On May 8, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy convened to discuss the bill on financial agreement between the governments of Mongolia and France.
Introducing the bill, Deputy Finance Minister Kh.Bulgantuya said, “In order to introduce new types of public transportation services in Ulaanbaatar and reduce congestion and air pollution, the Mayor’s Office of the Capital Ulaanbaatar and Poma company of France have been working since April, 2019 to implement the ‘Capital City Cable Transport Project’. The project is funded by the government of France and its loan amount is 60 million USD with 40-year term, and 12 years of grace period.”
Within the project, a cable car system will oeparted in two main directions in Ulaanbaatar. The first 4.9 kilometer route will link Bayankhoshuu-Khanyn Material-National Traumatology Center with stops, and the second route will be 5.4 kilometer with three stops connecting Doloon Buudal-Dari Ekh-Sansar. The total cost is expected to be 25.3 million EUR.
The majority of the members of the standing committee supported the bill on agreement to submit the proposals and conclusions issued by the standing committee to Cabinet.
In addition, the standing committee discussed the draft resolution on taking some areas under state special protection.
The draft resolution stipulates that Noyon Mountain nature reserve in Mandal soum of Selenge Province and Noyon Mountain monuments in Bornuur and Batsumber soums of Tuv Province are to be expanded, upgraded and classified as Strictly Protected Area.
In this regard, the working group headed by lawmaker Kh.Nyambaatar was established for preparation for parliamentary review.
Satellite towns to be established
On the same day, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on State Structure met to discuss the amendments to the Law on Government of Mongolia.
The amendment on oath taking of members of the government had 72.7 percent approval from the members of the standing committee.
Article 3.2 of the bill was changed to state, “A member a resigning Cabinet can be reappointed”. Article 3.3 stating, “In consultation with the president, a draft bill on the structure and composition of the government, and amendments to them will be submitted to Parliament. In case of failure to reach an agreement with the president within the period specified in Article 39.3 of the Constitution of Mongolia, it will be submitted by a member to Parliament”, was amended.
The issue on whether to discuss the draft parliamentary resolution on urban development was supported by the standing committee.
Introducing the draft resolution, Head of the Cabinet Secretariat L.Oyun-Erdene said, “Urbanization in Mongolia has accelerated in the second half of the last century, and urban population is increasing rapidly. According to the National Statistical Office of Mongolia in 2018, 2.2 million people (or 67 percent) of the total 3.2 million people live in urban areas, with 1.4 million people (or 45 percent) of living in Ulaanbaatar.”
The resolution aims to reduce air, water and soil pollution caused by overpopulation in Ulaanbaatar, to develop certain sectors of the economy in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals, and to create favorable conditions for citizens to work and live in a healthy and safe environment. In this regard, Aerocity and Maidar satellite towns will be established.
L.Oyun-Erdene noted that as new cities and settlements will be established gradually, migration to Ulaanbaatar will be mitigated.
Aerocity will be developd with the new international airport, and new railways and international highways are planned to build near the city.
The government plans to build a major tourist attraction in Maidar city, including a statue of the Great Maidar, a movie theater complex, a hotel and a museum, and to relocate some universities to the new city.
The draft resolution received support from 72.7 percent of the members of the standing committee.
