VOA常速英语2007年-Ukrainian Economy Grows Despite Political Probl

By Peter Fedynsky
Kyiv, Ukraine
13 November 2007
 

Ukraine has been experiencing impressive economic growth for most of this decade, despite political turmoil¹ at the highest levels of government. VOA Correspondent Peter Fedynsky recently visited Ukraine and files this report about economic conditions there.

A steady stream of cement trucks regularly wind their way through the streets of Kyiv, a city in the midst of a building boom. Other signs of Ukraine's growing prosperity -- an impressive seven percent annual growth rate, trendy downtown shops, growing sales of luxury and off-road vehicles and increased purchasing power among consumers.

"The middle class is growing," says Tatiana Sytnyk, who is a senior analyst² at GfK Ukraine, a market research company. Sytnyk says since 2006 40 percent of urban Ukrainians cannot only afford basic items such as food and clothes, but they can also save for larger purchases. This figure is up by one-third since 2003.

"Income distribution in Ukraine is being equalized. The rich remain rich, but at the same time, the least secure elements of society are getting wealthier," she added.

Increased purchasing power is fueling car sales throughout most of Ukraine, not only basic models, but luxury cars and low mileage³ sport utility vehicles.

Yaroslav Boyko is assistant sales manager at one of Kyiv's three Nissan car dealerships. "Our average customer understands that earlier cars, Russian models, are leaving the scene. Ours is a middle class buyer, who can afford something better than before, thanks to a wide range of credit programs offered today by banks and financial institutions," he said.

Analyst Sytnyk says retail⁴ trade, the service sector⁵ and the export of raw materials are fueling Ukraine's economic expansion.

The Danish home furnishing company Jusk has already opened nine stores in Ukraine and expects to open two more by the end of this year.

The company's general director in Ukraine, Yevhen Ivanytsia, notes consumption patterns in the wealthier cities. "If we talk about Yalta or Kyiv, people in those cities have passed the stage when a person needs to be fed, well-dressed, and respectable-looking. Now they are trying to make their homes cozy⁶ as well."

But in a sign of potential trouble, GfK's market research indicates wavering consumer confidence that could slow the economy. Company analysis shows many Ukrainians are spending money for big purchases now out of fear of a downturn later.

 

Ukraine's economic growth has come amid considerable turmoil in government -- frequent elections, charges of widespread corruption⁷, disenchantment with leaders of the so-called "Orange Revolution" -- and protracted⁸ struggles to create a ruling coalition⁹ in Parliament.

Despite the country's ongoing¹⁰ political problems, a top university professor says Ukrainians have remained calm. Oleksiy Haran teaches political science at the Kyiv Mohyla Academy. "High level politics do, in fact, influence the economy, but economic processes as such have already been set in forward motion. This serves as a basis for optimism."

Ukrainian government statistics confirm the optimism -- wages are rising, unemployment is falling and household incomes are staying ahead of inflation. The challenge will be to maintain and even increase growth to catch up with the country's more prosperous neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe.

1 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

2 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

3 mileage   

n.里程，英里数；好处，利润

参考例句：

• He doesn't think there's any mileage in that type of advertising.他认为做那种广告毫无效益。
• What mileage has your car done?你的汽车跑了多少英里？

4 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

5 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

6 cozy   

adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的

参考例句：

• I like blankets because they are cozy.我喜欢毛毯，因为他们是舒适的。
• We spent a cozy evening chatting by the fire.我们在炉火旁聊天度过了一个舒适的晚上。

7 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

8 protracted   

adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• The war was protracted for four years. 战争拖延了四年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We won victory through protracted struggle. 经过长期的斗争，我们取得了胜利。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

10 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。