First Vice PM N.Altankhuyag worked in Umnugobi province during the weekends and visited Oyutolgoi, Tavantolgoi and Gashuunsukhait port. N.Altankhuyag’s trip was related to his job as the leader of a Government working group to make plans for development in southern regions ofMongolia.

Meeting the growing needs of a fast-developing China is, directly and indirectly, a key objective of many natural resources companies. Mongolia-focussed, AIM-listed Petro Matad (MATD) has the advantage of being right next door to China – and the petroleum industry in Mongolia is being driven hard by the needs of its neighbour. We take a look at the rapidly developing oil industry in Mongolia, which remains unknown to many Western investors, before reviewing the Petro Matad portfolio which includes three large exploration Blocks. Drilling on the first of these, Block XX, will begin in April 2010.

Sunwing Energy Ltd., an Ivanhoe Energy subsidiary, acquired PanAsian Petroleum, a private company headquartered in Alberta in an all-share deal worth approximately $7.2 million.

Yesterday, G.Zandanshater, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade received Kidokoro Takuo, The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia. The newly appointed Minister told the Ambassador that Mongolia is always grateful for the Japanese side for all types of assistance and loan. The Minister underlined the importance of increasing trade and investments between the two countries and increasing the win-win cooperation. Mr Ambassador congratulated G.Zandanshatar on becoming Minister and expressed his willingness to closely cooperate with the Ministry to improve and develop the Mongolia-Japan relations and cooperation in the future.

Parliament’s Standing Committee for Government Organization made the final discussion of innovating the operation procedures of Government Service Council.