Chapter 474 The Beginning of Hong Kong Container Terminal

Chapter 474 The Beginning of Hong Kong Container Terminal

Chapter 474 The Beginning of Hong Kong Container Terminal

In the next few days, Yang Wendong and several others toured various town centers in Singapore, and also got to know the regional conditions in Singapore. This would make it easier for him to know the location when Zheng Zhijie reported to him where he bought the land in the future.

Other people from Changxing Group also began to look for a suitable location to build a factory in Singapore according to their own needs, and they also had the support of Singapore's business department. Until December 12, all the talents once again gathered at Singapore's largest Raffles Hotel.

"Mr. Yang, I have visited several places with officials from Singapore, and Miaowan District is suitable for the location of our paper mill." Wei Zetao said, "It used to be a wilderness, and Singapore's prison was located there, and the local population is relatively small;
In the early years, the Japanese army was stationed here to guard the prison, so there was a small dock that could meet our needs for goods in and out, and the road traffic was not too bad. "

"The shortage of people is a double-edged sword." Yang Wendong asked again: "Will it affect recruitment in the future?"

Paper mills are highly polluting factories, so this industry does not consider hoarding land. It must be located far away from urban populations and just do its own thing. That is why the paper mills in Taiwan are also located in remote coastal areas, and it will be the same in Singapore.

However, where there are few people, there are also few workers, so it is more difficult to recruit workers.

Wei Zetao said: "I also told the Singaporean officials about this matter. They said they would allocate a piece of land for us in a suitable location in Miaowan District to build dormitories. This will ensure that many people can rest nearby, and then arrange buses to pick them up. This way, it will be much easier to recruit workers."

"Okay." Yang Wendong nodded and said, "Then you can discuss the specific situation with the Singapore government."

Wei Zetao added, "Mr. Yang, there is another problem. Singapore is facing a serious water shortage, so we cannot produce pulp or even refine waste paper here. We can only directly purchase finished wood pulp and send it here to make paper. This way, the demand for water is much lower."

"Singapore's water comes from Malaysia, right?" Yang Wendong thought for a moment and said, "Then why don't we go directly to Malaysia to make paper?"

Wei Zetao said: "That's fine, but relatively speaking, the average education level of Malaysia's population is not as good as Singapore's, and the supporting facilities in all aspects are not as good, so these two places have their own advantages and disadvantages.

We have never cooperated with Malaysia before, so investing so much directly would be risky.”

"That's right, we need to consider this aspect." Yang Wendong nodded.

Even in the mainland of the past, there were many cases where places were unfriendly to investment capital;
There are only a few places in the world that are relatively restrained in capital investment. Most places just think, if you come, I have to rip you off. They don’t think about the future, they just want to satisfy the present first.

A country may not do this at the national level, but it is hard to say at the local level. This is also a major risky choice for overseas investment.

It is not that you cannot invest in Malaysia, but you should do it step by step. If this happens, the early investment is not large, and at most you can run away with the equipment, but if you invest heavily, it will be troublesome;

Relatively speaking, Singapore is definitely much safer, which is one of the important reasons why Singapore stands out among so many cities around the Strait of Malacca.

"Or we can first invest in a small pulp mill there and use the local fresh water and trees to produce pulp." Wei Zetao added: "If there is no problem, we can expand the scale and supply paper mills in other places, or invest in a paper mill directly in Malaysia later;
Our paper products are very popular around the world now, and the Southeast Asian market is also gradually rising. If things develop smoothly, in a few years, the production capacity of the Singapore factory may not be enough. If there is no problem in Malaysia at that time, we can increase investment.”

Yang Wendong said: “Then let’s send someone to Kuala Lumpur to check if there is a suitable location to build a pulp mill first.

In addition, we will investigate Malaysia’s various resources and economic conditions. If it is really suitable for capital investment, Malaysia can also be suitable as our production base.”

Compared to Hong Kong and Singapore, Malaysia has a larger area, more resources, and a larger population. If the investment has no risk, it would be perfect;
After all, even if the mainland was reformed and opened up, the production capacity that could be invested in the first ten years was limited. Only in the 90s, when all aspects of the mainland conditions reached a certain level, could it bear the huge industrial needs of its own group;
Before that, the cities of Hong Kong and Singapore would most likely not be able to meet his future industrial needs, especially as the electronic age is about to come and his existing industries may also become stronger in the future.

"Okay, I'll send someone to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow." Wei Zetao agreed and said, "The Singapore government also wants us to continue to transfer Changxing Industrial's production capacity here. From the looks of it, it seems that they want us to relocate our entire group."

