Government of Mongolia and ADB sign deal to develop ecotourism in two national parks
视频On
June 13, The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of
Mongolia signed a USD38 million loan to develop ecotourism in Khuvsgul
Lake National Park and Onon-Balj National Park to serve as models for
economicallyinclusive development and conservation in Mongolia.
Minister
of Finance Ch.Khurelbaatar and ADB Country Director for Mongolia Yolanda
Fernandez Lommen signed the agreement at a ceremony in Ulaanbaatar. Members of
the ADB Board of Directors, led by Executive Director Kshatrapati Shivaji,
witnessed the event. Representatives from the Ministry of Environment and
Tourism also attended.
“This
marks ADB’s first project loan in Mongolia to focus on tourism and protected
area management,” said Ms. Fernandez Lommen. “ADB’s support promotes the
country’s strategies and efforts to diversify the economy, improve
climate-resilient infrastructure, protect the environment, and increase
economic opportunities for residents in rural areas.”
The
project will benefit around 11,000 residents as well as improve local
environmental conservation and climate change adaptation and mitigation
efforts. Khuvsgul Lake in Khuvsgul Lake National Park is Mongolia’s largest freshwater
resource, while Onon-Balj National Park is the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan, a
revered leader in Mongolia’s history.
ADB
is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable
Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme
poverty. In 2018, it made commitments of new loans and grants amounting to
USD21.6 billion