MNCCI AT A GLANCE

HISTORY
The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) was founded on July 2, 1960. Since 1990, and the end of the socialist system, the MNCCI has established itself as Mongolia’s leading non-governmental institution. The organization is devoted to the development of international trade and investment in Mongolia’s business community. Today the MNCCI has expanded to include 19 subsidiary branches in the Mongolian provinces and actively cooperates with more than 40 international Chambers of Commerce and Trade Promotion Organizations. In addition, the MNCCI houses the Mongolian National Arbitration Center.

STRUCTURE
Congress
Supreme decision making body of the MNCCI. Meets once every four years to consider the activities of the Chamber and the Auditing Committee. Elects and fixes the number of members to the Council and Auditing Committees. Approves the Chamber’s rules; makes amendments and additions.

Presidium
Includes 25 members chosen from the council for a four year term. Ensures strategic and operational management of the chamber’s activities. Formulates the agenda to present to Council, supervises decisions and implementation. Also admits active and corresponding members to the Chamber and approves the structure of the Chamber.

Council
Administers activities between chamber and presidium, elects the chairman, vice-chairman, and general secretary. Elects honorary members, discusses the Chamber’s annual reports and reviews, approves reports and summaries of the Auditing Committee, and settles membership fees. The Chairman acts as Chairperson of the Presidium and Council as well as CEO for daily operations.

Auditing committee
Five persons elected for four year terms to undertake the supervision of financial and economic activities including cash and assets accounts and the implementation of orders and resolutions twice a year.

GOALS
To promote and develop the competitive private sector of Mongolia.
To cement the MNCCI’s position as a capable and influential advocacy organization for the business community and private sector through proposals to the Mongolian government through public-private sector dialogue.
To aid businesses and investors by providing research on business in Mongolia and promotional services.
To be a pro-active member of the international business community by working with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) and other international institutions.

SERVICES
The MNCCI provides a comprehensive list of services aimed at promoting Mongolia’s economy and making Mongolia an increasingly more attractive for investments. The MNCCI is committed to helping the private sector and investors through advocacy and proposals to the Mongolian Parliament and the provision of expert arbitration services. For more detail on our services, see below.

ADVOCACY FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR – THE MNCCI AND THE GOVERNMENT
Although not a government institution, the MNCCI recognizes the need to cooperate with the government to develop a business friendly environment in Mongolia. The MNCCI signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Government of Mongolia and established a Public-Private Sector Consultative Committee. A representative sits on the Economic Council of the Prime Minister of Mongolia, the National Committee on Sustainable Development and the State Auditing Committee. Working closely with the government allows effective communication between the private sector and the business community. Through these channels the MNCCI proposes pro-business recommendations, ensuring the continued development of business in Mongolia.

RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
The MNCCI regularly conducts various studies and surveys on the economic, business, and legal environment in Mongolia. For example: economic and business environment, corruption and red tape perception index, business cost survey, and business confidence index. Below are some of our publications.

Business and Development Journal: Our monthly magazine includes market-economy news, results of business surveys and articles on conducting business in Mongolia, plus interviews with successful entrepreneurs.
Business Times Newspaper: A weekly newspaper including economic reviews, presentation of trade issues, and other important topics.
Inspiring Mongolia: A quarterly magazine providing comprehensive news and articles on Mongolian nature, culture, lifestyle, and business.

MEMBERSHIP AND NETWORKING
Members of the MNCCI enjoy access to a network of other members, businesses, and professionals. The MNCCI actively promotes interactions between its members to establish new contacts and business opportunities. Additional membership services include the issuance of The Business Directory and the organization of the Business Festival, both aimed at expanding cooperation between the MNCCI members and advertising members’ activities.

SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISE (SME) AND NATIONAL INDUSTRIALIZATION PROMOTION
The promotion of SMEs and national industrialization is one of the main divisions in the MNCCI because of the importance of creating new domestic jobs and enterprises. By holding training classes and business seminars, doing research on the economic environment, advertising domestic products, and working with groups like the ITC/WTO, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo, UNCTAD, and others, the MNCCI is empowering people and instilling an entrepreneurial spirit.

The Business Information Center of the division acts as a one stop service center for those who are trying to start a business. The business center publishes handbooks on foreign trade, start-up businesses, and gives information on new equipment, technology and goods.

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION
A key to the recent success of the Mongolian economy includes positive foreign relations and investment. At the MNCCI we collaborate with foreign Chambers like the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), as well as with international organizations like the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBSCSD), the International Trade Center (ITC), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in order to sustain current relations and to build new ones.

