ……7 17:05 18:25
    Bayankhongor- Ulaanbaatar ZY 976 ……7 18:50 20:10
    7 Ulaanbaatar- Donoi ZY 975 ...4... 14:00 16:20  
    2009.01.26 - 2009.03.08
    Donoi- Ulaanbaatar ZY 976 ...4... 16:45 18:30
    8 Ulaanbaatar- Khovd ZY 993 .2.4..7 07:40 09:35 2009.01.26 - 2009.03.08
    Khovd- Ulaanbaatar ZY 994 .2.4..7 10:00 13:25
    9 Ulaanbaatar- Ulaangom ZY 921 1..4.6. 13:30 15:20 2009.01.26 - 2009.03.08
    Ulaangom- Ulaanbaatar ZY 922 1..4.6. 15:45 19:05
    10 Ulaanbaatar- Ulgii ZY 923 1.3..6. 07:00 09:00 2009.01.26 - 2009.03.08
    Ulgii- Ulaanbaatar ZY 924 1.3..6. 09:25 13:00
  • Chinggis Khaan's Cavalry Show -

    A performance called "The return of Chinggis Khaan after 800 years" was held first time year 2006 in Sergelen Soum, Tuv Aimag, Mongolia as part of the 800th anniversary of the Great Mongolian State. Reenactment of Chinggis Khaan's cavalry will be continue from July through August in 2008. The performance will take place 55 kilometers away from Ulaanbaatar, which is capital of Mongolia.

    The performance will show Chinggis Khaan and 500 of his thirteenth century powerful cavalrymen armed with swords, spears, bows and arrows in mock battle. In the spectacle two armies will meet and clash weapons, with the cacophony of battle rising to a crescendo in the dust of steppe. It will demonstrate what were revolutionary battle techniques and tactics, especially the archery technique of shooting backwards while riding away.

    This performance will be of a great interest to anyone who wonders how Chinggis Khaan's cavalry managed to lay foundations for an empire governed much of Eurasia in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the largest land empire the world has ever known.

    Along with the performance there will be occurring many other events, including folk and modern Mongolian performing art shows. In addition, visitors can ride horses and camels, attend tsaatan urts, and take photos with warriors, buy traditional antiques and souvenirs, and enjoy Asian and European delicious dishes in cozy Ger-type restaurants.

    [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHY2SwDnyAQ]

    This is performance held yearly since 2006, but the organisation seems to change every year including the conct details and website. Please contact your travel agency for more information.
    The last known website was: http://www.chinggis-cavalry.mn/

  • EzNis Domestic Flights Mongolia Schedule 2008 -
    Flight schedule
    Winter, 2008-2009
     
