I'm a Master in India

Chapter 236: Mutual Attraction

Ashish didn't want to go to East University, that was entirely Boss's bad idea.

Just because of a few sarcastic remarks from the Japanese, he actually took it seriously.

Ashish couldn't understand, India is so advanced, how could it go in reverse to backward countries to import technology?

Going against the natural order, it's too fake.

However, for the matter Boss instructed, he could only do his best to comply.

His older sister Laju served him every few days, already no different from family.

Hmm, Ashish had also already considered himself half family.

Since they were family, no matter what, this matter had to be handled well.

In India, family is the most reliable bond.

After various complex procedures and approvals, Ashish finally arrived in the neighboring country with his team.

Not long after landing, their worldview was refreshed by what they saw and heard here.

It's hard to describe that feeling, first skeptical, then sighing, and finally silent.

Three days later, Ashish cursed loudly. Indian media, they're all goddamn liars.

Without time for further exploration here, they hurriedly began their inspection tour.

Even before coming, Ron had sent several letters of inquiry to East University.

He was familiar with the ropes, knowing which department to deal with, not even needing a translator.

Ashish and his group didn't take detours, someone actively received them and even thoughtfully provided a complete yellow pages of the entire country's TV industry chain.

So they were shocked, and only then did Ashish realize that he didn't understand this neighbor at all.

This country started producing TVs domestically in the 1950s, color TVs in the 1970s, and had over 100 color TV production lines in the 1980s.

In 1990, the output of color TVs alone exceeded ten million units.

What about India? Does it sell a hundred thousand color TVs annually? Ashish expressed doubt.

What shocked him even more was still to come, at this time, a TV price war was underway within East University's country, specifically for color TVs.

There are over ninety color TV manufacturers nationwide, with an annual capacity of forty million units, but the utilization rate is only half.

There are too many color TV brands on the market, so a price war is the only option.

As for black and white TVs, manufacturers are phasing out this outdated product.

Phasing out, outdated... Ashish just felt it was magical.

After calming down, he almost immediately dialed Ron's satellite phone and rattled off the detailed situation here all at once.

"You mean the manufacturers there are dismantling and phasing out black and white TV production lines?"

"Yes, Boss, people here don't seem to care about this junk."

"What a great opportunity." Ron was overjoyed.

"I casually asked a TV factory called Jinxing, a production line with an annual output of one hundred thousand units only sells for 300,000 dollar, and if you buy two at once, you can get a 20% discount."

Ashish just felt it was absurd, the other party seemed to really be selling junk, and judging by their tone, there was still room for negotiation.

"Buy! No, inquire at a few more places, pick the cheapest one, buy two lines! Negotiate for whatever terms you can!"

"The professors are selecting the factories to inspect, we can finalize this matter in half a month."

"What about components, core components." This was another matter Ron was concerned about.

"Oh, right," Ashish flipped through the yellow pages in his hand, "There are twelve manufacturers producing color picture tubes, with a total annual output of 25 million units."

"Color picture tubes?"

"It's just as you thought, the picture tubes for color TVs. As for black and white tubes, there are even more manufacturers who can produce them, too many to count."

"Can they be produced completely independently?"

"I think so, the professor said they have the entire industry chain for the whole sector, with sufficient capacity."

Ron was excited, he paced back and forth with the phone.

"The supply of production lines and black and white tubes is the most important issue, handle this matter first, and then you can contact their color picture tube manufacturers."

"Boss, you mean..."

"NEC wants us to buy expensive imported color picture tubes, but I won't, we'll choose the cheap ones!"

"Then the Japanese..."

"Forget about the Japanese, we are Indian, and Indians never play by the rules when doing business."

"You're right!" Ashish almost forgot his ancestral skill.

"Remember, the sooner the better, our TVs will go into production this year."

Ah, hanging up the phone, Ron felt very comfortable.

The development back home was faster than expected, he could just ride the wave.

It's a pity he doesn't know if East University's color TVs also rely on Japanese technology.

If they could be fully independent, Ron wouldn't have to deal with the Japanese.

However, there are plenty of opportunities, at least now he doesn't have to worry about NEC holding him by the neck.

Hmph, if I don't set up a pig-butchering scheme for the Japanese, they'll think my great India is easy to bully.

While Ashish was picking up junk at East University, Ron had another talk with NEC in Mumbai.

Because he had confidence, he barely negotiated. The only requirement was to insist on lowering the price of the color TV production line to 1.8 million dollar.

Given how cooperative Sur Electrical Appliances was in other aspects, NEC agreed to his request.

One was willing, the other interested, and both sides quickly finalized the last details.

At the signing ceremony in early May, Maharashtra Minister Naval not only attended in person but also brought a large group of media to support.

Ron and the NEC president, as representatives, sat at the table, picked up pens, signed, then exchanged, and then shook hands.

The clicking flashlights barely stopped.

Not bad, the sign of Sur Electrical Appliances became brighter.

The newly established company is called Sur (SUR) NEC Electronics Technology Company.

