Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

A position paper by the Mongolian national chamber of commerce and industry

Content also available in: монгол

Reducing bureaucracy in public services is a crucial step towards creating a favourable business environment. Businesses operating in Mongolia frequently encounter bureaucratic challenges when obtaining permits, registrations and official references from government agencies. These challenges include multiple approval stages, duplicative requirements, unclear regulations and lengthy processing times. Such bureaucratic inefficiencies increase the cost of doing business, erode trust, act as a deterrence to compliance, and negatively impact economic growth and the competitiveness of the private sector.

The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) is committed to protecting business interests, strengthening public–private cooperation, and fostering a competitive and favourable business environment. In collaboration with the ILO, the MNCCI conducted the Redtape Index Survey in 2024. The study, which surveyed 975 business across Mongolia, including small and micro enterprises, identified key obstacles and challenges that businesses face in relation to public services.

This document presents the key findings of the study and proposes policy recommendations aimed at reducing bureaucracy and increasing the efficiency of public services. One of the major challenges of doing business in Mongolia is the complex, slow and redundant government service processes, along with a lack of transparency in information and an unstable policy environment. According to the 2024 Red tape Index Survey, the bureaucratic burden of public services related to business operations was rated at 2.85 (out of 5 points), showing slight improvement from the 2021 survey, but still failing to return to the pre-pandemic ratings seen in 2018.

Additional details

Author(s)

  • Mongolian national chamber of commerce and industry

Related content

ILO launched a new project to promote transition to formality in Mongolia

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

ILO launched a new project to promote transition to formality in Mongolia

Fostering the Transition to Formality of Informal Workers and Economic Units in Mongolia

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Fostering the Transition to Formality of Informal Workers and Economic Units in Mongolia

Moving towards e-formalization to facilitate the formalization of informal businesses and workers
Working group meeting participants

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Moving towards e-formalization to facilitate the formalization of informal businesses and workers

Training on extending social insurance coverage for workers in the informal economy
ILO-GASI

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Training on extending social insurance coverage for workers in the informal economy

ISSA Guidelines- Administrative Solutions for Coverage Extension
ISSA Guideline cover in Mongolian

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

ISSA Guidelines- Administrative Solutions for Coverage Extension

Policy dialogue on extending social insurance coverage for herders
Participants during the workshop

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Policy dialogue on extending social insurance coverage for herders

Workshop for Trade Union Federations staff and self-employed workers
All the participants after the workshop

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Workshop for Trade Union Federations staff and self-employed workers

The working group meeting was held and discussed the preliminary result of the assessment report
Working group meeting participants

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

The working group meeting was held and discussed the preliminary result of the assessment report

Communication campaigns at the markets
During the campaign

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Communication campaigns at the markets

The ILO Formalize Your Business training programme launch in Mongolia
FYB Trainers receiving the certificate

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

The ILO Formalize Your Business training programme launch in Mongolia

Learner’s handbook: Formalize Your Business in Mongolia
comic

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Learner’s handbook: Formalize Your Business in Mongolia

Trainer's Guide: Formalize Your Business in Mongolia
Comic

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Trainer's Guide: Formalize Your Business in Mongolia

Advocacy activities for the Formalization project

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Advocacy activities for the Formalization project

Capacity-building training for the Formalize Your Business training programme trainers
FYB trainers

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Capacity-building training for the Formalize Your Business training programme trainers

International training centre training for the employees of Mongolian national chamber of commerce and industry
MNCCI colleagues during the training

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

International training centre training for the employees of Mongolian national chamber of commerce and industry

ILO implemented the Formalize Your Business training programme in Mongolia

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

ILO implemented the Formalize Your Business training programme in Mongolia

ILO supports conducting social insurance SICOS training in Mongolia

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

ILO supports conducting social insurance SICOS training in Mongolia

Micro and small businesses gave lower ratings to government services, compared to the larger enterprises

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Micro and small businesses gave lower ratings to government services, compared to the larger enterprises

Short videos and promotional materials on social insurance contributions

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Short videos and promotional materials on social insurance contributions

Mongolia adopts the standard employment contract templates

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project

Mongolia adopts the standard employment contract templates