Sodnomzundui Erdene, Minister of Population Development and Social Welfare, discusses the Ministry’s goals for Mongolia’s social services.
European Times: What are your main responsibilities as Minister of Population Development and Social Welfare?
Sodnomzundui Erdene: I have two main responsibilities: to develop, improve and implement Mongolia’s population policies, and to formulate policies and implement programmes which will provide social insurance and social welfare for our people. Social insurance is a lifetime service for each person from birth to death, while social welfare means assistance for people in need.
European Times: What are the main challenges you face?
Sodnomzundui Erdene: We have introduced social insurance for employees in both the public and private sectors. While unemployment in Mongolia is relatively low, around 36% of the population needs social welfare because incomes are below the poverty line.
European Times: How does FDI affect the unemployment rate?
Sodnomzundui Erdene: FDI contributes to reducing unemployment but we need to control projects more carefully to make sure that the Mongolian people actually derive benefits from them. Both investors and the Mongolian government need to take responsibility for making sure investments are appropriately handled and productive. As for Mongolia’s unemployment rate, our economy is different from Europe’s. We have many people living a nomadic lifestyle who support themselves through their efforts although they do not hold official jobs. Unemployment in the industrial sector is high, while in the construction sector, we do not have enough qualified workers.
European Times: Does your Ministry work with international organisations?
Sodnomzundui Erdene: All social programmes are funded by the state budget but we are thinking of strengthening our relations with international organisations. We have been cooperating with many international organisations. Currently, for instance, we are already collaborating with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank in projects to identify targeted groups in need of social welfare and to establish a data base.
European Times: What do you believe are the priorities for improving quality of life in Mongolia?
Sodnomzundui Erdene: Mongolia is a vast territory and we are rich in natural resources. Instead of exporting our raw materials, we should process them and export them as value-added products or processed materials at a much higher price. In order to do that we need industrial growth, which would mean more jobs.
European Times: What is your personal message to potential investors and partners?
Sodnomzundui Erdene: We only have one world and we should all help each other. Every country and every citizen should contribute to improving this planet.
