非洲可能是美国企业的大好商机

While the U.S. economy continues to slump and company stocks plunge, trade and development experts are advising U.S. businesses of all sizes to start investing in Africa, a continent with many opportunities and growth potential.

在美国经济持续不振，股票市场暴跌之际，贸易和发展专家建议美国大小企业都应该到非洲投资，他们认为非洲大陆有很多机会和发展潜力。

A promotion for an upcoming October Washington U.S.-Africa business meeting organized by the Corporate Council on Africa makes a convincing sales pitch.

由美国非洲企业理事会筹组的美国非洲商业会议将在10月举行。

"Thousands of untapped markets, a vibrant and diverse continent with one of the most promising business environments in the world today, the continent of Africa is a place where smart companies invest."

这次活动的广告词非常吸引人：“数以千计没有开发的市场，蓬勃多元的大陆，当今全球最有前途的经商环境之一，聪明的公司会在非洲大陆投资！”

Far away from Africa, in the central U.S. state of Indiana, in the city of Columbus, a representative for the Cummins engine-making company gives a tour of headquarters.

远离非洲来到美国中部印第安州的哥伦布市，制造引擎的康明斯公司的代表在公司总部为来访者作导览。

"We are inside the Cummins corporate office," said the representative. "Look at the wonderful sculpture that they have here, made of, what else would one except, engine parts for diesel engines."

他说：“我们在康明斯公司的办公室里。看看这个美好的雕塑，用的材料让人意想不到，这是用柴油引擎零件作的。”

The company recently decided to put more focus on Africa, especially in Nigeria where it is trying to become a leader in selling generators.

这家公司最近决定把更多重心放在非洲，特别是尼日利亚，这家公司希望能在发电机销售上领先。

Another company looking more and more at Nigeria is the family-owned Louisiana-based dredging equipment company DSC Dredge. The company used to deal with Africa only through unsolicited emails but is now considering opening an office in Lagos.

另外一家越来越有意在尼日利亚投资的公司是设在路易斯安纳州的拖泥船设备公司DSC。这个家庭企业过去只通过广告电子邮件来和非洲企业打交道，现在这家公司正考虑在拉各斯开设办事处。

The Africa expert at the Washington-based Atlantic Council J. Peter Pham says these companies know what they are doing.

设在华盛顿的大西洋理事会非洲事务专家法姆(J. Peters Pham) 说，这些公司知道他们在做什么。

"Certainly Africa is open for business and especially if companies are willing to invest for the long term I think there is a very healthy rate of return to be had in Africa," said Pham.

他说：“非洲肯定为商业开放。尤其是如果公司愿意长期投资。我认为这些公司会在非洲得到很合理的投资回报。”

African economies are expected to grow on average by 6 to 7 percent in the coming years. Among countries with the most growth potential, there is new oil producer Ghana, with a national economy expected to grow over 14 percent this year.

非洲经济体预期在未来几年里平均有6％到7％的成长率。经济增长最有潜力的国家之一是新的产油国－加纳。今年加纳的全国经济预期将有超过14％的增长率。

Chinese companies, many with state backing or their government's help, have been very aggressive in Africa in recent years.

近年来，中国公司一直非常积极的在非洲经营，很多这些公司有政府的支持，或得到政府的帮助。