King of Industry

  Chapter 746 Visit Cape Town Shipyard

   "Everyone, in fact, we don't need to worry too much about the possible changes in South Africa in the future."

   Zhao Guoyang explained with a smile: "Because in my opinion, if South Africa fully opens up, its underdeveloped light industry will be more obvious. And this aspect is exactly the strength of our Chinese enterprises."

   "So I think that in the next ten years, we Chinese businessmen will have much more opportunities. Especially the necessities of life such as food, textiles, and daily necessities will definitely be popular in the South African market in the future..."

   Speaking of this, Zhao Guoyang did not forget to turn around and glance at Zhu Mingyang and said, "As for the safety issue, you don't have to worry too much. I think Ambassador Zhu will definitely make proper arrangements for the embassy."

"exactly!"

  After listening to Zhao Guoyang's narration, Zhu Mingyang nodded again and again and added: "Researcher Zhao is right. In fact, our embassy has done many comprehensive researches and analyzes on the current situation."

   "I'm here to make a promise to everyone. The embassy will do its best to protect everyone's legal rights to do business and trade in South Africa!"

  After Zhu Mingyang said these words, there was a burst of warm applause in the venue.

   Paying attention to the hope in the eyes of all the Chinese businessmen, Ambassador Zhu couldn't help turning his head to look at Zhao Guoyang.

   Indeed, everyone can see that Zhao Guoyang's analysis just now is the key to everyone's peace of mind.

  This time, this researcher Zhao really helped the embassy a lot.

   This symposium lasted for more than two hours. During the subsequent free exchange time, Zhao Guoyang was almost not idle for a moment, and was surrounded by Chinese businessmen asking questions.

  Noticing the helpless expression on Mr. Zhao's face, Zhang Yufang couldn't help laughing secretly.

   At present, many of these Chinese businessmen in South Africa are engaged in light industrial products, and the scale is not large.

   When it comes to their professional issues, Zhao Guoyang is really not particularly proficient, so he can only put forward some general opinions.

   But even so, there are still many Chinese businessmen flocking to him, wanting to have a few words with him.

  It seems that after talking with this researcher Zhao, his business can be improved to a higher level.

  Finally freed from the entanglement of the Chinese businessmen, Zhao Guoyang hadn't had time to catch his breath when the voice of Sun Jiadong, the president of the Chinese Business Association, sounded behind him.

   "Hehe, Researcher Zhao, today is really hard work! Sit down and rest for a while, drink a cup of tea!"

   Turning around and seeing this person, Zhao Guoyang could only force a smile and sat beside him.

  As the chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Sun Jiadong certainly couldn't be doing small business.

   In fact, he opened a sizable steel factory in South Africa.

  Of course, it is not a sole proprietorship, but a local white businessman from South Africa was brought into partnership.

  After Zhao Guoyang sat down, Chairman Sun naturally chatted with him about some matters in his steel factory.

   When it comes to this aspect, Zhao Guoyang is very clear.

  In China, he and Shagang Group jointly funded the "Ocean-Ocean Ship-Special Materials" research center, which is already under preparation.

  As the director of the research center, Zhao Guoyang has collected a lot of information on steel and special materials during this period.

  Therefore, when he chatted with President Sun, there was nothing wrong with him.

  After the two of them talked for a few words, a serious look appeared on Sun Jiadong's face.

   Obviously, President Sun never expected that Researcher Zhao would be so accomplished in this area.

  When he heard that Zhao Guoyang was planning to set up a research center, he couldn't help being surprised and said, "Oh? Researcher Zhao, are you also planning to develop shipbuilding?"

  Hearing this, Zhao Guoyang knew it in his heart.

   Needless to say, President Sun must also be very interested in this, and is even preparing for it.

   It is understandable when you think about it, after all, the profits in the iron and steel smelting industry are still relatively limited.

  South Africa's steel manufacturing level is already considered good, but its international reputation is not very loud. It is very difficult to export to countries that consume a lot of steel.

  Without export, the profit margin is very limited.

  Because Sun Jiadong has been engaged in iron and steel, he must be familiar with its co-production industry—shipbuilding industry. It is understandable to have thoughts in this regard.

  After listening to President Sun's question, Zhao Guoyang said with a smile: "The marine industry will develop rapidly in the next ten to twenty years, which is already an international consensus."

   "I own two manufacturing enterprises, 'Xingtai International Foreign Trade Company' and 'SMS Construction Machinery Group Company', and it is inevitable to expand business in shipbuilding!"

   "Ah, yes, yes, I forgot about this one!"

  Sun Jiadong slapped his forehead and said: "President Zhang just told me that Researcher Zhao is not only a 'special researcher', but also the boss of two big companies!"

  Zhao Guoyang said a few words humbly. Just as he was about to find an excuse to get away with it, Chairman Sun said again: "By the way, Researcher Zhao, what do you think of South Africa's shipbuilding industry?"

