Volume 20: Looking at the World with Cold Eyes, Chapter 53, What if I Believe Again
Radar is telling the truth. How much demand can a military base be built? How long can it last? In a country like Djibouti, foreign military bases cannot be too large, just enough. Even a naval and air military base is limited in scale. Can this support the long-term market of a cement factory? Obviously it is impossible.
"What if our country intends to develop the market in Djibouti?" Lu Weimin's words were vague and ambiguous. When he had not really touched the core level of Djibouti and had not really formed a consensus on the issue of military bases, even if it was a radar, he would not have disclosed too much. Of course, these news could not be discussed very confidential. As long as it was contacted and entered into substantive negotiations, these news would soon spread. Even if China wanted to keep it secret, Kyrgyzstan would not keep it secret for you. They would also use these news to stimulate and tease other countries, such as the United States, France, Japan, and even India.
"Our country wants to develop the Djibouti market?" Radar was a little confused. He was not ignorant of international current affairs. The situation in Djibouti is like this. The market is narrow and resources are scarce. You have to say that there is a geographical strategic position, but there is nothing worth investing in. "Which aspect? Are you planning to face the entire East African market? You shouldn't choose Djibouti. Kenya and Ethiopia are better than Djibouti, right?"
"Brother Da, you're too narrow-minded. Djibouti has a good deep-water port, and its political situation is relatively stable. It also guards the throat route between the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. It also enters the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. At the same time, Djibouti is a strategic route for Ethiopia's material import and export. As the Ethiopian economy develops, it will definitely rely more on the transportation demand in Djibouti. At present, the road traffic facilities between Djibouti cannot meet the demand at all. Whether it is railway or highway infrastructure construction, it will be a matter of time before the full launch is launched. In addition, there is also the Djibouti Port Terminal and Djibouti Airport, which are also dilapidated and small in scale, and it is imperative to expand the scale. Therefore, I judge that the infrastructure construction in this region will usher in a boom in the next few years. Therefore, there is great potential for investment in building materials companies here."
Lu Weimin's words did not satisfy the radar. He frowned, "Weimin, don't give Da Ge a ecstasy soup here. You want Da Ge to invest in and build a factory here, yes. But you have to give Da Ge a little real thing. Just your words are all foggy. Da Ge doesn't understand, that's right. I also know that Ethiopia is developing well, and I also know that Ethiopia and Eritrea have a bad relationship, so I can only rely on Djibouti's exports. But if you want to say Ethiopia or Djibouti, you'll be fine.
I can use such great courage and real money to build the railways and roads from Ethiopia to Djibouti. I really don’t believe it. This is not a small fuss. And you said that the renovation and expansion of the airport terminal is the same. Isn’t Djibouti Port a company operating in Dubai? Isn’t Dubai’s people doing anything? Unless you give me a letter of confidence, our country intends to undertake the railways or roads from Ethiopia to Djibouti, or that our country wants to take over the expansion of the Djibouti Terminal, which is more reliable.”
Lu Weimin smiled slightly, "Brother Da, I can't say much about the specific things, because after all, these things are not something I can express, and I can't count them even if I express my opinions. But what I can be sure is that our country attaches great importance to the development of economic and trade exchanges with the East Africa region. It is obvious that the backward infrastructure in East Africa and the huge constraints on regional economic development are also obvious. East African countries are also interested in increasing infrastructure construction to improve the economic development environment in this region. This is also the most urgent task for all countries.
So based on these factors, I think our country may propose a package of infrastructure construction in East Africa, including railway and highway projects from Addis Ababa to Djibouti, and well, some local infrastructure construction in Djibouti, such as the airports and seaport terminals you mentioned, and some energy facilities. Djibouti is also very important for our country to safeguard China's national interests in the region. I believe that our country should have a comprehensive overall consideration on this, and you can think about the reasons for it yourself."
Radar rolled his eyes, hummed a few times before saying, "For the people, you are not kind enough. Brother Da will ask you, is there any prospects for investing in and building a factory in Djibouti? If so, where is the prospect? Just give me a letter of confidence, don't give me a big blow to the mountains and seas of clouds and fog here, Brother Da won't understand."
