We interviewed the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Turkey B.Batkhishig. He attended the 19th Eurasian Economic Summit which took place in Istanbul, Turkey with the former president of Mongolia, Mr. N.Bagabandi.
First day's topic was on the "Silk Road" project. Project initiator and representatives of PRC, stated that joining the "Silk Road" project is beneficial for all countries and noted that it has the possibilities of expanding the previous historical trade routes.
-Meeting attendees discussed the possibilities of how countries connect through airways and some countries started infrastructure works including construction of roads and new airport. However, they have not introduced "The Silk Road" project in brief. The project which covers huge areas of Western parts of China to Turkey, is it published on a paper? Have all routes became clear?
-We have drafted the project on a paper. For example, railway project is ready now. We submitted the project documents to the Ministry of Road and Transportation. The third bridge on Bosphorus strait will be commenced this autumn. At that time, freight train will go over the bridge. The train will head to Xinjiang Uyghur passing Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
Now we travel to Europe by railway passing Moscow. We will travel to Europe through new railway that is 1000 km shorter road which cuts the travel time. Previous caravan route remains same and it was the easiest route.
Second of all, new road is being constructed on that route. Also there is a possibility to open water way. Silk road is a complex project consisted of many different types of road. China has formed new economic zones for the Silk road. Regional countries including Turkey, Russia and Kazakhstan are giving high priority to this project.
-How will Mongolia be linked to these roads?
-We will be linked on these roads by building railway in Hovd and Gobi-Altai aimags. Also we have the opportunity to connect with road. The Ministry of Road and Transportation made such plan. However I do not know the progress of the project.
-How about air transport?
-Lately, countries prefer cargo which is considered as the fastest and has high capacity. For Mongolia, even the air transport will not replace the Silk road, it can be a huge and additional force.
-How is the annual trade turnover between Mongolia and Turkey?
-Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Turul Türke will visit Mongolia in May. He will attend Mongolian-Turkish Joint Economic Commission meeting which is organized biennially. The Minister of Defense Ts.Tsolmon is the Head of Mongolian side while Turkish Deputy Prime Minister is the Head of Turkish side.
Economic trade between two countries have been developing intensively in recent years. According to the official data, annual trade between two countries is USD 35 million. However, Ulaanbaatar imports many goods and products from Turkey. But traders have not reported their goods and products selling in Mongolia to the customs declaration. Therefore, I think that trade turnover of two countries reached USD 150-200 million. Mongolians are transporting goods from Turkey with various methods.
-Which sector the Government is seeking to work closely with Turkey?
-The Government is focusing on housing construction, bridge and road construction, introducing new technology to leather industry, renewable energy and tourism.
The reason why tourism is important is that Turkish people are willing to visit in Mongolia. Foreigners come to Mongolia on their interest while Turkish people aim to come in Mongolia. Because their ancestors were living in Mongolia. Precious memorials and monuments belong to the Age of Turks are still in Mongolia and Turkish people really want to see these memorials. Turkey has a population of about 80 million people. Thus many Turkish tourists will visit our country and the tourism sector has great potential.
Since 2014, citizens of Mongolia and Turkey have 30-days visa free travel. It gives a big impulse. Also direct flights between UB and Istanbul is being performed three times in a week. Previously, we used to fly to other countries through Beijing and Moscow. But now we have the third airline route. Also we declared Turkey as our third neighbor country at our new foreign policy of 2011. This is not just a term. Soon we will travel to Turkey by train.
Also Turkish companies are interested to invest in our leather industry. Decision to build new leader complex in the capital city was made and now we are waiting for the implementation.
Mongol Shevro JSC export high quality processed goat and cow leather in a cooperation with Turkish company. However the transportation became the main issue. They used to transport the leathers by land through Russian territory. Due to relations between Turkey and Russia have rapidly deteriorated, the transportation have stopped. We are making research on transporting through air and water. Last year, I visited the Mongol Shevro JSC and they process leather as silk. Mongolians produce bag and clothes by this processed leather.
Also we have the opportunity to cooperate in wool sector. We made negotiations with the biggest stores of Turkey with the aim to sell our wool products in Turkey and to increase export. Turkish people know the quality of our wool products.
The next issue is to deliver cargo between two countries. Turkish Airlines expressed their interest on this issue for many years. They want to create air transport network which connects Asia and Europe as well as Istanbul-UB-Seoul. Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 304 passenger aircrafts and ten cargo aircrafts. It is beneficial for both of our country, if cargo aircraft filled with fruit from Istanbul land in UB and we fill the craft with meat. We have enough meat consumption here while meat in Turkey priced high. This issue has been reflected to the protocol in order to discuss at the meeting will be held in May.
It is more important for businesses to meet, know each other and cooperate than discussing by the Governments. The embassy is mediating the companies and the companies should set the price. Sometimes they reach negotiation but sometimes not. But Turkey has always been kind to us. Thus economic relations between two countries will be developed in the future. Currently, transportation is the main issue for us.