"It's normal for them to have this idea. There should be quite a few Hong Kong people who immigrated to Singapore during this period." Yang Wendong smiled and said, "We shouldn't take the initiative to bring this up. We can't control their speculations or ideas. We just need to focus on making investments in all aspects.

Changxing Industrial can transfer the insufficient production capacity in Hong Kong, but the existing factories in Hong Kong still need to operate at full capacity. "

No matter what, Hong Kong will always be its base. Investing and building factories in other places are just supplements. Only when Hong Kong needs to transform or is completely unsuitable for a certain industry, will it consider relocating its previous production capacity.

Of course, after the mainland's reform and opening up, all factories will be relocated. This is the general trend, especially for low-end industries. The mainland after the reform and opening up is the most suitable place.

Wei Zetao said: "Okay."

Yang Wendong looked at Zhou Haoran and asked, "What about you?"

Zhou Haoran replied: "My factory is a food and beverage factory, which is basically pollution-free, so we chose to locate it near the central area or several core economic zones around it. The Singapore government is also happy to see companies like ours invest in these densely populated areas.

However, the location has not yet been decided, and there are still many aspects that need to be discussed."

"Okay, it seems that the location is better than Sha Tin in Hong Kong." Yang Wendong said with a smile.

Singapore is equivalent to Hong Kong ten years ago. If the Changxing Group had been as big as it is today at that time, it could easily invest in a large number of factories in several prosperous towns on Hong Kong Island, and the Hong Kong government would probably be very happy. However, after the 60s, housing prices skyrocketed and the real estate market was booming, so it became unlikely.

Singapore can do this today. As long as it is pollution-free and can create a large number of jobs, the local government will welcome it. As long as it is not in the real town center, there is no problem in the fringes.

Just like a large factory investing in Shanghai after the reform and opening up in the 80s, if there was no pollution, even if you wanted to go to a remote area, the Shanghai government would not disagree for the convenience of employment and transportation. They would not force you to go to Puxi and would demolish local houses to build a factory for you.

Zhou Haoran said: "Yes, but there is also a disadvantage in this case. That is, when the factory expands in the future, it will be inconvenient to gather together."

"There are always pros and cons. It's impossible to be perfect." Yang Wendong nodded and said, "The factories are scattered, which means we have to pay a little more for transportation, but it's nothing."

Compared with the future real estate income that can be obtained in the suburbs of towns, a little more freight is nothing. Nothing can be perfect.

At this time, Wang Zhiqun also said: "Mr. Yang, I have also investigated the foundation of Singapore's electronic industry. It is much weaker than Hong Kong. The foundation of machining is also very poor. I am afraid that our industry will not develop smoothly if it comes here, especially televisions and the like."

"Director Li also told me that he wanted me to promote the development of Singapore's electronics industry, but if there is no foundation here, it will be too difficult." Yang Wendong said: "Then how about this, we first move some small electrical appliance assembly production lines here, ship various parts from Hong Kong, and then slowly look for suppliers locally;

Remember, the purpose of our investment in Singapore is not really to help them develop, but to ensure that the products produced here can be easily sold in Southeast Asia, or even sold to Europe in the future.

So only when Singapore develops to the point where we can produce televisions, rice cookers or other electrical appliances here, then we will consider it.”

Investment and supporting development are also mutually beneficial, especially now that international free trade has just begun. Different countries and regions have different tariffs and different ocean mileage. Although I intend to develop the core electronics industry in Hong Kong, some of it needs to be produced overseas; but Singapore is not Hong Kong, it will not take the initiative to help the industry upgrade here, it will only do it by the way.

Wang Zhiqun agreed and said, "Okay, then I will consider moving some of the production capacity of small items like electric mosquito swatters and kettles here."

"Okay, once you all have decided, give me a detailed investment plan." Yang Wendong nodded and said.

Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore will be the three places where industrial capital will focus its investment before the mainland's reform and opening up. Perhaps in the future, for the sake of the European and American markets, it will also consider investing in Eastern Europe, North America and even South America, but these are generally not large-scale and are just for political demand.

Before the rise of the mainland in the past, Asia had four little dragons and four little tigers, which is enough to show that in the manufacturing industry, Asia is the most perfect production base.

On December 12, Yang Wendong and his team returned to Hong Kong, while some people stayed in Singapore to continue consultations and negotiations with the local government. As it involved a major investment, although the boss had set the direction, the details still required a long discussion.

