Инвестиционном симпозиуме в Гарвардском

университете, 1999 г.

(Бостон, США)

Уважаемые дамы и господа! Уважаемые коллеги!

Привлечение иностранных фирм и инвестиций — одно из ведущих направлений осуществления городской инвестицион­ной политики. Особенно это стало важным в связи с возникшими в последнее время экономическими проблемами, вызванными из­вестными августовскими решениями Правительства России, ос­ложнившими финансовую ситуацию в стране.

Хотя следует особо подчеркнуть, что Москва как самостоя­тельный субъект федерации не отказалась от своих обязательств и продолжает оставаться надежным союзником для иностранных партнеров. При этом Москва вырабатывает свой путь создания благоприятного инвестиционного климата, понимая при этом:

— во-первых, твердые гарантии;

— во вторых, создание режима наибольшего благоприятствования;

 

— в-третьих, упрощение процедуры оформления разреше­
ний и документов; и

— наконец, прочные деловые отношения инвесторов с го­
родской администрацией.

Любой город, вступивший на путь преобразований, не может обойтись только собственными ресурсами, ему всегда необходимы и внешние источники финансирования.

Инвестиционная активность в Москве, по российским мас­штабам, высока. В 1997 году иностранные инвесторы вложили в московскую экономику 8.5 млрд, долларов США, что составило 66% инвестиций, привнесенных в Россию. На этом же уровне был и 1998 год.

Мы понимаем, что западного инвестора беспокоит степень ри­ска своих вложений, и он вправе рассчитывать на стабильность политической обстановки в стране, на гарантированное получе­ние соответствующего возврата своих инвестиций, на цивилизо­ванное законодательство и страхование своих вложений и т.д.

Есть все основания утверждать, что в Москве эти вопросы ре­шены достаточно положительно, о чем свидетельствует практика и опыт многочисленных зарубежных инвесторов. Достаточно сказать, что за последние 10 лет ни один иностранный предпри­ниматель, иностранные компании и фирмы, появившиеся на московском рынке, особенно в строительной отрасли, не покину­ли это поле, а, наоборот, расширили свою сферу деятельности, не­смотря на экономические неурядицы и политические баталии.

Уверенность в эффективности сотрудничества вытекает из следующих особенностей и возможностей Москвы.

Москва, как известно, крупнейший, по мировым меркам, мегаполис, располагающий значительным научно-производст­венным и имущественным потенциалом. Она характеризуется самой высокой в России инвестиционной активностью. Несмотря на серьезный экономический кризис, охвативший Россию в по­следние годы, особенно в августе 1998, и проявляющийся также и в Москве, несмотря на существенное падение производства во всех отраслях народного хозяйства, строительный комплекс города все эти годы работает стабильно и результативно.

В городе ведется большое дорожно-транспортное строитель­ство. Введена современная кольцевая автотрасса с 10-полосным движением, начаты работы по третьему автомобильному кольцу в городе. Реализуется достойная столицы программа реконструк­ции центра города.

Но главная особенность нашей инвестиционной политики состоит, пожалуй, не в том, что конкретно мы строим и рекон­струируем, а в том, как, какими способами и средствами мы обеспечиваем поддержание высоких темпов и объемов строи­тельных работ в сложных условиях нынешнего этапа рыночной экономики.

Не так давно Москва практически целиком финансировалась из госбюджета. С переходом к рынку эта, когда-то широкая река государственных инвестиций сузилась до маленького ручейка, а город живет и строится. В этих условиях мы вынуж­дены были искать новые принципы и подходы в нашей инвес­тиционной деятельности.

В чем это конкретно заключается? Прежде всего в реалистич­ности и сбалансированности наших инвестиционных программ. Жить по средствам — сегодня основной закон хозяйствования.

Другой подход — диверсификация источников финансиро­вания. После прекращения обильных централизованных госу­дарственных инвестиций и субвенций был этап кредитных ре­сурсов коммерческих банков, но жизнь показала, что это очень дорогое удовольствие, и сегодня мы пользуемся кредитом край­не осторожно.