    Destination Flight number Flight days Departure* Arrival* Effective date
    1 Ulaanbaatar Dalanzadgad ZY 955 Tuesday, Friday 08:10 09:40 Sep 28. 2008-Dec 31. 2008
    Dalanzadgad Ulaanbaatar ZY 956 Tuesday, Friday 10:05 11:30
    2 Ulaanbaatar Murun ZY 951 Tuesday, Friday 12:00 13:35 Sep 28. 2008-Dec 31. 2008
    Murun Ulaanbaatar ZY 952 Tuesday, Friday 14:00 15:25
    3 Ulaanbaatar Choibalsan ZY 909 Monday, Wednesday 08:00 09:35 Sep 28. 2008-Dec 31. 2008
    Choibalsan Ulaanbaatar ZY 910 Monday, Wednesday 10:00 11:50
    4 Ulaanbaatar Choibalsan ZY 909 Friday 14:30 16:05 Sep 28. 2008-Dec 31. 2008
    Choibalsan Ulaanbaatar ZY 910 Friday 16:30 18:20
    5 Ulaanbaatar Bayankhongor ZY 933 Monday, Thursday 12:20 13:45 Sep 28. 2008-Dec 31. 2008
    Bayankhongor Ulaanbaatar ZY 934 Monday, Thursday 14:10 15:30
    6 Ulaanbaatar Donoi ZY 975 Thursday 11:10 13:30 Sep 28. 2008-Dec 31. 2008
    Donoi Ulaanbaatar ZY 976 Thursday 13:55 15:40
    7 Ulaanbaatar Donoi ZY 975 Monday 11:10 13:30 Oct 13. 2008-Dec 31. 2008 
    (Once every 2 weeks)
    Donoi Ulaanbaatar ZY 976 Monday 13:55 15:40
    8 Ulaanbaatar Tosontsengel ZY 975 Monday 11:10 13:30 Oct 06. 2008-Dec 31. 2008 
    (Once every 2 weeks)
    Tosontsengel Donoi ZY 975 Monday 13:25 14:15
    Donoi Tosontsengel ZY 976 Monday 14:40 15:25
    Tosontsengel Ulaanbaatar ZY 976 Monday 15:50 17:25
    9 Ulaanbaatar Tosontsengel ZY 975 Monday 11:10 13:30 Dec 01. 2008-Dec 31. 2008 
    (Every week)
    Tosontsengel Donoi ZY 975 Monday 13:25 14:15
    Donoi Tosontsengel ZY 976 Monday 14:40 15:25
    Tosontsengel Ulaanbaatar ZY 976 Monday 15:50 17:25
     
      *- Local time
  • Train Schedule Ulaanbaatar Beijing Moscow Irkutsk 2008 -

    Incoming trips to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 

    From Beijing

    Train No Departure day & time Arrival day & time
    Chinese train 4 Wednesday, 07:45am Thursday 1:20pm
    Chinese train Tuesday, 07:45am Wednesday 1:20pm
    Additional train Monday 07:45am since June 11, 2007

    From Moscow

    Train No Departure day & time Arrival day & time
    Chinese train 4 Tuesday, 9:30pm Sunday, 07:30am
    Mongolian train 5/6 Thursday/Wednesday, 9:35pm Tuesday/Monday, 07:30am

    From Irkutsk

    Train No Departure day & time Arrival day & time
    Mongolian Train 264 Everyday 3:40pm Everyday 06:25am

     

    Outgoing trips from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

    To Ulan-Ude

    Train No Departure day & time Arrival day & time
    Mongolian train 263 Everyday 7:35pm Everyday 5:40pm

    To Irkutsk

    Train No Departure day & time Arrival day & time
    Mongolian train 263 Everyday 7:35pm 07:20 + 2am
    (36 hours on the way)
    Mongolian train 5 Thursday/Friday 1:50pm Saturday/Sunday 2:05pm

    To Moscow

    Train No Departure day & time Arrival day & time
    Chinese train 3 Thursday, 1:50pm Monday, 2:30pm
    Mongolian train 5 Tuesday/Friday, 1:50pm Saturday/Tuesday, 2:30pm

    To Beijing

    Train No Departure day & time Arrival day & time
    Chinese train 4 Sunday, 08:05am Monday 2:31pm
    Chinese train 24 Thursday 08:05am Saturday/Tuesday, 2:04pm
    Additional train Saturday 08:05am since June 09, 2007

    To Hohhot

    Train No Departure day & time Arrival day & time
    Mongolian train 34/33 Monday/Friday, 8:05pm Tuesday/Saturday, 8:49pm
Opinion

Mongolia & Oyu Tolgoi: Another winter of discontent?

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Friday, 03 July 2009 14:49 Last Updated on Friday, 03 July 2009 18:06

winter-discontent
There seems to be a lot of positive sentiments regarding an OT (Oyu Tolgoi) Investment Agreement. But should we really be that optimistic? Chris de Gruben , the Accidental Entrepeneur, puts our feet back on the ground.

by Chris de Gruben

The current session of parliament is closing soon, Naadam is in less than 2 weeks.The parliament still has to officially confirm the equity based deal, a democratic president is trying to influence an MPRP majority parliament into action, political parties have to voice objections, create endless committees and special review groups. And of course, the investors have to find an agreement that they can sign.

