англ

USEFUL VOCABULARY

To border (on) -граничить

Sovereign state – суверенное, независимое государство

Population - население

Construction materials – строительные материалы

Deposit(s) – залежи, хранение; депозит (в банке), первый взнос (в банке)

Shortage – нехватка, недостаток, дефицит

Export – экспортируемый товар, вывоз

Import – импортируемый товар, ввозимые товары

Facilities – удобства; оборудование (syn. equipment)

Exploration – исследование, изучение

The volume of production – объёмы продукции

Economic transition (to) – экономический переход

Manufactory – предприятие, фабрика, завод

Sustainable development – устойчивое развитие

To reduce - сокращать

To launch – начинать, запускать продукцию, выпускать на рынок

Implementation – осуществление, реализация

Legislative power – законодательная власть

Executive power – исполнительная власть

Judicial power– судебная власть

Welfare – благополучие, благосостояние

To account for–составлять, насчитывать

Rich in smth. – богатый на что-либо, с богатым содержанием чего-либо

Human capital – человеческий капитал (способности и трудовые навыки, приносящие доход)

Centralized distribution – централизованное распределение (доходов, ресурсов и т.д.)

Engineering (mechanical engineering)industry – машиностроение

Timber (woodworking) industry – деревообрабатывающая промышленность

Mining industry – горнодобывающая промышленность

Crop growing – возделывание сельскохозяйственных культур

Livestock breeding – животноводство

Subsidiary – дочерняя компания

To amount to – равняться, представлять собой, насчитываться

Outsourcing – привлечение услуг сторонних организаций

Revenue – доход

Light industry – лёгкая промышленность

Petrochemical complex – нефтехимический комплекс

Sustainable development – устойчивое развитие

Renewable energy sources – возобновляемые источники энергии

Economy of the Republic of Belarus

Economy in the Republic of Belarus is formed on the basis of a socially oriented market model. Centralized distribution and planning, except for national measures, is absent. The country has a developed power industry, engineering industry, agriculture, chemical and timber industry, construction and manufacture of building materials, mining industry. The country’s GDP accounts for approximately $76.2 billion.

Belarus is notrich in natural resources, so it belongs to the group of states that develop not due to the use of resources, but due to factors of production. Human capital is the most important resource of the Belarusian economy. Many investors call availability of highly qualified human resources in the country one of the reasons why they are investing their capital in Belarus.

Labour market

According to the official statistics, in February 2015 the employed population size was 4 460,1 thousand people, which is 1% less than in February 2014. The number of the unemployed, registered in the bodies of labour, employment and social protection of the population by the end of February 2015 was 35, 9 thousand people, which is 54,9% more than by the end of February 2014 and which is 17,1% more than by the end of January 2015. The level of the registered unemployment for the end of February 2015 was 0.8% of the economically active population.

Main branches of the Belarusian economy

Agro-industrial complex

Belarus remains one of the leading producers of agricultural products in CIS. The basis of the agro-industrial complex are crop growing and livestock breeding, and both spheres are undergoing reconstruction, introduction of new technologies and attraction of investment money. The basic crops are cereals, legumes, potatoes, flax,as well as fodder crops;the main vegetable crops are carrots, beets, cabbage. Livestock breeding is focused on the production of meat and dairy products. Belarus delivers agricultural products to 35 countries of the world, 70% of which is exported to Russia, about 13% — to other CIS countries, 14% — to non-CIS countries.

It is worth mentioning that organic agriculture has developed in Belarus. There are manufacturers working according to organic methods, and three farms have already received European certificates, which open opportunities for these enterprises to export products to the EU countries.

Banking and finance

The function of management, planning and forecasting in the financial sphere is performed by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus.

The banking system of the republic has two levels. It consists of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus and other banks, among which are banks with foreign capital and subsidiariesof foreign banks registered on the territory of Belarus.

Woodworking industry

The share of the woodworking industry in Belarus amounts to about 2% in the structure of the industrial production and includes a number of segments: production of sawmill materials, plywood, furniture, fabricated houses and wood construction details, production of matches. Enterprises of the woodworking industry are united by the “Bellesbumprom” concern which is a monopolist in timber harvesting and production of some products from it. “Bellesbumprom” includes 60 enterprises, which account for about 70% of the processing of wood and approximately 45% of furniture production in the Republic of Belarus.

