The meeting on August 22 with Laurenz Melchers in the chair, was attended by 65 members and invited guests who overcame severe traffic caused by visits of U.S. VP Biden and S. Korean President Lee. Executive Director Jim Dwyer introduced the BCM NewsWire's new editor-in-chief, Terrence Edwards. Membership now stands at 188 members, up from 160 last August. Those recently joined are:
1. CGBEM is jointly-owned by Mongolia Minerals Corp., a Canadian company based out of Calgary and its Mongolian partner. The company is focused exclusively on the exploration and development of coal and other mineral resources in Mongolia.
2. Mongolia's Opportunities Fund provides growth capital to companies that exhibit established profitable business models, have strong management teams and demonstrate potential to become market leaders. It invests in businesses for agribusiness, infrastructure, and mining services and supply chains.
3. Allworld Exhibitions is an exhibition organizer currently organizing 150 international exhibitions in 11 countries. It was called one of the top organizers by revenue in the Asian Exhibition Market. The company assists in global exporters to penetrate emerging markets, especially in Asia and the Middle East. Allworld Exhibitions delivers industry specialized exhibitors.
4. Allens Arthur Robinson is a leading international law firm in 12 offices across Asia. The firm works with 55 of the world's top 100 companies, eight of Australia's top 10 public companies, and 77 of Australia's top 100 public companies.
5. Oxford Business Group is a global publishing and consultancy company which produces original economic and business intelligence on markets in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Through its print and online publications, OBG offers comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic and sector developments. It publishes annual reports on more than 30 countries and territories, as well as monthly sector updates. Each Report is the product of many months of on-the-ground research.
The evening’s first speaker was Sarah Kamowski, Vice President of AIESEC-Mongolia, a group initially sponsored by Yale University engaging 60,000 students in 120 countries. It is the world's largest run student organization and has been in Mongolia since 2008. At least 20 young volunteers will come to Mongolia as part of AIESEC's program to bring interns from abroad to businesses in Mongolia and to send Mongolian students abroad to gain international work experience. The organization also sends students to conferences abroad and connects them to a global network. In addition to its intern program it provides a local business program for leadership development, youth-to-business events, and a global exchange program.
Ts. Tumentsogt, Chief Representative of General Electric International in Mongolia, discussed GE’s solutions for Mongolia. These include work in the mining sector, infrastructural development, helping to diversify Mongolia's economy, creating renewable energy opportunities, and exploiting synergies between Mongolia and China. Other market opportunities include power generation, railway locomotive sales, and health care services.
Anne Delarue, a representative of Oxford Business Group, announced her company will publish a 2012 report about Mongolia. Oxford Business Group is a consultancy research, subscription-based publication with 15 years of experience. Representative Anne Delarue said the company decided to report on Mongolia because of its impressive GDP growth (over 14 percent in 2011 to June 30), opportunities posed by Oyu Tolgoi, untapped potential in sectors such as energy and communication in addition to mining, and favorable commodity prices.
Finally, John Karlsen, CEO of Newcom Mining Services, announced plans to launch the Gobi Rentals mining services company. It will open two facility locations at Tsogttsetsii and Khanbogd. It will target mining operations, construction projects, and residential and commercial construction in the Gobi Desert.