FOREIGN TRADE COOPERATION BETWEEN MONGOLIA AND SIBERIAN REGIONS

Abstract

The study is devoted to identifying the sectoral and geographical structures of foreign trade cooperation between Mongolia and Russia in general and Siberian regions in particular. The paper shows the fundamental role of exports of the mining sector products for the modern economy of Mongolia. The share and place of Russia in the structure of commodity deliveries of Mongolia are indicated. These indicators are also provided in relation to China. The history of foreign economic relations between Russia and Mongolia in recent decades is traced, emerging difficulties have been identified. The role of Siberia in the structure of Russian-Mongolian foreign trade cooperation and the dynamics of its share in recent years are shown. The share and value indicators of trade turnover and the main commodity groups of exports and imports of Mongolia and each Siberian region have been calculated. More detailed attention is given to the regions being leaders in the structure of the Siberian-Mongolian cooperation in terms of both exports and imports. The ways of commodity communication between Mongolia and Siberia are explained. The problem areas of the foreign trade cooperation have been identified: disproportions in the structure of the Siberian-Mongolian trade turnover; one-sidedness of the commodity nomenclature of deliveries from Mongolia; instable prospects for joint trade turnover. The issues of the Mongolian economy’s vulnerability in the context of the country’s current foreign economic model are outlined. Taking into account the geopolitical situation that has changed in 2022, the paper proposes several promising ways of interaction between Mongolia and Russia in general and Siberian regions in particular. Particular attention is on the supply of food products, the expansion of Mongolia’s railway network, the need to increase the processing depth for exported raw materials, the unification of the energy systems of Siberia and Mongolia, the project of the Power of Siberia-2 (Soyuz Vostok) gas pipeline, the creation of an international transport corridor, as well as issues of geological exploration in the territory of Mongolia.