IC:
Amsiir Palace
City of Amsiir
Dayarta Island
"You are absolutely certain of this, Minister?" Primearch Josef Jeyl IV scoured down at the Finance Minister from his imposing golden throne. Or, it looked like a scowl. The thick summer heat was putting everybody on edge, and despite the air-conditioners blowing pull speed in the palace throne room, it was still hot and muggy. There were ten people in the throne room; the Primearch himself, his chief advisors, and a number of civilian representatives. They were all seated at a table that had been wheeled in, while the Primearch was seated on his throne.
The Finance Minister nodded nervously, motioning for a servant to drag a chart into the room. It showed numerous graphs and charts and tables.
"Your High Eminence, I am quite certain. The world is a changing place, and we're not going to be able to maintain isolation forever. And more than that, our economy needs to become more global. We're already over-budget, and unless we can find new sources of income, I fear we may need to budget cuts."
Josef scowled again, not at the minister, but at the world. "The system that has worked for hundreds of years, for every generation of my family, you are now telling me is suddenly not working?"
"Sadly, yes. Our domestic-only economy lacks diversity and motivation to grow. We need to expand our horizons to the world at large, and allow the international community to see how wonderful our nation is."
A deep, thoughtful nod, but Josef said nothing for a while. Then, he spoke, "What exactly do you suggest, Minister?"
A broad smile spread across the minister's face. "I'm glad you asked, your High Eminence. What I am proposing is a three-step plane to open Belkaina up to the foreign world."
The servant turned the page on the chart, showing a crest and seal. The Finance Minister took a laser pointer and aimed it at the board.
"Belkaina is beautiful. There is really no other way of putting it. To other nation's we might just be a tropical utopia. But the world doesn't know about us. So here is stage one; we create the Belkainan Foreign Affairs Ministry. It's job will be to promote and manage foreign relations with Belkaina."
He stopped to gauge the Primearch's reaction, which seemed positive. So, he continued.
"Stage two is to bring in foreign investment. Now, this should fall in soon after tourism, but like a flower seed, it needs to be nurtured. So, what we do is give an added responsibility to the Trade Ministry; the job of setting up and dealing with foreign investors."
Josef interjected, his old age showing as he shifted positions in the throne. "What would the foreigners be investing in?"
"Anything. Buildings, bonds, whatever we come up with. Anyways, stage three is the gradual allowance of immigration and emigration. This will be the natural course of the tourism path. As tourists see how beautiful our nation is, they'll want to move here, and we lack any official government ministry to deal with the problem. And that is my plan. It will take time, but I think in the long run it will propel our economy into the modern era."
There was a murmur among the other ministers. Some thought it crazy, other's thought it genius. But Josef was the only one who mattered. He raised a hand, and deep silence filled the air.
"Very well, minister. You shall have your wishes."
Josef's chief advisor nodded and then spoke in a loud, booming voice. "By Royal Decree, the Belkainan Foreign Affairs Ministry is hereby created, and the Trade Ministry shall have expanded authority over foreign trade."
There was a series of applause, and things got to work. Three weeks later, a letter was dispatched out to the world.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Official Communication From Belkainan Foreign Affairs Ministry9920 Nuoym Avenue, Amsiir, Dayarta Island0231-99211-4532
On this day, December 18th, by order of His High Eminence Josef Jeyl IV, Primearch of The United Kingdom of Belkaina, the Belkainan Foreign Affairs Ministry is now in existence. The purpose of this Ministry is to facilitate relations between the Kingdom and any and all foreign nations.
For many years our nation has resided in total isolation. However, we have come to realize that this is unsustainable in today's highly connected world. For this reason, His High Eminence the Primearch has formally requested that any nation interested in opening formal relations with Belkaina, or simply seeing our nation, should send a representative to the capital of Amsiir in one month's time. A diplomatic summit will be held at Amsiir Palace, and foreign delegates will be meeting personally with His High Eminence. Delegates may bring security, so long as there are not automatic weapons. Security will be provided by the Kumtah Jyhkiyntc, the Primearch's elite personal soldiers. Should you wish to attend this meeting, please respond to this letter as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Grand Duke Valir Jurida, Grand Duke of the Geilsea Islands and Baron of Torinda
Minister of Foreign Affairs for the United Kingdom of Belkaina
