African Entrepreneurship Records 2

Chapter 1011 Borrowing Money
1903 3 Month 7 Day.

St. Petersburg, the capital of Russia.

The East African ambassador to Tsarist Russia, Clo, is seeing off the last batch of talents introduced from East Africa in St. Petersburg.

"Everyone, this round of talent introduction work in Russia has come to an end. On behalf of the country, I would like to express my gratitude for your contribution. After all, you have suffered a lot in a country like Russia with harsh climate conditions."

"Ambassador Kro is too polite. We are all serving the country and the people. The worst conditions in Russia are in the Far East, but there are not many of us there. Over the past two years, we have gained the most. We have recruited nearly a thousand talents for our country. After these talents land in East Africa, they should be able to greatly promote the development of all industries in East Africa, so our gains are huge."

By 1903, the most difficult period of Russia's economic crisis had basically passed. In the past two years, East Africa had introduced more than highly educated or technical personnel from Russia through various means.

In the past three years, East Africa has introduced more than 3,600 high-level talents from all over the world. That means that Russia alone accounts for one-third of East Africa's talent introduction.

Therefore, East Africa's introduction of talent from Tsarist Russia can be said to be crazy. Now, as the impact of the Russian economic crisis gradually weakens, Russia's potential has been basically drained, so the East African government has decided to stop early.

Clo: "Well, our country's industrial construction is being vigorously promoted now. Your work results over the past two years have been of great help to our First Five-Year Plan. It has provided a large number of talents for all walks of life in East Africa. By the time of the Second Five-Year Plan, I dare not imagine how far our country will develop."

"Before I took office, all parts of the country were engaged in industrial and agricultural construction. I guess after you return to China, the East Africa you see is very different from what it was two years ago."

Currently, nearly half of East Africa's First Five-Year Plan has been implemented. Various projects and factories have been implemented in East Africa, which has greatly improved the industrial level of East African cities. This improvement is visible to the naked eye. Every city has built several sizable factories to a greater or lesser extent.

"Ambassador Crowe, it is our honor. In contrast, Russia's development has not been smooth. In the past three years, the economy has been severely constrained by the economic crisis, and the social order has been turbulent and public security has seriously collapsed. This visit to Russia has made me deeply feel the difference between East Africa and Russia."

"In the streets of Moscow, there are petty thefts everywhere, many people are hungry, homeless people cannot survive the winter, government bureaucracy is seriously corrupt and extremely inefficient, domestic industry is developing slowly, and it is slightly inferior to Europe, America, and even East Africa. This is still in the relatively developed Moscow. I dare not imagine what other regions of Russia are like."

Ambassador Klo nodded and said, "This is normal. Russia's economy is already poor, and it has encountered an economic crisis. The unemployment problem is extremely serious. Many people find it difficult to support their families. In addition, the climate conditions are bad, so the problem you mentioned is normal for Russia."

"But these have nothing to do with us in East Africa. Each country has its own situation, and its development level is restricted by various conditions. Now Russia just hasn't found a path suitable for its own development. We don't need to worry about Russia. The most important thing is to build our own industry better."

The man agreed and said, "Ambassador Kro, you are right. After all, we are not Russians."

"Well, that's the best thing to think of. Next, I wish you a safe journey home," said Ambassador Klo.

"I wish you a pleasant work in Russia as well." The staff of the East African Talent Introduction Program waved goodbye to Clo.

As they boarded the ship bound for Germany, this also meant that this round of East African talent introduction plan in Russia officially ended.

And Clo's work was obviously not over yet. As soon as he returned to the East African Embassy in St. Petersburg, he welcomed a group of new guests.

"Ambassador Clo, when you were seeing him off at the dock, Count Kader of Russia came to visit."

Kro said, "Where is he now?"

"He's in the reception room. He probably has something urgent to talk to you about, so he didn't leave. So we prepared tea for him."

Cloe waved his hand and said, "I'll be there in a minute, you guys go ahead and do your work!"...

Reception room.

"Long time no see, Ambassador Kro!"

"Long time no see, Count Carder!"

Clo was rather surprised by Count Cadell's arrival, because a month ago he had been told at home to pay attention to the movements of the Russian government, especially the exchanges between Russian and East African diplomats.

Now that Count Carder has come to my house, it is obvious that there is something going on. After all, it is already four o'clock in the afternoon and I will be off work soon.

"I wonder what Count Carder's visit is about?" asked Clo.

"Ambassador Clo, I am here on behalf of His Majesty to discuss some important matters with you in East Africa." Count Carder said straight to the point.

Clo: "Count Carder, you are not here to borrow money again this time!"

It can be seen from Ambassador Kroll's words that the Tsarist Russian government often did this kind of thing. In fact, during the economic crisis, Russia tried every means to borrow money from other countries. The largest funder was France, but Russia also borrowed money from other major countries, including East Africa.

Since Ambassador Kroll took office, Count Cadell has borrowed money from East Africa on behalf of the Russian government, so in a sense, Ambassador Kroll and Count Cadell can be considered "old acquaintances."

Count Kader said cheerfully without changing his expression: "My friend, you know me well. Although the economic situation in Russia has improved, we still need more funds to stabilize social order, so this is also the purpose of my coming here."

"So how much do you need this time?" asked Clo.

"Of course the more the better," said Count Carder.

Clo did not refuse immediately, but continued: "Count Kader, as you know, we are currently carrying out industrial construction in East Africa, so the government expenditure is very large, so the funds we can provide to your country may not be much. If it is a few million rubles, it should be no problem. If it is more..."

Count Kader said: "A few million rubles are far from enough. Our government is in financial difficulty right now, so we hope to get at least 20 million."

Clo shook his head and said, "This is too much. We have provided more than 8 million rubles in loans to Tsarist Russia in the previous two times. This time, 20 million is too much!"

The East African government is not very keen on lending money to Russia. After all, the Russian government's credibility is relatively low. Of course, it is not that the money cannot be taken out. East Africa has a strong financial foundation and a relatively good financial situation. As long as its own interests can be ensured, it would not be a problem to lend a few million rubles, even hundreds of millions of rubles. But obviously East Africa will not do so.

At present, the East African governments believe that it is more cost-effective to invest money in their own industrial construction than to lend money to Russia. After all, most of Russia's high-quality capital has been taken over by the French.

Count Kader said, "Ambassador Clo, please don't rush to refuse. We in Russia are definitely capable of repaying the loan. The economic crisis is over, the situation in Russia is improving, and we have abundant resources that can be used as collateral."

"I think you definitely need our Russian oil resources. East Africa has always been our largest oil consumer, so we can use some of Baku's oil field mining rights as collateral. I wonder what Ambassador Kro thinks of this proposal?"

(End of this chapter)