AmCham Mongolia Daily Newswire

IAAC reports that government corruption is widespread

Summary:

Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat G. Zandanshatar held a meeting at Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) to obtain information about the implementation of the national anti-corruption program and priority issues that need to be addressed in the future. The meeting convened state secretaries and other officials representing the cabinet's 13 ministries. During the meeting, the head of the IAAC, Kh. Enkhjargal, presented the agency's framework for implementing the program and recommendations concerning anti-corruption legislation. In 2017, the IAAC conducted reviews and regulatory enforcement of all levels of government organizations to identify the status of the implementation of anti-corruption measures to develop a report. The report identified the violations of several laws, including the Law on Conflicts of Interest and the Procurement Law. Major violations included the illegal appointment of officials, abuse of official positions, the illegal establishment of fees, and the ineffective spending of state funds. An overall assessment concluded that the level of corruption at all levels of government is high. The report was discussed by the National Audit and Civil Service Council and recommendations on how to end these illegal activities were submitted to each of the cabinet's ministers

Keywords: Cabinet, Independent Authority Against Corruption Today /page 2/

Ministry of Health says that foreign aid in the health sector needs more effective

Summary: During a meeting of the health sector’s foreign aid and loan regulation council, Minister of Health D. Sarangerel reported that 20 projects and programs are being implemented in the health sector with 545 billion MNT in foreign aid and loans. The minister was critical about the efficacy of some of the projects and programs, noting that the Digital Health project has not produced any results within the last two to three years since its launch in 2012. During the meeting, an official from the Ministry of Health reported that the ministry plans to have all Mongolian children received pneumococcal vaccines in 2019. and that required spending for the project will be reflected in the state budget

Keywords: D. Sarangerel, public health The Official Gazette /page 11/

Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry meets with gold producers

Summary: Last Friday, Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry D. Sumiyabazar met with representatives from entities and organizations operating in the gold sector. The meeting assembled over 120 participants representing the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Agency, Bank of Mongolia, and the Mongolian Gold Producers Association. In his opening speech, the minister emphasized the ministry’s principles for improving the cooperation of government institutions to strengthen public-private partnerships. According to the Chairman of Gold Producers Association, the government's decision to lower royalties for gold sold to the Bank of Mongolia to 2.5 percent was a good push to increase the state’s gold reserves. In 2017, domestic gold producers sold 20 tons of gold to the central bank, valued at 800 million USD. Minister D. Sumiyabazar informed the meeting's participants that amendments to the Law on Mining will be discussed during the spring parliamentary session. The amendments include changes to regulations concerning all phases of mining activity, from a mine's opening until its closure, and the implementation of environmental protection and rehabilitation measures

Keywords: D. Sumiyabazar, mining regulations Today /page 1/

Tax amendments being discussed by Cabinet

Summary: Cabinet is discussing amendments that would make tax reporting easier for entities. The amendments stipulate that entities with an annual income of less than 50 million MNT would be required to prepare only one report per year and pay a tax of one percent of their annual income. The amendments would also reduce the number of reports required from SMEs. Companies with an annual income of over three billion MNT would be required to issue tax reports four times a year, and those with less than three billion MNT in annual income would be required to file reports twice per year. The amendments would be implemented in January 2019 if approved.

Keywords: tax reporting, SMEs http://bloombergtv.mn