Chapter 1775: Chapter 788: Transformation! (Part 2)
“This project is not a whim of Pri Minister Casare, nor is it sothing I, Bramo, am doing for political achievent. This is a national strategy personally decided by the Leader. What does it an? It ans that this is not a multiple-choice question that we may or may not do; it is a must-answer question that must be done, and done well.”
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over each person’s face: “The Ministry of Power’s technology is lagging? Then go learn! Hire people! Not enough foreign exchange? Find a way! Equipnt from the Communication Departnt is under embargo? The embargo list is dead, but people are alive! Can’t bypass Europe? Find another route! After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, how many experts from Ukraine and Belarusian research institutes are unemployed? How many precision optical enterprises in East Germany are selling off assets at low prices?”
Bramo’s voice gradually rose: “Tight finances? Then reprioritize! Which projects can be postponed? Which expenses can be saved? Traditional infrastructure needs to be developed, but investnts for the future are even more necessary! As for those seventeen household employees—”
He looked at the representative from the Labor and Social Security Departnt: “Tell them, once the park is completed, they will be given priority for the first batch of training and employnt slots. If they are still not satisfied, then have the union chairman co to talk to , but let remind you, the ruling party in xico didn’t co to power through the ballot box.”
The eting room fell silent.
Bramo’s words were blunt: This is Victor’s order. If you don’t do it well, you may not keep your position.
“One week.”
Bramo raised one finger, “I’m giving you all one week. The Ministry of Power will present a detailed implentation plan and budget for the smart grid, with precision to each kiloter of line and each transforr. The Communication Departnt will co up with three procurent plans for specialized fiber optics, including legal channels, gray channels, and backup plans. The Treasury Departnt will re-evaluate the annual budget and list projects that can be adjusted. The Labor and Social Security Departnt will solve the relocation problem for those seventeen households, regardless of thod.”
He paused: “Next Wednesday at 2 p.m., right here, I expect to see progress. If any departnt still can’t present a feasible plan, I will directly suggest to the Leader to replace them with soone who can get things done.”
The eting ended in a tense atmosphere.
The officials hurriedly left, none looking pleased. Bramo knew that after going back, these people would surely report to the forces behind them. Those vested interest groups in traditional industries, those bureaucrats accustod to procrastination, wouldn’t easily comply.
But he didn’t have ti for slow negotiation.
At 3 p.m. on Friday, the president of the Petroleum Industry Association, Eduardo Salinas, and the chairman of the Traditional Manufacturing Alliance, Rodrigo ndoza, appeared punctually in Bramo’s office.
Both were around sixty years old, Salinas short and plump with a rchant’s smile always on his face; ndoza was tall and stern, with the stubbornness of an old-fashioned industrialist.
When Victor ca to power, he couldn’t kill them all.
These people had sided with him a long ti ago; they were patriots!
So naturally, after Victor ca to power, they maintained authority within their own domains.
Like… cough, cough, cough (figure it out yourself!)
“Mr. Advisor, thank you for taking the ti.” Salinas greeted warmly, while ndoza nodded politely.
“Please, have a seat.”
Bramo signaled his secretary to serve coffee and sat behind his desk, getting straight to the point, “I have reviewed the written materials you both submitted. The Petroleum Association is concerned that the new energy policy will impact crude oil exports, and the Manufacturing Alliance is worried the tax incentives will lead to unfair competition. I would like to hear your more specific concerns.”
Salinas and ndoza exchanged a glance.
“Advisor Bramo, you’re a sensible man.”
Salinas spoke first, his smile unchanged but his tone serious, “What is the economic backbone of xico? Oil! Forty percent of foreign exchange inco cos from crude oil and petrochemical products. How many people do we support? Over two million in direct employnt, and over five million indirectly. Now the governnt wants to aggressively support solar and wind energy, and develop a smart grid—this is essentially digging up the foundation of the oil industry.”
“I’m not against technological advances, but everything should have its limits. If the governnt invests all its limited funds into those ‘future industries,’ leading to insufficient investnt in oil exploration and developnt, and aging refinery equipnt, the loss will be national fiscal revenue. Not to ntion, how many governnt departnts are supported by the tax revenues paid by the oil industry?”
ndoza followed, “Manufacturing is the sa. We produce auto parts, ho appliances, building materials, employing tens of thousands of workers. Currently, the governnt plans to offer those ‘high-tech companies’ a five-year tax exemption, provide subsidized loans, even free land—is that fair? We in traditional enterprises must pay high taxes annually, comply with strict environntal standards, and bear heavy social security contributions. If new enterprises can enjoy so many benefits, who would want to engage in real industry?”
Bramo listened quietly, and only after they finished speaking did he slowly start, “President Salinas, the oil reserves of xico, at the current extraction rate, how many years can they still be drilled?”
Salinas was taken aback, “This… the proven reserves can last roughly fifty more years, if potential reserves are included…”
“And what about in fifty years?”
Bramo interrupted him, “Fifty years from now, when oil runs out, or the world no longer needs so much oil, what will xico rely on to survive? Will it still be possible to transition at that point?”
He turned to ndoza, “Chairman ndoza, the auto parts you produce, which car companies do they primarily supply to?”
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