BCM ADVOCACY EFFORTS-2016

Kh.Otgongerel, BCM Partnership Manager 2017.01.25

Advocacy efforts summary

• Became more active in advocacy since

May-2016

• Total 11 advocacy efforts implemented

• Partnered with over 10 government

institutions and 5 business associations

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1.POLICY RECOMMENDATION DOCUMENT INCORPORATING PRIVATE SECTOR VOICES DEVELOPED

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Actions taken: - Over 1,000 copies of the Summit

Proceeding publication distributed and

shared with policy makers, embassies,

media, international organizations,

IFIs, professional associations;

- Over 10 appearances in media,

numerous website and social media

posts

Advocacy outcome: - The Government Action Plan 2016-

2020 now includes number of

provisions that are in line with the

opinions stipulated in the BCM policy

recommendation document.

- BCM Executive Director Ch.Mergen

is appointed and started working as a

member of the Economic Policy

Council under Prime Minister of

Mongolia

2. CORPORATE INCOME TAX LAW AMENDMENT SUCCESSFULLY POSTPONED FROM PARLIAMENT DISCUSSION

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Actions taken: - Two joint Legislative and Tax Working

Group meetings

- Consultations with MONEF and other

business associations

- The BCM recommendation statement

delivered to related authorities

Advocacy outcome: The draft CIT law was successfully

postponed from the Parliament

discussion planned for Spring 2016

session.

3. BURDEN OF CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN REQUIREMENT SUCCESSFULLY EASED

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Actions taken: - Consultative meetings among

members, business associations and

General Customs Authority

- Meetings with MoFA, Embassies and

other Government institutions

- The BCM recommendation statement

delivered to related authorities

Advocacy outcome: - The effective date of Government

resolution of CO was postponed from

original date of Oct 1st 2016 to Jan 1st

2017.

- Afterwards, proposed requirement on

CO was withdrawn starting

2017/01/01.

4. BCM FEEDBACK REFLECTED IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT LAW DRAFT

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Actions taken: - Two joint meeting of Risk and Legal

Working Groups

- 14 points in the draft law were

suggested for further improvement, and

submitted to related authorities

Advocacy outcome: Draft law incorporating some of our

feedback is approved by Government of

Mongolia and submitted to the Parliament

for further discussion on 12/28/2016.

5. PROPOSED TAX HIKES SUCCESSFULLY PULLED BACK

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Actions taken: - Business associations including

MONEF, Builders’ Association, Food

Association, Leather Industry

Association had a meeting to discuss

the advocacy strategy against

proposed tax increases

- Ch.Mergen debated at MongolHD TV

popular show “NuudelShiidel” and

presented members’ standpoints and

opposed increase of taxes in current

down economy.

- BCM official letter sent to Ministry of

Finance.

Advocacy outcome: The proposed tax increase pulled back

by the Government of Mongolia

6. INVESTOR'S RIGHTS BEING PROTECTED

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Actions taken: - Concerns from over 10 member organizations submitted

to MoJIA.

- BCM Chairman, Executive Director and BCM members

met Minister S.Byambatsogt, and his secretariat to raise

the members concerns.

- Follow up meeting was organized for all members

including a panel discussion “Investors’ Protection”

Advocacy outcome: BCM concerns were introduced to the Prime Minister as

part of MoJIA working group analysis to be used for further

improvement of related laws, procedures and actions.

7. BCM MEMBERS’ FEEDBACK REFLECTED IN UB CITY ACTION PLAN 2016-2020

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Actions taken: - Consultative meeting with Deputy

Governor of Ulaanbaatar City

J.Batbayasgalan to collect members’

feedback

- Additional members’ comments

received by mail, were submitted with

official letter to Deputy Governor with

Copy to UB City PRH Secretariat.

Advocacy outcome: The approved UB City Action Plan 2016-2020 has BCM members’ feedback included in its sections regarding air pollution,

energy efficiency, public transport issues

8. TRANSPARENT AND ETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES PROMOTED

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Actions taken: - BCM in partnership with TI-Mongolia

submitted grant proposal and got

approved by The Asia Foundation to

implement a grant project on Promoting

transparent and ethical business

practices

- Gifts and hospitality exemplary policy

was developed by BCM Business Ethics

Working Group members and shared to

entire membership for further use.

- Two capacity building activities

implemented.

Advocacy outcome: BCM Position Statement Against Corruption was developed and being used as the main advocacy message. BCM

cooperation with local agencies such as Independent Authority Against Corruption as well as international organizations such

as The Asia Foundation, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Transparency International-UK are

strengthened.

ONGOING AND PLANNED ADVOCACY EFFORTS

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IN PROGRESS

LIMITING NUMBER OF “NO-ALCOHOL” DAYS

Hotel and hospitality businesses expressed that they face reduced customer satisfaction in hotel and

restaurants, especially for those with international standards; reduced revenue.

Actions taken:

Official letter submitted to the UB City Governor proposing possible solutions to ease this burden.

FEEDBACK FOR LABOR LAW AMENDMENT AND CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW AMENDMENT

Actions taken:

BCM Legal WG held three meetings to analyze the previous and the latest draft of labor law and Consumer

protection law. Feedback from BCM members are being compiled for further submission to related authorities

within January 2017.

PLANNED

CUSTOMS PROCEDURES AND FEES RELATED PROBLEMS FACING IMPORTERS

Joint Logistics/trade; Tax and Legal working group meeting is planned to discuss customs related issues

faced by our members. Representatives from Customs, Tax Authorities and Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be

invited.

HOW MEMBERS CAN ADVOCATE THROUGH BCM

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• Working Groups: 8 WG’s with 400+ experts

• Community Outreach: BCM in the University; BCM in High

School

• Media relations: Bloomberg, Official Gazette, Forbes,

• News.mn, VIP76, Mongolian Economy Magazine

• Executive Director, Executive Committee, & the Board

• Other: cooperation through other associations & so forth

How You Can Help

BCM is ready to advocate on your behalf and raise your concerns for better, broader business environment to

related authorities in a joint and strong argument based way. So please support us by promoting our efforts

through your social media, networks and contacts. Please follow us on:

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THANK YOU TO EVERY BCM MEMBER, PARTNER

STAKEHOLDER AND ALL 400 VOLUNTEER EXPERTS

OF BCM WORKING GROUPS

FOR YOUR CONTINOUS SUPPORT AND TRUST!