VOA常速英语2013--促进非洲的可持续发展（在线收听）

促进非洲的可持续发展

It has been a longstanding policy of the United States to aid developing nations and promote growth there by granting them preferential treatment in bilateral trade.

在双边贸易中通过特惠待遇来援助发展中国家并促进其发展是美国的长期政策。

A highlight of this effort has been a special program targeting countries in Sub-Saharan Africa for development and global economic integration, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA. Since its inception in 2000, total African exports utilizing its benefits have increased fourfold, and the U.S. is committed to building on this growth by extending the program for another 15 years.

这项工作的重点是针对撒哈拉南部非洲国家发展和全球经济一体化的一个特别项目：非洲增长与机遇法案(AGOA)，自该项目2000年启动以来，从中获益的整个非洲出口量翻了四倍，美国致力于在未来15年内扩展该项目，在此基础上再接再厉。

To qualify for AGOA benefits, eligible nations are expected to demonstrate they are working to improve their investment climates, reduce corruption, respect human and labor rights and the rule of law, expand infrastructure and standardize their trade laws. Thirty-nine nations now take part.

为了获得AGOA项目的好处，资格符合的国家应该展示自身在改善投资环境、减少腐败、尊重人权、劳工权和法治、扩建基础设施以及规划贸易法上的努力。目前有39个国家参加了该项目。

AGOA has transformed to way the United States and Africa interact economically, helping create thousands of new jobs there in industries that benefit from duty-free exports and other preferences. AGOA has been good for the U.S. as well, with members of Africa’s expanding middle class increasingly able to buy American-made goods and African businesses winning greater American interest and investment.

AGOA改变了美国与非洲进行经济交往的方式，帮助在享受免税出口等优惠政策的行业创造了数千个新就业岗位。AGOA也使美国从中受益，非洲日益壮大的中产阶级越发能买得起美国产的商品，非洲企业令美国更感兴趣，吸引更多来自美国的投资。

With the AGOA law set to expire in a little under two years, U.S. and African leaders met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this month to begin a dialogue on the program and plan the way forward. Much has changed in Africa since AGOA was first implemented. To keep pace, the program must adapt too.

由于AGOA法将在不到两年内到期，美国和非洲领导人本月与会埃塞俄比亚首都亚的斯亚贝巴，就该项目和未来的计划进行商谈。自从AGOA首次实施以来，非洲已经发生了大变化。为了赶上发展的步伐，该项目必须作出调整。

What has not changed is our country’s commitment toward promoting sustainable growth in Africa. African leaders and U.S. officials came out of the Addis Ababa meeting supporting a seamless renewal of the AGOA program that will provide certainty for all stakeholders in the years ahead.

但不变的，是美国致力于促进非洲可持续发展的信念。非洲领导人和美国官方在亚的斯亚贝巴会谈上支持对AGOA项目进行无缝翻新，在未来几年为所有股东提供确定性。