Qumma - From Desert to Rose (June 3rd - The CocoWalk)

[nedalezz]

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO WEST END

DIPLOMATIC: We welcome the nation of West End to officially initiate diplomatic relationship between herself and Qumma, making it the very first nation to do so in the history of our country. At last count, there was no citizens of West End residing in Qumma, although we did have a family which came through as tourists in the 5th Year.

We believe having an official embassy or consulate in Fursan would be the first, and most important, step into strengthening any relation between the two countries. In response, Qumma will also send an official ambassador to West End to serve in its first ever overseas office, to be officially known as the Consulate of Qumma in West End.



CULTURAL:  Considering the population of Qumma (approximately 45,000), it comes as no surprise that we have no registered "professional" artists or musicians of any kind. Fursan and their artistic talent, while residents who live inland in areas such as Khaymeh or known as scholars and intellectuals. Having said that, talent is abundant in the field of art throughout the country, and we certainly could pick a few talented artists to fly over to West End for a small showcase. As for the Imperial Museum, it would be an honor for the QEC to be allowed to exhibit some of Qumman culture in West End, and we have decided to put on display the historic sword of Danca Okhdo, known as the greatest female warrior in Qumman folklore history.

The QEC would also like to organize a 3 day weekend event at the Fursan Cultural Center featuring some of West End's finest artistic and scholarly talent. The event, to be called The West End Experience, would feature several performances, preparation of West End speciality foods, a large display hall for West End art, as well as a cultural exchange between high school students of the two countries.



SPORTS: We are very proud of Fursan FC and their performances in the inaugural West End Football Tournament, and we are certain it has been brought to the authorities attention in West End that Berber Dawa will be attending the Semi-Finals and the Finals himself.

The Qumman love of sports is well renowned, and we are none to have very talented individuals, although there is no such thing as a professional athlete yet in Qumma. Our newly formed Qumma Sports Ministry has been given the job of taking care of the very basic infrastructure which we hope to place in and around Fursan and Khaymeh. Our largest sporting field is situated in our school. Currently, the QEC has no plans to construct a large stadium capable of holding more than Qumma's entire population combined!



ECONOMIC: This is certainly a very intriguing and exciting field for the QEC. Since the oil money started rolling in, we have been working around the clock improving the nation, and we believe we have come a long way since we first started operating in the 1st Year.

We currently have a large difference between the amount of barrels of oil we are producing a day and the barrels we are ABLE to produce a day. The QEC is very interested in working out some kind of Free Trade Agreement between Qumma and West End, where our oil would be levied a significantly lower tax in West End than oil from elsewhere. As for Qumma, we currently have no import tax to speak of, which makes it a very good location for trade or even manufacturing.

We are flattered that the Helvetia Corp. would consider Qumma for a new plant, but we have neither the workforce nor the talent to support such a big manufacturing project. While we would love to have them build a factory in Qumma, we cannot realistically expect them to maintain profits as the land, currently, is not capable of supporting it.

We do, however, recommend to the West End Development Corporation to suggest to smaller companies looking for another location to expand to, especially companies that manufacture what is known as Building Materials, such as steel products, cement products, wood products, zinc products, etc. We believe such companies would reap huge benefits not only from our No Import Tax policy, but our desire to become a trade center between Africa, Europe, Middle East, South America, & North America.

The QEC is aware that its only export of significance is Oil, but this will change in the future. We have uncovered huge deposits of rare minerals such as Diamonds in our more mountainous areas, and we certainly anticipate manufacturing firms to begin opening up before long. As such, the QEC would also like the West End Development Corporation to relax its import tax on any Qumman company interested in trade with West End.

In conclusion, the QEC and Mr. Berber Dawa are very exciting about the prospect of furthering relations with West End, and look forward to taking the next step in doing so.

[bokrif]

Great updates, fascinating quality.

I just sent a PM about Liberty Islands' intentions. And there is no secrecy about that PM, I just didn't want to full this MD with my own text.

[Yoman]

Another fine update from you  It is indeed extremely interesting that the entire town is Christians though if that myth is true then I can see why. It is also interesting to note that there is no road connection to the outside world, how do they get the stuff they don't grown? Or has the lifestyle remained the same for the past hundreds of years?

[keyboardconfessional]

Especially lovin' the Naba'a. Farms = love...great effects too. Great work as usual!

[thundercrack83]

Your farms are outstanding, my friend! Great work! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!

[paroch]

Hello Nedalezz,

The first thing I have to do today is congratulate you, Berber Dawa, Amadou Khalilo and all the players of Fursan FC on winning the West End International Trophy

Your team played brilliantly and were deserving winners of the tournament.

The fans from Qumma also brought a party atmosphere to the tournament and will long be remembered in West End.  They supported their team passionately:


I am sure the people of Fursan and Qumma will give them a homecoming to remember.


