Chapter 363: Education and Economic Development

Han Songlin was very busy. Not only had he just talked to Zheng Lin about the Changxing Machine Tool Company, but he had also been called by Luo Xiaozhong to a meeting at the city hall. This meeting was part of the Jiangzhong Education Conference.

All the counties and districts under Jiangzhong had sent people to attend.

The meeting was presided over by Luo Xiaozhong himself, who delivered a speech at the meeting: 'Industry is the foundation of our city of Jiangzhong. As the old industrial base of Shuchuan, we in Jiangzhong once had a glorious past. In the past few years, we have encountered problems with economic development in Jiangzhong. Enterprises suffered widespread losses, and social consumption declined. But under Mayor Wang's leadership, we forged ahead, and in a short period of time, we re-adjusted the city's economic policies, restructured the city's state-owned enterprises, established Jiangzhong City Investment Company, introduced private capital, and withdrew from the specific operations and management of enterprises. Now it seems that our restructuring was incredibly correct and successful.'

Han Songlin sat next to Luo Xiaozhong, with a small notebook in front of him. He looked at him in surprise. This speech is not bad!

'In the first three quarters of this year, the city achieved an industrial output value of 22 billion yuan, and the annual output value is expected to exceed 30 billion yuan!'

30 billion yuan?

Since Luo Xiaozhong said so, then the annual industrial output value should really be that much.

That's a bit of an exaggeration!

People were shocked, and after the shock came a burst of surprise.

Instantly, there was a round of applause in the meeting room, which was very enthusiastic and did not stop for a long time.

Han Songlin was a bit confused. This output value of 30 billion yuan is nothing, right?

Seeing that everyone was so excited, Han Songlin joined in the applause. At this point, Han Songlin also realised what 30 billion yuan in industrial output meant for the entire Jiangzhong region at this point in 1995.

This year's GDP figures for Jiangzhong will be quite impressive, won't they?

Luo Xiaozhong reached out to indicate that everyone could stop applauding: 'Over the past year, we have achieved incredibly brilliant results in industrial development. The products we produce in Jiangzhong are sold all over the country.'

Fule wine is sold all over the country, isn't it?

So there is nothing wrong with this statement.

'This year, we have also exported a large number of industrial products abroad, and have so far exported $300 million worth of goods. This has broken the embarrassing situation of our city in terms of earning foreign exchange through exports.'

The applause continued!

Everyone is from Jiangzhong, and naturally they are proud of Jiangzhong's achievements.

Jiangzhong's economy has improved this year, and its fiscal revenue has increased substantially. Jiangzhong has allocated a lot of funds to the cities and counties below to support development.

'This year, we expect fiscal revenue to exceed 1.5 billion yuan!'

1.5 billion yuan in revenue, not bad!

With 1.5 billion yuan in revenue, next year's budget will be able to spend 3 billion yuan.

Generally, local financial expenditures are double the revenue.

What can 3 billion yuan be used for?

'At present, our city's economy relies on industry for support, so we must continue to make our industry bigger and stronger!'

'If we want to make our industry bigger and stronger, we need to have enough talent! And the only way to get talent is through education. So, today we are here to discuss how education in the whole city can serve the development of the industrial economy.'

Education serving the industrial economy?

Han Songlin's mouth curled up into a smile. What is the purpose of education?

Different people, standing from different perspectives, have different views.

However, no matter what kind of person, what perspective, and what opinion, there is a common goal: to enable the next generation to live a better life after receiving an education.

'This year, the city has specifically allocated funds to improve the educational environment, pay back overdue teacher salaries, repair school buildings, and purchase teaching supplies. Then, next year, our focus in education will be on improving vocational education and developing engineer education.'

'Today, we have specially invited President Han to attend this meeting, so that everyone can understand what kind of talent enterprises need.'

Han Songlin glanced at Luo Xiaozhong and smiled, taking up the conversation: 'Hello everyone, I am Han Songlin of Xinghai Group!'

Although many people were meeting Han Songlin for the first time, his reputation was well-known.

The entire economy of Jiangzhong was now bound to Xinghai Group.

At this point, everyone knew in their hearts that this meeting was supposedly about serving Jiangzhong's industrial economy, but in reality it was all about Xinghai Group.

To a certain extent, Xinghai Group also represented Jiangzhong's industrial economy. In fact, many enterprises in Jiangzhong had business dealings with Xinghai Group, and for many enterprises, Xinghai Group was even their sole customer.

For a company, having a single customer is a very risky thing; because if anything happens to the customer, then the company will also go under.

Of course, for the factories in Jiangzhong at this time, being able to become a supplier to Xinghai Group meant making money, support from the government, and getting loans from the bank.

Now these factories are so busy with Xinghai Group's orders that they don't have the heart to think about developing other customers.

'This year is a year of take-off for Xinghai Group. In the truck sector, we launched the Fuxing Hercules, which was well received by customers and sold quite well.

'The motorcycles we launched in 100cc, 125cc and 150cc displacements have achieved quite good sales results in the domestic and foreign markets, with monthly sales of tens of thousands of units. The market is still in short supply.'

'The motorcycle engines, diesel engines and automobile engines we launched in multiple displacements have all received a large number of orders.'

'The orders we have received have already been scheduled until next year!' Han Songlin's tone increased slightly when he said this.

Anyway, it's the end of December, and there are only a couple of days left until next year.

'But when we wanted to expand production, we found that we couldn't continue to expand production! Is it because we don't have the production equipment, or is it because we don't have the money?'

Han Songlin waved his hand and said with certainty, 'Neither! Because we don't have enough skilled workers.'

'Now we're not only recruiting skilled workers within the province, we're also going outside the province, but this doesn't satisfy our demand for skilled workers.'

'We are in dire need of high-level skilled workers, and we are even more in need of engineers of all kinds!'

'Thank you all!'

After hearing Han Songlin's words, there was a moment of silence.

As those in charge of education, they had also heard that the wages of workers throughout Jiangzhong had risen quite a bit.

The wages of workers had once again become the envy of mankind.

Shortage of workers?

To be honest, Hua Guo had not encountered this for a long time.

In the past, they had all complained that there were too many workers in the factory.

Luo Xiaozhong tapped the table: 'Everyone has heard that valuing vocational and technical education is related to whether our Jiangzhong economy can continue to develop healthily and rapidly in the future. This must be our top priority in Jiangzhong. We must find a way to overcome all difficulties and cultivate the technical talent that enterprises need.'