Chapter 565: A Multi-Ethnic Nation (1)

The assembly plant for Cessna’s eight-seater and 16-seater light airplanes was completed recently. Youngho was excited to hear the prototype would soon be available.

Although the light airplanes were still the best means of transportation linking the short-range sky route to remote places, the local production of the light airplane would allow people to travel at a lower cost.

Originally, the company planned to produce six-seater and eight-seater planes, but it changed its plan following a survey that found that there was a high demand for 16-seaters.

If necessary, the plant was prepared to make 2-seaters or 4-seaters as well, as long as parts were procured.

As the assembly plant of the light airplane was completed, the royal territory quickly emerged as the mecca of Kazakhstan’s aviation industry.

It was because of the Gripen fighter assembly plant, the Mangus helicopter assembly plant, and the Apache helicopter repair base had already been established now.

Moreover, an SUV assembly plant and a compact truck assembly plant were underway, which excited residents as about a hundred cars would be scheduled to be produced every day in earnest in the first half of next year.

If a hundred units were to be produced a day, 35,000 units would be produced a year.

There was also a Russian assembly plant in the eastern part of Kazakhstan, so the country was looking forward to entering the era of individually-owned vehicles in a few years without having to rely on imported cars.

The residents’ self-esteem was sky-high as such factories were being built and put into operation or planned. Compared to the developed world, it was only a minor step forward, but there were some who believed Kazakhstan could catch up with Europe in a few years.

There was another exciting news. From the first half of next year, Kazakhstan’s industrial good, the battery cell for electric vehicles, would be exported to Europe.

Although the product was not solely made by Kazakhstan’s own technology, it was worth to note that it would be labeled as “Made in Kazakhstan.”

Korean battery cells for electric vehicles were dominating the European market at the moment. And since H Corporation was jumping into the market as a latecomer, it decided to locally produce its cells in Kazakhstan to break through high barriers in the European market. This was the case because there were no tariff walls when goods produced in Kazakhstan were exported to the U.S. or Europe.

The reason Youngho had attracted these factories in the royal territory was to develop the underdeveloped western city of Kazakhstan. With the Kurdish immigrants joining the country, the labor shortage was resolved. This opened the air not only to the necessity for labor force needed but also to the recruitment of soldiers. The military recruitment office was filled with people who wanted to join.

The Kurdish migration, which began in earnest in May, went on throughout the whole summer and there were already 230,000 people in the royal territory now.

There were lots of ups and downs in taking in a large number of people, but so far, it was going smoothly without major accidents.

Housing construction projects were also on track, with three-story row houses taking their shape around the new city.

As Korean builders, who were well-known for their fast-paced hands, had been involved, the pace of the construction had inevitably been fast.

Another reason for the fast-paced construction was that the weather had been very helpful.

This was because the summer in Kazakhstan was dry and there was no rain.

Because labor costs accounted for a high percentage of construction work, the money invested by the royal family was partially given for Kurdish labor. And, soon, a virtuous circle in which the money was returning to the royal territory began as the Kurds began economic activities with their wages.

Also, as a lot of construction materials were bought in Kazakhstan, most of the money spent was returning back to Kazakhstan. Only the cost of purchasing construction materials that are not produced in Kazakhstan and the profit margin of construction companies were taken out of the country.

“Eriksson. I felt sorry about having to spend money for construction, but in the end, most of the money that I spent is coming back to Kazakhstan.”

“That’s why I told you that building houses on a large scale can be cost-saving and improving the domestic economy. Thanks to that, the economic growth rate for this year will also rise by a big margin.”

“Would you expect economic growth to rise by the end of the year just by releasing a billion dollars?”

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“It’s because the construction industry’s economy affects other related industries as well. The construction has an effective value that is tens of times the amount of money we spent.”

In other words, since Kazakhstan’s economic power was weak, a slight release of money would boost the economy.

“I feel good, but the size of the economy is too small to boast about.”

“Do you want to be full with your first spoon of your soup? This year will be different and next year will be different. Consumption has shrunk because the money we’ve earned from resource exports hasn’t gone evenly to the people, and now we’re going to see a different pattern.”

***

In September, Kazakhstan was busy with various events.

In the city of Almaty, an arms industry fair was being held, and ethnic festivals began in various parts of the country.

Most of the events in Kazakhstan were held in September and October after the harvest season because after that period, people had to start preparing for the winter.

The reason why the military fair was moved forward to the end of September was because it would get colder already in October.

The royal family was required to attend the events of each ethnic group to honor it, but there were about 30 folk festivals scattered around the country that the royal family could not attend all of them together. So, the family decided to attend events separately. Every ethnic event was attended by Youngho, the Queen, Szechenyi, or even Zeynep.

After experiencing the first year of attending ethnic events, Youngho realized that this was impossible to do in the future since it was exhausting and time-consuming.

Thus, he was discussing with Prime Minister Kasim to hold a national convention once a year for every ethnic people of Kazakhstan.

“Thanks to the efforts of the royal family, including Her Majesty and Your Highness, the morale of the minorities is very high. Even if it’s a hassle, it’s necessary for you to continue to attend each event.”

“We were lucky to have attended every event this year, but I can’t guarantee next year. I don’t want to let down the people who might be expecting us. So, why don’t we get together at a certain place and hold a national convention?”

“A national convention?”

“How about holding a sports competition and a folk performance by each ethnic group, which will help us get to know each other?”

“The event will be huge if all the peoples gather together, and the cost of the event will be enormous. I don’t think the government will be able to handle it. The previous administration attempted to do so, but it stopped because of the cost.”

“Kazakhstan’s national power will continue to grow in the future. I bet we’ll be able to afford it somehow. If it’s difficult to secure the budget, we’ll pay for it from the royal family.”

“You’re willing to pay the cost of the national convention?”

“If it’s something that the people can unite in, will the cost matter? Ask the Cabinet members for their opinions and consult with each ethnic group’s representative. Mr. Prime Minister, it’s not just because it’s a hassle to attend each ethnic event. I felt something this time. So far, minorities have responded well to the government’s policies, but we want to keep it that way. It’s a time when they need a sense of solidarity as a member of Kazakhstan.”

“I understand your concern. I’ll consult with the cabinet members and come up with a good plan. By the way, most minorities live in the east, but if you decide to host the event in the east, there will be resistance from the people living in the west.”

“The majority of the people living in the west are ethnic Kazakhs, Russians, and Uzbeks, and they have very few populations. Also, since those people are also living in the east, what would matter?”

“Well, how about this? We can hold one in the spring in the west and another one in the fall in the east.”

“That’s up to you and the ministers to decide. I will abide by the decision of the Cabinet meeting.”

The conversation they had that day was the beginning of the annual World National Convention in Kazakhstan.