I see no quick resolution to this dilema.

In the meantime, Mongolia is at the mercy of the goodwill of foreign nations for ever increasing grants and loans. Every week brings new multimillion dollar loans to Mongolia while it does not seem the country has a clear strategy on how it will pay it back. It is spending money today that it hopes it will make tomorrow, a flawed strategy which sadly puts Mongolia in a weak negotiating position.

Even if, by some miracle, the agreement was to be signed this summer, it will probably be too late for Ivanhoe and Rio Tinto to start real, large scale investments and construction at the OT site and building its infrastructure in UB before the onset of winter.

This means that they will have to wait until next spring to start the heavy investments, thus yet another winter of discontent.

Furthermore, I believe that the OT investment has been blown out of proportion, it is not a magical key that will suddenly resolve all of Mongolia's financial and foreign investment problems, it is only part of a complex solution.

There is more to the recovery than OT, TT is also important but most important of all is what the Mongolian Government will do with the money.

There is constant discussion and clamouring from parliament stating that they want an agreement which brings in as much revenue to the Mongolian people as possible.

Fair enough, but I never hear discussions or strategies being made as to how those revenues will be distributed to the people? The motherland gift is a perfect example of a populist promise made with no thought as to how it will be done, who will pay for it and how it will be fairly distributed.

Will be people get a voice in how the revenues are distributed, will its allocation be transparent or will a major part of revenues be wasted on corruption, useless populist projects, all with the aim of improving the condition of the few against the many? This is what I am interested in, how will the money be allocated, spent and so forth.

I hope the agreement is signed soon, if only to improve the image of Mongolia as a serious country worthy of investments, but sadly it seems that too much time is spent by parliamentarians fighting for personal gains instead of fighting for the good of the people.

It is my strong believe that a democracy which allows its members of parliament to own, manage and have financial interests in the private sector is a flawed system. Public servants should serve the public above and beyond their own financial and personal interests. Providing the temptation to serve their own needs is dangerous as it changes the perspectives of their functions. As Oscar Wilde said: I find that I can resist almost anything except temptation...

>>Write your Comment

Comments (24)Add Comment
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reply written by mongol, November 25, 2009
greetings form Mongolia you will see i warn you every Chinggis khaan's birthday i will kill one fucking foreigner so be careful
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reply written by packing up, July 17, 2009
the ship has sailed my friends. packing up and heading out.
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reply written by Investor, July 17, 2009
I see PM Bayar wants $25 billion invested in Mongolian mining projects. I hate to state the obvious, but he seems to be living in a dream world, totaly away from the reality of what it takes to encourage new investors to place their shareholders funds into Mongolia.

Why does he think companies would want to invest in Mongolia when it has taken more than 5 years NOT to come to agreement on Oyu Tolgoi. The dealing going with Tavan Tolgoi is not a transparent process. Who knows what is going on behind the scenes. Meanwhile, licenses have been suspended on several foreign companies projects for non-specific reasons. Does he actually think these types of dealings with foreigners is something that will encourage investors to Mongolia? Does he think other companies want to be negotiating for 5 years after spending their money just to get 50% or less?

How can he do it. Very simple. Recognise as the PM did in 2005 that Mongolia is in competition with the rest of the world for investors in mining. Then look at the laws, regulations and tax regimes of those rich, successful countries with significant income from mining and at LEAST EQUAL them in terms of how to encourage investors.........and be consistant. That is how to maybe get $25 billion. The way things are going in Mongolia NOW is not encouraging to say the least. The way it is now the it is in the governments hands to PROVE it is worthwhile investing in Mongolia. That is going to take years. The way it is now Mongolia will be lucky to get $25 billion in 50 years.