Таким образом, современный инвестиционный потенциал Москвы характеризуется высокой мощностью и мобильностью, четкой и адаптированной к рыночным условиям политикой, финансовой устойчивостью и открытостью для внешних инвес­торов и строителей.

Столичность нашего города также создает дополнительные удобства для предпринимательства. Москва без преувеличения

является сегодня одним из ведущих мировых центров бизнеса, торговли, банковской и биржевой деятельности. Здесь все рядом: и власть, и ведущие банки России, стран СНГ, дальнего зарубе­жья. Это крупнейший транспортный и телекоммуникационный узел. Все это создает хорошие предпосылки для успешного ведения практически любого дела.

Приход к нам зарубежных инвесторов мы расцениваем не только и не столько как путь привлечения дополнительных финансовых и материальных ресурсов, хотя этот фактор для нас, безусловно, сейчас немаловажен.

* * *

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Distinguished colleagues,

Attracting foreign capital and investments is one of the major/ important areas of (our) municipal investment policy. This has become particularly important because of/due to the recent economic problems caused by/resulting from the (well-known) August decisions of the Russian government, of which you are aware, which complicated the financial situation in the country.

I should like to particularly emphasize/stress/underline/highlight/ that Moscow, as an independent subject of the Federation, has not renounced/rejected/abandoned/its commitments and continues to be a reliable associate/interlocutor/for foreign partners/firms. In so doing,/moreover,/Moscow is producing its own plan for a favorable investment climate, taking into account the need for:

first: firm/solid guarantees

second: the establishment/creation of MFN/most favored nation conditions

third: simplification of the procedure for obtaining permission and documents,

and finally, sound/stable business relations between investors and the city administration.

Any city, which has begun to implement/embarked on a policy of/ put into effect a plan for/begun major changes/transformations cannot get by/manage/survive by using only its own resources/limit itself to its own resources/make do with solely its own resources; it always needs/ requires/is in need of external financing.

Investment activity in Moscow is major/high in terms of/Russia/the country as a whole. In 1997 foreign investors invested 8.5 billion US dollars in the Moscow economy, which accounted for 66% of investments in Russia. The same level was true for/held true for/1998.

We understand that western investors are concerned about the degree of risk to their investments, and they are right in counting on a stable political situation in the country, on being guaranteed receipt of an appropriate return for their investments, on civilized/sound/ acceptable norms of/legislation and insurance of their investments, etc.

There is every reason to assert that Moscow has resolved these issues positively/that there have been positive solutions to these problems in Moscow/and this has been demonstrated/proved/attested/ shown by the experience of numerous/many/foreign investors. Suffice it to say that in the last 10 years not a single foreign entrepreneur, foreign company or firm active on the Moscow market, particularly in the construction field, has abandoned such activities/its efforts; rather, there has been expansion of such efforts, despite the economic turbulence/upsets and political strife/struggles.

Confidence in the effectiveness of cooperation stems/derives/results from these specific features and potential of Moscow.

Moscow is indeed a major metropolis by world standards, with significant potential in production and property. It has the highest rate/largest proportion of investment activity in Russia. Despite the

serious economic crisis which has overtaken/gripped Russia in recent years, in particular/particularly in August 1998, which was also felt in Moscow, and despite the substantive/substantial decline/drop in production in all areas of the economy, the construction sector of the city has been functioning in a stable and productive manner.

The city is engaged in large-scale road building and transportation activities. There has been the introduction/start-up of a modern ten-lane ring highway, and work has begun on a third ring highway in the city. A significant/major/sophisticated program of reconstruction of the city center/to highlight the center of the capital/worthy of the capital/is underway.

But the most striking feature/outstanding characteristic of our investment policy is not, I feel, what we are specifically building and reconstructing, but rather how and by what means/with what funds we are ensuring/providing for speedy and large-scale construction/ a rapid rate and large volume of construction in the difficult conditions/circumstances of the present stage of the market economy.

