Minister of Road and Transportation M.Zorigt reported at the meeting of the government held on November 9, that the concession agreement arranging matters of establishing fundamental structure of railroad on en route of Ukhaakhudag – Gashuunsukhaat was terminated and relative matters. We had short interview with the Minister over the matter.
Please, inform us about the report you made at the meeting of the government?
I delivered the report over on-going negotiations with investors. We are expected to finalize the selection of investors in upcoming March or April, and to commence development works in next months, with the plan to ensure first transportation of coal in 2017.
Has the railroad development of Ukhaakhudag-Gashuunsukhait route been recently commenced?
It has. Dam establishment prior to railroad development usually takes a lot of time to be completed. It has been 100 percent completed currently. Plus, around 10 iron structures have been constructed for protection purpose. A lot of works have been done in relation to the preparation. But, the government of Mongolia failed to deliver its payments to contractors since last February, which led to halt operations completely. People tend to ask how much money has been invested into the project. I would say that any official is not able to say exact number in regards to the investment.
Will an auditing company be hired?
It is planned to hire a top international auditing company to examine railway operations.
Mr. Batzaya was arrested as the suspect of being involved in the embezzlement of USD 200 million. But is it appropriate to arrest him since the auditing has not been done yet?
As I understand, current investigation is being implemented in relation to previous operations of “Mongolian Railway” state-owned company. I am not sure whether it is related to the matter of USD 200 million. An auditing company must finalize the issue, as we believe.
So, it suggests that a Korean contractor company has done its works worth USD 200 million?
There has been news whether such a company exists or not. I met administrative officials from Samsung, which currently works on three projects of Ukhaakhudag-Gashuunsukhait railroad, Shangrila building and Khushigt Valley. It means that the company’s existence is certain.
It is rumored that administrative people of the company were also arrested in relation to Mr. Batzaya?
I have not heard about it.
M.Gantsetseg.
Minister of Road and Transportation M.Zorigt reported at the meeting of the government held on November 9, that the concession agreement arranging matters of establishing fundamental structure of railroad on en route of Ukhaakhudag – Gashuunsukhaat was terminated and relative matters. We had short interview with the Minister over the matter.
Please, inform us about the report you made at the meeting of the government?
I delivered the report over on-going negotiations with investors. We are expected to finalize the selection of investors in upcoming March or April, and to commence development works in next months, with the plan to ensure first transportation of coal in 2017.
Has the railroad development of Ukhaakhudag-Gashuunsukhait route been recently commenced?
It has. Dam establishment prior to railroad development usually takes a lot of time to be completed. It has been 100 percent completed currently. Plus, around 10 iron structures have been constructed for protection purpose. A lot of works have been done in relation to the preparation. But, the government of Mongolia failed to deliver its payments to contractors since last February, which led to halt operations completely. People tend to ask how much money has been invested into the project. I would say that any official is not able to say exact number in regards to the investment.
Will an auditing company be hired?
It is planned to hire a top international auditing company to examine railway operations.
Mr. Batzaya was arrested as the suspect of being involved in the embezzlement of USD 200 million. But is it appropriate to arrest him since the auditing has not been done yet?
As I understand, current investigation is being implemented in relation to previous operations of “Mongolian Railway” state-owned company. I am not sure whether it is related to the matter of USD 200 million. An auditing company must finalize the issue, as we believe.
So, it suggests that a Korean contractor company has done its works worth USD 200 million?
There has been news whether such a company exists or not. I met administrative officials from Samsung, which currently works on three projects of Ukhaakhudag-Gashuunsukhait railroad, Shangrila building and Khushigt Valley. It means that the company’s existence is certain.
It is rumored that administrative people of the company were also arrested in relation to Mr. Batzaya?
I have not heard about it.
M.Gantsetseg.