VOA标准英语2010年-French, African Business Leaders Seek

French and African economic representatives chat during the 2nd 'Africa France Business Meetings' held in Bordeaux, 02 Jun 2010

As French and African leaders pledged closer business ties at a summit this week, business leaders from both regions were in the French city of Bordeaux to try to make those promises a reality. 

A tourist train chugging through the Mauritanian desert?   It's been realized by one French company - bringing jobs to Mauritanians and aid to two local schools.

Sustainable tourism in Africa was among dozens of presentations at a two-day forum¹ here in Bordeaux that brought together some 200 French and African businesses - about two-thirds of them from Africa.

Half a century ago, 40 percent of France's trade was with Africa.  Today, Africa accounts for only about two percent of French commerce, although French business dealings with Africa have increased sharply in recent years, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

There's a good reason for the meeting.  Faced with growing competition from China, Brazil and other new foreign investors², France is seeking greater economic clout³ in Africa.  French President Nicolas Sarkozy made business the highlight of a two-day summit with African leaders this week in the French city of Nice.

Gerard Pafait has done business in Africa for 40 years.  He heads a French association in Bordeaux that helped organize the business forum.

Parfait says the African entrepreneurs at the meeting represent the face of a new Africa.  He says they hold the key for the continent's future growth.

Mamadou Dia, head of the Senegalese water company Senegalaise des Eaux, was among the African entrepreneurs scouting⁴ for business partners.

Dia says the Bordeaux forum allowed him to see what other African and European companies are doing in terms of the environment and sustainable development. 

Massogbe Toure Diabate, who heads a cashew processing firm in Ivory Coast, says she hopes to sign some business agreements before leaving Bordeaux.

Not long ago, Diabate says, France was the only major player in Francophone Africa.  No longer.  As international business interests in the region grow, she say, Africa wants partners who can create jobs and successful relationships.

The meetings also underscored Bordeaux evolving image.  During the 18th century, the city had the reputation as France's second biggest slave trading port.  Today, Bordeaux is affiliated⁵ with several African cities.

Sophie Senghor heads international affairs for Bordeaux's mayor.  She is of Senegalese origin.

Senghor says Africa is a priority in for the city.  She notes that Bordeaux has a large community of ethnic⁶ Africans, most of whom are from sub-Saharan Africa, and that the city wants to showcase its heritage.  

Many of the African businesses that attended the forum hail from non-francophone countries - underscoring France's drive to develop ties beyond its former colonies.

Helen Emore heads the Warri Industrial Park project in Nigeria's Delta⁷ State.  She says she had several fruitful meetings at the conference.  But she says she had hoped for more.

"We haven't really met French businesses because French businesses haven't really come out.  Rather, the French businesses that are here are businesses looking to export their products or selling to Africa.  Yes, we welcome such businesses - but not now.  They need quick returns, whereas we are looking for [businesses willing] to come to Africa and set up bases," said Emore.

Bordeaux businessman Gerard Parfait also says he was disappointed at the relatively⁸ low French turnout at the forum.

Parfait says some French businesses are apprehensive⁹ about investing in Africa - fears, he says, that do not reflect the reality of Africa today.
 

1 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

2 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

3 clout   

n.用手猛击；权力，影响力

参考例句：

• The queen may have privilege but she has no real political clout.女王有特权，但无真正的政治影响力。
• He gave the little boy a clout on the head.他在那小男孩的头部打了一下。

4 scouting   

守候活动，童子军的活动

参考例句：

• I have people scouting the hills already. 我已经让人搜过那些山了。
• Perhaps also from the Gospel it passed into the tradition of scouting. 也许又从《福音书》传入守望的传统。 来自演讲部分

5 affiliated   

adj. 附属的, 有关连的

参考例句：

• The hospital is affiliated with the local university. 这家医院附属于当地大学。
• All affiliated members can vote. 所有隶属成员都有投票权。

6 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

7 delta   

n.（流的）角洲

参考例句：

• He has been to the delta of the Nile.他曾去过尼罗河三角洲。
• The Nile divides at its mouth and forms a delta.尼罗河在河口分岔，形成了一个三角洲。

8 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

9 apprehensive   

adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的

参考例句：

• She was deeply apprehensive about her future.她对未来感到非常担心。
• He was rather apprehensive of failure.他相当害怕失败。