VOA标准英语2014--一些俄罗斯企业在贫困的经济环境中茁壮成长

 

Some Russian Businesses Thrive in Poor Economy 一些俄罗斯企业在贫困的经济环境中茁壮成长

MOSCOW—

Capital flight, the fall in oil prices and Western sanctions are pushing Russia's staggering economy into recession. But not all business in the country is suffering. 

The Russian ruble's sharp drop in value benefits exporters by lowering costs at home. Those who import, like Swedish retail¹ giant IKEA, are suffering higher costs. IKEA imports about 40 percent of what it sells in Russia and is considering raising prices to make up for the loss.

But businesses that focus on frugal² customers, like High Level Hostel³, are doing well. As part owner Roman Drozdenko said, "It is only natural that businesspeople now, when businesses are trying to cut expenses, are moving on to hostels⁴."

Drozdenko said the hostel’s unlikely location — on the 43rd floor of the Moscow International Business Center, known as "Moscow City" — was only possible because of the lack of interested tenants⁵.

" 'Moscow City' is only 30 percent full. There are a lot of empty spaces here. So, I think that is what ... allowed us to come here."

Despite investment fleeing Russia, and a glut⁶ of office space, construction of new skyscrapers⁷ continues.

Russian authorities are putting their best spin on the economic tumble, saying sanctions, including their own ban on Western food imports, will spur domestic industries.

The economic gloom did not stop the opening of the world's largest artificial ice-skating rink last month in Moscow.

"In fact, a lot of Muscovites will not travel abroad during the coming New Year holidays, and some will visit the skating rink. That means the Russian money will remain in Russia," said Irina Gordina-Nevzhmetskaya, deputy general director of the All-Russia Exhibition Center.

The sinking ruble means international travel is more expensive for Russians. Now that a recession is expected, many are beginning to worry about the economy and just how much further it will slide.

1 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。

2 frugal   

adj.节俭的，节约的，少量的，微量的

参考例句：

• He was a VIP,but he had a frugal life.他是位要人，但生活俭朴。
• The old woman is frugal to the extreme.那老妇人节约到了极点。

3 hostel   

n.（学生）宿舍，招待所

参考例句：

• I lived in a hostel while I was a student.我求学期间住在青年招待所里。
• He says he's staying at a Youth Hostel.他说他现住在一家青年招待所。

4 hostels   

n.旅舍，招待所( hostel的名词复数 )；青年宿舍

参考例句：

• The students were protesting at overcrowding in the university hostels. 学生们在抗议大学宿舍过于拥挤。 来自辞典例句
• Are there any cheap hostels in Nanjing for one person? 南京有没有便宜的旅店可以一个人住？ 来自互联网

5 tenants   

n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者

参考例句：

• A number of tenants have been evicted for not paying the rent. 许多房客因不付房租被赶了出来。
• Tenants are jointly and severally liable for payment of the rent. 租金由承租人共同且分别承担。

6 glut   

n.存货过多，供过于求；v.狼吞虎咽

参考例句：

• The glut of coffee led to a sharp drop in prices.咖啡供过于求道致价格急剧下跌。
• There's a glut of agricultural products in Western Europe.西欧的农产品供过于求。

7 skyscrapers   

n.摩天大楼

参考例句：

• A lot of skyscrapers in Manhattan are rising up to the skies. 曼哈顿有许多摩天大楼耸入云霄。
• On all sides, skyscrapers rose like jagged teeth. 四周耸起的摩天大楼参差不齐。