FEAS Yearbook FEAS Yearbook 2014 | Page 72

FEDERATION OF EURO-ASIAN STOCK EXCHANGES ANNUAL REPORT JUNE 2013 MONGOLIAN STOCK EXCHANGE Rio Tinto in its massive Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold project in South Gobi region. There are no immediate threats in North East Asian region, which Mongolia is located, except an issue of North Korea. Mongolian peacekeepers also participate actively in international peacekeeping efforts in such countries as Chad and Sudan, as well as participating in military operations of US-led coalition in Iraq and Afghanistan. As well as seeking close relationship with its two neighbors, Russia and China, Mongolia will seek to have balance by developing close strategic relationships with US, Japan and EU. Taking notice of its overreliance from China on exports of commodities, Mongolian Government will seek to build a new railroad route to reach markets of Japan and South Korea via Russia. Economic Performance Mongolian economy expected to have grown at a rate of 8% in 2010 and as of September 2010 Industrial production grew at annual rate of 15%. According to Bank of Mongolia, Mongolian Official Foreign Currency Reserve hit US$ 2 billion US$ at the end of 2010. In 2010 Mongolia made a foreign trade with 132 countries of the world and total foreign trade turnover reached 6177.1 million US$, from which export stood at 2899.2 million US$ and imports at 3277.9 million US$. The total foreign trade turnover increased by 53.5% and exports increased by 53.8% and imports increased by 53.3% respectively. Total number of unemployed people who registered with relevant authorities as of end of December 2010 stood at 38.3 thousand people. Consumer price index has increased by 13.0% compared to the same period last year in December 2010. The average yearly inflation rate was at 10.1%. In 2010 Government of Mongolian began to hand out 10,000 tugriks to each citizen every month and beginning from January 1, 2011 it will hand out 21,000 tugriks to each citizen, which will boost domestic consumption. Mongolian National Tugrik (MNT) was the best performing currency of the world in 2010 and it appreciated by 16% and stood at 1,257.18 against a US$. The authorities also agreed to allow greater exchange rate flexibility, to strengthen the fragile banking system, and to improve the targeting of social spending. Investment in mining has increased a lot. The outlook of economy in 2011 looks very bright and Mongolian economy is expected to grow by 12% in 2011 according to a forecast by Economic Intelligence Unit. Cash handouts to citizens will increase domestic consumption, but will also push inflation higher. As for copper, the price is projected to remain at high levels (more than 9,000 US$ per ton) during the forecast period, which will stimulate production. In 2010 coal became the largest export commodity in terms of value and it is expected to remain same in 2011. Prospects for development of new mines brightened considerably in October 2009, when the government signed an agreement with an international mining company to exploit the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold deposit. Investment in this project is expected to total US$ 6 billion production is projected to start in 2013. The long-awaited Oyu Tolgoi agreement and subsequent construction will raise investor confidence and have knock-on effects on other parts of the economy. Moreover, the government is considering proposals to mine the large Tavan Tolgoi coal deposit with international partners and distribute share vouchers after organizing it as Joint Stock Company. The valuation of Tavan Tolgoi deposit by international experts range from 30-40 billion US$ and it has 6.5 billion tonnes of coal reserve. FDI inflows into mining are expected to rise significantly over the forecast period. Investment is expected to increase further, driven by Oyu Tolgoi. Also, Mongolian Government is planning to build a railroad from Tavan tolgoi deposit to Russia via Gobi Desert and Eastern Mongolia with a plan to transport it to Russian Pacific ocean ports to Japan and South Korea. Moreover, after abolishment of 68% Windfall Profits Tax on gold and copper takes its effect beginning from January 1, 2011, the gold sold to Central Bank and related tax revenue is likely to increase, because gold industry will come out of shadow. Also, uranium mining and extraction is likely start in 2011. Information obtained from the Exchange. Key Information Contacts National Statistics Office www.nso.mn Bank of Mongolia www.mongolbank.mn National Development and Innovation Committee www.ndic.gov.mn CONTACT INFORMATION Contact Name Ms. D. Enkhzul PAGE 72 E-mail [email protected] Website www.mse.mn