Participated as a panelist in the Construction and Infrastructure Reform Discussion

Last Wednesday marked a significant milestone for the construction sector, as a long delayed discussion on systemic reforms related to standards and inspection frameworks stalled since 2015 was successfully convened.

The event brought together representatives from across all levels of the construction industry, including private sector companies, professional associations, municipal and city standardization authorities, as well as officials from the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development. Participants addressed key issues spanning the entire project lifecycle from the design phase and construction process to commissioning and operational handover.

The program was structured into three main components: keynote presentations, panel discussions, and a summary session outlining the conclusions and recommendations. To ensure focused and productive dialogue, participants were divided into three parallel breakout sessions covering the core areas of design development, construction works, and project commissioning. This format proved to be both practical and effective.

In the design-focused session, Mr. B. Bilguun, Director of MGL Engineering LLC, participated as a panelist representing design firms. He shared insights on the challenges currently faced by architectural and engineering companies, as well as proposed sector-wide reforms necessary to enhance efficiency and regulatory coherence.

Key topics raised during the discussions included whether architectural planning assignments should remain mandatory; the possibility of reducing review and approval timelines by limiting mandatory expert evaluations to essential cases only; minimizing direct government intervention while strengthening client led oversight mechanisms; and delegating certain regulatory and operational functions to private entities, with the government maintaining a registration and supervisory role. Participants noted that such a collaborative public private framework could significantly improve overall sector performance.

Beyond regulatory reform, the discussions emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional capacity within the industry. In particular, enhancing the professional competencies of engineers and architects and cultivating highly qualified specialists were identified as critical priorities. Professional advisors also highlighted the value of adopting internationally recognized standard contract models and improving project management systems to support the sector’s long-term development.

Representatives from the Capital City and relevant authorities presented a reform roadmap extending through 2029 and announced that a series of follow-up discussions will be organized. The event formally marked the commencement of a comprehensive reform process within Mongolia’s construction sector.