Government presents 23 measures to be taken amid COVID-19 pandemic
PoliticsAt today’s regular meeting of the Cabinet, a resolution with 23 measures to be taken in prevention of COVID-19 pandemic was approved and Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh presented the measures reflected in the resolution as follows:
1.With
an aim to support the livelihood of the citizens, Minister of Labor and Social
Welfare A.Ariunzaya and Minister of Finance Ch.Khurelbaatar were instructed to
provide a monthly ‘Child Allowance’ of MNT 100 thousand to children aged 0-18
and other social welfare allowances and services to citizens quickly and
without interruption. This measure will be in effect until July 1, 2021.
2.To
develop a draft law to not impose penalty on business entities and
organizations aside from state and local owned and partly state-owned legal
entities that have not paid their employees’ social insurance contributions
within the legal deadline. The measure should be valid between November 1, 2020
and July 1, 2021.
3.The
Minister of Finance was instructed to draft a law on exemptions from penalties
for late payment or penalties for non-payment of taxes in due time that filed with the local tax office according to
the law until July
1, 2021.
4.Until
July 1, 2021, a taxpayer who rents out a building or area for the purpose of
shopping center, factory, service, private school, kindergarten and childcare
service shall be subject to tax reduction, if he or she decreases the rental
rate
5.
Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Z.Mendsaikhan and Minister of
Finance Ch.Khurelbaatar were instructed to draft laws on exemption of customs tax
and VAT on imported rice, vegetable oil, hay, forage, fodder seeds, wheat,
wheat germ and oilseeds, as well as draft law on VAT exemption on vegetable
oil, hay, forage and rice that processed and sold in Mongolia.
6.
Deputy Prime Minister Ya.Sodbaatar was instructed to establish a joint task
force of companies working in the food sector and take measures to ensure the
normal production, packaging, delivery, distribution and sale of food products
based on the meeting of requirements of infection control issued by the
Ministry of Health.
7.
The Governor of the Bank of Mongolia and the Chairman of the Financial
Regulatory Commission were given directions to take measures for deferring repayment
of mortgage loan principal and interest until July 1, 2020, regarding the
borrower's request, and to extend the loan agreement term without increasing
the amount of the remaining payment.
8.
In resolving the request to defer repayments of loan principal and interest to
be paid to nonbank financial institutions and saving and credit cooperatives,
it was instructed to defer the repayments until July 1 based on the solvency of
the borrowers without putting additional pressure, including penalties for late
repayment or increased interest.
9.
Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry G.Yondon was instructed to shift companies
exporting minerals and petroleum products to special infection control regime,
protect all workers from the pandemic, and create safe working conditions.
10.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Road and Transport Development
and the Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry were instructed to intensify the
implementation of the “Green Gateway” temporary regulation being implemented in
the extent of the Mongolia-China border checkpoints and to resolve the issue of
continuing mineral and oil exports without halt through diplomatic channels.
11. The
Chairman of the State Emergency Commission, the Minister of Finance, the
Minister of Road and Transport Development and the Governors of the aimags were
instructed to ensure border checkpoints operate at full capacity under strict
infection control regime, get the drivers transporting minerals from Tavan
Tolgoi, Nariin Sukhait and Oyu Tolgoi deposits through
Gashuunsukhait-Shiveelhuren border checkpoint fully tested for the virus and to
declare this checkpoint as a “Green Zone” in order to ensure the normal export
of oil.
12.
The Deputy Prime Minister and relevant officials were instructed to take
measures to disinfect all types of postal items arriving in Mongolia.
13.
The Minister of Health and the Director General of the Customs General
Administration were instructed to promote the law passed by the Parliament in
August on the customs tax and VAT exemption for imported COVID-19 test kits,
medical devices, equipment, disinfectants and face masks which will be valid
until the end of 2021.
14.
The Director of the General Department of Taxation was instructed to publicize
that the taxpayer should deduct
the loss incurred in the tax return for 2020 for
four consecutive tax years in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article
19 of the Corporate Income Tax Law.
15.
The relevant officials were instructed to intensify the digital transition in
the tax and customs services in order to avoid face to face meeting and gathering
people.
16.
The Minister of Finance was instructed to deduct tax arrears from time to time
at the request of the taxpayer in the event that the taxpayer has receivables for
goods, works and services from the state and local budgets.
17.
The Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Z.Mendsaikhan was
instructed to direct the activities of the Loan Guarantee Fund revitalize the
businesses in accordance with the law and to take measures to intensify the
activities of the Fund.
18.
All general budget governors have been instructed to promptly pay for the
provision of services and supplies to budgetary and governmental organizations
and state and state-owned enterprises.
19.
In order to overcome the economic difficulties and support the continuous
operation of domestic production, all general budget governors are obliged to
purchase domestic goods in accordance with Articles 10 and 11 of the Law on
Procurement of Goods and Services with State and Local Funds.
20.
In order to provide equal opportunities for companies to participate in
tenders, all general budget governors have been instructed to extend the deadline
for all types of tenders to be received during the effective period of lockdown
until December 4, 2020.
21.
In connection with the shift to heightened period of readiness, the Minister of
Finance was instructed to take measures to set financial priorities for expenditures
other than salaries and pensions and to continue the budget of budget governors
in austerity mode in connection with the revenue
collection.
22.
Each member of the Government was instructed to study and develop a proposal on
economic, budgetary and financial measures to ensure the normal operation of
production, services and business entities, present it to the State Emergency
Commission meeting and make an urgent decision on the spot.
23.
The Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Culture and other corresponding
officials were instructed to maintain and promote the infection control regime
and recommendations of the Ministry of Health, create TV programs and contents
that promotes national unity and organize public awareness campaigns regarding
this resolution through the media.