Ambassador Visits Khentii Aimag

U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Mark C. Minton visited Khentii aimag August 9-11.  In Underkhaan, Ambassador Minton met with Governor S. Jargal and Vice Governor Boldbaatar.  During a dinner hosted by the Governor, Ambassador Minton enjoyed traditional Mongolian food and entertainment.  He cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony for the Khentii Deep Well Water Project in Kherlen soum after delivering a speech commemorating the international cooperation that had made the project possible. The project was supported by the USAID-funded Training, Advocacy, and Networking (TAN) program as well as donations from the community, local government, and Mongol Rally.  Ambassador Minton visited commercial ventures in Baganuur, Underkhaan, and Umnudelger and spoke with local entrepreneurs, including a bread maker, representatives of a women’s association, and members of a Savings and Credit Cooperative.  In Tsenhermandal soum, Ambassador Minton called on beneficiaries of World Vision’s Herder Livelihood Diversification Project (HLDP), funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and toured their facilities.  He also visited important cultural and historic sites, including Bereeven Monastery, the Underkhaan Ethnographic Museum, and Khukh Nuur—the site of Chinggis Khan’s coronation.