Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2573 Using a Tiger's Skin as a Banner (Third Update, Please Subscribe)
USAID

For many years, the International Development Agency (IDA) has been the leading force in implementing the SEA’s government development assistance programs. Over the past two decades, as the “Miracle on the Equator” has attracted worldwide attention, the IDA has also garnered widespread attention from the international community.

Although it appears similar to its American counterparts, carrying out foreign aid missions and expanding its soft power through economic assistance while also intervening in the internal affairs of many countries.

However, no one denies the effectiveness of the development assistance projects carried out by the Agency for International Development in Southeast Asia and South Korea, including modern transportation networks centered on ports, highways and railways, modern power grids and communications, as well as assistance in technology and other areas.

Under the planning of the Agency for International Development, Surabaya, Malaysia, Siam, Shan State, Mindanao, South Korea, East Africa, and even Iraq have undergone tremendous changes.

“When they came, there was nothing here; a few years later, it was as prosperous as ever.”

It seems that the International Development Agency (IDA) always has a magic bullet that can revitalize recipient countries and enable them to develop rapidly.

"Our responsibility is not just to provide aid; our responsibility is to help and develop, to help you escape poverty, and to assist you in developing your economy..."

At the charity gala, Fang Jingren, the director of the SEA International Development Agency's office in Lebanon, drew everyone's attention during his speech. However, the way people looked at him was different. Unlike the hopeful gazes of the Lebanese, the officials from Europe and the United States were more eager to witness—to witness how he would use his expertise to help the region escape poverty and return to prosperity.

Following the remarks, a French diplomat asked:
"Director Fang, do you believe this place will prosper again?"

"Since this place was once known as the Paris of the Middle East, it will certainly remain so in the future. The decline in recent years is merely due to the impact of war. I believe that we will soon see this place prosper again..."

In fact, Fang Jingren is quite optimistic about Lebanon's economy. After all, it has a good economic foundation, but the civil war caused by sectarian conflict destroyed everything.

At this banquet, Fang Jingren was undoubtedly the protagonist. After all, for someone who held billions of yuan and controlled all the aid and development projects for the Lebanese government, it would be very difficult for him not to be the protagonist.

Not only did the Lebanese officials attending the meeting take time to communicate with him, but diplomats from various countries also took the opportunity to discuss some seemingly insensitive but actually related matters concerning the future.

After all, it is well known that the International Development Agency (IDA) has always been one of the main tools by which the SEA intervenes in the internal affairs of recipient countries.

Instead of offering any explanation, they stated directly:

“Our government aid development projects must ensure that every penny is spent where it should be spent. These projects are meant to help the economic development of the recipient countries, not to help a few officials live extravagant lives or turn their homes into mansions in Chang’an, London, New York, or Paris!”

Therefore, oversight of implementation is absolutely necessary, which is why SEA’s International Development Agency is unpopular in many places—because officials rarely benefit from it.

Unless they intend to promote the development of the country.

In Beirut, however, the situation is clearly different from some other places. Officials are focused on knowing the progress of projects such as urban reconstruction, the port, and the refinery.

In fact, these officials still have many ways to raise money during the implementation of these projects. However, unlike some African countries that receive aid from Europe and the United States, most of the aid directly turns into luxury cars and villas for government officials, jewelry for their wives, and mansions in Europe.

It's not just African countries; the same applies to countries like Bangladesh. Basically, in all Third World countries, officials are insatiably greedy.

In contrast, Lebanon, a country that once enjoyed great wealth, has officials who tend to have more principles. Fang Jingren is well aware of this, and it is precisely for this reason that he has full confidence in Lebanon.

While Fang Jingren was chatting with the officials, he noticed a young man watching him from one side of the banquet.

He is from SEA.

Upon seeing him, the person standing in the corner quickly took the opportunity to walk towards him.

Sun Shaoming walked over and bowed slightly, saying:

"Hello, Director Fang, I didn't expect to run into you here."

"you are?"

Looking at the young man in front of him, Fang Jingren was a little puzzled. Had they met before?

“When I was in college, I interned at the Mengdong Hydropower Station construction site, and I met you there once.”

