Mongolia : Building Trade Policy Capacity: Formulating an International Trade Policy

Sovereign Project | 48267-001

The Mongolia Interim CPS emphasizes the importance of employment creation, support for agribusiness and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The proposed TA will reinforce this support and emphasis by contributing to a more stable and predictable environment that will give importers and exporters greater confidence as they go about their business. Increased stability and predictability will create greater opportunities for ADB's Trade Finance Program, enhance Mongolia's competitiveness and economic diversification, and complement associated Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program trade facilitation initiatives.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Dorothea Lazaro
    East Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Mongolia
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Industry and trade
Project Name Building Trade Policy Capacity: Formulating an International Trade Policy
Project Number 48267-001
Country / Economy Mongolia
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 8822-MON: Building Trade Policy Capacity: Formulating an International Trade Policy
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 500,000.00
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Sector / Subsector

Industry and trade / Trade and services
Gender Equity and Mainstreaming No gender elements
Description The Mongolia Interim CPS emphasizes the importance of employment creation, support for agribusiness and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The proposed TA will reinforce this support and emphasis by contributing to a more stable and predictable environment that will give importers and exporters greater confidence as they go about their business. Increased stability and predictability will create greater opportunities for ADB's Trade Finance Program, enhance Mongolia's competitiveness and economic diversification, and complement associated Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program trade facilitation initiatives.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy
Impact Increased diversification and competitiveness of non-mining-related production leads to expanded trade
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome Improved confidence to conduct and conclude mutually beneficial free trade agreements with major trading partners
Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

1. Assessment of the legal framework governing and institutional arrangements regulating international trade

2. Comparative examination of other countries' motivations prompting and benefits stemming from the adoption of an international trade policy

3. Assessment of trade challenges and opportunities presented by PRC and Russia

4. Draft International Trade Policy for Mongolia and updated recommendations to enhance institutional capacity in support of trade policy formulation and implementation
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

Consultants submitted Expressions of Interest in January 2015, ADB issued Requests for Proposals in February 2015, proposals were submitted to ADB in March 2015 and were evaluated by ADB and the EA.

A consultant was engaged and notice to proceed issued 15 July 2015. An Inception Report and Concept Note were prepared and discussed with the Ministry of Industry during a TA Inception Misison in August 2015. Consultant deliverables were revised to reflect Ministry of Industry and ADB comments.

The team leader undertook a second mission in October 2015 to work with the national consultant team members and consult with stakeholders in preparation of the first interim report on legal, regulatory, and institutional arrangements for managing Mongolia's trade policy. The team leader also presented at the Mongolia Industry Forum organized by the EA. The first interim report has been submitted and deemed acceptable.

A second interim report presenting an assessment of how selected comparator countries have developed and implemented international trade policies has been submitted and is under review by ADB and the EA. A third interim report on how Mongolia might benefit from accession to the WTO by its major trading partners and a fourth interim report presenting a product space analysis that identifies Mongolia's brightest export prospects have just been submitted to ADB by the consultant.

A training course for Mongolia's trade agreement negotiators was conducted 11-12 May 2016.

Acknowledging distractions created by the electoral process and preparations to host the ASEM Summit, the closing date of the TA was extended to 30 November 2016. The consultant has submitted a draft final report, which will be reviewed by stakeholders on 29 September 2016.
Geographical Location
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design An ADB reconnaissance mission visited Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 2 4 June 2014 to review, discuss, and revise a TA proposal prepared and submitted by Mongolia's Ministry of Economic Development to ADB. The Mission also consulted with other stakeholders and possible contributors, including the Agency on Integrated Border Management under the Cabinet Secretariat, Mongolian Development Institute, the Mongolian Development Strategy Institute, and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
During Project Implementation A series of consultations with key public and private sector stakeholders and development partners was conducted by the consultant during a TA Inception Mission in August-September 2015. Further consultations were conducted by the team leader together with national consultants during an October 2015 mission. The team leader also presented at the Mongolia Industry Forum organized by the EA.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services It is envisaged that a consulting firm will be recruited to assemble a team of experts as described in the outline Terms of Reference attached to carry out the proposed studies. A total of 15 person-months of international and 20 person-months of national consultant inputs will be required to provide policy and advisory services under the TA. The consulting firm will be engaged in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2013, as amended from time to time). The firm will be selected using quality and cost-based selection procedures (90:10). To ensure that the firm has sufficient experience, full technical proposals will be sought. If, however, market conditions suggest that the low value of the contract in combination with requiring a full technical proposal presents a disincentive to otherwise interested and qualified bidders, simplified technical proposals may be accepted. The proceeds of the TA will be disbursed in line with ADB's Technical Assistance Disbursement Handbook (2010, as amended from time to time).
Responsible ADB Officer Dorothea Lazaro
Responsible ADB Department East Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Public Mgt, Financial Sector and Regional Coop Division, EARD
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Industry
Government building-2, United Nation's Street15/1, Ulaanbaatar-15160, Mongolia
Timetable
Concept Clearance 15 Sep 2014
Fact Finding 25 Sep 2014 to 26 Sep 2014
MRM -
Approval 16 Dec 2014
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 28 Sep 2016

TA 8822-MON

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
16 Dec 2014 08 Jan 2015 08 Jan 2015 30 Jun 2016 30 Nov 2016 28 Feb 2017
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
500,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500,000.00 17 Jun 2022 433,160.00

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.

Related Publications

None currently available.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

No tenders for this project were found.

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 8822 15 Jul 2015 Ecorys Nederland BV (Netherlands) | PO BOX 4175, 3006 AD Rotterdam Watermanweg 44, 3067 GG Rotterdam, The Netherlands Ministry of Economic Development 429,160.00 —

Procurement Plan

None currently available.