Chapter 1327: Binding a Small Country
Mumun Gayoom was at a loss, his face constantly changing as he fought fiercely within.
The first of Xia Yu's four conditions was beneficial and had no disadvantages. Xia Yu was paying to build a city in the Maldives, and Mummun Gayoom would be stupid not to agree.
However, the second and third conditions put him under enormous pressure.
Malé International Airport was built with the strength of the entire Maldives at the time, and it belonged to state assets. If he accepted Xia Yu's capital injection, although it would quickly improve the airport's ranking, there would definitely be opposition within the country.
If Air Maldives also accepted the capital injection, and if the management rights were taken away, then it could be said that Xia Yu would hold the most important lifeline of the Maldives to the outside world.
The third condition was even more difficult than the second. This was the monopoly right to develop the Maldives islands, and if this was taken away, the power of the Maldives Tourism Authority would shrink by more than half.
Most importantly, the Maldives' national policy of developing the tourism industry is completely tied up with Xia Yu, and there is no room for manoeuvre in the future. It is necessary to follow Xia Yu's path to the end.
Compared with the second and third conditions, the fourth condition is trivial.
The islands of the Maldives can be bought and sold, and there are clear terms for buying and selling islands in the Maldives' strategy for developing the tourism industry.
There are thousands of uninhabited islands in the Maldives, and they cannot be developed or eaten. If they can be sold to the super-rich, they can gain access to their connections, which is a way to gain fame.
Although Xia Yu only mentioned some islands, without specifying the number or choosing the target audience, in Mumon Gayoom's opinion, there was no problem, and it was a good thing!
Of course, in the future, in the 21st century, the Maldives' tourism industry has developed, so they no longer permanently sell islands to outsiders, which would be like selling the hen that lays the golden eggs.
After struggling for a long time, Mumon Gayoom still couldn't make a decision. After taking a deep breath to calm himself down, he asked Xia Yu, 'Mr Xia, could you please tell me in detail your ideas for the development of the Maldives?'
'Of course!'
Xia Yu readily agreed and spoke at length: 'First is the urban complex. My Jiuding Real Estate Group is the largest real estate development company in Southeast Asia, and its infrastructure capabilities are also world-class. It will be responsible for rebuilding Male.'
'As for electricity, transportation, and other aspects, I also independently operate Hong Kong companies, and my company can give the Maldives the best plan.'
'My corresponding companies in Hong Kong are the best in retail, hotels, healthcare, education, banking, etc., so I can provide all the necessary facilities and shops for the urban complex.
'The Cathay Pacific Group, the largest in Southeast Asia, is mine, and it has the most comprehensive experience in airport operations and aviation operations, as well as the best resources. Once it is connected with the Maldives, it can attract the maximum flow of people to the Maldives.
'In terms of tourism development, my Xiangjiang Tourism Investment Group is the largest tourism investment and development company designated by the Hong Kong government. It has already built a number of famous attractions in Xiangjiang, and its operations have been very successful.
'So after the establishment of an island development and operation company in the Maldives, there is no need to worry about operational experience.
'For some high-quality islands, they will definitely be used to build five-star or even six-star hotels. My Jiuding Shangri-La Hotel Group is the largest hotel group in Southeast Asia, so you can rest assured.
'Starting with all these aspects, the minimum investment for the first phase will reach 500 million US dollars, which is ten times the current gross national product of the Maldives!'
'It is more than enough to make the Maldives take off.'
...
As Xia Yu spoke, the doubts and concerns in Mumon Gayoom's heart gradually disappeared, and he was gradually convinced by Xia Yu's reasoning.
However, he still had to go back and convince the others, so that they would also support it.
'Mr Xia, thank you for letting me know. In general, I agree with you, but I still need to go back and convince the others.'
When he said this, Mumon Gayoom's attitude was very sincere.
Xia Yu nodded in understanding: 'I can understand, but I have to return to Xiangjiang tomorrow. If you can give me a general answer, then I will arrange for someone to come and talk to you in detail.'
Mumun Gayoom's face was serious, and he was anxious. He hurriedly nodded and said, 'Mr. Xia, I will go back and call a meeting with them right now, and I will give you a reply as soon as possible.'
'Then, Mr. Xia, I will not disturb you anymore.'
After saying this, Mumun Gayoom stood up and was about to leave.
Xia Yu did not try to stop him, and he also got up to see him off.
When they reached the door, the two shook hands again. Xia Yu smiled faintly and said, 'Mr. President, if we can reach a cooperation agreement, in addition to the Maldivian government, the local area also needs a strong partner. If the funds are not enough, my bank can provide credit.'
Mumum Gayoom's face changed slightly, and his smile became even brighter. 'Mr. Xia, I will do my best to facilitate our cooperation.'
'Mr. President, I believe in your abilities!'
Xia Yu smiled.
Then, after seeing Mumon Gayoom get into the car, Xia Yu decisively turned back inside.
'Xia Yu, what's the verdict?'
'Did he say yes?'
After entering, Cindy happened to walk over and asked curiously with her eyes twinkling.
'He won't refuse something that's a win-win-win for everyone,'
'Whether it's for his family or for the Maldives, there's no reason for him to refuse, heh,'
Xia Yu said with a smile.
'Come, Cindy, come over here together. Which islands do you like, come and pick some.'
...
The truth was just as Xia Yu had thought.
After returning, Maumoon Gayoom was very proactive in persuading the others.
They had no idea how the future tourism industry of the Maldives would develop, nor did they know that the tourism industry would account for 60-70% of the Maldives' gross national product and 90% of its tax revenue.
They would never have guessed that more than 30 years later, the Maldives' GDP would be 100 times what it is now!
Because they were ignorant, the benefits they saw in front of them now seemed insignificant in the face of Xia Yu's first phase of investment of 500 million US dollars.
In the end, most agreed to let the Maldives cooperate with Xia Yu.
That evening, Maumoon Gayoom informed Xia Yu of the news and also tentatively asked how much of the shares Xia Yu was willing to give to the local partners in the Maldives.
Early the next morning, Xia Yu's Fengshen took off for Hong Kong.
At the same time, a negotiation team from Hong Kong immediately set off for the Maldives. They had ten days to completely negotiate the cooperation with the Maldivian government.
In fact, it only took seven days for the two sides to sign a comprehensive agreement.
First, a group of companies including Jiuding Real Estate Group jointly invested 250 million US dollars in Male.
Second, Male International Airport accepted an injection of 25 million US dollars from Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Group, which holds a 51% stake.
Third, the Maldives Airlines accepted an investment of 40 million US dollars from the Hong Kong Cathay Pacific Group, which holds 60% of the shares.
Fourth, the Maldives Island Development and Operations Company was established. The government handed over the development and management rights of 992 islands to the Maldives Island Development and Operations Company, in which the Maldives government holds 40% of the shares; the Hong Kong Tourism Investment Group invested 200 million US dollars and holds 57% of the shares; and the Sola Investment Company invested 10 million US dollars and holds 3% of the shares.
Fifth, the islands of Serenity, Abudu, Kandolu, Sonivajani, Nautilus and Naradu, among sixteen in total, were permanently transferred to Xia Yu for the price of ten million US dollars.
Finally, there was one more condition attached, namely that Jiuding Bank would set up a branch in the Maldives, and all funds would be transferred through Jiuding Bank.
After everything was settled, Xia Yu, who was far away in Xiangjiang, immediately had the designs for six of the sixteen private islands modified. His resort had to be built as soon as possible.