African Entrepreneurship Record-Chapter 723 - 27: Consolidating the Economy

"Mr. John Liders, could you provide more detailed information about the three cities? I've been away from East Africa for so long that I'm not very familiar with it," Wells said.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wells. I'm not very familiar with the East African cities either. There are many cities now, and the information you have was sent from home. However, if you ask me, Nairobi and Bulawayo should be the best choices. Both places have railway connections, something Jisan City can't compare with at present. Moreover, it's said that Jisan City is in the Congo Basin of West East Africa; you certainly lived in the highlands before, where the climate is surely more suitable," John Liders said.

"Alright, if we're not in a hurry, I'd like to consider for a while. Ideally, I could get more news from home," Wells said.

"The date is the 13th of next month, so you can still think it over for ten days. Please respond to us as soon as possible. I'm currently working at the Mit Street Branch; you can report my name there. The result needs to be sent back home first for preparations. The deadline for responses is the 3rd of next month," John Liders stated.

"No problem!" Wells said, the time was enough for him to discuss it with his family; Wells actually most wanted to communicate with his family.

Afterward, Wells and Director Grellin together sent off John Liders.

Grellin: "Mr. Wells, before you leave, you should first connect your work. Your departure is actually a loss for our factory."

Despite saying this, Grellin was not truly desperate to keep Wells to such an extent. In fact, Germany does not lack talent in this regard. Of course, it would be better if Wells could stay, but unfortunately, East Africa will not let go.

"Thank you for your care over the years, Director Grellin. May your business flourish."

Grellin waved his hand in farewell: "Better pack your luggage first! After all, East Africa is quite far away, and you've lived in Germany for so many years; I imagine there are a lot of things you need to take."

...

The repatriation of talent is also for further enhancement or consolidation of the East African industries. Previously, East Africa's industrial system could barely operate, so more specialized talent is needed, especially those young East Africans who have accumulated rich production experience and have certain academic qualifications in Europe.

"We have recalled over two thousand elites and leaders from various fields in Europe. Although their talents may be limited, after years of grinding in Europe, they can effectively fill gaps and optimize various industries in East Africa."

"This involves the textile industry, machinery manufacturing, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, ceramics, papermaking, and other sectors, to strengthen the weak aspects of our economy."

The shortfall in East African industry is light industry, which is the best sector for East Africa to penetrate in Germany and Europe, whereas heavy industry is rather difficult to arrange people for learning.

"Light industry is an important part of the national economy, affecting the clothing, food, housing, and transportation of East African citizens. Solely developing heavy industries and military industries can easily lead to imbalanced industrial structures and is not conducive to stable national operation."

Ernst continued: "According to our current economic situation, vigorously developing light industry and adjusting the industrial structure are crucial indicators for increasing East Africa's international competitiveness."

The export of military industries and heavy industries is obviously inferior to the export of light industries. Firstly, the military industries of the major powers have no significant flaws, with various Far Eastern countries establishing a powerful military industrial system in the seventies and eighties.

Therefore, the international competition pressure for heavy industrial products is greater than that for light industries; Britain, France, Germany, and Austria firmly hold the discourse power in this field, and due to the issue of systems, it is difficult for any country to enter these countries' arms markets.

Besides the issue of weapon systems, politics is also an important reason. The aforementioned major powers, along with Russia, America, and Spain, have basically divided the world's political resources.

This is also a shortcoming for East Africa; the only major country that East Africa can influence is perhaps the Abysinnia Empire, but placed in Europe, the Abysinnia Empire is just a medium-sized country.

"The completeness of the industrial system is extremely important for major powers like East Africa. Small countries cannot build complete industrial systems, nor do they have decisive authority over their fate, inevitably being controlled by others. East Africa, obviously surpassing the level of a small country, must develop comprehensively in all industries, of course, I mean legitimate industries."

"Now that the Hessen Railway is nearing completion, East African industrial production is bound to be affected by the impending war. To mitigate the negative impact of war on factories and facilities, more specialized talent must be devoted to stabilizing production."

"Therefore, providing fast channels for these repatriated talents and arranging them to quickly integrate into East African social production is extremely important and urgent."

Once the Hessen Railway construction is complete, it marks the time for East Africa to eliminate potential threats around East Africa, so now the East African government's business is at its busiest.

"Rest assured, Your Highness, various departments and the immigration office, along with embassies, will actively cooperate to quickly assign their duties. We guarantee that the talent repatriation will be arranged before next March."

East Africa is currently in a tense situation, especially the South-Central regions feeling it most intensely. The Eastern residents, however, have not reacted much, which is related to their distance from the Central-Southern border that might become a war front, but the factories and military-political institutions in the Eastern provinces all sense the brewing storm.

Once the cannons roar, gold is needed, East Africa must work overtime to produce materials to prevent social issues caused by war-induced production stagnation. Therefore, two preparations must be made: stockpiling essential goods and ensuring the normal operation of factories and institutions should war break out.

According to the unified judgment by the Ministry of Defence and General Staff, once the war starts, East Africa will undoubtedly face problems far from previous minor skirmishes.

Because East Africa's enemies have made ample preparations over the years, and the conflict may spread from all directions to East Africa, with the entirety of East Africa potentially facing direct threats.

Ernst:"Good, accelerate the repatriation of talents, and speed up wartime preparations, especially with regard to reserve registration and training, to be conducted nationwide. Various military regions, particularly the South-Central regions and northeastern areas, plus the navy, must be ready for war."

"This war is also East Africa's true national fortune battle. If we win, East Africa's status as a world power will be recognized by the international community, simultaneously eliminating the hostile geopolitical environment, paving the way for East Africa's development over the next few decades. Conversely, we must prepare for territorial concessions and reparations, even losing developmental opportunities for decades."

The problems East Africa faces are actually the last round of the major powers' 'ticket' battle in the big historical context, akin to the U.S. versus Spain and Japan versus the Far East empire, where the winner takes all.

In fact, if the Far East empire could defeat Japan in the 1890s, the Far East empire could maintain its status as a great power, representing the success of the self-strengthening movement.

It's a battle of national fortune for everyone, but East Africa's enemies are evidently the most formidable. In truth, if Britain weren't targeting East Africa, facing Portugal and the Transvaal people alone, East Africa could achieve the same result. But Britain's suppression of East Africa is clearly merciless.

The reason why East Africa faces a more dangerous situation than America or Japan is an important aspect: Britain and America have already clashed, with a binding of interests between them, and America culturally has deep ties with Britain; as for Japan, it was completely supported by Britain.

East Africa's ideology, however, is primarily aligned with German culture, economically disconnected from Britain, while posing a significant threat to Cape Town, British Somaliland, Egypt, and India.