Mongolians have been complaining about bailout-related income cuts which come into effect on 1 January 2018. A total of three taxes will be increased in accordance with an International Monetary Fund agreement.

The traditional wrestling competition, the Presidential Cup, will be held on Mongolia’s Independence Day (29 December). This year marks the 106th anniversary of liberation from Chinese rule.

Mongol TV’s reality television series “Mongolia’s Got Talent 2018”, part of the global “Got Talent” franchise, will begin its third season next year. Following its launch in 2015, “Mongolia’s Got Talent” achieved the country’s highest ever television ratings with 70% audience share.

Mongolian Foreign Minister D.Tsogtbaatar has appointed a special envoy to deal getting the country removed from a European Union blacklist of tax havens.

A new gaming centre has opened its doors in Ulaanbaatar. Called Oculus VR, the place offers a true immersive virtual reality experience.

Coal transportation from the mines in Mongolia’s Gobi to China has already resumed. According to the officials responsible, the queue of coal trucks has been reduced to 17 km from 130 km after collaborative efforts made by the Ministry of Road and Transport Development, the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry and the National Road Transport Centre.

According to the Bank of Mongolia or Mongol Bank, the country’s foreign exchange reserves reached USD 2.5 billion in December. It is the highest since December 2016. Mongolia’s official gold reserve has increased to 18.4 tons.

The Monetary Policy Committee of Mongol Bank held a meeting on 22 December, during which it was decided to lower the interest rate by one percent, making it 11 percent.

During the VAT Lottery held on 22 October, a winning number of MNT 500 million (over USD 20 thousand) was announced for the first time.

This year, there have been a total of nine earthquakes measuring over magnitude 3 on the Richter Scale in Khuvsgul, the most northerly province of Mongolia.