My Lord, you need to stand up!

Chapter 630 Will the Wild Geese That Flew Away Return to Their Nests?

That's right, in Rang Weidong's limited understanding, banks should play this simplest role.

It provides mortgages for ordinary people to buy houses and loans for businesses to operate.

Everything else is nonsense; it's all just clever people coming up with various ways to make money around banks.

It shouldn't be the local purse strings either.

Just like how taxation is often used as a bargaining chip in various investment promotion efforts, those who do this are extremely annoyed.

However, this simplistic planned economy mindset is indeed unworkable in a commodity society.

For example, no one knows how to organize a car show right now.

In the past, trade fairs would always involve specifying the year, month, and location of the event, which department would organize it, and requesting cooperation from various regions. Official documents would be sent to each region, and the relevant departments would then make arrangements.

The importance of this car project is determined by the Industrial Development Bureau, which brings together various relevant local units. The meeting decides whether all units should participate or only the best should be selected.

This is the simplest planning model; all enthusiasm and creativity will be worn down in a rigid, step-by-step framework.

The annual Guangdong Trade Fair and various industry exhibitions follow this model, which is a typical example of a government-managed entity model.

Few people really know how to organize a trade fair in a commodity economy.

At least that's how Wei Dong feels, to his own smug satisfaction.

Having received strong support from Jiangzhou City, I first called the Economic Commission to explain that I had made progress in finalizing this report card before heading to Pingjing.

As expected, it also received the support of the State Economic Commission, which was equivalent to conducting a complete survey of the domestic automobile industry.

Moreover, it aligns with the national policy direction of spending a large amount of foreign exchange to import cars and production lines, and to develop the automotive industry through joint ventures and independent research and development over the past three or four years. It is truly an achievement.

The person from the Economic Commission even stated that they would try their best to invite leaders to the event, so why can't this trade fair be held in Beijing?

Isn't it only natural for the national auto show to be held in the capital?

Even Wei Dong didn't bother to mention that Beijing's meager auto parts production capacity relied entirely on support from Hebei, Shandong, and Shanxi.

It is emphasized that this is also an industry expo to help many third-tier factories broaden their thinking and shift to the production of auto parts. It is located in Jiangzhou, on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, which is also a pilot area for economic system reform and the opening exhibition of the newly built exhibition and sales center in Jiangzhou Economic Development Zone.

Only then did the Economic Commission say, "Okay, okay."

After Wei Dong took this imperial sword, he turned around and called his former home, the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry, as well as the Fourth and First Ministry of Machinery Industry, which were now familiar with computers.

When everyone agreed, they also revealed some information to him: the first international auto show in China had already been held in Shanghai last year, inviting many international brands to showcase their advanced models, which greatly impressed the whole country.

This has led to quite a few bizarre incidents.

For example, engineers from the Shanghai Automobile Factory actually dismantled a Fiat bumper at night during the exhibition and took it back to copy it!
They signed orders worth over ten million US dollars, but ultimately fulfilled less than 10% of them because some companies actually thought that signing a contract would guarantee them the cars without paying anything in return.

Another military unit ordered twenty Mitsubishi Pajeros, but when they received the goods, they found out they had to pay import tax almost equal to the price of the vehicles, so they cancelled the order immediately...

Such absurd incidents are both laughable and infuriating, so this official from the First Ministry of Machine Building even reminded Wei Dong not to make a fool of himself.

If you look at the timeline, Wei Dong was in Japan at that time, and the country was also in a phase of avoiding Shanghai.

So they didn't take it to heart at all, and now that they've heard the description, they're not too concerned: "Our difference is huge. Through the auto show, the whole country's machinery industry can access auto parts production and support, and it also gives us a good idea of ​​the quality of auto R&D and production across the country."

Well, the First Ministry of Machine Building, the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building, and the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building also expressed their support and approval.

Wei Dong still has some influence. He doesn't need to get approvals from leaders and departments at all levels; he just needs to make a phone call to confirm that there's no objection.

This actually puts less pressure on others, since stamping a document carries responsibility.

It's like putting all the responsibility on your own shoulders.

Then they drove to see the exhibition center in the Economic Development Zone, with Director Tang acting as their guide. It was a major project in his jurisdiction: "I know you're busy, so I didn't want to keep you waiting. Didn't we report to the city before that we should follow the model of the Guangdong Trade Fair? The Municipal Design Institute went to visit and learned from their experience..."

That's right, it follows the exhibition hall model of the Guangdong Trade Fair, with two floors.

It is said that the construction method also drew inspiration from the five- and six-tiered industrial spaces of the Dongsheng factory area, aiming for large arched spans and spacious layouts. In reality, the super-large exhibition hall, 150 meters deep and 200 meters wide, is divided into four long strips, with a total area of ​​60,000 square meters.

The exterior is a glass curtain wall that Wei Dong admires and likes. It is as spacious as a plaza. Various flower beds are being built in front of the exhibition hall. He quickly stopped them: "Let it be empty. If there is any drawback, it is that there is no parking garage. You see, the plaza in front of the exhibition hall should be used as a parking lot. We can also hold outdoor exhibitions and sales activities here. It is not a waste."

There was nothing to see inside; it was huge and empty. The entire structure was built in accordance with Wei Dong's suggestion to the city, imitating the exhibition hall of the Guangdong Trade Fair.

