Petition to be Honorary American MNCCI Representative

July 30, 2009

The Honorable Council Members

Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

MNCCI Building, Mahatma Ghandi Street

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 17011

Subject: Addition to Honorary MNCCI Representatives Roster

Dear MNCCI Council Members:

On behalf of the United States of America, I humbly request inclusion as an Honorary Representative to the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In this unpaid capacity, I believe I can help your country while positively representing my own. Simply put, what I can offer Mongolia are tourism words of encouragement, urban modernization and countryside conservation ideas, and a promise to work together to position Mongolia’s interests at the forefront of my representation. I offer these things from a shoes-on-the-street, non-corporate, wilderness-loving perspective. Please let me represent Mongolia in a formal capacity.

This month I traveled to Mongolia, my first time there, and was awestruck by the traditions, independence, and pride of the people. In particular, I found the countryside to be beautiful, inviting, and largely undisturbed by modern development. Hopefully Mongolia’s countryside never changes. As an Honorary Representative, I would promote countryside tourism and encourage economic development that has minimal to no impact on the environment and people.

During my stay in Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar served as an urban hub for transportation into and out of the country, as well as a base for relaxation and planning countryside ventures. Though Ulaanbaatar has much to offer in its own right, I am inclined to believe that most tourists see the city as a base, too. Because it serves such an important purpose for tourists, because of its growing size, and because of its increasing political and economic importance, Ulaanbaatar could use some modernization and beautification. As an Honorary Representative, I would encourage the government to improve tourist and overall pedestrian infrastructure.

Funding for public projects is a never ending problem, the world over. I have some ideas for generating or saving money. First, Mongolia could consider changing to a coin-based currency, at least up to a certain level, say 5,000 Tugrik. Coins last far longer than paper and are a proven money saver. Another way to improve public facilities like sidewalks is to charge foreign businesses an “entry fee.” In exchange for the privilege of operating in Mongolia, a company would have to pay extra taxes, pay a one-time fee, or simply improve the public area immediately outside its store, out to the street. This is a win-win solution, improving Ulaanbaatar, while also creating a pleasant shopping environment to attract more customers and tourists to the business.

My fascination in Mongolia is primarily with the uniqueness of the countryside. Most foreign visitors probably visit Mongolia for that reason, too. Above all, if I serve as an Honorary Representative, my primary focus, hopefully aligned with the council members, would be to limit development to urban areas. My status as a traveler, unattached to any corporation or institution with designs on Mongolia, puts me categorically apart from most representatives. Please let me work with the committees and councils of the MNCCI to improve urban Mongolia while retaining the traditions and beauty of the countryside!

Sincerely,

Brook