VOA常速英语2013--白宫做出努力来吸引更多的外资

White House Launches Push to Attract More Foreign Investment 白宫做出努力来吸引更多的外资

The United States has traditionally been the world’s largest recipient 1 of foreign direct investments (or FDI) - but that is changing.  Since 2000, when the U.S. held  nearly 40 percent of the world’s foreign investments, its share of capital inflows has declined to just 17 percent. The White House hopes to reverse the decline -  launching an aggressive campaign Thursday to attract more foreign investment to the United States. 

美国传统上是世界上最大的外资直接接受者，但是，这种情况改变了。2000年，美国掌握了40%的外资，但现在它资本流入的份额减少到了17%。白宫希望扭转这种下降局势，于是在周四推出 了一项有力活动来吸引外资。

More than $160 billion in foreign investments flowed into the U.S. economy last year.  It's a sizeable sum - one that boosts U.S. productivity and creates new jobs.

去年，超过1600亿美元的外资流入美国，这是一个相当大的数目，大到可以提高美国的生产率和创造新的工作岗位。

But in this interconnected global economy, foreign investors 2 are increasingly putting their money elsewhere.

但是，在相互联系的世界经济形势下，外国投资者更多地将他们的资金投到了其他国家。

That’s one reason why Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker welcomed more than 1200 guests to Washington for the first Select USA Summit.

这就是美国商务部部长Penny Pritzker邀请了1200多客人来华盛顿参加第一届美国首脑会议。

“Business leaders from 58 countries and across the United States are here today.  A warm welcome to all of you from all of us in the Obama administration," said  Pritzker.

“来自58个国家和美国各州的商业领袖集聚在此，我们奥巴马政府的所有成员热烈欢迎你们的到来。”Pritzker说。

The sales pitch comes as foreign investment in the U.S. continues to slide.  Down 28 percent in 2012 from the year before - it’s on pace for another big decline this  year.

在美国的外资投入仍在下滑。从2011年到2012年，下滑到28%，今年将有更大的下滑。

Economists 3 say the reasons are many - from the slowdown in emerging markets, to the political dysfunction in Washington.

经济学家说这里面有很多的原因：从新兴市场的放缓到华盛顿政治功能的障碍。

Still, among the advanced economies, Treasury 4 Secretary Jacob Lew says the United States boasts the most favorable business climate.  

“We need the world to sustain greater growth, and the world continues to need the United States to be the backbone 5 of a stable global economy," said Lew.

“我们需要世界经济持续稳定地发展，并且整个世界需要美国作为世界经济稳定的支柱。”Lew说。

The Summit represents a new push by the White House to remind investors that the U.S. is open for business.  And it was an opportunity seized by President Barack  Obama.

这个首脑会议代表了一种白宫释放的新的推动力，来提醒投资者们美国的经济是开放的。并且这也是奥巴马总统抓住的一个机会。

“I want more American products being sold in your countries, and I want your companies investing more here in the United States of America," said President Obama.

“我希望更多的美国商品能够在你们的国家销售，并且我想让你们的公司在美国有更多的投资。”奥巴马总统说。

To do that, the White House has launched a four-pronged effort to persuade international investors to buy American - from coordinating 6  assistance, through U.S.  embassies, to cutting red tape for direct investment.

为了做到这一点，白宫推出四管其下的努力来说服国际投资者来投资——从相互协作，到去除繁文缛节来进行直接投资。

“You should find out why there’s no substitute for those proud words Made in America. We are open for business and we’re looking forward to partnering with all of  you in the months and years ahead.  Thank you very much," said Obama.

“你应该明白这里没有更骄傲的词来形容美国制造。我们经济开放，并且我们期望和你们在接下来的数月甚至数年里合作。非常感谢。”奥巴马说。