Mongolia's "New Revival Policy": infrastructure priorities

Abstract

The article examines the features of the “New Revival Policy” of Mongolia - the first stage of the long-term strategy “Vision - 2050”. The policy marks an important step in adjusting economic policy in the face of global challenges and aims to encourage Mongolia’s post-pandemic recovery by opening up the country to domestic and foreign investment. The author analyzes the six priority areas of new policy: the revival of the border checkpoints, energy, industrialization, urban and rural recovery, green development, and public sector efficiency. The author briefly examines the recovery of border crossings, transport and logistics network of Mongolia, including the construction of railways, the opening of international airports, the establishment of “dry ports”, etc. The author highlights the specifics of foreign trade and related cargo flows, notes the extreme relevance of large-scale infrastructure construction and upgrading. In addition to ensuring conditions for effective foreign trade, it is important for Mongolia to use its advantages as a transit territory, especially in the current period, when China is actively promoting overland cargo transportation to Europe, and Russia is focusing on the eastern direction. Mongolia intends to speed up the launch of new railway and road corridors: the plans of the “New Revival Policy” include the construction of the Choibalsan – Khuut – Bichigt railway in the east and the Arts-Suur – Nariinsukhait – Shiveekhuren railway in the west. Thereby, a favorable environment for strengthening Mongolia’s infrastructure connectivity with neighboring countries will be formed what is an important condition for the development of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.