VOA常速英语20116--第二届美非经济论坛召开

第二届美非经济论坛召开

The countries of Africa want partners, not patrons; they want trade, not aid. The United States is determined¹ to be that partner, to accelerate the next era of African growth for all Africans, said President Barack Obama at the 2nd meeting of the U.S.-African Business Forum².

奥巴马总统在第二届美非经济论坛上表示，非洲国家需要伙伴，而非主顾；需要贸易，而非援助。美国决心成为非洲的合作伙伴，为非洲人民加速非洲下一个时代的经济发展。

American investment in Africa is up 70 percent. U.S. exports to Africa have surged. In the two years since the last business forum, American and African companies have concluded deals worth nearly $15 billion, which will support African development across the board from manufacturing to healthcare to renewable energy.

美国队非洲的投资高达70%。美国队非洲出口量也大幅拉升。自上接美非经济论坛以来的两年中，美国企业和非洲企业已实现了价值150亿美元的贸易合作，支持了非洲从制造业、医药到可再生能源的全面发展。

The deals and commitments that were announced at this year's U.S.-African Business Forum add up to more than $9 billion in trade and investment with Africa.

在本届论坛上双方宣布的贸易承诺又将为非洲新增90多亿美元的贸易和投资量。

So while progress is being made, it is still only scratching the surface. Despite significant growth in much of the continent, Africa's entire gross domestic product, or GDP, is still only about the GDP of France. And only a fraction of U.S. exports, about 2 percent, go to Africa.

虽然已经做出了上述飞跃，但也依然有待提升。尽管非洲大陆经济发展迅速，但非洲整体的GDP才勉强与法国持平。而美国出口中仅有一小部分——2%是对口非洲的。

A key to changing this scenario³ is to increase access to electricity for the two-thirds of sub-Saharan Africans who lack it. Three years after launching Power Africa, large portions of Nigeria, Tanzania, and Rwanda are getting access to electricity. This means than students can study at night and businesses can stay open.

改变这一现状的关键是提升撒哈拉沙漠以南非洲2/3地区的无电现状。在“电力非洲”项目运行3年后，尼日利亚、坦桑尼亚、卢旺达的大部分地区都有电可用。这意味着学生们晚上也可以学习，商家晚上也可以营业。

The U.S. and GE just announced a public-private partnership⁴ to support energy enterprises managed by women in Africa. "I believe we can bring electricity to more than 60 million African homes and businesses," said President Obama.

美国与德国刚刚宣布进行公私合作，以支持由非洲女性创立的能源企业。奥巴马表示，“我相信我们能为6千多万非洲家庭和企业带来电能”。

In the interest of economic growth, it is critical for African countries to practice good governance. That is what ultimately attracts trade and investment.

若要实现经济增长，非洲国家必须进行良好治理。这归根结底也是吸引贸易和投资的关键。

And finally, African countries need to invest in their young people. "If Africa's young people flourish, if they are getting education, if they are getting opportunity," said President Obama, "I'm absolutely convinced that Africa will flourish as well."

最后，非洲国家需要对年轻人进行投资。奥巴马说，“非洲少年强，则教育得，则机会旺。我笃信非洲也会繁荣起来”。

 

If we do all these things, said President Obama, "I know we're going to be able to move our societies and economies forward. And that will be good not just for Africa, but it will be good for the United States and good for the world."

奥巴马还说，“我认为，如果我们做到了这些事情，我们就能够推动社会和经济向前发展。这不仅有利于非洲，也有利于美国和全世界”。

1 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

2 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。

3 scenario   

n.剧本，脚本；概要

参考例句：

• But the birth scenario is not completely accurate.然而分娩脚本并非完全准确的。
• This is a totally different scenario.这是完全不同的剧本。

4 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。