The Economic Policy and Competitiveness Research Center (EPCRC), Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, Governor’s office of Khuvsgul province and MNCCI held the “Khangai Region Competitiveness Forum 2017” in Murun city, Khuvsgul province on 12-13 October, 2017.

During the forum, governors from Khangai region’s six provinces (Khuvsgul, Orkhon, Bulgan, Arkhangai, Uvurkhangai and Bayankhongor), Chairmen of Citizen’s Representative Khural and other local officials took the floor and expressed their views about the development of their respective provinces and how to address key challenges. Additionally, the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of Mongolia, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light industry, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, National Development Agency, Financial Regulatory Commission, Loan Guarantee Fund, MNCCI, The Asia Foundation, the Mongolian Association of Tourism, as well as business organizations, all based in Ulaanbaatar, also took an active part in this forum

During this event, four main sessions were organized: “Development outlook of Khangai Region- Concept of Regional Development”, “Economic Diversification: Developing the tourism sector in Khangai region”, “Economic Diversification: Developing opportunities for SMEs in the Khangai region” and “Current situation and perspectives of the agricultural sector in the Khangai region”. Besides, a last session, entitled “Khangai Region Cooperation: Forum review and further steps”, offered a chance for all participants to share some conclusions and ideas about how to collectively address sectorial policies in the region and effectively implement their development strategies.. In particular, one of the key findings of the forum was the need for enhanced infrastructure connections. It follows that Khangai region’s infrastructure connectivity will be the starting point of economic exchanges and population movement.

Simultaneously, Khangai region’s companies also participated in the “Autumn green days” exhibition, held on Chingunjav square, Murun city, during the two days of the forum. During this event, local products, mostly food items and handicrafts, were displayed and sold to promote Khangai region’s image and know-how.

This conference was the fourth edition organized by the EPCRC, following similar events in other regions. Previously, the EPCRC had organized the “Eastern Region Forum 2015” in Baruun-Urt city, Sukhbaatar province, the “Gobi Region Competitiveness Forum 2016” in Mandalgobi city, Dundgobi, and “The First Provincial Competitiveness Forum” in 2014, in Ulaanbaatar.

For more information about provincial competitiveness, please visit our www.aimagindex.mn website. Presentations (in Mongolian) and photos from the conference are also available on the website.