But no one knows exactly how to do it.

The general manager of the exhibition center was transferred from the foreign trade department. He had participated in the Guangdong Trade Fair twice and had some experience in the scene, but he was completely clueless about how to receive and manage guests at the exhibition center.

After all, Jiangzhou has only been a separately listed city for two or three years. In the past, it always participated in the Guangdong Trade Fair with Sichuan Province and didn't even have the right to attend.

However, the general manager also shared some information with Rang Weidong: "Before the factory director came to guide our work, we repeatedly discussed whether we could learn from the experience and model of the National Sugar and Wine Fair. We also planned to visit and learn from the Yuzhou Autumn Exhibition this year, and then hold it in Chengdu next spring. It is currently the largest exhibition in China. Since 84, it has clearly stated the principle of not being divided according to economic composition, enterprise size, or region, and is open to the public. It is very lively!"

Wei Dong immediately nodded and said "oh oh oh" in a flash.

He really didn't know about other exhibitions, but perhaps because food is the most important thing for people, this food and beverage exhibition is very well-known throughout the country.

It started in the 1950s and is held every year, with manufacturers from all over the country coming to showcase their products to local supply and marketing managers, department store managers, and food company managers.

It is said that Taibai Brew from Shangzhou became famous because of this, and at one time it competed with Wuliangye, a brand of liquor, for its taste.

Then the multi-millionaire who sells vacuum-packed food also completely opened up sales opportunities through this.

The most crucial point is this Sugar and Wine Fair, which seems to be locked in Chengdu. Anyway, Wei Dong knows that it is frequently held in Chengdu, making it a very big benchmark for the exhibition industry in Chengdu. Every time it is held, the whole city is bustling with excitement.

Of course, it certainly won't have much impact on megacities 30 or 40 years from now, but it will definitely cause a sensation around the 1990s.

"Yes, this is a typical exhibition economy. The exhibition center is like a shopping mall. Different expos and trade fairs are where merchants put their goods on the shelves and attract relevant people from all over the country to come and visit. We make money by providing good service, charging admission fees, charging for photocopying documents, charging for setting up the exhibition, and making money from catering and accommodation. That's your performance!"

The general manager of the exhibition center suddenly realized what was going on and looked like he had been tricked: "When they transferred me here, they didn't say that I was going to make money. This is a bit too much pressure. How many exhibitions are there in a year? How many companies are willing to send people to Jiangzhou?"

Wei Dong was already somewhat displeased that Wei Dong had shown a fear of difficulty from the very beginning of the work discussion, so he naturally didn't want to say more.

But the work had to be done, and the experience with the other party's foreign trade department reminded me of the translator from the Jiangzhou Municipal Foreign Affairs Office who had accompanied me to Hong Kong and then served as a supervisor in Japan.

Nodding, he came out and told Lao Tang, "If I can't change my mindset at work, I won't bother to change it. I'm very busy. I'd like to ask Lao Gao to help me advance the work here. He came to Hong Kong with us before and served as the project manager for the entire auto expo. Can you help me find him and see if he's willing to come?"

When we went to Hong Kong, Lao Tang, who shared a standard room with Lao Gao, repeatedly assured me that everything would be fine.

Sure enough, that evening, Lao Gao arrived with an excited expression: "I heard it's because the general is calling on my men, so I absolutely have to come. I'm even willing to take a leave of absence without pay!"

To be honest, his job, which offered him a stable government position with some foreign language skills and the opportunity to travel abroad from time to time, was quite good.

Taking a leave of absence without pay is a life decision that requires a lot of courage.

I had to witness Wei Dong's ascension firsthand.

Wei Dong held his daughter in his arms and his son in a baby bag, while Lao Gao casually ordered some braised dishes and barbecue at the food street next to the basketball court. He said, "One basic direction and two future options can bring you endless possibilities."

The bustling food street is filled with people coming and going. Some play basketball, some watch the large projection TV, and many more gather for meals before or after work.

The atmosphere was wonderful.

But seeing Wei Dong sitting there with strangers, they knew he was talking to someone, and everyone tacitly refrained from disturbing him.

Lao Gao immediately took out his notebook to make a note.

"If you want to continue to climb the ranks within the system, then do a good job as the Secretary-General of the Organizing Committee of the National Auto Expo. We will maintain close communication and contact. As long as you do a good job and the expo is well organized, it will definitely continue to be held year after year. You will then have a certain status in the automotive industry. This is the most important industry of the Ministry of Industry. You will definitely be able to move up the ranks. At the very least, I can recommend you to the State Economic Commission, provided that you can truly become an expert in this field and deeply cultivate information and knowledge about various automotive industries."

Old Gao was uneasy; he was just an expatriate from the municipal foreign affairs department.

"The two future options depend on the results of this exhibition. Whether you become the general manager of this exhibition center is a very important and huge business for Jiangzhou. I will fully support you in doing this job well. In the future, international exhibitions will further leverage your foreign language skills. However, if you are not really interested in exhibitions, then you can join us as the overseas manager of our foreign trade company. We urgently need to send people abroad, and you have extensive experience in leading overseas teams..."

That's right, the first batch of students Wei Dong sent abroad to study should all be back by now.

Will they come back?
(End of this chapter)