The eting concluded.
The relevant docunts for the two construction projects were faxed back to the headquarters of Myanmar Bank.
Actually, Project evaluation didn’t take more than a few minutes.
But demonstrating such efficiency was not suitable, lest they thought they were being brushed off. The first port project was revalued by Mozambique’s relevant departnts after being abandoned midway, and they found that the previous calculations had exceeded the actual costs.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t dare to present the project.
Needless to say,
this was definitely a ’Project of Interests’ of the forr president.
If that person hadn’t fled abroad.
Ken Locke would have been interested in investigating.
Budget overruns nearly seventy million dollars, that leg of his, Ken Locke was so angry he wanted to curse; he really didn’t know how much benefit the forr president had taken, it was simply like delivering money to others.
...
The next day.
Morning.
As soon as work began,
Ken Locke received a call from Manager Fighter.
"Mr. President, the audit by our head office is complete, you can start the bidding process within the set limits, but please note, if there are any project add-ons that exceed the limit, only the Mozambique governnt can pay for those expenses," said Manager Fighter as a final reminder.
Ken Locke nodded, "Of course."
After hanging up,
Ken Locke quickly mobilized his people.
For such a project’s bidding process,
Myanmar Bank did not limit who they could choose as the final contractor, but Ken Locke had been tipped by Fighter the day before that they could use as much of the remaining funds in dollars for the settlent of goods.
Upon hearing this,
Ken Locke understood the reminder not to squander funds.
He had to strictly control project costs, because in Myanmar Bank’s cost accounting, it was reasonable for the bidding price of the two projects to be around 1.7 billion Asia Dollars, with a maximum that should not exceed 1.9 billion Asia Dollars.
This,
left Ken Locke speechless for a while.
1.9 billion Asia Dollars was already close to the remaining paynt limit.
If it went over, Myanmar Bank wouldn’t advance the money, so what’s there to discuss?
Calling the head of the relevant departnt, Ken Locke instructed, "Issue an invitation to the outside world imdiately, we are initiating a global tender for the two projects, and yes... especially to companies from Huaxia, send out several invitations."
The port and hydropower station construction projects.
Local contractors in Mozambique simply didn’t have the capability to take on such projects; they were fine with constructing low-rise buildings or high-rises, but ports and hydropower stations required the expertise of international companies.
And within this budget range,
it seed that companies from Huaxia had a significant advantage.
...
No sooner had the news been released,
than Ken Locke received a call from a major dostic builder.
"Mr. President, there’s business to be done, why not let our own country handle it? Holding a global tender, isn’t that just benefiting foreigners?" a deep voice sounded on the phone.
This was a ’big’ businessman from Maputo.
Of course,
he was just tall among the short.
Building a few stories was feasible for them.
Going slightly higher wasn’t difficult either.
But when it ca to constructing projects like ports or hydropower stations, that was still too far-fetched.
Upon hearing the news, he had imdiately called Ken Locke; the two had known each other before and had collaborated. With almost no major projects in Mozambique for nearly five years, he had a keen interest in this project.
"Can you construct ports and hydropower stations?" Ken Locke replied with a question.
"No, but I know people who can."
Ken Locke replied helplessly, "It seems you don’t quite understand this project. I know you have connections, but I’m busy here, so I won’t explain it to you. Ask soone you know for the specifics. If you still want to bid, we welco it."
This project.
There simply wasn’t any excess profit.
It was never a juicy piece to begin with, and now you’re thinking about Level 2 subcontracting?
Taking it on yourself and then outsourcing it to others—who the hell would do that? Even if you only take a few million in subcontracting fees, hardly any company with construction capabilities would be willing to take over.
If it were the previous budget pricing,
there would have been tens of millions of dollars in profit margins, and you could have played around with subcontracting. But now, I can hardly manage, so why do you think you can stir trouble in it?
"Well... okay then."
Afterward,
Locke never received another call from them. He heard they had given up, which was within his expectations after understanding the source of the Project’s funding and various Restrictions.
If one doesn’t play it right, they could throw themselves into it.
This is not sothing small players can handle.
...
Just one day after the news had spread,
a manager from Modern Engineering Company’s Africa branch ca knocking, claiming that they can continue with the Ports construction contract. The visitor, nad Park Sung-hoon, headed directly to the Presidential Palace for a eting right after getting off the airplane.
And he had a stack of contracts in hand.
They were the original contractors for the failed Ports project.
Otherwise,
eting with Locke would have taken several days to arrange.
"President Locke, it is an honor to et you. Your taking office is truly fortunate for the people of Mozambique,"
Locke rolled his eyes.
Do I know you? When I took office, why didn’t you co to congratulate ? ... Now you co to implore us, thinking you have the face for it. At that mont, he suddenly experienced again what it was like to be desperately sought after. Before... he had been the one desperately seeking others.
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Speaking of it brings tears.
Though the flattering words are pleasant to the ear, the matter cannot be accomplished. Locke shook his head directly: "We cannot accept your requests, and your construction contract has already expired."
"But, our investnts are still there."
Park Sung-hoon wanted to say that it was they who didn’t provide the funds initially, but how could he dare say that.
Locke sneered, "Take away the equipnt or whatever, we don’t need it. As for your investnts, you’ve only completed the Land Leveling around the Peripherals, with progress less than ten percent. If you have reasonable requests, we will et them."
After all, they had indeed invested.
If it turns out that the Governnt of Mozambique really owes Modern Engineering Company, even though it’s a ss left by predecessors, the reputation of a country couldn’t be allowed to fall; they would have to make up for what they owe.
If necessary... they could owe for a little longer; once the Finance improves, they could pay it off with interest.
But Park Sung-hoon didn’t dare to make any demands.
If it really ca down to it,
they hadn’t made a loss with the initial equipnt mobilization and down paynt.
It was after sensing the change in the wind that they had stopped work.
"We deeply Hope to continue our cooperation with Mozambique," Park Sung-hoon said.
"Mr. Park Sung-hoon, we are not preventing your Company from entering the Bidding, but let remind you of one thing: your pricing is too high, and we cannot afford it," Locke shook his head.
Park Sung-hoon naturally refused to give up and hurriedly said, "Mr. President, 2.3 billion dollars, that’s the price from years ago. Nowadays, all sorts of costs are rising; we can promise not to increase it..."
He was cut off right there.
"Please provide us with a sincere price, and then participate in the Bidding. This is the last piece of advice I can offer you. I have other matters, so please excuse ," Locke could hardly bother to speak with Park Sung-hoon.
2.3 billion dollars could practically deplete the budget in minutes.
So what the hell is there to talk about?
Overspending by 70 million dollars, and you still expect us to continue paying?
What a dream.
"This..." Park Sung-hoon was at a loss for words.
He couldn’t directly ask what their bottom line was, that would be against the Rules.
After leaving,
he planned to inquire about what exactly was going on. With no business conducted here for so long, many people had retired or stepped down. With such a large Project, possibly in its first phase, how could they give up?
First find out the details,
then see if there’s a way to approach it from the angle of ’sponsorship’.
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