PRESIDENT MEETS US ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ President of Mongolia Kh.Battulga seeks support from the United States in bringing back offshore money and exporting tax-exempt sewn and knitted products made in Mongolia to the country. The above matters were discussed on January 21, during the President’s meeting with Susan Thornton, the US Department of State's Acting Assistant Secretary, who visited Mongolia to lead the U.S. delegation to the 2018 Mongolia- US Annual Bilateral Consultations in Ulaanbaatar. “The role of the US assistance is crucial in obtaining data on Mongolian nationals owning bank accounts in offshore regions and bringing the money back to Mongolia,” noted the President. Moreover, the President requested for the Acting Assistant Secretary’s support saying, “If the Congress backs tax-exempt import of Mongolian-made sewn and knitted products to the US, about 30 thousand Mongolian women will have jobs.” Acting Assistant Secretary Susan Thornton remarked on the advancement in bilateral relationship, expressing hope that the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Second Compact Agreement will be finalized in the upcoming months. The Acting Assistant Secretary also expressed the US’ satisfaction in bilateral defense cooperation, appreciating the honorable service of Mongolian troops in global peacekeeping operations. The sides exchanged views on bilateral cooperation, regional economy and opportunities to attract foreign investment to Mongolia. Mongolia and the US marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2017, and bilateral trade turnover stands at USD 300 million. The sides agreed that USD 300 million is an unsatisfactory number. Kh.Aminaa