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| Interview with Mr Christophe Forax, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Mongolia |
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Can you please provide a brief overview of your career path?
I have worked for many years in Brussels in the team of an European Commissioner, after which I was sent to Singapore to promote cooperation on ICT standards and research with the ASEAN countries and Taiwan. I was later posted in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, overviewing notably the EU civil and military missions. I returned to Brussels and was in charge of dialogues on human rights with Asian countries, including China. There, I proudly started the dialogues on human rights with Taiwan and Mongolia. This gave me the opportunity to visit Ulaanbaatar in 2017. From 2019 to August this year I was in charge of human rights files in the Delegation of the European Union in New York. And here I am in Mongolia for my next adventure.
What are your main goals that you would like to achieve during your incumbency in Mongolia?
I am the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Mongolia and in charge of political relations, as well as press and information. In the coming months and years, I really would like to work with the authorities, including in the provinces, civil society and the academic world to further promote this great democracy. Mongolian people have fought for democracy and have built a vibrant democratic society. We admire the freedom, human rights and democracy that Mongolians have built in the heart of Asia. But these days, many if not all democracies are threatened by disinformation, and attempts to shrink the space of civil society and media freedom for bad reasons. This trend must be stopped. The EU is willing to cooperate with its partners all over the world in that respect, mindful of cultural and historic differences, but convinced that democracy is the best system of governance for nations and states.
What the EU has achieved so far in terms of EU-Mongolia cooperation and how do you see the future of this cooperation? Which areas will be the EU concentrating on in the years to come.
We have more than 30 projects in Mongolia and keep starting new ones. The scope goes from youth to energy and climate, from health and the fight against pollution to waste management, from good governance and human rights to trade facilitation and support to SMEs. Regarding trade with the EU, we believe that Mongolia is punching below its weight, meaning that it does not take full advantage of the GSP+ scheme and the opportunities that would be provided by the Geographical Indications Agreement, to which both Parties committed in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. In that context, economic diversification is one the issues we want to focus more on.
Although it's been a short while after your arrival, what is your personal opinion on where Mongolia needs to improve most?
I would say the ability to speak English in the service sector. Mongolian people are extremely kind and I really feel welcome in this country. I am also fascinated by the long history of Mongolia: I was so impressed when I visited the Chinggis Khaan National Museum recently. What I have noticed since my arrival is a bit of inconsistency in the quality of service, for instance in restaurants. Mongolia has a fantastic potential in the sector of tourism. I am looking forward to visiting all the beautiful places I have seen in photos. But I see that there is a need for vocational training. The EU works very closely with the TVET sector as well. Please describe yourself in 5 words.
What are your hobbies/what you usually do during leisure?
A big reader. Passionate about Asian cultures. A very French person. A gourmet and a gourmand. A traveller who can also travel from his living room.
Have you had an experience in working with Eurochambers throughout the world? Your thoughts on how we could cooperate.
Yes! When I was working in Singapore, we launched the ICT sub-committee of Eurochamber and I am proud that it became a quite successful sub-committee. The EU Delegation works closely with Eurochamber Mongolia and we will continue to do. |
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| "Business and Human Rights" training successfully organised |
| UNDP's Business and Human Rights Asia project, implemented in partnership with the European Union, kicked off a series of training sessions for businesses in June 2023. On 21 September, 2023, the EuroChamber Mongolia launched their first 2-day training for member organizations under the project.
The private sector's role in achieving the SDGs and promoting responsible business conduct is vitally important. This initiative aims to foster these values and support the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR). |
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| EuroChamber partnered in organising the Austrian-Mongolian Business Forum |
| EuroChamber co-organised the Austrian-Mongolian Business Forum on 15 September 2023. This year's Forum saw an impressive turnout, with over 100 participants from both Austria and Mongolia in attendance. This record-breaking number reflects the increasing interest and the considerable potential for collaboration between our two nations. |
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| EuroChamber partnered in organising Frontier Fintech Summit 2023 |
| In partnership with EuroChamber, the Frontier Fintech Summit 2023: Silk Road 2.0, organised by the Mongolian Fintech Association, concluded successfully on September 18-19. The forum featured insightful presentations and discussions centered on the accomplishments, hurdles, and prospective opportunities within the fintech sector. It provided a platform for industry leaders to voice their insights on the future of fintech. |
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| President of Mongolia Meets President of the Swiss Confederation |
| The President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is participating in the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.The President of Mongolia has met with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, at his request, while participating in the General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Presidents exchanged views on the development of relations and cooperation, including the joint celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Swiss Confederation in 2024, and international issues of mutual interest.
President Alain Berset gratefully accepted the invitation to visit Mongolia in 2024.
Source: montsame.mn |
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| Cooperation with Romania in Education, Emergency and Road Transport Focused |
| The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh had a brief meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania Luminița Odobescu on September 20, 2023, while participating in the General Debates of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
At the meeting, the two ministers discussed opportunities for further strengthening the traditional friendly relations between Mongolia and Romania, and expanding and developing cooperation in the trade, economy, agriculture, energy, and particularly, in oil refining, education, culture, and tourism sectors.
The foreign ministers agreed to organize in the near future the works towards concluding an agreement and a memorandum on cooperation in the education, emergency, and road transport areas.
Source: montsame.mn |
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| Recordkeeping of “Black list” for Procurement Tender to be Intensified |
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The regular Cabinet meeting held yesterday discussed the process of recordkeeping of legal bodies who were restricted their rights to participate in tenders. In 2023, 107 companies that violated the laws and regulations regarding the on procurement of goods, works, and services with state and local funds are being inspected to be put on the "Black List" in 2023.
In addition to contractors, there is a need to increase the responsibility of clients, to create a "white list", in which companies that have completely fulfilled the contractual obligations are put on, the proposal was introduced during the Cabinet Meeting. Minister of Finance B. Javkhlan was ordered to intensify the recordkeeping of legal bodies that were restricted their rights to participate in tenders. Also, the clients were instructed to submit to the state procurement inspectors the information and relevant proofs on the companies that seriously violated their contractual obligations, failed to fulfill their obligations, made mistakes in their professional activities, submitted tenders with obviously false information when participating in the procurement process.
The legal bodies who were restricted their rights to participate in tenders were put on the blacklist and were announced to the public through the procurement system /www.tender.gov.mn/ and the website of the Ministry of Finance /www.mof.gov.mn/, including 16 blacklisted companies in 2019, 15 in 2020, 16 in 2021, 8 in 2022, and 11 in 2023.
Source: montsame.mn |
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| The price of Mongolian coking coal in China has risen by 190 yuan per ton since the end of September. |
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As of September 20, "SXCoal" reported that the price of Mongolia's Grade V raw coking coal at Gantsmod Port in China, inclusive of VAT, had reached 1,520 yuan per ton. This marks an increase of 90 yuan over the course of the week and a total increase of 190 yuan since the beginning of the month.
The increasing price of coking coal in China is primarily attributed to decrease in coal production and supply within the country. Consequently, this surge in prices has prompted end users to turn to imported coal.
The situation was exacerbated by mining accidents in Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces in China back in July, which led to reduced production in those regions, while other mines continued to operate at full capacity.
On September 18-19, over 1,000 coal transport vehicles entered China's Gantsmod Port from Mongolia, and on September 20, 886 vehicles left the border.
According to the source in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, this influx of vehicles can be attributed to Mongolian coal transport drivers aiming to increase their transport fees, a situation that is expected to normalize in the coming days.
Source: gogo.mn |
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