sbdcsierra Chapter 467 2 Million US Dollars!
Chapter 467 2 Million US Dollars!
"The same principle applies to my beverage factory."
Zhong Yuemin continued,
"If we want to continue to grow, we must have our own bottling production line. Right now, we rely entirely on renting PepsiCo's production line in the special economic zone. Not only is it expensive, but we are also at the mercy of others, which increases our costs."
To put it bluntly, our two companies are competitors. If one day they cut off your supply chain, and you can't even produce canned drinks, how will you compete in the market?
After speaking, he paused briefly and looked at Vice Minister Wang.
"Minister Wang, private enterprises and state-owned enterprises are not much different. They are the same. Our country's current economic foundation is weak. The overall level of industrial technology is far behind that of developed countries in Europe and America, and even some medium-sized countries."
Personally, I believe that the most urgent task at present is to vigorously introduce mature and advanced technologies from abroad, learn them thoroughly, and then innovate on that basis, ultimately making them our own. This process is probably the most effective way to catch up at this stage.
Vice Minister Wang listened attentively, nodding slowly with a solemn expression.
"Science and technology are the primary productive forces. This statement hits the nail on the head. Our industrial base is indeed weak. If we continue to explore on our own behind closed doors, we will not only fall behind the times, but more importantly, time waits for no one. We have already fallen behind and can no longer afford to waste even a single moment."
He leaned forward slightly, conveying a sense of heartfelt sincerity.
"To be honest, the ministry is actively working on plans in this area, trying to import some of the advanced technologies and key equipment we urgently need from industrial powerhouses like Germany, Japan, and the United States. But alas..."
He sighed again as he spoke.
"This is not an easy thing to do. They are very shrewd. They keep the most core technologies and key equipment components to themselves and will not sell them to you at all."
Even if it's secondhand technology and equipment that's been phased out and is being replaced, they're still asking for exorbitant prices.
But we had no choice; we couldn't not buy them. Even knowing some of them were overpriced, we had to grit our teeth and accept it, since we didn't have any ourselves.
"As you may know, our country's foreign exchange reserves are really tight. Buying a complete large-scale production line costs millions or even tens of millions of US dollars. It's really difficult to withstand a few such losses!"
Zhong Yuemin hesitated for a moment, as if after careful consideration, before speaking again, his tone more resolute than before.
"Minister Wang, if... I mean if, the ministry or relevant departments have the means to raise funds, I suggest we seize the opportunity and invest in the Japanese market. The profit prospects there should be very promising in the next few years."
The topic shifted somewhat abruptly.
Vice Minister Wang was taken aback for a moment, but seeing the man's absolute certainty, he pressed for further details.
"Yuemin, you're so optimistic about the Japanese market? What are your specific reasons? This is no small matter."
"Let's make a comprehensive judgment,"
Zhong Yuemin spoke calmly and clearly,
"Market prospects, data analysis, plus... a bit of personal intuition."
As you can see, Japan's economy has been growing rapidly since the 1970s, and now it has become an indispensable and important part of the world economic system, a pivotal economic entity.
However, currently, the yen's exchange rate against the US dollar, British pound, and West German mark is generally low, which does not fully reflect its true economic strength and market position. To put it bluntly, I believe the yen is severely undervalued.
He paused and continued:
"I believe that the yen will experience a rapid and explosive appreciation in the next few years."
What will inevitably follow is a comprehensive surge in asset prices, including real estate, futures, and stocks.
At this juncture, the market is still at a relatively low historical point. If one can buy in now and exit in time when the value is fully realized and the market reaches a high, the returns should be very substantial.
Vice Minister Wang listened attentively, and from Zhong Yuemin's confident analysis, he keenly discerned an unusual detail.
"Yuemin, from what you're saying... have you already invested money in this area a while ago?"
Zhong Yuemin nodded frankly. Since things had come to this point, there was no need to hide anything.
"Yes."
"Would you mind revealing a specific amount?" Vice Minister Wang asked directly.
Zhong Yuemin spoke in a calm tone, as if he were stating an ordinary number.
"Not much, two billion US dollars."
"Cough cough cough...!"
Zhou Zhennan, who had been quietly drinking tea, was suddenly choked by his tea and coughed violently, his face turning red.
While patting her chest, she looked at her son-in-law with disbelief, astonishment, and the anxious concern of an elder.
"Yuemin, you have to be responsible for what you say to Minister Wang. Don't talk nonsense, and be more careful!"
“Dad, I’m telling the truth. This is just the first investment. We may add more later depending on the situation.”
Zhou Zhennan was completely stunned. He opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.
He knew his son-in-law was capable and ran a large business, but in his previous understanding, his son-in-law's net worth, including all fixed assets, was at most a few hundred million RMB, and having a few million RMB in liquid assets would be considered very impressive.
But now... two billion? In US dollars?
Will there be any further updates?
This is simply... this is incredibly wealthy!
For the first time, I realized so clearly how superficial my understanding of my son-in-law's secret "small business" was, and how I had underestimated him.
"Where...where did you get so much money?"
Zhong Yuemin's tone remained calm.
"Part of it is the savings accumulated from business over the years, and the other part is a loan from the bank secured by the company's assets."
Sitting beside him, Vice Minister Wang was equally shocked by the number, and subconsciously repeated to confirm it.
"Yuemin, what you said... is it all true?" He stared intently at Zhong Yuemin without blinking.
"Minister Wang, how could I dare to utter a single falsehood before you? Everything is the truth."
The way Vice Minister Wang looked at Zhong Yuemin changed subtly within a few seconds.
If just moments ago the elders expressed their appreciation and praise for the outstanding younger generation, now there is an added layer of solemnity, admiration, and respect.
Good guy!
He was deeply moved.
The country's total foreign exchange reserves are currently only a little over two billion US dollars.
This young man before me, single-handedly, was able to mobilize such an astronomical sum of money to invest in overseas markets.
What moved him even more was the decisiveness and audacity of this decision, which could almost be described as a high-stakes gamble.
"Yuemin,"
Vice Minister Wang leaned forward slightly, his tone inquisitive.
"You're betting your entire fortune on the Japanese market, aren't you afraid... if you make a wrong judgment, you'll lose everything?"
"Minister Wang, there is never a business in this world that guarantees a profit without any risk or that is sure to make a fortune."
Zhong Yuemin's voice was calm, yet it carried a hint of confidence.
"I think the core of overseas investment is simply to understand the current situation and predict the future."
The current situation is that the Japanese economy is at its peak, with a solid foundation and stable base, and it cannot be shaken overnight.
Based on its industrial structure, technological capabilities, and global footprint, its future prospects remain bright.
Investing at this stage offers far more advantages than disadvantages, with relatively minimal risk and the most opportune timing.