Chapter 1304: Reinforcing the Rolls-Royce

Troy Wopool recorded the content of this second major condition with great enthusiasm, as it was something he had not thought of before.

However, with his boldness, even if he had thought of it, he would not have dared to include it in the plan.

But that doesn't mean he doesn't have enough insight. He can easily judge that if the Austrian government really agrees to this second major condition, the Vienna Stock Exchange will have a huge foundation for take-off.

Of course, this is only the foundation, and whether it can take off or not depends on other factors.

After Troy Wopool finished writing, Ulysses Myron didn't say anything, so George Berkeley continued, 'The third condition is that the Vienna Stock Exchange will undergo a shareholding reform from a state-owned nature, and our company needs to obtain a portion of the equity, which needs to be at least 34%.'

'Of course, we won't compete for management rights, we just need the right to supervise and advise.'

'After the stock exchange has been reformed, the government can sell its shares to foreign financial giants, and when everyone becomes a shareholder, they will naturally become comrades in the same trench.'

'However, shareholders only have supervisory and advisory rights, and will not interfere with the operations of the Vienna Stock Exchange. They can ensure the fairness of the exchange, and at the same time, they will also work together to build the exchange for their own interests.'

This reason was very reasonable and impeccable, and Ulysses Meulen jumped over it with satisfaction.

George Berkeley went on to explain the fourth condition: 'At the moment, the Vienna Stock Exchange does not even have 30 stocks. Although there are no shortage of large companies, there are still some weak companies, and the number of shares in circulation is not enough.'

'Within six months, we will promote the listing of 20 large companies and release enough shares to turn the small pond into a vast ocean, which can accommodate not only sharks but also a school of whales.'

'Twenty companies is a conservative requirement, and it would be great if we could promote the listing of more companies!'

Ulysses Meulen had concerns about this condition.

He got to the heart of the matter: 'President Berkeley, if the Vienna Stock Exchange can get off to a good start and develop a good momentum, it will be no problem to promote the listing of 20 large companies within six months. State-controlled companies can achieve this, and the listing approval process can also be protected, saving time on approval.'

'But there is a very critical issue. Before the Vienna Stock Exchange gains a reputation, there is not enough capital to undertake it, and releasing a large number of shares will easily lead to a crash. This will then form a vicious circle, shattering the confidence of ordinary investors even more.'

George Berkeley was confident about this, and he said with a faint smile, 'Mr. Myron, I can understand your concerns, and I can give you a definite answer.'

'First, as long as the Austrian government can agree to my conditions and fully cooperate with my actions, then I am confident that I can attract large amounts of capital into the Austrian capital market.'

'Second, for any company listed, our Bright Fund will act as the largest underwriter, and will bring in at least three large financial companies as underwriters to ensure that the stock does not break.'

'My two promises can be written into the memorandum of cooperation.'

'In this way, do you still have any worries?'

Ulysses Meulen's face suddenly broke into a broad smile, and he shook his head and said, 'Thank you, President Berkeley, I have no worries.'

As long as Bright Fund is the largest stock underwriter, then Bright Fund will definitely do its best to push up the stock price, which is beyond doubt.

Although this will make Bright Fund a giant in the Austrian stock market, he doesn't care. As long as Austria succeeds in having a prosperous capital market, then why does Bright Fund have to gain huge profits?

That's what they deserve!

"Fine.'

'Mr Myron, I've made all my conditions clear. Do you have any other questions?'

George Berkeley smiled as he looked at Ulysses Myron and Troy Worbol.

The two men looked at each other.

In the end, Ulysses Myron asked another question: "President Berkeley, how long will you be staying in Austria?'

George Berkeley pondered for a moment and then gave a rough estimate: "About a week.'

That's a short time!

Ulysses Meulen felt a sense of urgency rising in him, and he said with a serious face, 'I understand. I'll go back and compile the materials, and submit them as soon as possible. If there are any developments or results, I'll contact you first.'

'Okay, I'll stay here during this time.'

'Okay, then, President Berkeley, we won't disturb you anymore. Have a nice life!'

'I'll see you out.'

...

After Ulysses Meulen submitted the proposal, it naturally caused a huge stir at the top of the Austrian government, but there was no outright opposition.

The focus of the debate was on George Berkeley's conditions.

After understanding the actual situation in Austria, George Berkeley felt that the Austrian government would definitely compromise, after all, this was ultimately a business.

Compared to the future gains from the Austrian government, the conditions he proposed, although they may seem painful at the moment, are absolutely super-cost-effective. It all depends on whether the Austrian government has the courage to do it!

George Berkeley didn't waste any time waiting.

The Bright Fund controls HSBC Holdings, Standard Chartered Bank, and Royal Bank of Scotland, and also holds stakes in a number of other banks. With the support of so many banks, it naturally has a lot of money.

The Bright Fund also makes full use of the advantages of being a 'financial consortium' and uses the funds of the banks to acquire companies with potential.

According to previous research by the company, there are quite a few companies in Austria that are worth investing in and acquiring, and two of them are currently very suitable.

They are the Austrian Steel Union Group and the Austrian AVL company.

These two companies are complementary to the Rolls-Royce Motor Group.

The former is Austria's largest steel company, and although it is in Austria, the company has very deep ties with Germany.

In 1938, voestalpine was built as part of the war business of the German mustache regime. It was a steel mill built in Linz, Austria, by the German government at the time. After the fall of the German mustache, the assets of this steel mill were taken over by the Austrian government, and it merged with Alpine Mining and Metallurgy in the 1960s. Currently, it only has three major business segments: the steel smelting branch, the railway track system branch, and the automotive steel branch.

In terms of shareholding, it is no longer purely state-owned, but is a mixed system.

And because of the global steel industry downturn, European countries are revitalising their own industries. Although the Austrian Steel Union Group, which relies on foreign orders, has not lost money, it is also operating with difficulty.

The think tank of the Bright Fund analysed that the Austrian Steel Union Group has a high probability of being acquired, especially if Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Group comes along, the possibility of success is even greater.

The reason why Rolls-Royce Motor Cars wants to acquire an Austrian steel company is a comprehensive consideration. One is to expand into the Central European market. Austria has a good foundation in automobile manufacturing, and the advantages of acquiring voestalpine are great. The second reason is that the conflict between the trade unions and the government in the UK has expanded, especially as Arthur Scargill, the chairman of the National Union of Mineworkers, announced last month that strikes in mining areas would become national strikes, and called on members of the National Union of Mineworkers working in all mining areas to strike.

In the short term, the wave of strikes in the UK will not subside, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars cannot be held back by the unstable steel supply chain in the UK.

The second company, AVL of Austria, was founded in 1948.

It is a high-tech company with a high profile and good reputation in the world's automotive and engine industries.

AVL is currently engaged in the design and development of internal combustion engines, research and analysis of powertrains, and the development and manufacture of related testing systems and equipment. It ranks among the top three in Austria and has a certain reputation worldwide.

The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Group is one of AVL's customers.

After cooperating for a number of years and seeing the results, the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Group is interested in deepening the cooperation with the aim of acquiring a stake in AVL.

What George Berkeley actually didn't know was that AVL was now just a well-known company, but in later generations it developed into one of the world's three major internal combustion engine research and development institutions, with all engine manufacturers in the world as its customers, and its research and development capabilities are beyond doubt.

Just as George Berkeley personally led the acquisition, the Austrian government finally made a decision on the sixth day...