And thanks for your Transcript to West End.  The Qumman consulate has been planned for the city of Oxford - I will PM you the plans to make sure they meet with the approval of Berber Dawa.
Crowds have flocked to see the Danca Okhdo at the Imperial Museum and the display of Qumman art has also proven very popular.
In return the chefs of West End are frantically preparing the famous West End dishes of Fish & Chips, Roast Beef,  and Chicken Tikka Masalla!

Our Industrial and Business brains are working on something for the Qumma-West End project, I'll keep you posted.

The greetings of the people of West End are sent with warmth to Qumma!

[nedalezz]

I hope I can be forgiven for the lack of updates! RL has been keeping really busy due to the Christmas season, but I do hope to have an update up before Monday.

Just some quick bits of information: The Fursan Seaport contract has been officially given to the PSSO (Yoman), and a delegation will fly to Fursan for final talks on the matter and others. The QEC will also be hosting 2 other delegations: one for West End (Thanks for the great tournament!), and one from the Liberty Island!

All will be RPed in the next update. Till then, stay safe!

[Yoman]

The delegation departed this morning on an An-122 bound for Qumma. Thank you for accepting our proposal.

[bokrif]

On the given day, Liberty Islands Foreign Ministry is going to send their officials with the businessmen of the Liberty Investment Group. Others will come as talks develope also the secretary for sports sends his congratulations to Qumma on winning the West End International Trophy: Great achievement from such a small country.
By the way the Foreign Ministry sent its proposal to the two houses of legislative about lifting immigration, work, travel and other restrictions in front of Qumma. The related committees will make their decisions on this week.
The Szekeres Harbour Construction and Management Company sends its congratulations to the PSSO!

[nedalezz]

UPDATE TWENTY
DIPLOMACY

The 6th Year has proven to be a benchmark in Qumman history; Fursan FC victory in the West End Football Tournament has sent raptures throughout the land, and the people of Qumma, all 50,000 of them, are still riding high from that enthralling win.

Qumma's move to join the international community has so far been well received, especially by West End and the Liberty Islands. In addition, the QEC have also contracted, for the first time, an international firm to develop its largest project of all time thus far; the Fursan Seaport. It was given to the People's Socialist State of Odeschnya, or the PSSO.

Before we get started on the news, we want to present a picture of Berber Dawa's new Residence. After constructing the Presidential Residence and the Royal Residence, Berber Dawa has built is own private mansion close to Presidential Lane, for when he steps down as leader of Qumma.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The West End Cultural Exhibition

Originally planned a 3-day event, it has since been extended to an entire month. The West End Experience, as the event has been named, features everything from West End artistic and musical talent, to West End cuisine, to live interaction between West End students and Qumman students. The event is free to the public, and is meant to promote the growing relationship between the two nations.

The QEC has also started drawing blueprints for the West End embassy in Fursan, which would indicate the start of the official relationship between them. The Qumman Embassy in Oxford has already begun operation, and 4 students from the Fursan High School have already left to West End thanks to the new exchange program heralded between the two delegations.

Further discussions were about bringing in West End companies to open their doors in Qumma; most notably, in the industrial sector. The QEC has been given full approval by Berber Dawa to allow such companies to come, and the QEC is now waiting on the West End delegation to provide it with the names, field, and employment size of the manufacturing companies.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Liberty Islands Delegation

Although the Szekeres Harbour Construction and Management Company lost out on the bid for the Fursan Seaport, the Liberty Islands meeting the QEC was about so much more. Potentially the single biggest investor in Qumma, the first act the delegation presented to the QEC was its proposal to lift all visa and working permit requirements on all Qumman citizens traveling or hoping to live in the North Atlantic state.

With the beginning of the official relationship between these two friendly nations has come the construction of the LI Embassy in Fursan, in order to further facilitate the growth of the relationship. As such, the Qumman Embassy is also under construction in LI, and the Qumman Ambassador to the Liberty Islands has already been assigned.

The most important invest LI has made in Qumma, however, is the construction and partial management of the new University of Liberty Islands in Qumma, or ULIQ. Although most of the administration will be run by Qummans and the QEC, it will branched out of the LI's superior educational system, in the hopes that the very first university to open its doors in Qumma will mold its next generation into something special.

In addition, LI has been presented with land to the north of Fursan to begin constructing a new foodstuff related factory. Although it will be small scale, it will distribute locally, and the QEC has also put forward a plan to help the company distribute in the region, to countries such as Senegal, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Gambia, and Cape Verde. The QEC has requested the name, specific field, and specific employment numbers of the company from LI. 

