As for Kolo's re-export trade, it mainly comes from its capital, Lodi.
Loti, with an area of 90 square kilometers and a population of nearly 2 million, is located at the southwestern end of Kolo, on the Gulf of Guinea.
This is the political, economic and cultural center of Kolo, with textile, oil refining, cement, fertilizer, metal processing, (palm) oil pressing, food and agricultural product processing industries. It is the best natural harbor in West Africa and can berth 25,000-ton ocean-going vessels.
In 1990, Loti opened a free trade zone, which started the journey of Loti Port as a "transit point in West Africa".
In fact, both Kolo and Loti have small markets, and their own consumption space and purchasing power are relatively limited, so most businessmen who carry out economic and trade activities in Kolo mainly wholesale their products to neighboring countries, supplemented by local small-scale wholesale and retail.
Therefore, to a certain extent, it was the Port of Loti that helped the small West African country of Kolo to take on the main responsibility of West African trade.
Similarly, experts from the Anglo-African Institute suggested that Kolo should take advantage of the Port of Loti, expand the port, and implement liberalization and low-tariff policies to make it a small "HK" in West Africa.
…
"This winter is finally coming to an end, and then the construction progress in King's Cross will be accelerated."
Viscount Bute said to Barron with a somewhat relaxed tone.
Although it is already March, the fireplace in their home is still burning brightly, making the living room feel extra warm.
It can be said that the indoors and outside at this time are like two different seasons.
For example, the Viscountess with a big belly was only wearing a thin skirt.
Her due date is in two months, which reminds Barron of Rebecca who is far away in Los Angeles. Before that, he needs to go there in April to accompany the girl during her delivery.
However, Barron did not come here today to discuss matters related to the Argent Real Estate Group with Viscount Bute, but had other intentions.
But before that, in addition to the Argent Real Estate Group, Viscount Bute would inevitably talk about the recent hot topic, which is Barron's acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank:
"I heard that the Merger and Acquisition Review Board has approved DS Capital's acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank?"
"Yes, that's nothing, isn't it? This is not a merger between banks, and there is no monopoly factor involved."
Barron received the Viscountess's meaningful look and said to Viscount Bute as if nothing had happened:
"The key now is to see what extent this acquisition can achieve, whether it is just to complete the controlling stake, or to exceed 67% absolute controlling stake, or to directly acquire them in full."
In the control of a company, more than 50% of the shares have already achieved the purpose of controlling the company, and it can be said that one can exercise most of the operating power over the company.
However, in most countries, for some votes, such as those involving the company's capital increase, capital reduction, merger, division, dissolution, amendment of the company's articles of association, etc., a larger proportion of votes is required to pass. Some countries stipulate that this proportion is more than 2/3, and some countries stipulate that it is more than 3/4. Therefore, the corresponding controlling stake of more than 67% and 75% is called absolute controlling stake.
That is to say, when the controlling stake reaches 67% (75% is required in some countries and regions), the controlling party can almost exercise any management power of the company.
For Barron, it is natural that he hopes to control as many shares as possible, or even delist Standard Chartered Bank from the exchange. He would be happier to complete privatization.
"Mr. Butt, I know that your family's Stuart Mining Group also has some business in Africa. I wonder if you are interested in the iron ore in Kolo?"
"Khloé? We need to do some evaluation on these."
To be honest, if Barron was only interested in Kolo's mineral deposits, there would be no need for him to go to the trouble of participating in the coup in their country. Anyway, with the existence of the Protector Military Company, Barron would not have to worry about being attacked even if he mined there.
But his ambition does not stop there. What he values more is the geographical location of Colo, because it has the best port in West Africa. With Colo's conditions, it is fully capable of becoming the maritime transit center for the entire West Africa. The future development of this is very worth looking forward to.
Therefore, now that he has taken control of Colo, he has no intention of developing this place solely by his own strength - at this point in time, instead of investing a large amount of money to develop Colo, investing it in other places will yield greater returns.
It is also for this reason that Barron does not mind sharing some of Colo's interests with his "allies" and guiding them to invest there together. In the end, as long as he can firmly control this place from the political, economic and military aspects, that will be enough.
Among the minerals currently discovered by Colo, the number one is naturally phosphate mine. However, most of the mines of this type currently being mined have been occupied by French companies. All Colo needs to do next is to use the power of the country to obtain part of the shares.
The second one is iron ore, with proven reserves of more than 500 million tons. It can be fully utilized for joint development with the Butt family's Stuart Mining Group - after all, mining iron ore still requires a certain level of technical content, and cooperating with the Stuart Mining Group, which has rich experience in this area, is still a good choice.
In this case, if they feel that Kolo has development potential, will they be willing to invest in more infrastructure projects such as roads and real estate?
For a country like Kolo that relies on trade transit as its development direction, attracting foreign investment is also very important.
After Barron gave a general introduction to Colo and its iron ore reserves, Viscount Butt showed some interest. He planned to ask Stuart Mining Group to send someone there for an on-site investigation.
As far as Barron knew, Viscount Butt had already taken over almost all of their family's businesses. The reason for this was that, apart from the fact that he had an heir, which made the old earl quite happy, the old earl's health was also deteriorating, and he was ready to pass on the title and family businesses to Viscount Butt at the appropriate time.
So in the near future, Ian Bute will become Earl of Bute, and Chris, the Countess.
The core industries of the Butt family are mining and real estate, and they also involve shipping and warehousing.
If they can join in the development of Colo, it will provide considerable help.
The Viscountess's due date is in more than two months, and this is the time when we need to pay the most attention.
So even though Viscount Bute later left on purpose to create an opportunity for Barron and the Viscountess to be alone, Barron was very restrained and did not use corporal punishment in advance.
"What do you think the baby should be named?"
At this moment, under the sunlight, the Viscountess seemed to be glowing with a bit more maternal radiance.
"Didn't he tell me about this?"
"He said he respected my opinion..."
When she said this, the look in the Viscountess's eyes clearly told Barron that this was an opportunity for him to name the child.
"Well, if it's a girl...then let's go with Ethel."
"Ethel Boot, or Ethel Cavendish?"
Hearing the Viscountess's meaningful question, Barron smiled and said,
"It makes no difference to me. I just need to know that she is my daughter."