Mongolia
In spite of substantial economic growth in recent years, Mongolia ranked no. 110 out of 187 countries in the world according to the Human Development Index in 2012.
Mongolia's extensive mineral deposits and attendant growth in mining-sector activities have transformed Mongolia's economy, which traditionally has been dependent on herding and agriculture. Mongolia's copper, gold, coal, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten deposits, among others, have attracted foreign direct investment. However, in spite of success achieved in the past years, much remains to be done mostly in the sphere of social care, education and proper water management. Due to the extensive use of mineral resources, environmental protection is a necessity. The climate conditions in Mongolia are very hard and can present a risk for herders. For instance due to severe winter weather in 2009-10, Mongolia lost 22% of its total livestock, and meat prices doubled. Inflation remained higher than 10% for most of the 2010-12 period.
During the time of Czechoslovakia, Mongolia was our important business partner. Within development cooperation, the Czech Republic has had significant presence in Mongolia since 2001, providing assistance particularly in social development, environment, energy supply and agriculture. In 2011, the Czech Republic provided Mongolia with development assistance worth 4.7 million USD.
In accordance with the Development Cooperation Strategy of the Czech Republic 2010 – 2017 Mongolia belongs to the highest category of the partner countries, among priority countries with a development programme framework. The main focus of the Czech Republic’s development cooperation is in the following sectors:
- social development – including social workers training
- environment;
- economic development including energy supply
- agriculture;
- health (to a lesser extent than those above).
Czech Development Cooperation in Mongolia consists of:
- Bilateral and trilateral projects under the Czech Development Agency.
- Local small scale projects under the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ulaanbaatar.
- Scholarships provided by the Czech government.