The QEC has also mentioned that it will be opening its construction and development sector to LI companies, if agreed upon by the LI Investment Group. With the construction mini-boom taking place in Qumma, F.O.E.S Construction, the only registered development company owned by Qummans, is unable to keep up. Originally, the QEC has wanted to keep a very tight control policy on foreign construct and instead has sought to give the projects to Qumman companies, but the demand has far exceeded the supply. As such, the QEC will give way to two LI construction companies of their own choice, to begin operations in Fursan and Khaymeh.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The PSSO and the Fursan Seaport

The single largest project undertaken in Qumma has been given to the PSSO to construct, and afterwards, to partially manage and own. In a deal that has been called the biggest in Qumman history, the PSSO will own 49% of the Fursan Seaport, with the QEC taking 51%. In a phenomenal gesture, the PSSO has stated that it will give 19% of its earnings back to Qumma for development of infrastructure for the Qumman people.

After a breath-taking presentation, a Qumman delegation was flown to PSSO to witness its own harbor in action, and to say that they were impressed would be a very big understatement. In the words of the Qumman delegate, "Such technology, professionalism, efficiency...for that to be available in Fursan is something we have never dreamed of."

Talks have also been started, although not finalized, about the export of crude oil to the PSSO, to be refined there, and it is something the QEC continues to look at. The PSSO embassy is also under construction in Fursan, and would make it the third embassy to begin operations in the country.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And just for fun, a picture of the Dawa Avenue at night!

[bat]

That is looking very nice there, nedalezz! Looking forward to more...

[bokrif]

Really nice update! I like Berber's residency. And a very nice update with many details. Good job!

====== Official transcript =======
The LI delegation in Fursan, Qumma, are happy to announce, that the Foreign Policy Committee and the Comittee of Employment Issues made the decision to lift all travel and work restrictions on Qumman citizens.
==== End of official transcript =====

[Jmouse]

The cultural Center is beautiful, and Berber Dawa's residence is gorgeous. You know how much I like the night shots, too!
Also, I think you've chosen a good location for the new university.

Until next time...
Joan

[Yoman]

A very modest house, not big at all  Well I guess he has given alot to the community.

You've blended new and old very well one the outskirts of the old district.

As always looking forward to more 

[Schulmanator]

Nice work! These look about as true to life as you can get! 

[nedalezz]

REPLIES

[/b]

Schulmanator: Thanks! I like keeping my cities atleast somewhat realistic looking, and photoshop also helps in the photo department!

Yoman: Hehe, well he is the one who initiated all the progress! Indeed, he might have put some of it in his pocket, but look at the development taking place! Dawa Avenue is certainly hot property, in terms of Qumma, and most commercial activity is looking to open up there. The meeting between the two delegations was a complete success, and the QEC will be keeping in touch with the PSSO concerning further developments in regards to the Fursan Seaport.

Jmouse: You know, I always throw in a night shot just for you! I know how much you love them, so I make sure I have atleast a couple in each update. The university is bound to be the center of education in Qumma, so it makes sense putting it close to the political heart of the city.

BoKriF: Thanks! The QEC thanks the LI for their lift on their restrictions, and have done the same for LI citizens. The university blueprints are being drawn up, and it certainly will be one of the new marvels of Qumma!

bat: Thanks for the compliments!

paroch: That was a fantastic tournament, and Fursan FC have done Qumma proud. They claim to have had the best time in West End, and the travelling fans had nothing but good things to say about the hospitality. This signifies the beginning of an ever-lasting and beneficial relationship for both countries! Thanks for being one of the MDs biggest fans!

BadSim: Wow, its a total honour to have the man behind, imo, one of the Top 5 MD/CJ ever written on any site. Truely an honour, and its very flattering that someone who is as talented as you would like my work. Your MD is magnificent, and I would be more than happy to live up to only a fraction of it. Thank you for dropping by!

[tkirch]

I love the picture od Dawa Avenue at Night.  That is an amazing picture.

Also I love the West End Cultural Exhibition.

I sense some delegates from Badger Bay are going to have to come visit soon.

[paroch]

Nedalezz,

They are amazing pics, like most of what you give us here.

I love the West End experience at the Cultural Centre - thank you!

I always like the overview pics because they give a great sense of how everything fits together.  And the site for the universtiy is well chosen.

The West End delegation will deliver the details of the manufacturing companies that have been chosen very soon.

All the best,
Paul

[nedalezz]

UPDATE TWENTY-ONE
FOREIGN INVESTMENT

The 6th Year continues to be one of much progress and activity around Qumma. Not only did the first 3 Qumman Embassies open up in West End, Liberty Islands, and the PSSO, but all 3 countries have also begun construction of their own embassies in Fursan. In addition, the Qumma Cultural Center played host to the month long event called the West End Experience, while delegations from Liberty Islands and PSSO both successfully concluded business deals with the QEC. Who could forget Fursan FC and their tremendous footballing achievement in West End, lifting the trophy after a sizzling performance at a very entertaining tournament!

