VOA标准英语2013--Afghan Businesses Look to Expand, Despite 2014 Worries

 

Afghan Businesses Look to Expand, Despite 2014 Worries

Even for those Afghans who are not anxious about the security situation when foreign troops withdraw, 2014 still creates anxiety when it comes to businesses and the economy.

Afghanistan's economy grew around 11 percent last year, but the expected decline in military and civilian¹ aid and uncertain security situation makes some investors² wary³.

Abass, a local store owner, said “When people say 2014 is going to be a dangerous year, in my view, nothing will happen. But, as far as 2014 goes for business, it (will) have an impact on trade and business.”

Despite worries about the security situation and the capability⁴ of the government, many businesses are planning to expand - such as Coca Cola, with its line of Minute Maid juices.

The company wants to invest millions more to increase capacity, but land is a problem. The factory and parking lot are already used for storage.

East Horizon also faces its own difficulties, but land is not one of them. They've taken their investment to the skies.

The airline, opening just four months ago, already has seven routes.

Flights to Bamiyan, where it is hard to travel the road because of insecurity, are usually full. In another month the airline will be adding two more planes and additional routes.

East Horizon's chief executive and captain, Jahed Azimi, says Afghanistan needs flights to remote provinces to create business opportunities and development. 

"We see that there will be some potential, of course the road is not that easy. But, our board of directors and myself we decided⁵ that Afghans should stand on their feet and do their job by themselves," he said. 

More than a decade of foreign assistance has a mixed track record in Afghanistan, where basic security remains⁶ the biggest concern.

But advertising⁷ consultant⁸ Mustafa Mirza says there is rich and growing market for some consumer goods that did not even exist several years ago.

“I don't think anything will happen in the private sector⁹, like if you go out in Kabul you've got super stores like 'Finest' and 'Spinneys,' you can get cat food for example. There was no concept of cat food two or three years ago, but now its like the shelves are full and there is a big inventory¹⁰ of quality food products," he said. 

Cat food, energy drinks , 3G Internet … all products Afghans have been exposed to the last decade are not likely to go away when the troops leave. This year's strong harvest season means consumers should have more money to spend in the months ahead.

So, although some companies and organizations cut back or cut out altogether, others are taking risks on an Afghan-led economy. 

1 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

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 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。

4 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

7 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

8 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

9 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。

10 inventory   

n.详细目录，存货清单

参考例句：

• Some stores inventory their stock once a week.有些商店每周清点存货一次。
• We will need to call on our supplier to get more inventory.我们必须请供应商送来更多存货。