The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved two projects totaling 157.1 million USD to spur agriculture competitiveness and enhance trade and logistics in Mongolia. ADB Country Director for Mongolia Shannon Cowlin said, “ADB is Mongolia’s key development partner in trade, transport, and logistics, which is crucial to drive sustainable and inclusive growth. The projects will assist Mongolia to improve its policies and infrastructure investments in these sectors, enhancing trade efficiency, market access and diversifying livelihood opportunities.”

The first project is “Agriculture and Rural Development Project, Phase Two” for 57.1 million USD. The project aims to improve the competitiveness and climate resilience of Mongolia’s agriculture sector. It will support the adoption of technologies by agriculture related enterprises to increase processing and value-added manufacturing capacity. It will also help agro-enterprises to improve business operations and quality standards to enhance exports. The project will also help herders and farmers optimize production by improving the quality of livestock and other agricultural products, building capacity in climate-resilient production and enhanced animal husbandry practices, and providing training on essential equipment. The “Agriculture and Rural Development Project, Phase Two” project will also support the integration of herders and farmers into value chains to enhance earning capacities.

The second project is “Border Efficiency for Sustainable Trade Project” for 100 million USD. The purpose of the project is to enhance Mongolia’s trade sector resilience, promote export diversification and improve efficiency in the movement of people and goods through land ports. This will be done by upgrading border facilities and incorporating climate adaptation measures, installing smart border technology and equipment and enhancing trade facilitation systems. The project will also improve regional health security by strengthening the surveillance, early detection, and response to animal and human infectious diseases, as well as biological contagion threats associated with agricultural products. The trade project will also introduce One Health coordination mechanisms at the borders, which aims to optimize and balance the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.