Locally run supermarket, handicrafts shop and barbers open for business at Oyu Tolgoi

As part of its continuing commitment to support South Gobi businesses, Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia’s leading copper and gold mine company, has opened a locally run supermarket, handicrafts shop and barber shop at its mine site. It is a part of the ‘Mongolia First’ initiative, which is intended to identify local companies and help them to develop sustainable business relationships with Oyu Tolgoi.

Mrs. N. Uranchimeg, who has owned and managed a small supermarket in Khanbogd for the past few years was helped by Oyu Tolgoi to expand her business. She said “I’m honoured to be able to serve more than 5,000 people from all over the world who are now working at Oyu Tolgoi. This is a great opportunity as well as a great responsibility. Therefore, I would like to thank Oyu Tolgoi for giving me the opportunity to grow my business.”

The handicraft shop sells products made by 16 handicraft businesses from South Gobi, Darkhan, Bayan-Ulgii provinces and Ulaanbaatar. One of the handicraftsmen is from the cooperative of a disabled members group run by Mr. D. Dargakhuu based in Dalanzadgad, South Gobi province. He said, “This is a good business opportunity. We see it as a big chance to expand our businesses and production, and at the same time buy new equipment and generate work places for more disabled people.”

Furthermore, Oyu Tolgoi has provided training for 15 Dalanzadgad hairdressers from the Mongolian Hairdressers Association, and selected four of these to work and run a barbershop at Oyu Tolgoi.

Ms Tserenchimed B., Oyu Tolgoi Procurement Specialist, said: “After a while you see that local people’s businesses are improving and their lives are changing and that they have the chance to improve their equipment. It’s also inspiring to see that all this contributes to job creation and that the quantity of locally made produce is increasing. We believe that the number of potential South Gobi businesses will increase and we hope they will continue to cooperate with Oyu Tolgoi as our suppliers, producing various types of products, which will have a positive impact on the local community.”