Papua New Guinea put in place a restrictive tax regime in a simple minded way to increase revenue (much like Mongolia) and companies left for 15 years until they changed the laws. In the province of British Columbia, Canada, the new socialist provincial government that was elected in 1974 did a similar thing and companies left by the dozens and the province suffered for 25 years until the politics changed. Those companies that left, by the way, are the reason there has been so much world wide exploration by Canadian companies.
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reply written by mqs, July 17, 2009
I am very sure that most of the money will be corrupted by the poloticians.

You can trust anyone except the politicians.

hahhaa
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reply written by mano, July 09, 2009
To Shagii:

the problem - in my opinion, is not transparency but visibility. Apart the direct beneficiaries and the involved parties, it is difficult to disseminate the information to the public. Most of the donors, NGOs and non profit organisations always try to reach the general public. one of the main tools today is via internet and their web pages. The GoM should also play a major role on this. For instant , take a look at ADB - Asian Development Bank at their web page "list of Projects". It is very detailed ..budget, project, results, contact person for further information and so on...

http://www.adb.org/Projects/approvals.asp?ctry=MON&year=ALL&query=&browse=1&p=ctryMON

this is just an example.

In certain aimags, the international projects played a major role to sustain the economic environment. See today Arkhangai, Ovurkhangai, Darkhan-Uul, and Huvsguul which are emerging and developing very fast compared to years ago. The poverty that you talk about has mainly deteriorated in UB, which has the typical problems of an emerging city.

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reply written by Investor, July 09, 2009
This what analysts think about the ability of the Mongolian Parliment to pass the legislation after 6 years.

"Despite the support of both major parties, the MPRP and the DP, caucus discipline is much weaker in Mongolia than in, say, Canada," said Salman Partners analyst Raymond Goldie.

"Thus passage of the legislation authorizing the agreement is by no means assured before parliament breaks for summer," he said.

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reply written by Tyler Page, July 08, 2009
Hey mongolian man just to set some facts strait for you the "stupid little place called sub'baatar" as you put it is actually owned by a dutchman, a swiss and a canadian who are the majority owners.It is very true that the Belgian, Chris is also an investor in our small sandwich shop, believing in the concept and the guys that worked it.

Further more we employ mongolians, pay taxes just like any other business in mongolia. I agree with 'insider' on these views and will add that an insult on one of us in an insult on all of us who started a small business because we actually like Mongolia and our Mongolian friends, of which i have many and i'm sure others do to. Why do you think we started our small businesses in Mongolia?

It's obvious that you and Chris have issues, he didn't hide behind a name so take you problems up with him and leave me and my Sandwich shop out of this bullshit.

My name is Tyler and I own a small Business in Mongolia!
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reply written by insider, July 08, 2009
to Mano and Shagai,

Thanks for your intelligent, polite and constructive debate, if only all people that comment on this post were able to make a constructive argument..

I tend to agree with both of your points, yes development aid and grants are useful to Mongolia as it helps it grow but at the same time it is likely that a proportion of that aid is used in administrative costs that have little impact to Mongolia.

Thanks again for the comments and keep blogging.
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reply written by Shagai, July 08, 2009
To Mano:

I see your points. I don't possess good statistical data and analysis about benefits of the aid and loans Mongolia supposedly received. But based on my superficial observation, I may be wrong or right here, much of aid and loans is spent on studies and experts who produce much paperwork and reports. I wish that this whole aid or loan receiving process was more transparent and open to public. As far as i know, poverty in Mongolia is not being reduced because of international poverty reduction projects implemented in Mongolia.That is for sure.

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reply written by insider, July 08, 2009
@mongolia man, why on earth should small shops be reserved for mongolians? is Mongolia a democracy? I am confused.

If foreign owners of small shops meet a demand in the market where is the problem?

Are foreign shops employing mongolian staff? I can only guess so.

If you can run your own shops here please do so, I think the majority of small shops are run by mongolians for mongolians.