It does not stop there, however. Recently, the very first foreign companies to open their doors for business in Qumma began operations, and both of the companies come from West End. This represents a bold new step for the Qumman economy; what was once a country with zero potential has become a country with potential only capped by the sky.  With vast reserves of crude oil, as well as confirmed reports of zinc and diamond deposits in the south, resources are not at a premium here, and the country is beginning to see the benefits.

The construction boom might be rather small compared to world standards, but the growth rate remains at staggering levels. Fursan, the only confirmed permanent settlement just 6 years ago with a population of 530, now has over 25,000 at last count. Meanwhile, Khaymeh, which was nothing more than a rest stop for traveling nomads, has developed into a town of over 17,000 thanks to its proximity to the new oil refineries.  Parochian Steel has opened up a manufacturing firm to the north of Fursan, while Ulrtan Fuel has opened up an office in Khaymeh. Lets take a closer look at both of them.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAROCHIAN STEEL

With the current growth rate and construction boom, Qumma has been importing steel products in big loads. Capitalizing on this growing market with a large demand for the products, Parochian Steel has become the first foreign company, and the second overall company, to open a factory in Qumma.

Located just north of Fursan, about halfway between the town and the Fursan Oil Port, the Parochian Steel Factory employs 206 people, of which 28 are from West End, and 155 are Qumman. The rest are other foreigners on work permits from the QEC. While this operation is small compared to their main one in Wardour, West End, it remains only their second venture after their head office and factory, and the fact that they chose Qumma shows their belief in the market here. The warehouse located behind them is also their property.

The Financial Office of Qumma, or the FOQ, is a department of the QEC, and part of its job is to analyze, recommend, and estimate how well the economy and specific are and can be doing. After analyzing the market, FOQ estimates that approximately 90% of all the products being developed by the factory will be used domestically, with only 10% being exported. The factory can expect to sell, on average, $100,000 a day to the local market. These estimates are accurate only to the end of the 6th Year, as it is impossible to tell after thanks to the unprecedented growth rate.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ULRTAN FUEL

This is a company which specializes in making high performance fuels for the motor racing industry, and thanks to the quality and vast amount of crude oil available in Qumma, they have decided to open up a branch office in Khaymeh.

Initially, Ulrtan Fuel was interested in constructing a small refinery in Qumma, and then proceed to export their finished product to their clients.  However, the QEC law states that only government owned refinery may operate within the land, therefore making it impossible for them to do.

Not wanting to discourage foreign investment, Berber Dawa personally met with the company and recommended they open up a branch office in Khaymeh, promising them prime location if they chose to do so.  He also promised to employ a team that would work inside the Khaymeh Oil Refinery producing their product the way they want it, custom made.  Both sides were happy to agree, and the final results have been beneficial to all.

Ulrtan Fuel is actually a small operation, employing 39 people in West End, and 35 people in their Khaymeh office.  Berber Dawa made good on his promise, giving them the land directly opposite the Al-Iman Mosque, in the center of the newly developed Berber Avenue.

As their product will not be used domestically since there is no motor racing industry in Qumma, all their products will be exported. The FOQ have concluded that the company will export approximately $24 million worth of refined oil by the end of the 7th Year.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Investment is beginning to pour into Qumma, and with the 6th Year starting to draw to a close, the QEC has made a couple of announcements:

1) The QEC, in co-ordination with the FOQ, have voted on a 10% Import Tax for all foreign manufactured products. The exception to this rule is currently West End products, with a deal in the works to also exempt Liberty Islands manufactured products and PSSO manufactured products from the tax. With the industrial sector finally starting to take off with the opening of Qumma's very first factory, ANISA TISSUE PRODUCTS, the QEC has decided that this tax will help the local manufacturers sell and distribute their products in Qumma.

2) The blueprints of the new Fursan Seaport have been drawn up, and construction on the site will begin in early 7th Year. As agreed, the PSSO will own 49% of the seaport, and has generously decided to donate 19% back to the Qumman people as an act of goodwill.

3) West End have removed tax restrictions on Qumman manufacturers importing into the country. The new tax code is:

- Import tax will be  reduced to zero for all raw materials including oil, iron, zinc, coal, diamonds and wood.
- Import tax is reduced to 2% for part manufactured goods such as steel and foodstuffs.
- Import tax is reduced to 5% for manufactured good such as consumer electronics, machinery and jewellery.

4) Travel, work, and visa restrictions have been lifted by the Liberty Islands on Qummans, and in addition, work on the new university will also begin in early 7th Year. The blueprints and the site are ready for construction, and the University of Liberty Islands in Qumma (ULIQ) will become the very first to open in the country.

[Yoman]

Another fine update. Qumma is clearly still growing. And your doing a great job of portraying it.

I have a couple of business propositions I'll send to you in a PM. No need to clutter this fine MD