“Everybody in Mongolia has just one goal: development”

N. Ariuntuya talks to Canada’s Ambassador to Mongolia Gregory Goldhawk about bilateral relations and the direction he sees them taking.

Mr. Ambassador, how did you come here?
I joined the foreign relations service of Canada in 1981, and have served in many countries in almost in all continents.  I have worked mostly in trade relations and was assigned to the USA for a long period of time. Immediately before coming to Mongolia, I was posted in Thailand.
I am here with my wife and a daughter who is 9 years old and has made many friends in her new school. My wife is actively interested in Mongolian arts. We are happy here and have no complaints at all, even though we came from plus 30-degree country to a minus 30-degree one.

You have not been long here, so your first impressions must still be fresh. What were they like?
My first impression has been that Mongolia is changing with incredible rapidity. This is seen not only in the economic sector, but everywhere else also. The most clear indication of this is given by all these cranes on construction sites that you can see right on the way to town from the airport. Bangkok is also a growing city, but things there are not a fraction of what is happening here at an extraordinary pace.

How is Mongolia different from the other countries where you worked?

I would say the atmosphere of rapid change is what distinguishes Mongolia. Everybody I talk to, from a high ranking state official to a small scale entrepreneur, gives me the feeling that the country has just one goal: development. I feel fortunate to be present here at this very interesting point of time.

Where have you been in Mongolia?

Unfortunately, I haven’t had time so far to visit your beautiful countryside. In the coming months, I plan to do so and also visit Canadian companies working there.

Canada was the first country in North America to establish diplomatic relations with Mongolia. How have bilateral relations been in the 37 years since then and how do you see the future?

Canada has always wished to contribute to Mongolia’s development. Our Embassy here was opened two years ago and will help expand bilateral relations. 

Canada has a large presence in the mining sector of Mongolia. Are there other areas of cooperation?

The potential is there in many sectors, particularly in trade, finance, and in peacekeeping. Of course, the mining sector will continue to be the priority sector. For Mongolia it is the gateway to development, and Canada is the second largest investor in Mongolia, with most of the investment in the mining sector.

I anticipate investment in other sectors as well, such as contracting work, and education, especially in vocational training. Specialized professionals are needed in the mining sector and their training has to be taken up seriously.  Another potential sector is agriculture, where our similar climate will help introduction of advanced Canadian technology. I mention these two sectors as examples, but there are many other opportunities.
   
What strikes you most in the investment environment here? What is the gest problem for foreign investors? What are the risks for them?

Representatives of foreign companies, not only Canadian, feel that that the uncertainties in the legal environment continues to be gest challenge for those keen to invest and work in Mongolia...

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