The Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU), NSB television and the
Mongolian Employers’ Federation issued a joint appeal on December 27 asking
citizens to buy more domestically produced goods and food items. CTU President
S.Ganbaatar answers our reporter’s questions relating to the appeal.

Why did you issue the
appeal?

The Government allocation of MNT21,000 to everybody every
month will put MNT805 billion in people’s hands in 2011. We do not want this
large amount to be spent on buying Chinese goods. Instead of helping the
economy of China grow, we are urging people to support domestic producers. The
appeal will succeed only if domestic production is adequate, is of proper
quality, and is competitive in price, Related organizations should ensure all
three. We have also requested the Government to impose measures that stops citizens
from spending the money on alcohol and tobacco, even if produced in Mongolia.

Do you think the
appeal will have any effect?

It will, if the Government and commercial banks cooperate.
Such appeals have been successful in foreign countries. The Government should
publish a detailed list of all domestically produced items.