Not so long ago/Quite recently Moscow was virtually entirely financed/practically financed in toto/ in full from the state budget. With the shift to the market this formerly extensive/broad flow of state investments dried up/was reduced to a trickle, but the city is actively building. In such/these circumstances/conditions we are forced/obliged to find/create new guidelines/principles and approaches in our investment activity.

What does this (really) mean (in fact)/involve/include? First of all, (that we have) realistic and balanced investment programs. Living within one's means is today the basic law/rule governing the economy.

Another approach is that of the diversification of sources of finan­cing. After the termination/cessation of abundant centralized state/ government investments and subsidies there was a stage/during which credit resources were (obtained)/of obtaining credit from commercial banks, but experience has shown that this is an expensive/costly source of satisfaction/boon/way of doing things, and today we are extremely cautious in our use of credit.

Thus, the modern investment potential of Moscow today/now/is marked/characterized by power and mobility, careful/precise adjustments to market conditions, financial stability and openness to foreign investors and builders.

The fact that our city is the capital also creates/provides advantages for enterprises. Today Moscow/is unquestionably/ undoubtedly/with no exaggeration can be termed/called one of the leading/business centers of the globe/world business centers.

Everything is right there/right at hand: the authorities, and the leading banks of Russia, the countries of the CIS, and/of foreign countries/ foreign banks. This is a major/an enormous transportation and telecommunications hub/center. All these factors provide/create a good basis for successfully undertaking/conducting any type of business dealings/deal.

We see the involvement in our country of foreign investors not merely/only/solely/as much more than/as a means for attracting additional financial and material resources, although this factor doubtless is significant/important for us.

This text is packed with useful economic and financial terms. It also is an example of an exhortatory style: the speaker has a clear message for his western audience, and is trying to convince his listeners to heed it. This requires accuracy in the use of the financial terms and a certain number of colloquial expressions to retain the flavor of the speech and get the message across.

Комментарии:

1) This sentence is full of nasty little problems. Особенно should follow
"This has become." В связи can be rendered as "because of or "due to"
rather than the much longer "in connection with." "В последнее время"
can be shortened to "recently," since "in recent times" is both lengthy
and excessively literary for this speech. Возникшее does not need
translation, as it adds nothing to the sentence. Известными is better not
translated as "well-known," which sounds awkward or even sarcastic —
which is certainly not the speaker's intention — in English. "Of which you
are aware" would cover this, if the interpreter has time. If not, известны­
ми can be safely left out, precisely because the audience is "aware" of
these problems.

2) надежным союзником для иностранных партнеров — the problem
here is the word союзник. "Ally" does not work in English, because it is
too politically tinged, and if you use "partner" here, then the word will
be repeated twice once "foreign partners" come along. Not the worst of
crimes, and if necessary "partners" can be used again, but a substitute in
the first instance might be "associate" or "interlocutor."

3) вырабатывает свой путь — this seemingly innocent phrase is fraught
with peril. "Is working out its path" belongs to long-dead Moscow
Newsisms and Tassisms. The idea is that Moscow is "producing its own
plan," "developing its own policy," or, colloquially, "has its own plan," for
a favorable investment climate, etc.

4) вступивший на путь преобразований, не может обойтись только
собственными ресурсами — there are several choices here. In any case,
as in the above example, the literal translation of путь has no place here.

"Any city which has begun major changes" is an easy beginning. "Cannot get by" will get the colloquial tone of the speech across, and the sentence could be finished with "solely its own resources," which would save a good many syllables.

5) на этом же уровне был и 1998 год — the sentence is another example
of "think nominative," and turn the initial words in an oblique case into
a nominative subject: "The same level." If the interpreter begins with "at
this level," it will be difficult to follow through with an idiomatic English
sentence. "Was true for" or "held true for" gets across был, since "was"
or "happened" will not work in English.

6) западного инвестора — in English this sounds better in the plural,
particularly since this is a long sentence. Otherwise it begins to sound like
a long description of a particular individual.

7) на цивилизованное законодательство — while "civilized" is logically a
correct translation, "sound" or "acceptable" are a bit better here.
"Civilized" sounds a bit patronizing.

