VOA常速英语2013--促进非洲的可持续发展

 

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 bilateral¹ 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 integration², the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA. Since its inception³ in 2000, total African exports utilizing⁴ 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, eligible⁵ nations are expected to demonstrate they are working to improve their investment climates, reduce corruption⁶, respect human and labor⁷ rights and the rule of law, expand infrastructure⁸ and standardize⁹ 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, helping¹⁰ 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 implemented¹¹. 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 renewal¹² 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。

1 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

2 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

3 inception   

n.开端，开始，取得学位

参考例句：

• The programme has been successful since its inception.这个方案自开始实施以来一直卓有成效。
• Julia's worked for that company from its inception.自从那家公司开办以来，朱莉娅一直在那儿工作。

4 utilizing   

v.利用，使用( utilize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Utilizing an assembler to produce a machine-language program. 用汇编程序产生机器语言的过程。 来自辞典例句
• The study and use of devices utilizing properties of materials near absolute zero in temperature. 对材料在接近绝对零度时的特性进行研究和利用的学科。 来自辞典例句

5 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

6 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。

7 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

8 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。

9 standardize   

v.使符合标准，使标准化

参考例句：

• We will extend and standardize legal services and provide effective legal aid.拓展和规范法律服务，积极开展法律援助。
• There is a drive both to standardise components and to reduce the number of models on offer.正在为实现零部件标准化和减少推出的型号数量而努力。

10 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

11 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

12 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。