Chapter 395: The Golden Decade of Commodities

"Mr. Xia, hello! Nice to meet you. I came to Africa this time to deal with the aftermath, and I will return to China after dealing with it. ”

The expression on Hu Yang's face did not change, but from Xia Guoyuan's words, he could hear that Sauron was probably really not easy to mess with.

At this time, Wu Gang saw that the atmosphere was a little dull, so he said with a smile: "Mr. Hu, some people say that you are the most powerful investor in China, can you tell us about your investment experience?"

"Who's spreading rumors?"

Hu Yang smiled himself as he spoke. He thinks that Wu Fatzi is very good at adjusting the atmosphere, and he can deviate the rhythm from you with one sentence.

"Groundless wind may not be without a cause...... Mr. Hu, let's not talk about this. I have a very good investment project here, I wonder if Mr. Hu is interested?"

Xia Guoyuan also realized that the atmosphere just now was a little wrong, so he changed the topic.

Out of politeness, Hu Yang still said that he was willing to listen to the other party's investment projects.

As a result, the other party said it, and Hu Yang was dumbfounded. One of these two people is engaged in power construction and the other is engaged in iron construction, how can they say that the project is actually an investment in copper mines?

Of course, Populus euphratica did some homework before coming. Zambia is known as the "country of copper mines", and its copper resources are very rich. And Populus euphratica remembers that after the downturn in recent years, the price of copper will have a very large increase in the future.

It's not just copper, a decade-long bull market for commodities is just around the corner.

There is nothing wrong with this investment project itself, but it always sounds a little wrong when two leaders in the field of construction want to open a mine.

"Mr. Hu, the Kangkola Copper Mine has proven ore reserves of 250 million tons, with a taste of 3.8%, which is a high-grade copper mine. The mine was previously owned by a joint venture between the British and American mining companies, but they began to divest last year. Lao Xia and I felt that we could invest, so we set up a mining company to take over. ”

Wu Gang saw that Hu Yang didn't speak, so he spoke in detail.

The mine itself is fine, and the mining difficulty is not great, but the financial strength of Huagang Mining, which they established, is not enough, and the follow-up investment is about 400 million US dollars, so they want to pull in a financing.

Hu Yang nodded with a smile and groaned.

If someone asks, what is the most profitable year in 2003? A hundred people may have a hundred answers. But for Populus euphratica, he doesn't even need to think about it to tell you with certainty, commodities!

Populus euphratica has a vivid memory, and there was a decade-long bull market in international commodities starting in 2003. This includes copper, aluminum, iron ore, coal, and more.

In the process of domestic economic development, there is an exclusive term "coal boss", which was born during this period. The ownership of coal bosses later became synonymous with "local tyrants", which originated from the golden decade of commodities. Guarding a coal mine, the price of coal rises month by month, year by year, faster than the money from the money printing machine, it is simply not too beautiful!

Of course, Populus had no plans to open a coal mine. His investment channels are very broad, and he has no intention of digging for "black gold", but that does not mean that he will not enter the mining field.

Since China's accession to the WTO, there has been a very strange phenomenon in the world market, that is, what is bought domestically has risen in the world. This is actually related to the fact that China does not have the pricing power of bulk commodities.

The most famous example is the iron ore negotiations between the domestic steel consortium and BHP Billiton. The pricing power is in the hands of others, and as the world's largest steel producer, it has to endure unreasonable price increases from the other side.

The situation of copper ore is similar, Huaxia is a country with relatively scarce copper resources, but due to the wide application of copper in electronics, electrical, mechanical, national defense and other fields, the annual import volume is huge.

"Well, it's still necessary to invest in a copper mine. ”

Many thoughts in Hu Yang's mind flashed away, and he said with a smile: "Mr. Wu, Mr. Xia, I'll think about this matter, and let's find time to talk about it in detail when we go back." ”

Today is a social event held by the embassy, and it is not convenient to discuss this topic in depth.

Wu Gang and Xia Guoheng exchanged glances, thinking that there might be a drama in this matter. The two also knew the truth of being too late, chatted with Hu Yang for a while, and then went to the rest of the crowd.

Hu Yang wandered around for a while and chatted with a Jiangsu and Zhejiang boss who opened a farm in Zambia. The boss has been in Zambia for two years and has a small farm that is mainly engaged in the cultivation of staple grains and some cash crops.

According to him, Zambia has a large area of arable land, and only 27 per cent of the total arable land that has been developed for cultivation has been developed.

"The main reason is that irrigation is more troublesome, and the local cultivation depends on the weather for food, and we only introduced some scientific irrigation methods after we came. ”

Although the other party didn't say it, Populus euphratica could also see that the other party must have encountered many difficulties in a foreign country. But you have to admire the tenacity and perseverance of the Chinese, no matter how difficult the environment, there are people who can adapt and take root.

