Sumitomo are not flavour of the month with the Solomon government. The gov don't like the fact that Sumitomo have other licenses and are doing nothing with them. They're land-banking and the government aren't happy with them. If Axiom get into bed with them, they risk losing what support we have with the land owners and the limited support they have with the government. I think Axiom are smarter than that, especially as they think they can win the trial.
Add in the fact that the Japanese can come across as arrogant when dealing with races they look down on, then I think it would be stupid to JV with a company that has put the natives backs up. Axiom have played it very smart by partnering with the land-owners, sponsoring sports team and donating to the hospital. *If* we win the court case there are a lot better partners out there than Sumitomo.
Then there's the bad-blood between Sumitomo and Axiom. Axiom pretty much snaffled the license from under the noses of Sumitomo and I can't see them offering a JV and, even if they did, I can't see Axiom accepting it.
My views and I could be miles out but that's the way I see it.
Cheers
AVQ Price at posting:
1.9¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