In any case, where do you think foreign shop owners get the money to invest in those shops? It is called direct foreign investments.
It is providing jobs, services and training for Mongolians. they are paying taxes like everyone else and trying to make a business work

If we follow your logic then maybe we should prevent mongolians from having small shops in the US and Europe...

Stop beinga jealous racist and start being constructive...
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reply written by mano, July 08, 2009
@ Mongolian man: maybe you do not know it but Belgium contributes financially also through the EU projects and all the UN agencies ...
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reply written by mano, July 08, 2009
@ shagaii. Aid cooperation might not be perfect and difficult to evaluate its general impact. It is though sad to read that you generalize seeing it useless to the country. All bilateral projects are discussed and agreed by the parties. the procedure is that the Mongolian Government requests support and international donors respond. The GoM can always say no if the proposed project doesn't fit its interests.. This is in their power...
I just wonder, according to what you say, if without international support Mongolia would be better off and in a better socio-economic situation....
there are many aid projects ongoing, you can search on internet and find lots of information, go and download their reports and then evaluate yourself...Start with UNDP, GTZ, World Bank, then international ONGs, and so on... Do you really think they all steal money with no results and benefits to the country? ... you are not that convincing and you should better support your theory with facts and promote a debate.
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reply written by Joachim Bertot not anonymous, July 08, 2009
Dear Mongol man, are you really mongolian ? After analyzing your grammar and your vocabulary, it seems obvious that you are trying to disguise a far better english ... I also noticed that most of your attacks are against this post's writer and not really against the post itself ... if you've got a problem with him ... please try to solve it somewhere else or at least not anonymously ... and try to let this conversation take a more constructive way !
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reply written by almoni, July 08, 2009
To all other readers,
Get real. It is only business. Rio Tinto and Ivanhoe want to invest and build to make money. Not exactly for the good of Mongolia or its nation.
If allowed, they will build the mine and make the profits while leaving multi million dollars every year in Mongolia. What you government does with the money is another question and how it is spent is not a concern of Rio Tinto. But if you prefer to deprive Mongolia of this project because you have corrupt officials that's cutting your nose in spite of your face. Deal with the problem separately but don't deny development as one successful venture attracts another.
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reply written by Investor, July 08, 2009
I just noticed that exactly what I am talking about is occuring here 'Very concerned' berating 'Concerned' for speaking up and pointing out, as a Mongolian, his observations of corruption.

It is this honesty that is lacking and instead of following up on this he is assumed to be a foreigner or as happened with any Mongolian who has a point a view that was not racist or anti-foreigner, in the previous page, was called a** licker or worse. (I could not translate all the Mongolian).

How can you expect to progress when you don't even tolerate honest comments amongst yourselves?
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reply written by Investor, July 08, 2009
Hi Shagai

Either you do not read the media or you are very gullable when it comes to NOT beleiving there is corruption in Mongolia, and asking where the loans have all gone. Then to top the cake with more icing of supposed igorance with a dash of blatant rasicm, suggesting it is foreigners, yet again, who have filled their pockets with these billions. MY Mongolian friends have also experienced corruption regularly. Are you living in an ivory tower that you do not recognise this going on all around you?

I have seen personally seen and experienced corruption in police and officials from the soum to national level in Mongolia. At the high end, how can a politician or official with their salaries (which supposedly are the same as highly educated doctors.....earning only $200/month) afford brand new SUV's, new houses and be able to send their kids to foreign universities? I, as I said in another page here, cannot afford to do these things. I am not jealous just extremely curious and looking for answers.

How can politicians and judiciary in Mongolia be Directors of mining companies and other businesses, and potentially be able to influence bureaucrats, into decisions benefiting them? This is illegal in the west, as clear and obvious conflict of interest, and there are several politicians who have been ousted in the west for doing exactly that. Currently, there is an investigation of politicians in the UK for irregularities(even small ones)in their expense accounts. Please tell me any who have had the same fate in Mongolia? In the west these issues are investigated and pursued like a wolf after a deer. In Mongolia these issues just fade away or the reporters who expose them are called traitors or suffer a worse fate. Please show me I am wrong?

