The cooperation between the consortium and Dubai is mutually beneficial and a win-win situation. It is also the icing on the cake for the Wang Consortium, but it will not make Wang Yaocheng value it too much, and it is impossible for it to keep itself low and become smaller.
This means that the height of the stand is different, and the horizons are also different.
There are only five to six billion U.S. dollars of cooperation projects scattered in real estate development, commercial retail, terminal transportation, financial cooperation, wireless communications, airports, hotel chains and other fields. Although they can improve the business layout of the consortium, Wang Yaocheng does not pay much attention to them.
Celebrating the New Year with or without it is nothing more than a business.
What's more, it's not just for free, it requires an investment of real money.
Limited to the size of a small West Asian country like the United Arab Emirates, the 21 cooperation projects are limited to the two core commercial cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Other small towns with more than 100,000 people have no investment value at all.
This cannot be compared with the strategic value of the Simandou Iron Ore Project in Guinea. In Wang Yaocheng's heart, allies who cannot bring substantial help to this project are not qualified allies.
Therefore, Wang Yaocheng politely rejected the UAE’s national sovereign fund.
The sovereign funds established by West Asian oil exporting countries with huge profits from the sale of crude oil are modeled after the Sing Tao sovereign fund model, investing in various parts of the world to obtain huge profits.
The New York-listed equity of TSMC, a subsidiary of the Wang Group, is invested by the sovereign wealth funds of many West Asian countries, as well as large-cap blue-chip stocks such as Cisco Systems, which are invested by pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. They are an indispensable and important part of institutional investors.
part.
Generally speaking, this kind of investment is a purely financial investment, and the shareholding ratio will not exceed 2%. The investment target stocks can reach hundreds or thousands of companies. Gains can be obtained through long-term holding dividends and equity increases, which can last for decades.
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"Haha, your statement really disappoints me."
The smile on Al Maktoum's face faded. After all, he is also the distinguished ruler of Dubai. Being rejected repeatedly does not look good. "Contrary to your reluctance, Australia's Rio Tinto very much welcomes investment from West Asia.
They are even willing to offer more equity in exchange for our support, which seems to be a better choice."
"I am willing to let you invest, but I am not necessarily a friend."
"Oh, what do you mean by this?"
"We are all partners, and I don't want you to go astray. I will explain the situation clearly to you straight to the point. There are many mining groups that want to participate in the Simandou Iron Ore Project in Guinea. The situation is very complicated, but they have the ability to operate like this.
There are no more than three companies involved in large projects.”
Wang Yaocheng didn't care about the sullen look on Chief Al Maktoum's face. A dictator really couldn't tolerate offense, but that didn't exist for a businessman. As long as he had money to gain face, it didn't matter.
Looking at the other party's concerned eyes, Wang Yaocheng calmly stretched out three fingers and continued;
"Rio Tinto is one, Vale is another, and we have British Red River Resources, which is the parent company of Australia's FMG Resources. It is a resources holding company that was just established by the consortium."
"Rio Tinto is shortlisted, so we still have a chance." Heaving a sigh of relief, Chief Al Maktoum expressed his satisfaction.
"You have no chance."
"watt???"
Looking at Chief Al Maktoum's surprised look, Wang Yaocheng chuckled and said, "According to reliable information;
Rio Tinto bribed a middleman US$105 million and indeed obtained the mining rights to the southwest mining area of the Simandou iron ore, one of the four major mining areas, and won an initial victory.
It's just that the current military government is rampant in corruption and is restrained by various forces. Although it is temporarily ahead, it will not win the end.
Those who have received benefits want more, those who have not received benefits are trying their best to cause trouble in the middle, and some tribal forces who are gloating about the misfortune are making noises. Rio Tinto has not completed the final legal procedures.
Look, this situation is quite bad, almost turning into a mess.
Agents of world powers that have traditional interests in Africa, including Britain and France, have made secret arrangements, intensified various conflicts, and created considerable trouble for Rio Tinto.
Needless to say, hehe, there is also some effort on our part.
The evidence of Rio Tinto's bribery and the intermediaries are now in the hands of a reliable third party. Once exposed internationally, the fun will be huge.
First of all, Rio Tinto has violated the relevant anti-bribery and corruption laws in the United States and Europe. This is a violation of the law by the company's board of directors, which will inevitably lead to severe sanctions and spit out the fat in its mouth.
Secondly, the corrupt military government is completely rotten and is very unpopular in the country. It will fall with just a push. By then, who will remember the cooperation intention signed by Rio Tinto? The new government will probably avoid it.
.”
After speaking, Wang Yaocheng glanced at Chief Al Maktoum meaningfully, and his meaning was very clear;
If you continue to jump into a pit of fire knowing that you are optimistic about success, you won’t waste your words trying to persuade you.
Al Maktoum hesitated and asked, "Are the evidence... and witnesses in your hands?"
"The mistake is in the hands of a third party who insists on justice and has nothing to do with us. We learned through reliable channels in Africa that they will disclose this news to the international community at the appropriate time." Wang Yaocheng denied it righteously.
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Al Maktoum immediately felt like his head was full of black lines;
I believe your grandma has good legs.
"Uh... about overthrowing the local military government..."