The largest woodworking enterprises of the Republic of Belarus are “Gomeldrev”, “Mostodrev”, “Ivatsevichidrev”, “Vitebskdrev”, “Pinskdrev”, “FanDok” and others.

IT-industry

In the past several years Belarus has earned the reputation of the leading “IT country” in the Eastern European region. According to the Global Services 100 rating, the Republic of Belarus placed 13th among the 20 leading countries in the sphere of IT outsourcing and high-tech services. Moreover, Belarus ranks 48th in the UN IT-ranking.

The key “point of reference” from which the development of the IT sphere in Belarus began is considered to be September 2005 marking the creation of the “Belarusian Silicon Valley” – the High-Tech Park. In September 2012 HTP announced that it earned its first 1 billion US dollars. According to the International Finance Corporation, by 2020 the revenue of the IT-sphere of Belarus may reach 3-4 billion US dollars, or 4.5% of the total GDP of 2012. About 6 thousand workplaces have been created during the existence of the Park with the participation of foreign investors.

Information and communication technologies are the priority investmentsattracting areas. The number of companies in Belarus producing intelligent products, which are in demand around the world, is growing rapidly. Among them are Wargaming.net, the producer of the popular MMO-shooterWorld of Tanks, IBA Group, EPAM Systems, etc.

Light industry

According to various estimates, the light industry in Belarus accounts for about 28-30% of the total production of non-food goods. The largest enterprises of the industry are part of the “Bellegprom” concern and produce about 80% of the total industry volume. In general, there are about 500 light industry enterprises in the republic, producing over 5,000 product names.

Mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering remains the most important sector with the active development of the agricultural and transport aspects. The republic produces over 59,000 tractors, 2,000 combine harvesters, 22,000 trucks, 2,000 buses per year. Over 60% of Belarusian mechanical engineering products are sold abroad.

The Belarusian enterprises in mechanical engineering are widely known abroad thanks to such national brands as dump trucks “BelAZ”, tractors “Belarus”, trucks “MAZ”. Special equipment “Amkodor” and agricultural equipment “Gomselmash” also found their sales markets, constantly expanding the geography of export.

Metallurgical complex

The metallurgical industry of Belarus is represented by enterprises of ferrous metallurgy, organizations on preparation and secondary processing of metal scrap, as well as enterprises working in the sphere of powder metallurgy and casting of non-ferrous metals.The metallurgical complex of Belarus includes 8 enterprises which produce steel electric round and shaped tubes, steel cast blanks, rolled steel, various kinds of wires, metal cords, bolts, screws, nuts, nails, molding materials, heating equipment.

Petrochemical complex

The petrochemical industry of Belarus belongs to the category of strategic industries for the country. It includes:

• The oil-producing segment with a specialization in oil production and its primary treatment;

• The oil-refining segment — the basis of fuel industry;

• The chemical industry.

The enterprises of the petrochemical industry are united by the concern “Belneftekhim”, it accounts for over 30% of the industrial production of the country. The concern contains over 60 organizations, including PA “Naftan” in Novapolack, refinery in Mazyr, CJSC “Belorusneft”, as well as the enterprises of the fertilizer industry — OJSC “Belaruskali”, OJSC “Grodno Azot”, OJSC “Gomel Chemical Plant”. The oil refineries of Belarus produce motor and diesel fuel, fuel oil, lubricating oils, road oil, raw materials for the petrochemical industry. The main export destinations of the petrochemical industry are CIS countries.

Energy sector

The development of renewable energy sources or RES remains one of the priorities recognized by law in Belarus. In 2012, 25% of production of electrical and heat energy shall be obtained through the use of local fuel types and alternative energy sources. All types of renewable energy technologies function in the republic today. It is safe to say that the greatest prospect in the republic is represented by hydro and wind power.

Building materials

The building materials industry in Belarus is represented by about 1,500 enterprises of different form of ownership, that specialize in the production of cement, wall, coating and finish materials, precast concrete and concrete structures, roofing materials, etc. In total, the country produces over 130 kinds of building materials and products.The enterprises of Belarus export about 50 types of building materials, products and constructions. Moreover, 80% of export volume accounts for ceramic tiles, polished glass, roll roofing materials, building constructions, ceramic and silicate bricks, cement, break stone.

