Mongolia Calls for Economic ‘Crisis’ Plan; Bonds Tumble

Mongolia is planning to set up a task force to deal with an “economic crisis’’ that’s led to slowing growth, a declining currency and a soaring budget deficit, the nation’s finance minister said. Government bonds due in 2022 tumbled the most on record and the currency weakened.

“We came into a situation where we may not be able to afford to finance salaries and operational costs of government departments, such as the Mongolian military who protect our borders and national security, the social and health employees who are in charge public health, as well as individuals in culture and sport,’’ Choijilsuren Battogtokh said in a nationally televised address on Tuesday. “We are in a deep state of economic crisis.’’