Ts.
Nyam-Ochir and U.Otgonbayar, Chief and Deputy Chief respectively of  The Small and 
Medium Enterprise Office, a Government Implementation Agency, told a
press conference yesterday that the Government granted such enterprises soft
loans amounting to MNT60.8 billion in 
2009 and 2010 combined. Of this MNT20.15 billion was distributed in
2010. More loans have gone to trade, service and light industry, in place of
the earlier public service and construction.

The loans have stimulated small businesses run by citizens, helping retain and
generate jobs, and reduce prices. With things now produced locally people in
the provinces do not have to pay transportation costs from Ulaanbaatar.