KH. SOLONGO: MONOS GROUP IS A COMPANY OF THE SAME AGE AS MONGOLIA’S DEMOCRACY

Many Mongolians are familiar with the products of Monos Group and use them in their daily lives. To give just one example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, their hand sanitizers became one of the most widely used and in-demand products in the country. With 35 years of experience and 2,500 employees, this national pharmaceutical company played a vital role in helping the nation and its people overcome that crisis. “Today, Monos is not merely a pharmaceutical manufacturer; it is a comprehensive business ecosystem encompassing healthcare, cosmetics, and food sectors,” said the Board Member, Chief Operations Officer of Monos Group, Solongo Khurelbaatar. She leads the company’s strategy for sustainable growth, expansion into international markets, and the introduction of new products and innovations. Mrs. Solongo Khurelbaatar holds a bachelor’s degree in international trade from the United States and a master’s degree in business administration and marketing from Warnborough University in the United Kingdom. Kh. Solongo joined Monos Group in 2005 and served as CEO of Monos Cosmetics from 2006 to 2017. She is also a Board Member of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), a member of the International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry (IWFCI), and a Board Member of the Business Council of Mongolia (BCM), actively contributing her voice to improving Mongolia’s business environment and supporting national producers.

-The origins of Monos also date back to 1990. The story of becoming one of the first private enterprises during the upheaval of Mongolia’s systemic transition still sounds remarkable today. Could you share it with us?

-Our history began in the early 1990s with the production of small packaged extracts of antler, deer, gastric, and expectorant medicinal herbs. In 1991, we installed our first tablet production line, making it possible to produce aspirin, analgin, sea buckthorn tablets, and anise-flavored pellets. At the time, we supplied these products to Russian military units in exchange for rare medicines that were scarce domestically. This could be considered one of Mongolia’s very first barter trade deals. Subsequently, in 1992, two independent companies, such as “Monos Pharma LLC” and “Monos Cosmetics LLC” were established, each operating in its respective fields. Step by step, we expanded, and today Monos has grown into a group with over 20 subsidiaries active across diverse sectors. We believe this growth is the result of continuous innovation and flexible management.

-Could you share some of Monos Group’s current achievements?

-The development path of Monos has been a journey of continuous innovation and bold decisions, transforming from a small laboratory into a diversified national group. Today, Monos Group operates through more than 20 subsidiaries in the fields of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food production, trade, and education. Through the University of Pharmaceutical Science, we are training 60–70 percent of Mongolia’s pharmaceutical professionals. In manufacturing, we are simultaneously developing pharmaceuticals, injectables, cosmetics, and food products, producing a wide range that meets domestic demand. Our pharmacy network consists of 130 branches in Ulaanbaatar and 60 branches in rural areas, operating in a total of 21 provinces. In addition, through our wholesale distribution center, we also supply products on a regional scale. Monos today is not merely a pharmaceutical company, but a comprehensive business ecosystem covering health, beauty, and food. I believe this is the result of over 30 years of continuous investment, innovation, and commitment to social responsibility by the people of Monos.

-Monos continues to expand and diversify its products. Which ones would you like to highlight?

-At present, we produce more than 20 brands and dozens of product lines in the health, cosmetics, and food sectors, supplying both domestic and international markets. From our pharmaceutical production, I would highlight Nefromon, Salimon, and Vitagripp — brands that have earned consumers’ trust over many years. Our Indomon joint cream and a wide variety of immunity boosting herbal extracts and preparations have also become widely used. In cosmetics, the brands Biomon, Biogen, and Maral have established their loyal customer bases. From our food production, the most in-demand products in recent years have been Ecos natural mineral water, the Enkhjin tea series for those pursuing a healthy lifestyle, as well as cranberry and curd-based pellets, all of which are popular in the market.

-Running a business successfully and sustainably over the long term is something to be proud of. Many of your products are exported. To which countries are you exporting?

-We began implementing the strategic goal of bringing domestically manufactured products to the global market in the early 2000s. Today, our pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products are successfully sold in countries with climates and consumer characteristics similar to Mongolia, such as Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. For instance, our Biomon shampoos and several other products enjoy a strong position in the Russian, Kyrgyz, and Kazakh markets. In pharmaceuticals, since 2016, our kidney protective medicine Nefromon has been manufactured and sold in Russia, where it has gained consumer trust. This year, we also began exporting our immunity-boosting Vitagripp products to Kyrgyzstan. In food production, we are exporting Ecos natural mineral water, traditional curd-based pellets, and our line of soluble health teas.