Before the end of the reception, Hu Yang and Mr. Ren chatted for a while. HW's development in Africa is progressing steadily, and Mr. Ren will fly from Zambia to Tanzania tomorrow.

Back at the hotel, Hu Yang carefully sorted out what he had learned.

The immediate priority is, of course, the expansion of Mingkang Communications' business in Africa. According to what he has seen and heard since he came to Zambia, the country is relatively stable, and the probability of vicious cases is not very high.

"Sister Lu, Mr. Gao's current condition is improving, and he is out of danger. It's just that because of this incident, the company's business here has stalled. In my opinion, the company will send another group of people to build the base station as soon as possible. Of course, the principle of voluntary employees can be higher, for example, when they come to Africa, they can get three times the salary in China......"

On the issue of security, the Zambian side has repeatedly assured the embassy that it will strengthen the protection of employees of Chinese-funded enterprises.

In the memory of Populus euphratica, HW has been deeply involved in Africa for 20 years, and later became the world's No. 1 telecommunications company, and the contribution of the African market is indispensable.

Even President Ren himself travels to various parts of Africa several times a year to comfort employees and deal with various complex incidents.

Therefore, there is no reason why the employees of Mingkang Communications dare not come, of course, this is also on a voluntary basis, and it will never be forced.

Compared with three times the domestic salary, plus various subsidies, basically one year in Africa is equivalent to three to four years in China, and there will still be people who are willing to come.

"Okay, I see, I'll arrange this as soon as possible. Now that the company has gradually stabilized, please rest assured about domestic affairs. ”

chatted with Lu Yali for more than ten minutes, and the phone was dropped. African countries generally have poor communication facilities, and Populus euphratica has long known this.

Hu Yang didn't continue to dial it over, the things that should be discussed have been discussed, so he won't disturb Lu Yali's rest.

Following.

Hu Yang took Li Jie, Lu Dacheng and others to Mingkang Communication's office in Lusaka.

After the initial panic, especially when Hu Yang came to Zambia in person, the mood of the employees sent by this branch basically stabilized.

"Manager Yu, what do you think of the order that Mr. Gao has worked so hard to win?"

The office is rented in a three-story building, and the company's staff dormitory is nearby. The conditions here are relatively basic, but the size of the houses is quite spacious.

In a small conference room, Hu Yang called the managers together for a meeting.

At present, the company in Zambia employs more than 30 people, and also employs some ethnic Chinese, adding up to almost 50 people.

There are nine management personnel, including Yu Yue.

"Mr. Hu, we have made a construction plan. The domestic side has received the order I sent, and the equipment will arrive within half a month. As soon as the equipment arrives, we will install and debug it immediately. ”

Yu Yue replied confidently.

Hu Yang nodded with satisfaction, praised Yu Yue and everyone present, and then asked everyone if they had any difficulties.

"Mr. Hu, I hope that the company can strengthen the security forces of various institutions in Africa, like the companies of several international giants in Africa, and they have also hired professional security companies. ”

Internationally renowned security companies have a large presence in Africa, and it is easy to understand that the less secure a place, the greater the need for security services.

"Well, that's a question that should be taken seriously. By the way, do any of you know that security company personnel are allowed to legally carry guns here?"

Taken together, Populus euphratica is equally unfamiliar with Africa.

Most of the company's advance team sent over are technical personnel and a few people with international trade experience. There is only one person, who is more familiar with the local laws.

"Mr. Hu, it is difficult to check the information here, and Mr. Gao hired a local legal counsel. According to him, after the record, the security personnel of foreign-funded enterprises not only have guns legally, but can also form a small-scale armed force, similar to the factory protection team. ”

This person's speech surprised Populus euphratica.

This kind of thing is simply unthinkable in China, and in the world, Populus euphratica has not heard of any country that can do this.

Africa, as a "forgotten continent", is ranked as one of the poorest and most backward regions in the world. At the dawn of the new millennium, all African countries have begun to attach importance to the issue of economic development. However, it is basically impossible for the countries of the African continent to develop their economies on their own. Then there is only one way to go, and that is to attract foreign investment.

In terms of attracting investment, African countries have given huge concessions, which are almost equivalent to the rhythm of selling countries in the eyes of other countries.

For example, Nigeria announced in its foreign investment promotion that as long as a foreign company leases Nigerian land, a one-time lease of 66 to 99 years will be granted, and no penny will be charged.

It is only required that after the expiration of the lease, the houses and equipment built by the foreign enterprises will be repossessed by Nigeria, and in the event of a bumper crop harvest, Nigeria will have the right of first purchase. Foreign companies are also allowed to form private armies to protect their own production.