"Don't ask me, I don't know, but the desire of Guinea's elite groups and people of insight to resist oppression is very strong. Their efforts to pursue democracy and freedom cannot be ignored. They are likely to receive sympathy and help from the international community. Specifically,
I don’t know the situation well, but this does not prevent us from making guesses and looking forward to a bright future for Guinea.” Wang Yaocheng denied it again.
At this moment, Al Maktoum felt very tired. As for pretending to be confused while still understanding?
Okay, he didn't want to dwell on this topic, and he had completely given up on investing in Rio Tinto.
Uh... By the way, I also want to remind Shah, the rich Arab brother, not to throw money into the water.
Oil-rich countries do have money, but they cannot abuse it so badly.
Once the local military government collapses, Rio Tinto's early investment will appear to have been wasted, and it will also be subject to sanctions from the international community.
Why does this happen?
As for Vale Company, looking at Wang Yaocheng's confident look, he knew there was little hope. As far as doing business was concerned, this guy was a very clever guy, so it was a good idea to follow him.
Al Maktoum asked with concern; "My brother, I heard that the South African Owl Company imported a large number of obsolete military equipment from Eastern Europe, including T64 and T72 main battle tanks, Mi-28 helicopters, and BTR60, 70, and 80 series armored vehicles.
Waiting for military equipment, is there such a thing?"
"Haha, this is indeed the case, but the price of this batch of equipment is very low, it comes with a lot of ammunition and repair parts, and the air-conditioning system is modified for the hot weather in Africa. I think it is well worth the money!"
"However, the experience of the Gulf War shows that these old Soviet-style equipment are vulnerable and are completely junk!" Al Maktoum completely disdained this batch of Soviet-style equipment, fully exposing the snobbery of big dogs.
"If you need it, we still have some Chieftain tanks and French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jets in our arsenal, which we can transfer to you at a low price."
"Haha, thank you! This kind of Western-style equipment is too expensive, and it is completely impossible to maintain in the hot climate and simple conditions of West Africa. The sturdy and durable Soviet-style weapons are better to use, as long as some anti-human designs are slightly modified.
, it is absolutely an unrivaled armored torrent.”
Wang Yaocheng is not like these wealthy people who only pick up expensive things. He has accumulated huge wealth bit by bit by starting his own business. Money must be used wisely and not wasted for no reason.
Only choose the right one, not the expensive one.
The Soviet-style weapon does have its shortcomings. Its anti-aircraft defense capability and precision strike capability are simply its Achilles' heel, but it also has the characteristics of being thick-skinned, super durable, easy to use, and has enough firepower.
In areas where poor countries in West Africa are concentrated, there is no decent air power at all. With a little modification, this group of mercenaries composed of Soviet-style armored weapons can become an invincible torrent of iron armor.
What specific projects will be renovated?
Expensive ceramic composite armor, explosive reactive armor, transverse radar stabilizers, high-horsepower diesel engines, high-precision laser sights, night vision devices, etc. do not need to be installed, and they are not suitable for use in the crude combat environment of West Africa.
There is no room for performance.
The anti-human design of the Soviet-style weapons is the thin and painful driver's seat. Under the thin layer of leather is the seat woven with iron bars. It is indeed very strong, but in this bumpy iron lump, it is definitely an anti-human design.
Running at high speed can make a combatant's internal organs shake out.
All Soviet tanks and armored vehicles are not equipped with air conditioning. Every ounce of power is used in combat and defense, and is never wasted on comfort.
This is indeed possible in the cold Siberia and Europe, but not in the hot Africa.
The high temperature when the tank engine is running turns the turret into a purgatory. The temperature is as high as 50° to 55°. If a person stays inside for 20 minutes, his whole body will feel like he has been fished out of water. Just sweating can make him collapse.
Therefore, the focus is to install a generator and a high-power air conditioner behind the turret, and then replace it with comfortable and soft seats.
In an instant, the combat effectiveness of tanks and armored vehicles can be greatly improved, and it does not cost much.
Don't underestimate the T64 and T72 main battle tanks. The 120mm cannon barrel and directional machine gun firepower they are equipped with are fierce enough. In poor West African countries, they are simply a powerful force that cannot be solved.
South Africa has always had a tradition of mercenaries and has always been a strong country in the research and development of military equipment. Due to the chaotic social security, thousands of large and small armed security companies in the country have developed very powerfully.
The entire southern Africa comes from the frequent regime changes in East African countries, and the black hands from South Africa are indispensable.
As for heavy weapons such as artillery, tanks and aircraft, legal security companies can possess them if they register with the government.
For example, EO, a well-known private armed company in South Africa, has openly participated in civil wars in African countries such as Angola. There is also SI Company, which is registered in the Bahamas and has offices in London and Cape Town. Its employees include many retired British and American military officers.
They even signed a "Plan Colombia" with a total amount of US$1.3 billion with a South American country, providing a package of solutions ranging from armed training, military consulting, and military assistance.
In 1995, the Sierra Leone government signed a contract with EO and SI, asking them to help the government fight against rebel forces and defend the mines. These are all matters within the business scope of private armed companies.
For private armed companies, providing the military services customers need is as natural as eating and drinking.