Parliament discussed issues regarding the 2013 draft budget at a meeting today.  During the discussion,MP N.Nomtoibayarsaid “it has been said that the target copper price per ton would be 8,152 US dollar and I think we should reevaluate this price target by overseeing copper price, demand, and supply. We need to explore unseen possibilities despite uncertainty. For instance, only 200 miners explore a million ton coal while the Baganuur coal mine,with 1,200 employees, produces a 200 ton coal output per month.  Therefore, we should study opportunities that we focus on and discuss.  An increasing social insurance fund is possible if we consider current opportunities.

We must also consider the National Security Policy when we import workforce employees from abroad. There are also unresolved issues, such as, co-operation, partnership, and dispensation of health insurance fund assets.”

MP R.Gonchigdorjsaid “we need to move forward and aim to improve living standards.  The budget for 2013 has this singular goal. Actually,the election year budget differs compared topastyear’s budgets and we need to be flexible to budget adjustments.  The budget was made under risky conditions and it depends on internal and external facts.Our budget policy needs reform.”

And MP Ya.Sodbaatar said “some of our Ministers keep making PR, but, they are barely seen at work. We were told that Mongolia will explore uranium next year. The draft budget stated thatKhiarkhan, Kharaat, Dulaan-Uul deposits would be explored next year based on feasibility studies and 50 billion MNT for uranium production was budgeted. Despite this, MPs still do not have information about it.  We have several opportunities to raise capital instead of uranium production and move forward.”