You are questioning where the loans have gone. The question I raised about, where the shortfall of $25 million in taxes obtained from mining companies has gone, was not answered, nor even mentioned by you or any other person in the previous page. This was discovered by an independant Australian accounting firm and quickly disappeared from the news. I ask you am I missing something? Was this actually resolved? Elsewhere this would be big news. Apparently in Mongolia it is small change and not worth pursuing.

In this debate, is there any chance you could address the above questions with some rational, please? Or am I, yet again, to receive no answer, just the rhetoric, " it is all the foreigners fault", despite clear evidence to the contrary?

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reply written by concerned, July 07, 2009
not foreign, I am a mongolian
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reply written by Shagai, July 07, 2009
I'm not taking side here. I'm just wondering where all this 1 billion USD loan or aid gone? These certainly did not benefit majority of Mongolians!!

Maybe gone to international consultants and their expenses and salaries???? It would be curious to know what others think about this?

Is there anybody who have opinions about questionable benefits of these so-called loans and aid Mongolia supposedly received???

I just wonder???
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reply written by Shagai, July 07, 2009
I think the Russian agricultural loan of 300 mil usd is a commercial loan for Mongolian banks. It is not Mongolian government who took it.It is loan operation between private companies. I don't think any of the Mongolian banks took this loan so far???
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reply written by Chris de Gruben, July 07, 2009
to Mongolian Man: Belgium has donated money to Mongolia, primarily to buy equipment for the 1st hospital of Mongolia, furthermore Belgian pays for Mongolian doctors to go and train in Belgium every year.

Furthermore, Mongolia has received more loans recently such as the 300$ million Agricultural loan from Russia, The Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, Japan and Australia have together pledged a further total of $165 million. Mongolian media also reported the finalization of a $300 million, 25-year loan at 3 percent interest from China for road and railway infrastructure. That loan was originally pledged in 2003.

Altogether, Mongolia has either received or been pledged loans totalling nearly 1 billion USD.
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reply written by mongolian man, July 07, 2009
"In the meantime, Mongolia is at the mercy of the goodwill of foreign nations for ever increasing grants and loans. Every week brings new multimillion dollar loans to Mongolia while it does not seem the country has a clear strategy on how it will pay it back."
Let me analyze this sentence of this belgian shop owner in Mongolia. Mongolia has received 200 some million USD from IMF and some from Japan so far. Not every week as this man is saying. Not a single dollar was given by Belgium so he has no reason to lament and complain. Japan is our traditional ally and US is our third neighbor. Japan is our largest grant provider and been so since 1990s. It has nothing to do with Oyu Tolgoi deal. We support Japan as we share same gene and brotherhood.

Stop badmouthing and paint Mongolia black. It just shows your ignorance and limited knowledge on Mongolia affair. Do you what you can best. Run your sandwich shop!!!!!
Don't exploit Mongolia and harm it by writing this kind of stupid stories and spreading baseless rumors!!!

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reply written by mongolian man, July 07, 2009
Well, this guy is clearly off the mark here. Poor belgian shop owner guy here. Trying to be know-all Mongolian expert???
Yes, we don't need Belgian shop owner here. We, mongolians can run our own shops here.
R u the owner of this stupid little place called "Sub'baatar"?

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reply written by very concerned, July 06, 2009
One thing is for sure, Mongolia does not need another know-it-all exploitative foreigner like u.
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reply written by concerned , July 03, 2009
how true, it does not do any good to the people of Mongolia if the money gained from this project will be spent by corrupt people on themselves and their families. I don't think that this project will bring the big promised economic boom for Mongolia, since the politicians are fighting for their own gain.

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