8) в Москве эти вопросы решены достаточно положительно, о чем сви­
детельствует практика и опыт многочисленных зарубежных инвесторов —
once again, the interpreter will have a much easier time with the sentence
if the prepositional phrase "в Москве" is made into a nominative subject:
"Moscow has resolved these issues." "О чем свидетельствует" can also
be turned around to begin the clause with a nominative: "This is
demonstrated by..." "Практика и опыт" are tautologies, and can perfectly
well be translated by one word, "experience."

9) не покинули это поле, а, наоборот, расширили свою сферу деятель­
ности — this can translate as a singular, but then all three subjects need
to be in the singular: "Not a single foreign entrepreneur, company or firm
has abandoned such activity/its efforts." "Field" is not a good translation
for "поле" here. The sentence can be continued by subsuming наоборот
into "rather, there has been expansion of such efforts," instead of starting
on a longer construction with "on the contrary," which would require a
reiteration of the subject, i.e. "on the contrary, these firms have been
expanding their activity..."

 

10) особенностей и возможностей Москвы — "specific features" is more
idiomatic than "particular characteristics," and "potential" covers more
ground than "possibilities."

11) Москва, как известно... располагающий — saying "as is known" in
English verges on sounding silly. It is indeed perfectly obvious that the city
is a major metropolis. "Indeed" puts emphasis on the phrase without
making the listener sound like an ignoramus. "With" is quite sufficient for
располагающий. "Possessing" or "having" are both awkward and
unnecessary.

12) он характеризуется самой высокой в России инвестиционной дея­
тельностью — the verb "has" is simple and much more idiomatic than
"is characterized by." "It has the highest rate/largest proportion of

investment activity in Russia" is a clear statement; "It is characterized by" is clumsy, longer, and slightly confusing, suggesting that this may be a temporary state.

13) работает стабильно — "has been functioning" is appropriate here,
while "has been working" sounds awkward.

14) в городе ведется — this is another example of the need to start with
a nominative subject: "The city is engaged in." Otherwise the construction
will be extremely awkward: "In the city there is going on..."

15) реализуется достойная столицы программа реконструкции центра
города — here literal translation must be avoided at all costs, as this would
produce a real "Moscow Newsism." "A significant" or "major program"
is underway or is being carried out of reconstruction of the city center.
"Достойная" can also be conveyed by "sophisticated," but anything
involving the use of "dignified" should be avoided, as it will sound
strange. "Worthy of the capital" is possible, but will unnecessarily
lengthen the sentence and complicate the syntax.

16) не так давно — can nicely be translated antonymically: "quite recently."

17) живет и строится — a literal translation, "is living and building,"
would sound ridiculous. Turning the verb живет into the adverb

"actively" creates a normal English sentence: "is actively building."

18) в чем это конкретно заключается? — the notion here is what is
involved here, what is really involved. Rephrasing the question as "What
does this really mean?" or "What does this mean in fact?" gets the point
across. Конкретно then does not need to be translated, since it is covered
by "really" or "in fact."

19) жизнь показала — this expression is nearly always better rendered as
"experience has shown" rather than as "life has shown," which has an
awkward ring in English.

20) столичность нашего города также создает дополнительные удобст­
ва для предпринимательства — the syntax needs to be adjusted to deal
with столичность, which cannot be translated by a single word in English.
"The fact that our city is the capital" solves this problem and leads into
the rest of the sentence. Удобства can be rendered as "advantages," since
"conveniences" does not work here.

21) без преувеличения — while it is perfectly all right to say "with no
exaggeration," (much better than "without exaggeration"), the words
"unquestionably" or "undoubtedly" are equally effective here.

22) здесь все рядом — the idea is that everything is "right there" or "right
at hand," rather than "nearby" or "close by."

23) не только и не столько как путь — the speaker means "not only" or
"as much more than." A literal translation such as "not only and not so
much as" should be avoided, and путь here has the sense of a "means"
for doing something.