VOA常速英语2007年-Business, Political Leaders Hope to Boost US In

By Terry FitzPatrick
Cape¹ Town
15 November 2007

American corporate² investment in Africa is not keeping pace with other parts of the world. That's according to 800 business and political leaders meeting this week in South Africa. They're searching for ways to accelerate economic ties with the United States. For VOA, Terry FitzPatrick reports.

Delegates to the U.S.-Africa business summit say Africa is open for business. Many sub-Saharan economies are growing by more than five percent per year. Wiseman Nkuhlu of Pan-African Capital Holdings says much of the continent has entered a productive era.

"There are large chunks³ of Africa that are politically stable and their economies are well managed. That really is new space for long term investments going forward," said Nkuhlu.

But only three percent of the world's foreign direct investments are currently made in Africa, and most of that money comes from Europe and China. According to Robert Mosbacher, who heads the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation, American companies still regard Africa as a risky⁴ business environment.

"I would say the single biggest impediment for most American companies would be the enforceability of a contract," he said. "Clearly there are nations in Africa that have made enormous progress in that regard, but it is not nearly wide enough to overcome the perception that enforceability of contracts is an extremely difficult thing."

 

The African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, facilitates trade between the US and Africa. But Namibia's president, Hifikepunye Pohamba says so far AGOA has benefited mostly the oil and energy sector⁵.

 

"Most of AGOA trade continues to be concentrated in a few product lines. A clearly undesirable⁶ situation for the continent's aspiration⁷ to diversify⁸ its economies," he said.

President Pohamba called for the U.S. to do more to open its markets for African clothing and farm products. One speaker at this summit noted⁹ that trade works both ways. Stephen Cashin of the Pan African Capital Group says Africa's growing economy provides a rich marketplace.

 

"Africa's rising middle class are increasing their consumption of telecommunications, banking¹⁰, financial products, electricity, food, beverages¹¹, entertainment, travel, computers. I would contend that the largest opportunity of all is represented by the rising middle class and the rising educated class," said Cashin.

 

Delegates here seem to agree that business ties, rather than development aid, is the sustainable way to improve living conditions for Africans.

1 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。

2 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

3 chunks   

厚厚的一块( chunk的名词复数 )； （某物）相当大的数量或部分

参考例句：

• a tin of pineapple chunks 一罐菠萝块
• Those chunks of meat are rather large—could you chop them up a bIt'smaller? 这些肉块相当大，还能再切小一点吗？

4 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

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 undesirable   

adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子

参考例句：

• They are the undesirable elements among the employees.他们是雇员中的不良分子。
• Certain chemicals can induce undesirable changes in the nervous system.有些化学物质能在神经系统中引起不良变化。

7 aspiration   

n.志向，志趣抱负；渴望；(语)送气音；吸出

参考例句：

• Man's aspiration should be as lofty as the stars.人的志气应当象天上的星星那么高。
• Young Addison had a strong aspiration to be an inventor.年幼的爱迪生渴望成为一名发明家。

8 diversify   

v.（使）不同，（使）变得多样化

参考例句：

• Our company is trying to diversify.我们公司正力图往多样化方面发展。
• Hills and woods diversify the landscape.山陵和树木点缀景色。

9 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

10 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

11 beverages   

n.饮料( beverage的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages 控制酒类销售的法规
• regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages 含酒精饮料的销售管理条例