Направление «эКономика»

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GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

Gross Domestic Product or GDP is the amount of money a country makes from goods and services inside the country for a certain period of time, usually for a year. When GDP is calculated different sectors of economy are analyzed.

In the United Kingdom the following sectors of economy are usually analyzed: manufacturing, services (financial, professional and scientific services, leisure and tourism), energy (oil, natural gas, coal) and agriculture. In the United States the following sectors of economy are usually analyzed when the GDP is defined: construction and manufacturing; trade and finance; transport, communication and services; agriculture; and mining.

Speaking, as an example, about one of the recent year's GDP figures, the following can be quoted:

In the U.K. the services sector accounted for roughly 60 per cent of Gross Domestic Product. Manufacturing sector accounted for a small percentage of gross domestic product. Energy production sector accounted for about 8 per cent of GDP. Agriculture is only for 4 per cent of GDP. But the agricultural sector satisfies two-thirds of the country's needs. And only a small fraction of the total population, about 2 per cent, is engaged in agriculture.

In the U.S.A. the construction and manufacturing sector accounted for 40 per cent of GDP; trade and finance earned 25 per cent of GDP; transport, communication and services sector earned 20 per cent of GDP; agriculture and mining earned 5 per cent of GDP. By the way 10 per cent of the employed population of the United States is engaged in agriculture.

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GOLD MARKETS

Unlike most other metals, gold appears in large quantities in fairly pure form in nature. This is why people became interested in this metal. The first discoveries were made in the first century ВС when gold was washed from river sand in Egypt. Today gold is mostly extracted by mining. The most important gold-producing countries in the world are South Africa, the former Soviet Union, the U.S.A., and Australia. Other areas where gold is produced are to be found in Canada, Brazil, Columbia, Ghana, and the Philippines and more recently in China. The world's gold markets differ from each other not only in their framework but also in their functions. An important distinction has to be drawn between primary and secondary markets. Primary markets are those that receive the newly mined gold, which they then distribute either directly or through secondary markets.

The main primary gold markets, which are often called wholesalers, are Zurich and London. The secondary gold markets, which are retail dealers, are Frankfurt, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Panama, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuwait and others. Thanks to the cooperation between all these centers gold is traded by telephone 24 hours a day by bank dealers and brokers.

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COUNTERFEITING

Counterfeiting of money is one of the oldest crimes in history. In the United States, for example, it was a serious problem in the past, when each bank issued its own currency. Therefore they adopted a national currency in 1863. But it did not solve the counterfeiting problem. The national currency, or the dollar, was soon counterfeited so widely, that it beca­me necessary for the U.S. Government to take special mea­sures. In 1865 the United States Secret Service was esta­blished to suppress counterfeiting. It curtailed counterfeiting to a certain extent but this crime still exists. The U.S. dollar is now the most counterfeited currency in the world.

Modern photographic and printing devices, colour copiers, laser scanners have made the production of counterfeit money relatively easy.

A lot of special security features are usually used in making banknotes of every country.

In making American dollars, for example, the following security features are used: red and blue fibers embedded in the paper the intaglio printing of some features and many others. Besides, not long ago, a few more new security features were added to U.S. dollars. These features are as follows: invisible thread embedded in the paper microprinting, and others.

These new features appeared first in banknotes of certain denominations only. Other denominations will be gradually made with the same security features.

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COMPUTER MAKERS

Computer making industry is developing rapidly and new or improved and modified types of computers (hardware) as well as new programmes (software) come into wide usage. The end users make this industry move forward all the time. The competition is very strong on the world market. Here is a newspaper article speaking about the computer market in European countries which are on the way to United Europe with headquarters in Brussels:

European Computer Makers Seek Support from Brussels

At the conference which started in Venice yesterday leaders of Europe's ailing computer manufacturing companies called for action from Brussels. The companies wanted Brussels to ensure the survival of a significant European information technology industry. The chief executives of Groupe Bull de France, Olivetti of Italy and Siemens-Nixford of Germany complained they were at a disadvantage compared with their U.S. and Japanese competitors.

These U.S. and Japanese companies, they said, enjoyed the benefits of a strong home market and cooperation between the public sector and the computer industry. In these countries, they added, more than 90 per cent of public contracts went to domestic companies. In Europe European-owned companies had only a 30 per cent share of the market for public sector computer projects. The other 70 per cent of contracts went to foreign countries and foreign-owned companies of Europe. The European computer companies stressed that a more sympathetic relationship with the public authorities should be built in Europe. Mr. Francis Lawrentz, chairman of Groupe Bull, said he was not seeking protection or fortifications around Europe, but a coherent policy from Brussels leaving no doubt as to the importance of the industry. Among other measures, they asked for involvement at an early stage in the planning of Europe-wide information technology projects. It would give them a good chance of securing final contracts.

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CODE OF CONDUCT

The most important rule for a businessman is to keep his word and to be honest. Besides, punctuality is very important for business and social appointments.

The businessman should observe various rules. There are rules for example for greeting people. The most common greetings are: Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening. The less formal greetings are: Hello, Hi.

There are also various levels and types of saying Good-bye when parting. The most common ways are: Good-bye, Bye-bye, Bye now and Bye. If the people part after their first meeting they can add something like this:

It has been nice seeing you.

I hope to see you again soon.

There are different levels of introductions. For example:

May I introduce Mr. Cornwell (the most formal way).

I’d like you to meet Mr. Cornwell (the less formal way).

This is Mr. Cornwell (the least formal way).

If you are introducing a person or yourself you should say a few words about the person, for example:

Mr. Benton, I would like you to meet Mr. Cornwell. He is doing business in chemicals. He is Vice President of British Chemicals Ltd. His office is not far from yours in London.

When two persons are introduced they exchange the following:

- How do you do.

- How do you do.

They can also add a phrase like this:

I’m glad to meet you.

I’m pleased to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

When you are introduced listen carefully to each name and use it later in your conversation. This will help you to remember the name. If you forget a person's name or did not hear the name do not hesitate to say: I am sorry I didn’t catch your name or I am sorry I have forgotten your name.

In many English speaking countries handshaking is a social courtesy whenever people meet or are introduced. When men meet or are introduced they generally shake hands. Women shake hands less frequently. Kissing is prevalent at parties when people meet.

Sometimes people are to introduce others to audience on some formal occasions. For example:

Ladies and gentlemen! It is a privilege for me to introduce Mr. Watts. Mr. Watts is a recognized authority in the management field. He is a member of the advisory committee for the labour and management program. Mr. Watts' topic tonight is: How to organize an effective business planning. Mr. Watts.

Составитель: Сементовская Елена Юрьевна.

Методические указания Пo английскому языку (Часть III)

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