The temporary office location is in the small building of Sur Electrical Appliances, and a dedicated area will be allocated within the park later.

Of course, this is just a plan.

Who knows what will happen later?

"Mr. Minister, a word please." After dealing with the reporters, Ron found Naval.

"What is it?"

"According to the agreement with NEC, purchasing color TVs requires using dollar." Ron winked at him.

"Oh," Naval suddenly understood, "I will inform the bank to approve you for a 2 million dollar quota first."

"The future achievements of Sur Electrical Appliances are inseparable from your help!" Ron was overjoyed.

"I will come again when the TVs roll off the production line." Naval left satisfied.

Ron was also satisfied, his small dollar stash was saved.

From opening the tourism company, to later smuggling medicine, and then doing the medicine business, Ron gained a total of 1.2 million dollar.

It was quite hard-earned, the initial plan for this money was to buy the TV production line.

Originally, dealing with NEC was enough, but unfortunately, East University also required spending dollar.

Ron's small stash immediately became critical, he had a flash of inspiration and directly approached Minister Naval.

Sur Industrial Park is a strategic plan for Mumbai, so it's reasonable for the government to allocate some resources, right?

The 2 million dollar quota promised by Naval refers to the quota for exchanging rupee for dollar, Sur Electrical Appliances has to pay for the exchange itself.

No problem, according to the official exchange rate, Ron only needs to take out 62 million rupee to exchange for 2 million dollar.

This is too cost-effective, it's 20% cheaper than the black market, and the latter might not even be able to gather such a large amount.

dollar is still a scarce resource in India, the Indian Government even directly transported gold to Europe to exchange for dollar a couple of years ago.

The economy has only been open for three years, foreign capital hasn't entered on a large scale yet, and the government's reserves are still not much.

For Naval to be able to give this amount is already considered special handling.

Not bad, the money given before wasn't wasted.

Ron is not short on rupee, the sales of Sur Electrical Appliances have been rising steadily in recent months.

As the weather gets hotter and hotter, with the scorching summer approaching, water air conditioners and electric fans are also becoming increasingly popular.

From the beginning of the year until May now, he has an additional 150 million rupee in profit.

If Naval loosened up, Ron would be eager to exchange all this money for dollar.

In today's incremental market, the profits of Sur Electrical Appliances will continue to rise gradually.

There's more and more rupee, but dollar is becoming increasingly scarce, need to find a way to launder it.

After seeing off Naval, Ron turned around and started building connections with the Japanese.

According to the agreement just signed, the joint venture company needs to pay a 30% deposit first, which is 600,000 dollar.

Then NEC will gradually dispatch an 18-inch color TV production line within three months.

The remaining balance will be settled after the equipment is delivered and assembled.

Ron paid the deposit very readily, not being long-winded at all.

He is a businessman, guaranteed by India's reputation, the joint venture company is absolutely fine!

NEC was also quite satisfied, and it is said they are already packing the production line.

Do you think the Japanese haven't dealt with the Indian Government? Naive!

When Suzuki Motors entered the Indian market, it took seven years just because of various approvals and political factors.

Toyota Motors also wanted to develop in India in the 1980s, but the land the government promised was approved for a local private enterprise three months later.

Sony and Panasonic started discussing cooperation with the Indian Government in the 1970s, and they still haven't entered today.

NEC has made rapid progress, okay?

They only spent a little over a month in total to finalize the negotiation and complete the signing, and even the factory building is almost finished.

Compared to the marathon of their counterparts, NEC's progress is simply as fast as cheating.

The legend that Indians procrastinate and play tricks is all a misconception!

NEC testifies that it has only encountered good Indians!

Look, the deposit was paid without a word, even more efficient than some Japanese counterparts.

It's too wonderful, the process is unbelievably smooth.

To demonstrate the credibility of the Japanese, NEC also cooperated fully. What they are preparing to dispatch is a brand new production line, enough to be used for decades.

Of course, the subsequent service fees and licensing fees that should be collected will not be less.

One thing at a time, the real package of fees is still to come.

Coincidentally, good guy Ron thought the same way.

This round is truly a mutual attraction.

Each had their own agenda, all thinking about stabbing the other later, resulting in surprisingly high efficiency in the early stage.

Mumbai newspapers have already touted this cooperation as a model of Indo-Japanese economy entering a new stage.

Sur-NEC's products haven't even started selling yet, but they already have a reputation.

There's no helping it, these days Indians also worship foreign things.

Imported goods are naturally superior to domestic products, and wealthy families are proud to use foreign brands.

Sur Electrical Appliances also needs to borrow this NEC facade, expensive appliances like TVs are completely incomparable to electric fans.

After spending tens of thousands of rupee, who wouldn't want to buy more reliable imported goods?

Hmm, this is reality.

Don't blame the Indian people for thinking this way, Indian domestic goods are indeed terrible, Sur Electrical Appliances is already considered a clear stream.

The color TV project is already in place, and Ashish's black and white TV progress is also not slow.