Lu Weimin was also a little helpless. After thinking about it, he said: "Brother Da, Djibouti's conditions may not be good, but it is precisely because the conditions are not good that we can leave it to us. If it produces oil, copper and iron, agricultural conditions, and broad market, do you think you still have your play? I also said that the opportunity for Djibouti lies in our country. If the relationship between Ghierarchy and Ethiopia is further closer, then the economic exchanges between them must be solved through road traffic, whether it is railways or highways, once the project is determined, the demand for building materials will be massive. As you said, the timing is a problem. If you have to wait until all the news is clear, I am afraid the time will be too late. What do you think?"
"You mean that our country will definitely participate in infrastructure construction between Ethiopia and Djibouti? Recently?" Radar stopped talking nonsense and asked the core directly.
"I don't have the right to decide on such things, but I infer that it will be like this." Lu Weimin no longer circled, "Of course there may be a time course, and you need to grasp it yourself, Brother Da."
"For the people, you are still giving Da Ge a careless eye. You have to know that if it is determined, it will not only be a problem with the cement plant, but also involve the problem of the power plant. You are not unclear about the current power supply situation in Djibouti. How big is the demand for industrial electricity? Then you have to consider the power plant project first." Radar was a little dissatisfied.
"Brother Da, if your Huada Steel really wants to take action, I think this little funding is not a problem, right?" Lu Weimin said with a smile.
"Not a problem, that's money. You can't throw it into the water for nothing, right?" Radar grinned.
"Brother Da, I think you are not as brave as starting a business. Isn't the richer you are, the more timid you are?" Lu Weimin asked with a smile.
Radar was stunned, pursing his lips as if he was savoring the taste of this words. After a while, he slapped his thighs and said decisively: "For the people, you have said this to the heart. I think why did I become like this? I didn't even have the courage to take risks. It would be better to sell the company and be a rich man and wait for death. OK, this matter is settled. Next, I will arrange someone to specifically inspect the situation here. Brother Da believes you for the rest of his life. So what if you believe it again?!"
The contact with Djibouti has been intensively developed. Although Djibouti has many parties, its political situation is relatively stable. Most of the presidential alliances firmly grasp the situation. It can be said that reaching an agreement with the ruling party can basically be considered a great achievement. Of course, ideas like the navy cannot be finalized in one or two times. This requires a process. In this process, if some other actions can be used to fuel the fire, the process may become smoother and faster.
In fact, there have been discussions on the railway project from Addis Ababa to Djibouti and Ghibouti, but such a huge project cannot be negotiated in one or two contacts. It involves international political climate change and the impact of economic climate. For both Djibouti, this project can be regarded as an important factor, especially for Djibouti. Once this railway is completed, the hub position of Djibouti Port will be further consolidated. Ethiopia's material import and export will largely enter Djibouti Port, which will undoubtedly be a huge stimulus for boosting the economy of Djibouti Port. Similarly, the construction process of this project will also play a driving role in the entire Djibouti national economy. If Chinese companies can participate, they can not only solve the project funding problem. At the same time, once the Chinese enter, they can bring a series of projects and capital. For Djibouti, it is simply good news that is too good to be better.
Djibouti is full of interest in all-round development cooperation with China. One of the most obvious signals is that Lu Weimin received reception from the President and Prime Minister of Djibouti on the second day after arriving in Djibouti. Later, Lu Weimin received reception from the three main leaders of Djibouti. This kind of reception from the three main leaders of the Kyrgyzstan State is still relatively rare for a party and government delegation, especially Lu Weimin is still an alternate member of the CPC Central Committee, deputy director of the Central Political Research Office and deputy director of the Central Political Research Office and deputy minister of the United Nations General Office. It is not too high in terms of level, and it is indeed rare to win this honor.
Subsequently, Lu Weimin met and held a discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Minister of Economy, Finance, Industry, Planning and Minister of National Defense. It can be said that within two days, Lu Weimin had almost met and talks with the main leaders of Kyrgyzstan. For Lu Weimin, this treatment also made him feel very happy while also feeling pressure.
With a shout, Lao Rui was very eager for the excitement of monthly tickets, and hoped that the brothers would be able to do it! (To be continued.)