Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (June 23, 2006) - The US Agency for International Development (USAID) today obligated $7.32 million in 2006 annual assistance to Mongolia under two separate strategic objective grant agreements. One strategic objective aims at accelerating private sector-led economic growth. The other objective focuses on strengthening democracy and governance in Mongolia.
The first agreement provides about $4.9 million for three ongoing projects related to economic growth, expanded private sector participation, and business development in both rural and urban Mongolia. These projects, which will run through 2008, focus on urban and rural business development; private sector development; the investment and policy environments; financial sector reform; and improving the overall competitiveness of Mongolia in world markets.
The second agreement provides $2.4 million for ongoing projects that promote judicial, electoral, parliamentary reform, and anti-corruption. These projects will also continue through 2008.
Specific projects that will be funded include:
- The Economic Policy Reform and Competitiveness (EPRC) Project, was launched in 2003 and works with both government and the private sector to promote economic policy reform, energy sector restructuring, and improved competitiveness in such key sectors as tourism, cashmere, and financial services. Since 2004, the project has been implemented by Chemonics Inc.
- The GOBI Initiative, Phase II began in 2004 and is managed by Mercy Corps, International. Gobi Phase II promotes the development of herder and other rural businesses, including the provision of business information services, the publication of Rural Business News, and operation of the Market Watch program.
- The GER Initiative, which began in 2003 is managed by CHF International. This project promotes business development and employment services for poor residents of Mongolia's four largest urban centers of Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet, Choibalsan and now Bayan-Ulgii.
- The Judicial Reform Project, which began in 2001 and is managed by the National Center for State Courts, includes the introduction of computer technology in courts and prosecutors offices across the country to improve case management, as well as a nationwide training program aimed at strengthening the skills, professionalism, institutional improvement and independence of Mongolia's judiciary.
- The Electoral and Parliamentary Support Project, began in 2005 and is implemented by the International Republican Institute (IRI). This project works with Parliament to make it more effective and accountable, and with the General Elections Commission to help assure that the results of local and national elections fairly reflect the will of the people.
- The Mongolia Anti-Corruption Support Project, implemented by The Asia Foundation, began in 2005 and is designed to work with civil society to help reduce the incidence and scope of corruption, strengthen Mongolia’s capacity to combat corruption, and to empower the public to demand transparency and accountability in decision-making.
These on-going projects will continue to strengthen the partnership between the governments and people of Mongolia and the United States. The agreements were signed by Finance Minister N. Bayartsaikhan on behalf of the Government of Mongolia at the Ministry of Finance in Ulaanbaatar. U.S. Ambassador Pamela J. Slutz and USAID Representative Leon S. Waskin signed on behalf of the United States.