As soon as he got off the airport, a group of people gathered around him, but he was quickly surrounded by a bunch of reporters, but was immediately surrounded by bodyguards.

"Mr. Yang, is Changxing Group planning to move to Singapore?"

"Mr. Yang, what do you think about the future of Hong Kong?"

"Mr. Yang, regarding Hong Kong's current economy, when do you think it will recover?"

Various questions were constantly asked, but Yang Wendong remained unmoved and said nothing. Under the protection of his bodyguards, he successfully got into his car.

Su Yiyi came to pick up the car, and naturally saw everything. After the car door closed, she asked, "Aren't any of these reporters going to reply?"

"If it's just a normal economic crisis, it wouldn't matter if we said a few words." Yang Wendong said with a smile, "But in this situation, we'd better talk less. It doesn't matter what I say. What matters is that I said it. Once I say it, it will be troublesome if it is misinterpreted.

Moreover, some reporters came from overseas and asked tricky questions, and you might fall into their trap once you answer them.”

Most journalists are well-educated, but a few will do anything to get hot news. This kind of thing often happened in self-media in the past. The nature of the media today is similar, but it is just controlled by a few people.

"Yeah, that's true." Su Yiyi nodded and said, "The media in Hong Kong has been paying close attention to your movements in Singapore during this period, especially the photos of you with Singaporean officials. Wei Zetao and others also went to Singapore. There are rumors that you are going to move the entire group to Singapore."

"Let them guess, we just don't need to respond," said Yang Wendong.

Su Yiyi added: "What about the Hong Kong government? Trench wants to invite you to go there."

"Okay, then I'll go there tomorrow." Yang Wendong nodded and said.

Naturally, he had to give the governor face, even if his wealth increased a hundredfold in a few decades.

The next day, Yang Wendong brought Zheng Zhijie to the Hong Kong government.

"Hello, Mr. Governor." Yang Wendong said with a polite handshake.

"Hello, Mr. Yang." Dai Linzhi also shook hands, and then nodded to Zheng Zhijie behind Yang Wendong.

Several people then sat down, and after some pleasantries, Trench went straight to the point: "Mr. Yang, are you optimistic about Singapore recently?"

"Yes, Singapore can be said to be the second Hong Kong." Yang Wendong said with a faint smile: "It's all Chinese, so I also invested a little bit there."

Trench nodded and said, "It is right for Mr. Yang to invest in Chinese regions, but with the current situation in Hong Kong, we are in urgent need of exciting news. As a Hong Konger, I also hope that Mr. Yang can consider increasing his investment in Hong Kong."

"Mr. Governor, it's not that I don't want to, but the current real estate market in Hong Kong is indeed not very good." Yang Wendong said softly.

When the situation was at its worst in 1967, British Hong Kong had considered withdrawing, but it was only 66 and Hong Kong was still the Pearl of the Orient of the British Empire. It was impossible to give it up at will.

But the current situation, coupled with the sluggish economy, will inevitably put enormous pressure on the Governor. If it is not handled properly, it will definitely be a black spot in ZZ's career.

Trench said: "Real estate is indeed not suitable, but if the Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel that we have negotiated before can be started, it will definitely stimulate Hong Kong's economy."

"I also want to start construction of the Hung Hom Tunnel, but our previous pricing is still not right." Yang Wendong shook his head and said, "Mr. Governor, the economic uncertainty in Hong Kong in the future is still too high. For such a large project, I also need certain guarantees."

"The Hong Kong government has already pushed down the price very low, and is willing to sell you the land on both sides of the tunnel at a low price." Although Trench was not very happy in his heart, he still asked, "What kind of guarantee does Mr. Yang need?"

Yang Wendong said: "I need a low-interest loan from HSBC. The mortgage is this tunnel. There is no other responsible party."

"Low-interest loans can be negotiated, but HSBC will not agree without other responsible parties." Trench shook his head and said, "If this is the case, the tunnel will not make money in the future. Doesn't that mean HSBC will have to take over the tunnel?"

Yang Wendong said: "If that's the case, I have another suggestion."

"What's the proposal?" asked Trench.

Yang Wendong said: "I want to start another large-scale project, the container terminal. As long as the Hong Kong government agrees to my investment in the container terminal, the Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel will also be carried out at the same time."

PS: Ask for monthly ticket

According to the timeline in the book, the Hung Hom Tunnel project may take a year to be finalized, which seems a bit long, but in reality it is normal for such projects to take several years to be negotiated.

(End of this chapter)