Mengdong Hydropower Station!
This is undoubtedly Fang Jingren's greatest pride in his career. It is not only the largest project the International Development Agency has ever participated in, but it also provides the landlocked Shan State with access to the sea. Although the Mengdong Hydropower Station is not yet completed, once it is built and the reservoir is filled and navigation begins, the increased water depth over the hundreds of kilometers upstream from the reservoir will greatly improve navigation conditions. 10,000-ton ships can pass through the locks and sail directly into the heart of Shan State, fundamentally changing the situation of Shan State's deep inland location.

This hydroelectric power station was originally proposed by Fang Jingren, and through his vigorous efforts, the international hydroelectric project, led by the International Development Agency and jointly implemented by Shan State and Siam, was finally put into operation.

Once completed, it will become the world's second largest hydroelectric power station, second only to the Itaipu Dam currently under construction in Brazil.

That's why Fang Jingren immediately smiled when he heard someone mention "Mengdong Hydropower Station." It has to be said that catering to someone's preferences is often the easiest way to build closer relationships.

Although he had a smile on his face, Fang Jingren still asked:

"You interned at a construction site in Mengdong? Which school did you graduate from?"

"I'm in the Civil Engineering Department at Universiti Malaysia Kuching..."

Sun Shaoming wasn't talking nonsense; he did indeed study civil engineering. Hearing his answer, Fang Jingren nodded and said:

"Well, there aren't many construction projects in China right now, so it's normal for you to go there for internships. Why are you here now? Did you come with the company?"

He assumed the other party had come with domestic companies, but Sun Shaoming's answer was somewhat unexpected.

“After graduation, I didn’t join an architecture firm. Instead, I chose to start my own business. I heard there might be some opportunities here, so I came here to try my luck.”

Sun Shaoming's answer made Fang Jingren nod and say:

"That's good. When you're young, you should always think about what you want to do. It's always good to go out and explore. There are indeed many opportunities here, but the requirements are also very high..."

After thinking for a moment, Fang Jingren said again:

"If you have some free time later, you can visit the USAID office. Perhaps there will be some opportunities that suit you. If you need anything, you can call my secretary."

While speaking, Fang Jingren made a point of giving the other person a business card. Although it was just an ordinary business card, it was still quite rare, since he rarely gave his business card to strangers.

He is always willing to offer some help to young people. In fact, most people in SEA are like this; they always enthusiastically offer help to their own people.

After a brief chat, Fang Jingren went to the other side and started talking to other people. Sun Shaoming had also achieved his goal. After all, all he needed was for others to see his conversation with Director Fang, and that was enough.

To use someone's coattails, you don't necessarily need to make a big banner. You just need to let others see the banner, and that banner is your stepping stone.

Just like now, when he was chatting with Fang Jingren, many Lebanese officials saw him. In any case, after this scene, everything else became much easier.

This was precisely his purpose in attending the banquet—he donated 1000 yuan to the Lebanese Children's Fund in order to obtain the "ticket" to the banquet; everything had a price tag.

But it was worth it. While Director Fang went to the other side, Sun Shaoming went to the other side. Such a charity dinner is a place for exchange. There were not only ordinary government officials, but also some military and other security officials. After speaking with several government officials in French, they would often ask him about his relationship with Fang Jingren. Sun Shaoming answered truthfully that they had been in contact when Director Fang was in office in Shan State.

The seemingly simple answer left people somewhat puzzled. After all, no one could figure out what this "contact" meant. Moreover, Director Fang was smiling broadly during their conversation, which clearly indicated that they had a good relationship, especially since he had even received a business card.

After chatting with a group of officials, Sun Shaoming received a stack of business cards, and he naturally gave out a stack of business cards as well. He noticed that when those people received the business cards, they all put them in their pockets instead of casually throwing them away or ignoring them.

This is the function of the banner.

Having a large banner gives you the opportunity to reach certain groups of people. Like these Lebanese officials, without the banner, it would be difficult for them to even meet with these individuals. But now? They not only proactively offer their business cards but also accept them.

After chatting briefly with several officials, exchanging business cards, and expressing his intention to visit them when he had time, Sun Shaoming did not stop. He then walked to the other side of the banquet, where several military officers, including members of the Lebanese government army and the police, joined in on their conversation.

And of course, no one would reject this guy who "knew" Director Fang.

(End of this chapter)