These products are not only Mongolian brands but are also establishing a foundation for global recognition as products “certified of Mongolian origin.” Our export strategy is not about short term sales but about building long-term consumer trust and establishing the value of Mongolian brands sustainably in the global market.

Our export strategy is establishing the value of Mongolian brands sustainably in the global market

-How do you view the role Monos Group has played in Mongolia’s development and economy over the past 35 years?

-I believe Monos Group has been more than just a business entity; it has served as a national force driving the development of Mongolia’s ecosystem for healthcare, production, education, and innovation. First, we introduced the international pharmaceutical market to Mongolia, officially bringing in world-renowned brands and essential medicines for public health. Second, Monos pharmacies are now present in all 21 provinces, soums, districts, and khoroos nationwide, providing continuous, accessible 24 hour services close to citizens. Third, we advanced national production from the notion of “not possible” to “possible,” successfully developing and bringing to market a wide range of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products domestically. For instance, the “Biomon” brand has today gained strong recognition not only in Mongolia but also in international markets. Fourth, in the education sector, the University of Pharmaceutical Science under Monos Group has been continuously training specialized professionals in the field of pharmacy, making a valuable investment in Mongolia’s healthcare system. All of this represents the tangible and measurable contribution Monos Group has made to the country’s development. Our next goal is to establish “Mongolian brands” internationally as benchmarks of quality and trust.

-Monos is also consistently recognized among the TOP-100 enterprises that contribute significantly to the state budget and the national economy. Approximately how much tax does the company contribute annually?

-Over the past 35 years, while safeguarding consumer health and improving quality of life, Monos has also remained an important contributor to Mongolia’s economic stability and budget revenue. Each year, at the group level, we contribute around MNT 45–50 billion in taxes and fees to the state budget. As a result, Monos Group has been consistently ranked among the TOP-100 enterprises of Mongolia for many consecutive years.

Through the University of Pharmaceu t ical Science, we are training 60–70 percent of Mongolia’s pharmaceutical professionals

-What distinguishes Monos from others? Over this long journey, you must have faced many challenges. Which were the most difficult, and how did you overcome them?

-This question is not difficult to answer. The greatest cultural and philosophical strength of Monos is our mindset of seeing every challenge as an opportunity and our courage to persevere. That is why, over these 35 years, despite encountering many trials, we transformed each of them into a key step toward advancing to a new stage. The most difficult period was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021, which was a challenge for the entire world. At that time, hand sanitizers became one of the most in-demand products, and our factory operated around the clock in three shifts. As a pharmaceutical company, we had to operate under emergency conditions for two years, enforcing strict hygiene protocols and protecting employee health. Moreover, our “Darmon” medicine was included in the mandatory list of COVID-19 treatments, contributing to the protection of thousands of lives. The products manufactured by Monos played a vital role in enabling the Mongolian people to overcome the pandemic in good health. Today, our defining features are innovation, responsibility, and resilience. Each crisis and challenge has only made us stronger. The mindset of fulfilling our social responsibilities even during the hardest times is the foundation of our success today.

“Monos” pharmacy net work consists of 130 branch es in Ulaan baatar and 60 branches in rural areas, operating in a total ofтайгаа 21 provinces

-How is Monos Group implementing its sustainable development policy?

-First, through green production and water management. In food production, we have introduced technologies for processing and reusing greywater, significantly reducing water consumption. Second, through the use of solar energy. We are transitioning lighting and power systems in our production and utility facilities to solar, thereby reducing both costs and carbon emissions, aligning our operations with green development. Third, through innovation, which we consider the “green core of the economy.” We not only manufacture and supply products domestically but also strive to bring them to the global market. To achieve this, we consistently pursue advanced technologies and innovative solutions to improve efficiency at every stage, from product development and production to supply and operations, with the aim of raising Mongolian products to internationally competitive export standards. For this reason, we have made continuous investments over the past few years in digital governance. This is a solution designed to create the most efficient system that prioritizes public health and social trust above all.

-The pharmaceutical sector is one where women are predominantly employed. Is this also the case in your company?

-Traditionally, the pharmaceutical field demands women’s attentiveness, precision, and care more than most. This is reflected in Monos Group as well. Today, 79 percent of our employees are women. In addition, women are strongly represented in leadership roles; 42 percent of our executive management and 66 percent of our top leadership positions are held by women. This is not just a matter of statistics; it is a core value inseparably tied to the history of Monos Group’s development. For us, women are not only a workforce but also the source of new ideas, responsibility, and a stable foundation for long-term growth. At Monos, we regard women’s leadership as the company’s most important “innovation capital.”