A committee meeting for the “Ulaanbaatar Railway” Mongolia-Russian Joint Venture was held on Wednesday November 6th in Ulaanbaatar City behind closed doors. At the Committee meeting issues surrounding the appointment of a director and railway renovation were thought to be discussed in advance of the 17th meeting of the Russian-Mongolian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Moscow on 25th and 26th November.

Attending the Committee meeting were the First Deputy President of the General Committee of Ulaanbaatar Railway, the First Vice President of Russian Railways JSC, the Deputy Minister of Transport, the Director-General of the Department of Railway and Maritime Transportation of the Ministry of Road and Transportation Mongolia, an official of the Ministry of Economic Development, a member of the General Committee of Ulaanbaatar Railway and the chairman of the Mongolian Railway Workers” Trade Unions as well as member of the General Committee, T.Erdene.

One of the most highlighted issues raised at the Committee meeting was the appointment of a director for Ulaanbaatar Railway.  There was high speculation that former MP D.Odkhuu might be appointed to the post before the Committee meeting.
The post which has been replaced by an acting director was publicly focused on for one year. The Committee meeting reached a decision to maintain the current acting director G.Sereenendorj as he received a good evaluation.

The Committee meeting delayed the issue until the next Committee meeting, which is scheduled for February, 2014.

The Committee meeting was held behind closed doors but there is speculation that issues of the renovation of the railway was raised. Mongolia is urging renovation of the railways and is formulating policy around it.

The Committee is expected to announce the results of the meeting next week.