2. Discussing the time limits

Supplier: Now, let's resume the talks, shall we? Any other points, Mr A.?

Customer: Yes, and that's the time limits. The plant is urgently required by our industry.

S. Obviously so. That explains your decision, as we understand.

С Yes, that's why we are asking you to reduce the time limits from twelve months as stipulated in the draft to eight, if possible.

S. We'd be happy to cooperate where we could, but I'm not sure if our design organizations can make it less than ten months.

C. Could you explain why?

S. It's a matter of amount of work. The project is big and normally it takes us about this period to complete the job. Besides, we'd like to be thor­ough and efficient, without undue haste.

C. In that case ten months would suit us all right.

S. I hope we'll be ready with the answer in two days.

Note: for different types of construction time limits can be quite differ­ent too.

D.

3. Discussing the cost of the design work

Supplier: We've got good news for you, Mr A. Our design organizations

agreed to do the job in ten months after all. Customer: That's really good news, thank you. We can now look at the cost

of the design work. We find it too high.⁷ We've brought some catalogues.

41

Have a look, please. This firm here, for example, constructed a similar project but the cost was lower.

S. We assure you, our price is quite competitive. We know that project. It is true that the cost is lower but the capacity is lower too. You will agree that in our case the designing is not very costly. The elaboration of the technological part alone involves⁸ a large amount of work.

C. Still the difference seems too big.

S. The information you have here is somewhat dated. The cost of design­ing has gone up in the world lately.

C. Yes, considering this, the higher cost looks fair.⁹ We agree. Now, shall we pass on to the terms of payment? You ask for a 20 per cent advance, don't you?

5. That's right. We don't think it makes a big sum.

C. But under our law we cannot give you more than 15 per cent of the full contract value. Perhaps we can settle for this figure with you.

S. All right, I think we can go down by 5 per cent. In this case the wording of the article will be as follows: 15 per cent of the total price shall be transferred by the customer within 30 days of signing the contract to the account of Vnesheconombank in favour of the supplier with the Na­tional Bank of... .

C. Good. As to the remaining sum, we agree to pay it by an irrevocable confirmed letter of credit.¹⁰

5. Then we'll amend the draft to provide for payment of 75 per cent after the design work has been completed and the DPR submitted to the cus­tomer and 10 percent after the approval of the DPR.

С All right.

Note: Reasoning may include other points, too. These ones are just sorne of them.

NOTES

1. Feasibility Study (Report) (FS, FR)

2. Design Assignment

3. Detailed Project Report (DPR)

ТЭО — технико-экономическое обоснование

задание на проектирование

технический проект

Мы будем рады, если вы согласи­тесь сотрудничать с нами.

4. We shall be glad if you will be willing to cooperate with

us.

В письмах для выражения вежливой просьбы в придаточных пред­ложениях условия употребляется глагол will (would): We shall (should) be glad if you will (would) promptly answer our letter.

... на основе которого должен был быть разработан техни­ческий проект.

зд. Это действительно звучит очень заманчиво.

5. ... on the basis of which the detailed project report was going to be worked out.