Japan top donor of Mongolia for 22 years

Though Mongolia is experiencing a boost in its economic development, the gap between the rich and poor is increasing. It is therefore important to tackle the reformation of social welfare’s basic services for low income citizens and deal with the prudent allocation of wealth immediately.

Issues such as high unemployment is nothing new, but if Mongolia is to progress further in its developmental stage, issues such as supporting the employment of young adults has to be dealt with immediately.

Since the transition to democracy and market economy from a socialist regime in 1990, Mongolia has been working closely with Japan in various sectors in need of development. In 2010, the two countries agreed to strengthen their current economic relations and move to a new phase towards Strategic Partnership. It has been often stated by Japanese officials that they are convinced that the economic cooperation of the two countries will further strengthen. This of course refers particularly to the mineral resource sector. In 2012, during the bilateral meetings between Prime Ministers, the two leaders decided that the governments should enter into negotiations on establishing a Mongolia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. Japan has been the top financial donor to Mongolia since 1990. Mongolia and Japan enjoy longstanding friendly relations due to the generous support and cooperative attitude of both nations. This year is the 40 anniversary of Mongolian and Japanese diplomatic relations, which was established in 1972. In 1992, two Japanese volunteers were sent to Mongolia through the Official Development Assistance program. This year is also the 15 anniversary of the establishment of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency or JICA in Mongolia, and the 10 anniversary of the establishment of the Mongolia and Japan Center for Human Resource Development or the “Japanese Center.” The Japan International Cooperation Agency is an independent governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance (ODA) for the government of Japan. It is chartered with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and the promotion of international cooperation. JICA’s support for Mongolia began in 1990. In addition to enhancing the institutions and developing human resource needed for a thriving market economy, JICA experts and cooperation volunteers have worked diligently with the Mongolian people to ensure a safe and prosperous environment in which to live. Their efforts have included regional development support and environmental protection, as well as improvements to roads and bridges and to waterworks and other critical life-sustaining infrastructure. JICA states that supporting the effort towards poverty reduction through sustainable economic growth is their basic assistance policy. It further stated, “Even if there is medium term economic growth observation along with the mining development in Mongolia, the economy of the country is facing issues such as mining product export emancipation and adopting various sources for economic growth. The management of macroeconomics needs to be well balanced in order to ensure sustainable economic growth. On the other hand, there are major problems regarding the over centralization of population and community development disparities. Therefore, the government of Japan will support Mongolian government activities directed to well balanced and sustainable economic growth based on the activities achieving the development goals such as Millennium Development Goals and prevailing the efficiency of the economic growth fairly and inclusively to the poor.” The following are some of the projects that were and are being executed by the donation from Japan. Improvement of roads project II In 1999, the JICA conducted a study of Ulaanbaatar city road development, where they advised that the Aj Uildveriin Street or the road that runs across from the west of the capital city to the east has to be improved. As a result, the project was completed with the donations from the Japanese government from 2001 to 2003. The road that connected the western side of the city with the east had been paved and expanded to 4 lane two-way road from a one way road. The western and eastern crossings were also renewed as well as the Geser Monastery crossings. The project also supplied the necessary machinery. The road was named Sun Road to honour the people of Japan. The whole project cost 1.6 billion Yen or 24 billion MNT and the construction project was undertaken by Konoike Transport Corp, supervised by the Ministry of Infrastructure with the help of PCI Engineering International. The purpose of the project was to improve the road network of Ulaanbaatar and boost the economic development to improve the livelihood of the residents. At present, the Sun Road serves a vital role in the even distribution and ease of the ever increasing traffic congestion. It is one of the safest and most widely used roads in Ulaanbaatar. Pre feasibility study for the Ulaanbaatar Ajilchnii Street’s Bridge In 2000, the JICA conducted the Ulaanbaatar road improvement general plan study. Based on the study, three main crossings and the Sun Road were renewed. In 2008, research for the construction of a railway fly over has been conducted. The main objective of the study – the Ajilchin Street Bridge Project, is being built due to the decision to build as many bridges as possible to alleviate traffic congestion. The bridge is relevant in that it will connect Peace Avenue with parallel roads. Though Mongolia came up with a plan to develop the road network, they faced financial difficulties and appealed to Japan for technological and financial assistance. Construction of railway Flyover Project