As I mentioned before, if we are connected to the Silk road railway, we would transport the goods through 1000 km shorter road to Turkey and Europe. Now it takes 14 days for transportation from Ulaanbaatar to Turkey by car or truck. Silk road project is important. Because we will launch new version of transportation.
-You talked about tourism. We need to actively promote our country in order to bring Turkish tourist. Does the embassy bear any responsibility for that?
-Our embassy is located close with the TRT, the national public broadcaster of Turkey. They screen documentary and TV shows about Mongolia regularly. Recently, we jointly delivered 40 minutes length TV shows about Mongol ger. We built standard 5-wall ger at our yard.
I came to Ankara in 2013 as an ambassador. That year, only 600 Turkish people have visited to Mongolia. According to the Turkish embassy in UB, 5000 Turkish tourists have visited to Mongolia, last year. If we receive more Turkish tourists, Harhorin city can develop more. Bilge Khan and Kul Tegin memorials is located 45 km away from Harhorin city. We have paved roads to there and now we need to perform direct flights to Harhorin. I will propose Turkish side to renew Harhorin airport at the meeting that will be held in May. The direct flight to Harhorin will take one hour. Therefore Turkish people will be enabled to visit all historical sites within one day. Now it takes two days for car travel to Harhorin.
-How to renew the airport?
-Runway will be paved.
-What is the main reason for cargo aircraft is not performing flight between UB to Istanbul?
-Turkish Airlines proposed to increase the number of flights from three times in a week to five times or seven times in a week. Our country has limited the passengers in a week at 500. They use small aircrafts due to the limit. Therefore they stop in Bishkek for fuel. Turkish Airlines said that if you release the limit for passenger, we will fly big aircrafts which takes six hours flight. Also the ticket price can be lowered by 30%.
Next year, new airport in Hushigt valley operational. At that time, the issue of flying big aircrafts and cargo aircrafts will be solved. I do not know the main reason. Maybe our current airport don't have enough capacity.
-The Government was talking about taking loans from Exim bank of Turkey. How is this going?
-Our embassy was assigned to take a loan worth USD 300 million from Exim bank of Turkey to build housings for 5000 families. Turkish side has agreed to grant soft loan on a ten year term. However, our debt ceiling reached 40% of GDP and we didn't take the loan. Because the Government has to give guarantee. Thus it has stopped. If our government give guarantee, Turkish side is ready to grant soft loan.
-Thank you for the interview. Good luck for your assignments to expand the developments of two countries.
We interviewed the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Turkey B.Batkhishig. He attended the 19th Eurasian Economic Summit which took place in Istanbul, Turkey with the former president of Mongolia, Mr. N.Bagabandi.
First day's topic was on the "Silk Road" project. Project initiator and representatives of PRC, stated that joining the "Silk Road" project is beneficial for all countries and noted that it has the possibilities of expanding the previous historical trade routes.
-Meeting attendees discussed the possibilities of how countries connect through airways and some countries started infrastructure works including construction of roads and new airport. However, they have not introduced "The Silk Road" project in brief. The project which covers huge areas of Western parts of China to Turkey, is it published on a paper? Have all routes became clear?
-We have drafted the project on a paper. For example, railway project is ready now. We submitted the project documents to the Ministry of Road and Transportation. The third bridge on Bosphorus strait will be commenced this autumn. At that time, freight train will go over the bridge. The train will head to Xinjiang Uyghur passing Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
Now we travel to Europe by railway passing Moscow. We will travel to Europe through new railway that is 1000 km shorter road which cuts the travel time. Previous caravan route remains same and it was the easiest route.
Second of all, new road is being constructed on that route. Also there is a possibility to open water way. Silk road is a complex project consisted of many different types of road. China has formed new economic zones for the Silk road. Regional countries including Turkey, Russia and Kazakhstan are giving high priority to this project.
-How will Mongolia be linked to these roads?
-We will be linked on these roads by building railway in Hovd and Gobi-Altai aimags. Also we have the opportunity to connect with road. The Ministry of Road and Transportation made such plan. However I do not know the progress of the project.
-How about air transport?
-Lately, countries prefer cargo which is considered as the fastest and has high capacity. For Mongolia, even the air transport will not replace the Silk road, it can be a huge and additional force.
-How is the annual trade turnover between Mongolia and Turkey?
-Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Turul Türke will visit Mongolia in May. He will attend Mongolian-Turkish Joint Economic Commission meeting which is organized biennially. The Minister of Defense Ts.Tsolmon is the Head of Mongolian side while Turkish Deputy Prime Minister is the Head of Turkish side.
Economic trade between two countries have been developing intensively in recent years. According to the official data, annual trade between two countries is USD 35 million. However, Ulaanbaatar imports many goods and products from Turkey. But traders have not reported their goods and products selling in Mongolia to the customs declaration. Therefore, I think that trade turnover of two countries reached USD 150-200 million. Mongolians are transporting goods from Turkey with various methods.