   "I am going to go to a shipyard in the Western Cape with my business partner tomorrow to discuss cooperation. I wonder if you are interested in taking a look?"

  Hearing this, Zhao Guoyang's eyes lit up.

   It should be said that South Africa's shipbuilding industry, especially the manufacture of small ships, is well-known internationally.

  Among them, the Western Cape Province of South Africa, the shipbuilding industry accounts for 55% of the whole South Africa, and is the center of South Africa's shipbuilding industry.

  There are twenty or thirty shipbuilding companies there, mainly producing sailboats, inflatable boats and commercial fishing boats.

  In recent years, the production of luxury yachts that has gradually emerged internationally can also be seen in Western Cape.

  Having the opportunity to meet and chat with local shipbuilders there is a dream for Zhao Guoyang.

  After considering the matter carefully, Zhao Guoyang nodded to Sun Jiadong and said, "If Director Bao and Ambassador Zhu don't have any arrangements tomorrow, I'd be more than happy to accompany Chairman Sun."

   "Ah, that's really great! I...I'm going to explain the situation to Director Bao, and ask him to let Researcher Zhao go!"

  Sun Jiadong said so casually, but who knew that Researcher Zhao actually agreed, so he couldn't help being overjoyed at the moment.

  Seeing getting up and rushing to Sun Jiadong, Zhao Guoyang smirked slightly, thinking that President Sun is really a man of affairs—impatient!

   It should be said that Sun Jiadong still has face.

  After he consulted with Bao Anjun and Zhu Mingyang for instructions, he quickly got the desired result.

  After he happily came over and made an appointment with Zhao Guoyang to meet tomorrow, his face was full of smiles.

  …

  In the metropolis of Cape Town, Western Cape Province, in an old Mercedes-Benz, Zhao Guoyang and Sun Jiadong were sitting in the back row chatting with each other.

  Early in the morning, I flew from Pretoria to Cape Town with President Sun, and it was almost noon.

   It can be seen that Sun Jiadong's business in South Africa is still quite large. Not only does he have two factories in Pretoria, but he also has two slightly smaller factories in Cape Town.

  Sun Jiadong's business partner sitting in the co-pilot, in Zhao Guoyang's view, was just a puppet he pushed on the table.

  When Sun Jiadong was talking to himself, this white South African named Luno Davis basically didn't dare to intervene. Everything was up to Sun Jiadong.

  Among the Chinese businessmen in South Africa, especially those with relatively large businesses, many of them have found local white people as partners.

   After all, in this way, many things are much more convenient.

   Moreover, these white South Africans also have a "contract spirit" and professional ethics. Taking your money will definitely not ruin your business. This is what makes Chinese businessmen most satisfied.

After chatting with Zhao Guoyang for a few words, Sun Jiadong patted the seat in front of him lightly, and said to Luno Davis: "Davis, at the Notick company, you have already made an appointment with Director Eddie Noble right?"

   "Yes, Mr. Sun. The appointment is at eleven o'clock in the morning, and there are still 20 minutes, enough for us to make it there!"

  After hearing this, Sun Jiadong nodded in satisfaction.

Turning around, he changed his smiling face and explained to Zhao Guoyang: "This Nautik company is one of the largest shipyards in the Western Cape Province, with a market value of more than hundreds of millions of dollars. This Eddie Mr. Noble is the director of the company's ship management project, and Davis is an old acquaintance, and he has a lot of power in the company!"

  Hearing this, Zhao Guoyang nodded in relief.

   It can be seen that this President Sun is not wary of himself.

  Obviously knowing that he has the idea of ​​getting involved in the shipbuilding industry, he is not afraid to share this information with himself.

  However, Zhao Guoyang also knew in his heart that Sun Jiadong's magnanimity was actually a strategy of advancing as retreating.

   If you really decide to cooperate with this Notick company, you can't bypass him no matter what?

  …

  When Zhao Guoyang and his party arrived at Nautik Shipbuilding Company, the appointed Director Eddie Noble was already waiting in the office.

  Seeing Sun Jiadong and Luno Davis walking in, the tall white director cheerfully came up and hugged them one by one.

  When his eyes fell on Zhao Guoyang, the director was a little puzzled.

   "Davis, who is this gentleman?" Eddie Noble asked blankly.

  Hearing his question, Sun Jiadong let out an "ah" and hurriedly stepped forward to explain.

  When Eddie Noble heard that Zhao Guoyang came all the way from China, the boss of two companies, and wanted to see if there were any projects worth investing in in the Western Cape, his face showed relief.

  He shook hands with Zhao Guoyang vigorously, and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhao, welcome! Come, please come inside!"

  Zhao Guoyang greeted the Noble director politely with a smile, and followed in his footsteps into his office.

  (end of this chapter)