The project to construct a fly over above the railway and Narny Zam (i.e. a grade separation structure connecting Ikh Toiruu or Narny Zam) and Engels Street from 2009 to December 2012 is another notable project. The “fly over” approaching roads will constitute a part of the Middle Ring Road encompassing the central business district of Ulaanbaatar City. The project scope to be implemented under the Japanese Grant Aid will be a 895 meters long consisting of a railway fly over and north and south bound approach roads. The principal objective of the project is to ensure safe and smooth traffic in Ulaanbaatar by complimenting the existing two degraded railway fly over bridges located along the arterial road. The estimated construction period was 37 months, i.e. from November 2009 through November 15, 2012. Final completion of reliable dual two lane flyover will mitigate the restriction on large vehicular traffic and will shorten travel time in Ulaanbaatar. The project costs 3.6 billion Yen or 60 billion MNT and is supervised by the Office of Capital City Mayor with the help of CTI Engineering International, ordered by Ministry of Roads, Transportation, Construction and Urban Development and executed by the JFI Engineering Corp. The total length of the construction is 895 meters, 262 meters of girder and 633 meters of approach. It is the first steel and concrete bridge in Mongolia. The establishment of the bridge will reduce the distance between the Western Crossing to the Airport from 4.7 km to 1.8 km, which will considerable liberate and reduce traffic congestion from the western side of the city. The erection of the whole girder of total length of 262 meters including crucial railway crossing section and Narny Zam crossing section was completed in less than 60 days in appreciation of sound coordination with the railway company and the traffic police department. The advantage of steel structures with the proper application of state of the art bridge construction technology was verified by thorough and punctual completion of girder erection work in an astoundingly short period of time. Improvement of study equipment at the Radio Television School of University of Arts and Culture The purpose of the project is to provide the necessary environment for training the future labour force of the press and media sectors. The Radio Television School was established in 1996 and has five faculties. It is the only school that offers professional degrees in information and media technology. About 80 percent of the graduates find work at the Mongolian National Television or other media networks and studios. The school aspired to train quality staff yet their equipment was old and wearing down, which meant that proper conditions for educating and training professional media personnel were not met. The donation of media and studio equipment to the school allowed the school to expand the curriculum to practical experience as well as new courses in up to date methods of television and radio technology which were not possible before. The Studio allowed students from Journalists, Directors, Producers, Graphic Designers and Engineers to practice filming their material all at once. The project cost 100.9 million Yen or 1.7 billion MNT and was conducted between 2010 to 2012. The project was executed by the JICS at the Radio Television School of University of Arts and Culture. Pre Feasibility Study for the Public Transportation Project To ensure sustainable development and competitive capacity of Ulaanbaatar, it is important to ensure safe and reliable public transportation methods and structure, and a strategic development plan of the city that is consistent with it. Therefore, the study compares the underground train system to other public transportation methods, to find the most economically and technically efficient method of construction and operation. Three main variables are taken into account in the study; they are as follows: 1. Find out whether the social and economic state of Mongolia is ideal for new transportation methods. 2. Find out whether it is possible for the private sectors and state to work together in the establishment of new transportation methods. 3. To propose implementation structure and policy. The study is being conducted by the Value Planning International, Almec, Oriental Consultant, Marubeni Corp and Nikki. Project on supporting the ger districts with the help of its residents There have been massive movements into the cities from rural areas of Mongolia, and it resulted in a very fast expansion of the ger districts in and around UB. Since the Government failed to take any drastic action toward improving the life of residents in those districts, the Mayor’s Office of UB supported by the UN-HABITAT and financed by the Japanese Government donation of MNT 9.5 million, began this project in 2009 which will last until the December of 2013. Main focuses of the project are to give the residents opportunity and the right to improve their living standards and also place the districts under a better organized system. Secondly, the project will support the residents on identifying their needs and demands and also help them obtain them. Lastly, with the cooperation and support from the residents of ger districts the project will expand and strengthen social services. The organization of the districts are based on methods used in many other Asian countries, and is altered to suit the culture and The project covers 50,000 residents in five sets of areas of four districts of UB, and based on inquires of the residents, the project is building social service centers, school and road extensions, kindergartens, street lights and pedestrian roads.

SOURCE OF THIS ARTICLE : UB Post

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