-Which sector the Government is seeking to work closely with Turkey?
-The Government is focusing on housing construction, bridge and road construction, introducing new technology to leather industry, renewable energy and tourism.
The reason why tourism is important is that Turkish people are willing to visit in Mongolia. Foreigners come to Mongolia on their interest while Turkish people aim to come in Mongolia. Because their ancestors were living in Mongolia. Precious memorials and monuments belong to the Age of Turks are still in Mongolia and Turkish people really want to see these memorials. Turkey has a population of about 80 million people. Thus many Turkish tourists will visit our country and the tourism sector has great potential.
Since 2014, citizens of Mongolia and Turkey have 30-days visa free travel. It gives a big impulse. Also direct flights between UB and Istanbul is being performed three times in a week. Previously, we used to fly to other countries through Beijing and Moscow. But now we have the third airline route. Also we declared Turkey as our third neighbor country at our new foreign policy of 2011. This is not just a term. Soon we will travel to Turkey by train.
Also Turkish companies are interested to invest in our leather industry. Decision to build new leader complex in the capital city was made and now we are waiting for the implementation.
Mongol Shevro JSC export high quality processed goat and cow leather in a cooperation with Turkish company. However the transportation became the main issue. They used to transport the leathers by land through Russian territory. Due to relations between Turkey and Russia have rapidly deteriorated, the transportation have stopped. We are making research on transporting through air and water. Last year, I visited the Mongol Shevro JSC and they process leather as silk. Mongolians produce bag and clothes by this processed leather.
Also we have the opportunity to cooperate in wool sector. We made negotiations with the biggest stores of Turkey with the aim to sell our wool products in Turkey and to increase export. Turkish people know the quality of our wool products.
The next issue is to deliver cargo between two countries. Turkish Airlines expressed their interest on this issue for many years. They want to create air transport network which connects Asia and Europe as well as Istanbul-UB-Seoul. Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 304 passenger aircrafts and ten cargo aircrafts. It is beneficial for both of our country, if cargo aircraft filled with fruit from Istanbul land in UB and we fill the craft with meat. We have enough meat consumption here while meat in Turkey priced high. This issue has been reflected to the protocol in order to discuss at the meeting will be held in May.
It is more important for businesses to meet, know each other and cooperate than discussing by the Governments. The embassy is mediating the companies and the companies should set the price. Sometimes they reach negotiation but sometimes not. But Turkey has always been kind to us. Thus economic relations between two countries will be developed in the future. Currently, transportation is the main issue for us.
As I mentioned before, if we are connected to the Silk road railway, we would transport the goods through 1000 km shorter road to Turkey and Europe. Now it takes 14 days for transportation from Ulaanbaatar to Turkey by car or truck. Silk road project is important. Because we will launch new version of transportation.
-You talked about tourism. We need to actively promote our country in order to bring Turkish tourist. Does the embassy bear any responsibility for that?
-Our embassy is located close with the TRT, the national public broadcaster of Turkey. They screen documentary and TV shows about Mongolia regularly. Recently, we jointly delivered 40 minutes length TV shows about Mongol ger. We built standard 5-wall ger at our yard.
I came to Ankara in 2013 as an ambassador. That year, only 600 Turkish people have visited to Mongolia. According to the Turkish embassy in UB, 5000 Turkish tourists have visited to Mongolia, last year. If we receive more Turkish tourists, Harhorin city can develop more. Bilge Khan and Kul Tegin memorials is located 45 km away from Harhorin city. We have paved roads to there and now we need to perform direct flights to Harhorin. I will propose Turkish side to renew Harhorin airport at the meeting that will be held in May. The direct flight to Harhorin will take one hour. Therefore Turkish people will be enabled to visit all historical sites within one day. Now it takes two days for car travel to Harhorin.
-How to renew the airport?
-Runway will be paved.
-What is the main reason for cargo aircraft is not performing flight between UB to Istanbul?
-Turkish Airlines proposed to increase the number of flights from three times in a week to five times or seven times in a week. Our country has limited the passengers in a week at 500. They use small aircrafts due to the limit. Therefore they stop in Bishkek for fuel. Turkish Airlines said that if you release the limit for passenger, we will fly big aircrafts which takes six hours flight. Also the ticket price can be lowered by 30%.
Next year, new airport in Hushigt valley operational. At that time, the issue of flying big aircrafts and cargo aircrafts will be solved. I do not know the main reason. Maybe our current airport don't have enough capacity.
-The Government was talking about taking loans from Exim bank of Turkey. How is this going?
-Our embassy was assigned to take a loan worth USD 300 million from Exim bank of Turkey to build housings for 5000 families. Turkish side has agreed to grant soft loan on a ten year term. However, our debt ceiling reached 40% of GDP and we didn't take the loan. Because the Government has to give guarantee. Thus it has stopped. If our government give guarantee, Turkish side is ready to grant soft loan.
-Thank you for the interview. Good luck for your assignments to expand the developments of two countries.