“Feng, why did you ask me to come to China? You have some new business ideas?”
Every time Feng Yu ask Kirilenko to come to China, Kirilenko will return with lots of money. That’s why he flew over immediately after receiving Feng Yu’s call.
“Brother Ki, I have prepared a small gift for you. See if you like it.” Feng Yu gave Kirilenko a box.
Kirilenko opens the box curiously. This… this is a mobile phone?
What’s so special about this mobile phone? It cost at most 2 to 3 thousand USD. This phone also doesn’t have anything special. Feng Yu’s gifts are these worthless items?
This is the latest mobile phone model, which Wind and Rain and Aiwa will be introducing after the New Year.
The phone has a 40-tone polyphonic ringtone and a 2-inch screen. There is another LCD screen on the cover, and the user can see the incoming caller ID without flipping open the phone.
Some of the technologies used in this phone still cannot be produced in large volumes and cannot be introduced to the market. But it can be used as a technology preview.
“Feng, this is a beautiful phone, and it is the first time I saw a phone with 2 screens. The size of this phone also fits perfectly in my hand. I like this gift.” Kirilenko played with the phone for a while and said to Feng Yu.
This mobile phone is better than the ones he used before and much better than the Motorola phone he is using now!
But Kirilenko is still curious about why Feng Yu called him over. It shouldn’t be just asking him to come to China to pass him this mobile phone. He flew from Moscow to Beijing in a chartered flight and cost tens of thousands USD!
“Brother Ki, I remember Russia doesn’t have any mobile phone manufacturers, right?” Feng Yu asked with a smile.
Russia’s electronic industry might be strong, but their consumer products cannot be compared to China. Most of their engineers who specialized in electronics were used for military purposes.
Kirilenko nodded. “That’s right. Our country is about the same as China, and most of our products are imported by Europe and the US. For example, Motorola, Nokia, Ericsson, Siemens, Philips, etc. We do have mobile phone factories in the past, but they were taken over by those companies.”
“That means your country’s mobile phone industry had been taken over by those foreign companies? Are you interested in working with me and make money from this industry?” Feng Yu points to himself and Kirilenko.
Kirilenko’s eyes brighten up. “You are saying this phone is produced by your company?!”
Kirilenko picked up the mobile phone again and saw Wind and Rain’s logo, which he had not noticed it earlier.
“What do you think? If we cooperate and manufacture Wind and Rain mobile phones, can we get some market share in Russia?” Feng Yu asked.
“Not only Russia! I still can sell it to Western Europe if the price is competitive!” Kirilenko replied excitedly.
Feng Yu shook his head. “Brother Ki, we already have a partner in Western Europe, and he is one of our shareholders. I can’t let you have that market. But I can give you the former Soviet Union’s countries’ market. What do you think?”
Kirilenko could only nod his head. He knew he can’t force Feng Yu to ditch his partner to work with him. Also, Feng Yu’s partner should be Fu Guangzheng, and they are also friends.
“Brother Ki, don’t be disappointed. Are there any suitable electronic factories in Russia to acquire? The criteria are the factories must have skilled workers, accessible and is a large-scale factory.” Feng Yu asked.
Kirilenko scratched his head. “I have not to look into this in the past, but there should be some factories that match your requirements around. You want to acquire some factories? I will help you ask around.”
“No, no, no…” Feng Yu shook his head. “It is not me who wants to acquire those factories. It is us!”
Feng Yu need Kirilenko’s influence in the former Soviet Union’s countries and is willing to give him a portion of his profits. This way, no one will dare to touch those factories as Brother Ki will protect them!
“Us?! You are saying you want me to get a stake in those factories?” Kirilenko’s mood immediately becomes better. This phone is well designed, and once the factories start production, it will be profitable.
Kirilenko is confident that this phone will be popular in Russia, and he has partners in all the former Soviet Union’s countries. Once the factories start production, the profits will be higher than being the distributor!
“Brother Ki, how can I leave you out on this profitable business? But I need to set the rules first. I will provide the technologies, the Russian operating system will be developed by Kingsoft’s Moscow branch, and you will handle the sales and management. I will invest more capital and own the majority of shares.” Feng Yu said.
“This is not a problem. How many shares are you giving me?” Kirilenko asked eagerly.
“Russia needs 2 factories, Belarus and Ukraine need one factory each. The annual production must be more than 1 million phones, and there must be room for expansion. I will provide 70% of the cost and you will cover the remainder. Is it alright if I give you 20% shares?”
This is a lucrative deal as the mobile phone technology developed by Aiwa Electronics is worth a lot.
Kirilenko did not hesitate for a moment and immediately nodded. “Sure. I can settle the two factories in Russia, but can you sell me an additional 1% shares for the factories in Belarus and Ukraine? I need to give my friends there some benefits. Don’t worry, I am willing to pay double for this 1% shares.”
Feng Yu felt bad as he knows the price Kirilenko has to pay in Belarus and Ukraine should be more than 1% shares.
“What do you mean by selling you 1% shares? I know you need to take care of your friends there for our company. I will own 79% shares in those two factories, and if they want more shares, let me know.” Feng Yu agreed.
Eastern Europe’s market is not small and will bring high returns if they can control it. 1% of shares might be a lot, but to Feng Yu, it is nothing.
Kirilenko is overjoyed to see Feng Yu agreeing to his request. They had cooperated so many times, and it is impossible to fall out over some shares.
“Feng! You are a real friend! Rest assured, I will buy out these 4 factories as soon as possible and will not disappoint you. I also promise you that I will get all the equipment and facilities at the lowest price!” Kirilenko beat his chest and said.
Feng Yu laughed. “I trust your abilities. Oh, some of the former Soviet Union engineers will be going back with you, and they will work from your side. I still have some work in Japan, or else, I will surely visit you in Russia.”
This is a considerable investment and is not suitable to discuss over the phone. That’s why Feng Yu invited Kirilenko to Beijing.
Some of the former Soviet Union engineers are old and wished to return home. Despite Feng Yu offering them high salaries, but many of them still want to leave as they know the economy of those former Soviet Union’s counties, especially Russia, had improved.
This is an excellent opportunity to let them return home and… continue to work for Feng Yu!