The Government’s weekly meeting yesterday approved some measures to support national production, particularly in the processing sector. These include a list of services and goods produced locally that will be bought with money from the state and local budgets. Organizations that charge more than the market price or do something unfair will be blacklisted. Producers will face action if they fail to maintain proper quality and standards.

Ministers for Finance S.Bayartsogt, for Justice and Inner Affairs Ts.Nyamdorj, for Foreign Affairs and Trade G.Zandanshatar and for Food, Agriculture and Light Industry T.Badamjunai have been asked to prepare amendments to the present law that will make it possible to implement this decision and to submit it to Parliament. The Government has appealed to the people to support national production by buying less imported stuff.

The meeting also decided to increase to MNT100 billion its support to SMEs in 2011, the money coming from a bond sale. This is expected to help set up 500 production units, creating 12,000 jobs, and also help in import substitution and in prices falling.

The meeting also approved the draft of a protocol to be submitted to Parliament on raising import taxes on certain goods. The aim is to support domestic production, to generate working places and to provide food safety.