The inaugural Meeting of the Gobi Regional was held

The inaugural meeting of the Gobi Regional Council was held in Sainshand province. Prime Minister Mr. L. Oyun-Erdene and members of the Cabinet attended the event, visited exhibition showcasing regional tourism and small and medium-sized enterprises, and delivered a presentation on “Regional Development Reform”.

As part of the Government’s strategic approach to regional development, the Gobi region has been designated as a specialized industrial zone and a sub-region for green energy development.

During the meeting the development policies of Govisumber, Dornogovi, Umnugovi, and Dundgovi provinces were redefined in an integrated manner under the “Gobi Regional Development”. The key issues such as the legal framework of the Regional Council, regional investment strategies, development programs and projects, unique characteristics of the region, quality of life, and pressing local challenges were discussed among national and local government leaders, private sector representatives, scholars, and citizens. The resulting proposals and solutions have been submitted to the Cabinet for further deliberation.

The main objective of the regional development strategy is to enhance economic cooperation with China and South Asian countries, while developing the Gobi region into a contributor to the National Wealth Fund.

Under this framework, logistics centers and dry ports will be established in Dalanzadgad and Choir, an a dedicated cultural and tourism zone, including a geopark, will be developed in Dundgovi. In addition, phased implementation of the “Orkhon-Ongi” and “Kherlen-Toono” water supply projects will be carried out to ensure the sustainable water supply of the region. These initiatives have received strong support and consensus from regional stakeholders.

A total of 38 major projects are planned in the areas of transport and logistics, urban development, border ports, culture and tourism, education, healthcare, energy, industry, and services. Among the 14 national mega projects of the Government, several will be implemented in the Gobi region, including the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod, Hangi-Mandal, and Shiveenkhuren-Sehe railway projects; coal-chemical and coke-chemical industrial complexes; a petroleum refinery complex; and a 450 MW thermal power plant.