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Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Jalbuugiyn CHOINHOR

chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117

FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
John DINGER

embassy: inner north side of the Big Ring, just west of the Selbe
Gol, Ulaanbaatar

mailing address: United States Embassy in Mongolia, P. O. Box 1021,
Ulaanbaatar 13; PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002

telephone: [976] (11) 329095

FAX: [976] (11) 320776

Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side),
blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the
national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and
geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the
yin-yang symbol)

Mongolia Economy

Economy - overview: Economic activity traditionally has been based
on agriculture and breeding of livestock. Mongolia also has
extensive mineral deposits: copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten,
and gold account for a large part of industrial production. Soviet
assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost
overnight in 1990-91, at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR.
Mongolia was driven into deep recession, which was prolonged by the
Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party's (MPRP) reluctance to
undertake serious economic reform. The Democratic Coalition (DC)
government has embraced free-market economics, easing price
controls, liberalizing domestic and international trade, and
attempting to restructure the banking system and the energy sector.
Major domestic privatization programs were undertaken, as well as
the fostering of foreign investment through international tender of
the oil distribution company, a leading cashmere company, and banks.
Reform was held back by the ex-communist MPRP opposition and by the
political instability brought about through four successive
governments under the DC. Economic growth picked up in 1997-99 after
stalling in 1996 due to a series of natural disasters and declines
in world prices of copper and cashmere. In August and September
1999, the economy suffered from a temporary Russian ban on exports
of oil and oil products, and Mongolia remains vulnerable in this
sector. Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in 1997.
The international donor community pledged