VOA标准英语2009年-Vietnam's Economic Recovery Spurring Forei

By Ron Corben
Bangkok
16 October 2009

Vietnam's economic recovery from the global financial downturn has been marked by large increases in government spending.  Much of the expenditure¹ has been directed towards infrastructure². But economists³ say the concern now lies in the government ensuring the recovery is sustained into 2010.

Vietnam's economy is expected to grow by more than six percent in 2010.

Ayumi Konishi, the Asia Development Bank's regional manager for Vietnam, says the government's success in steadying the economy has largely rested upon an $8.5 billion stimulus⁴ package.

"The good thing is the economic stimulus package of the government has worked reasonably well," said Konishi.  "Many of the economic activities are coming back - some of the factories which laid people off earlier are getting people back. And because of the stimulus package consumption activities are reasonably active."   

Economists have long considered government spending, especially on  infrastructure, to be an effective tool for revitalizing a stagnating⁵ economy. 

Even before the global financial crisis hit late in 2008, the Vietnamese government was already working to halt galloping⁶ inflation and investment due to an overheated real estate sector⁷.  In early 2008, Vietnam's inflation rate had risen to 25 per cent, while the country's trade deficit⁸ widened to more than $14 billion.

Clive Randall, president of the Australian Chamber⁹ of Commerce in Vietnam, says the government responded aggressively to take control of the economy.

"Vietnam got a bit of a head start on its economic crisis six months before the rest of the world," said Randall.  "Vietnam was going into an inflationary cycle that was unsustainable and the government put the brakes on and said 'no' we've got to stop this, we've got to get a hold of inflation."

But then the financial crisis struck, freezing capital inflows as international credit dried up.  In the first nine months of 2009, capital inflows stood at just $12 billion - one fifth the level of a year earlier.

Despite the slowdown, Vietnamese officials  remain upbeat about the outlook for the economy.  Randall agrees, saying many foreign investors¹⁰ now look favorably at Vietnam a year after the downturn.

But there are concerns that increasing budget deficits¹¹ and a return to inflation could stall the economic recovery.

ADB's Konishi says the government will have to carefully manage the economy.

"The economic recovery has also accompanied the growing risk. What is important for the government is to strike the balance between the growth and the stability," he said.  "So I should say six point five per cent growth projection¹² would be a very comfortable sort of target that the government can have."

Konishi says that once stability is re-established, foreign investors will again view Vietnam as a desirable investment destination.

 

1 expenditure   

n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗

参考例句：

• The entry of all expenditure is necessary.有必要把一切开支入账。
• The monthly expenditure of our family is four hundred dollars altogether.我们一家的开销每月共计四百元。

2 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

3 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 stimulus   

n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物

参考例句：

• Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励。
• Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.光是促进植物生长的一个因素。

5 stagnating   

v.停滞，不流动，不发展( stagnate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• I feel I'm stagnating in this job. 我觉得，干这份工作我没有长进。
• ITT was stagnating when Geneen became the chief executive officer in 1959. 1959年吉宁出任行政总负责人时，国际电话电报公司正处于不景气时期。 来自辞典例句

6 galloping   

adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• The horse started galloping the moment I gave it a good dig. 我猛戳了马一下，它就奔驰起来了。
• Japan is galloping ahead in the race to develop new technology. 日本在发展新技术的竞争中进展迅速，日新月异。

7 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。

8 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

9 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

10 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

11 deficits   

n.不足额( deficit的名词复数 )；赤字；亏空；亏损

参考例句：

• The Ministry of Finance consistently overestimated its budget deficits. 财政部一贯高估预算赤字。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Many of the world's farmers are also incurring economic deficits. 世界上许多农民还在遭受经济上的亏损。 来自辞典例句

12 projection   

n.发射，计划，突出部分

参考例句：

• Projection takes place with a minimum of awareness or conscious control.投射在最少的知觉或意识控制下发生。
• The projection of increases in number of house-holds is correct.对户数增加的推算是正确的。