Mongolian President U. Khurelsukh visited key national leather and footwear manufacturing companies in Darkhan-Uul Province on October 31, 2025 as part of the government’s White Gold Program. The initiative aims to boost value added processing of livestock raw materials and build stronger export oriented industries.
The President’s visit began at Darkhan Nekhii JSC, a major leather manufacturing company established in 1972. The factory employs 250 people and makes sheepskin coats, leather garments, footwear and other products.
It also exports semi-finished hides and skins to Italy, Spain and Thailand. The enterprise can process 1.5 million sheep or goat leathers a year and produce 500,000 pieces of leather clothing along with 500,000 pairs of shoes.
Under the White Gold Program, Darkhan Nekhii received a 10 billion MNT working loan and a six billion MNT investment loan. These funds helped install a two-head automatic filling machine that raised production efficiency.
President Khurelsukh praised the company’s efforts, noting that the program is key to creating rural jobs, adding domestic value and improving Mongolia’s export competitiveness.
At Khatan Iveel Khairkhan LLC, which produces shoes under the Khunnu Mur brand, the President reviewed progress after new equipment was installed through the program.
The company has increased its output from 80 to 150 pairs of shoes per day, producing nearly 4,000 pairs each month.
It employs 16 local workers and sources 85% of its materials from Mongolian suppliers like Darkhan Nekhii and Darkhan Minj.
The company received a 350 million MNT working loan and a 250 million MNT investment loan, 60% backed by the Loan Guarantee Fund.
By 2025, a total of 93 enterprises have received loans worth 478 billion MNT, backed by 66 billion MNT in government interest subsidies.
The White Gold Program’s total budget stands at 2.1 trillion MNT. The plan aims to double the country’s wool, cashmere and leather processing levels within four years, create 8,000 new jobs and multiply export income by two to three times.
The initiative marks a major step in Mongolia’s push to diversify its economy beyond mining and strengthen its position in the global market for natural, sustainable goods.
