Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/.  On October 2, Millennium Challenge Account Mongolia (MCA-Mongolia) in cooperation with Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) organized an event to inform local firms and entities about the projects being implemented under the Mongolia Water Compact and planned international construction tenders and procurement opportunities under these projects. Representatives from over 100 private entities took part in the event.

President of MNCCI and Member of MCA-Mongolia Board of Directors Mr. O.Amartuvshin, MCA-Mongolia CEO Ms. E.Sodontogos and MCC Deputy Resident Country Director to Mongolia Mr. Eric Guetschoff opened the event addressing the audience.

“The participation and cooperation of private sector entities is crucial for the implementation of this major project funded by the U.S Millennium Challenge Corporation. For this reason, today we are organizing this event in cooperation with MCA-Mongolia to inform you of projects being implemented under the Compact and possibilities for the private sector entities to be involved in. For local companies, it is unlikely to be individually involved in large international projects like this, usually local companies will participate in partnerships or in a joint-venture”, Mr. O.Amartuvshin highlighted in his opening remarks.

Ms. E.Sodontogos noted, “We are working hard to ensure that this major investment can generate the highest possible benefits for Mongolia and for our economy, including the private sector. Therefore, we hope that you, too, will be actively involved in the Program implementation and construction works and closely cooperate with us while strictly following the rules and regulations related to the procurement procedure”.

The event continued with presentations on three closely-related main activities of the Program by Downstream Wells Activity Director B.Batsukh, Wastewater Recycling Activity Director T.Khishigt and Water Sector Sustainability Activity Director L.Unurjargal. In addition, presentations on planned international construction tenders, procurement opportunities under these projects and MCC Program Procurement Guidelines and relevant policies were provided by Procurement Director T.Enkhtungalag and MCC Anti- Fraud and Corruption as well tax policies by General Counsel P.Bayar. Finally, managers of the independent Fiscal Agent firm – “Cardno Emerging Markets” and the Procurement Agent firm – “Charles Kendall and Partners”, who are charge of MCA-Mongolia procurement and financial operations, took part in the event to provide relevant information.

Background

The Government of Mongolia and the U.S Millennium Challenge Corporation signed the $350 million Mongolia Water Compact, a grant to help to reduce poverty through economic growth in Mongolia on July 27, 2018, and the Compact is funding the Bulk Water Supply Program which aims to meet ever-increasing demand of in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. 

Mongolia Water Compact aims to provide a sustainable supply of water to Ulaanbaatar through funding the development of two new groundwater wellfields and the construction of an Advanced Water Purification Plant to treat up to 50 million cubic meters/year of water extracted from the new wellfields to the highest drinking water quality standards and supply to the central network of the city, as well as the construction of Wastewater Recycling Plant that will treat 50,000 cubic meters/day of the effluent from new CWWTP and convey the recycled water to Combined Heating and Power plants number three and four (CHP-3 and CHP-4) for technical use. The Compact also includes a Water Sector Sustainability Activity which will enhance the long-term sustainability of UB city water and wastewater system while ensuring that the Compact activities have lasting benefits.

Millennium Challenge Account - Mongolia is a state-owned enterprise established by the decision of the Government of Mongolia on October 3, 2018, pursuant to Government Resolution No 297 in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Compact to implement the Program under the 350 million USD Mongolia Water Compact signed with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. government foreign aid agency. 

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth.  Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to poor countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights.  Learn more about MCC at www.mcc.gov.

MCA-Mongolia