EXPORT PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT
As a developing country Mongolia benefits from preferential treatment of trade and customs tariffs from 35 developed countries. These preferences are dependent on the Certificate of Origin, which the MNCCI is responsible for regulating and issuing. The MNCCI also receives and organizes international trade missions to Mongolia.

MONGOLIAN NATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTER
The Mongolian National Arbitration Center (MNAC) is committed to growing the use of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), specifically those of arbitration and mediation. The MNAC has 21 branch arbitration centers with over 150 qualified arbitrators. All arbitral awards are recognized domestically and internationally as governed by law.

Recognized Legislation
International Legislation
1958 New York Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards
1965 Washington Convention on the Settlement of Disputes Between States and Nationals of other States
1972 Moscow Convention on the Settlement by Arbitration of Civil Law Disputes Resulting from Relations of Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation
Mongolian and Chinese General Delivery Conditions between Foreign Trade Organizations

National Legislation
Law on Arbitration 2003
Civil Code of 2002
Civil Procedure Code of 2002
Law on Court Enforcement of 2002

BUSINESS, FOREIGN TRADE TRAINING AND RESEARCH
Along with providing research on the Mongolian business climate to the state and private sectors, the MNCCI also conducts short and long-term training for individuals working with foreigners. The types of training offered include Foreign Trade Manager, Professional Secretary, and Assistant to the Chairman and CEO. The department also has handbooks and manuals on business education, marketing, management, and foreign trade.

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
As Mongolia’s economy rapidly grows, it is vital that it does so in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. The Chamber’s Sustainable Production and Consumption Department is working to promote the development of environmentally friendly and economically efficient industries and services by implementing Cleaner Production principles. To accomplish its goals the MNCCI is working with the support of the government and international organizations to create a National Cleaner Production Program. This program includes: conducting energy audits to identify potential energy savings, undertaking specialized training on energy efficiency and Energy Service Company (ESCO) services, introducing energy management systems to companies, developing and implementing projects focused on increasing energy efficiencies, and raising awareness of ESCO services.

EXHIBITION AND TRADE FAIR DEPARTMENT
The Exhibition and Trade Fair Departments promotes Mongolian exports and culture to the world through various exhibitions and trade fairs. The MNCCI is responsible for organizing and participating in World EXPOs on behalf of Mongolia. In addition, the department organizes the annual international SME’s Products, Technology and Service trade fair and the Ulaanbaatar Partnership International Autumn exhibition. The bi-annual Best 99 National Products and Services of Mongolia fair aims to promote high quality Mongolian products and services. In 2008, the MNCCI opened the 942 m² National Exhibition and Convention Center which is available for members use.

BARCODE AND LOGISTICS PROMOTION DIVISION
Mongolia joined GS1, an international not-for-profit organization “dedicated to the design and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains globally and across sectors,” (www.gs1.org) in 2003. As the Mongolian representative to GS1, the MNCCI is responsible for implementing a national bar code system and monitoring the implementation of the GS1 system. The MNCCI organizes seminars about the GS1 system and provides literature to those interested in learning more.

INSPECTION OF GOODS
To ensure the quality of imported and exported goods, the MNCCI acts as a neutral supervisor for local and international organizations. The MNCCI’s inspections control packing conditions and terms of conveyance. Goods that pass inspection are issued a certificate of inspection.

RURAL MICRO AND SMALL MEDIUM BUSINESS PROMOTION
In cooperation with the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the Foundation for Economic Development and Vocational Training (SEQUA), the MNCCI runs several small projects in order to develop rural areas and decrease poverty. While overall poverty is declining, rural poverty is increasing, especially among herders, so the MNCCI is focusing on alternative methods of employment for herders.

PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION
The Patent, Trademark, and Geographical Indication Division of the MNCCI cooperates with around 100 law firms in over 20 countries and its own intellectual property attorneys to provide excellent service regarding any intellectual property matter. Since 2007, the division has also operated Mongolia’s Franchise Council. In 2008, the Geographical Indications National Center (MGIL) was established to grant certification marks to GI registered products in Mongolia.

Promotional Activities
Inventions and Utility Models
The division annually organizes an Inventions and Utility Models exhibition in collaboration with the Academy of Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, National Productivity Center, and the Intellectual Property Office of Mongolia (IPOM). This is aimed at encouraging and promoting inventions and utility models by Mongolian scientists, engineers and inventors.

National Best Brand
Since 2001, the division has worked with IPOM to run the Best Brands of the Year Award Ceremony aimed at promoting smart usage of trademarks and to increase brand awareness.