CATBIG: Mongolia Country Focus

CATBIG widened its geographic area to include Mongolia at our last meeting, and members quickly understood the many synergies with other Central Asian states, not the least being the challenge of sustainably developing substantial reserves of natural resources.

The UK was the first western country to recognise Mongolian independence from China, troops from both nations serve in Afghanistan, the Mongolian Stock Exchange is currently being restructured with the help the London Stock Exchange, and many UK companies are keen to invest in the natural resource sector. The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, EBRD and EU all have substantial programmes in Mongolia, and a number of British consultants have won work from them. Bilateral political relations are good, but not without occasional hiccups.

We are therefore delighted that the newly appointed (February 2011) British Ambassador to Ulaanbaatar, HE Miss Thorda Abbott-Watt, has very kindly agreed to brief CATBIG members on the current economic, political and commercial situation at a meeting to be held on Tuesday 6 September at 1530.

Though newly appointed, this is the second time Miss Abbott-Watt has been Ambassador to Mongolia, having previously served there from from May 2008-April 2009. She has also served in Kabul and was British Ambassador to another CATBIG country, Armenia, from 2003-06.

Miss Abbott-Watt is an enthusiastic rider of horses (as are many Mongolians!) but says she also has extensive experience of many unscheduled dismounts! Her other favourite relaxation is "sitting in a comfortable chair with a good book". We are sure her talk will make for a most interesting meeting.

British Expertise Members: FREE

All others (including CATBIG members): £20 + VAT