“Green restructuring” of the Belarusian economic model

Systematic work is conducted to shift the economy to “green” principles in Belarus.Belarus pays considerable attention to the problem of climate change, considering it a serious global challenge on the way to sustainable development. Belarus supports the large-scale international cooperation on climate change, supports the need for a comprehensive new climate agreement, is making efforts to develop an effective, long-term equitable global climate policy that can meet today’s environmental challenges and threats.

Aware of the growing role of renewable energy sources for the implementation of the sustainable development concept, Belarus supports the positive trend to strengthen international efforts to develop a global strategy for the use of renewable energy.Belarus has been a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) since the creation of the agency in 2009. Our country has high hopes for this specialized international organization, which, as expected, in the future will be the global platform for the exchange of best practices in the promotion of new and renewable energy sources and increase energy efficiency.

DISCOVERING LANGUAGE

Passive Voice

I.Specify the sentences below that are used either with Active Voice or Passive Voice or with both Voices:

1.The Republic of Belarus does not have a massive mineral resource base.

2.About 5 thousand deposits representing about 30 types of minerals were identified and explored in the depths of Belarus.

3.Systematic work is conducted to shift the economy to “green” principles in Belarus.

4.Belarus is unable to meet the demand for fuel resources from its own raw materials.

5.If the total anticipated resources of peat are estimated at 3.0 billion tons, only 240 million tons are suitable for industrial production.

6.Combustible shale is considered as a potential resource base for the development of energy, chemical industry and the production of construction materials.

7.Belarus has a fairly rich mineral and raw material base for the production of construction materials.

8.The research and involvement of mineral groundwater in exploitation is being expanded.

9.Mineral water is used for health resort treatment, as well as sold through the trading network as mineral medicinal and table water.

II.Choose the best variant in each sentence:

1. The territory of Belarus (is/ is been) prospective in ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

2. 58 mineral water springs with a total reserve of 14,320.8 m3 per day (have explored/ have been explored), currently 50 springs (are being developed/ develop).

3. The republic (is making/ is being made) a lot of effort in order to be an example of managing and caring for nature in the region.

4. Aware of the growing role of renewable energy sources for the implementation of the sustainable development concept, Belarus (is supported/ supports) the positive trend to strengthen international efforts to develop a global strategy for the use of renewable energy.

5. Belarus (has been/ has being been) a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) since the creation of the agency in 2009.

6. In Belarus funds (use/ are used) to support enterprises and their re-equipment for development in agriculture.

7. Today many projects with foreign capital (are being implemented/ has been implemented) in the sphere of the Belarusian agro-industrial complex – this is the construction of biogas complexes, turkey-growing complexes.

8. The share of the woodworking industry in Belarus (amounts/ is amounted) to about 2% in the structure of the industrial production and (being included/ includes) a number of segments.

III.Open the brackets using the right tense form and Voice (Active or Passive):

1. Currently the woodworking industry with the estimated cost of 150 million euros… on the basis of the government enterprise “Smorgon Aggregate Plant”. (create)

2. The Investment Agreement of the Ministry of Economy of Belarus and Kronospan Holdings East Limited … in Frankfurt-am-Main recently within the framework of the Belarusian Investment Forum. (sign)

3. For the past several years Belarus … the reputation of the leading “IT country” in the Eastern European region. (earn)

4. Software development … in the country since 1998. (exist)

5.Significant amounts of money … profitably in the projects of the IT-sphere of Belarus. (can/ invest)

6.The export potential of Belarus … on such positions as trucks, tractors, television sets, refrigerators, chemical fiber, potassium fertilizers, textile products, light and food industries. (base)

7.Belarus … in its development, placing its stake on the competitive growth of the economy of the country and its consistent integration into the world economic system. (not/ stop)

8.Special attention … to the development of sport in Belarus as a perspective sphere of economy. (pay)

9.In the last decade the dynamics of foreign trade of the Republic of Belarus … by the fast growth of trade turnover and services. (characterize)

10. Free Economic Zones … to attract investments into the creation and development of export-oriented and import-substituting industries based on new and high technologies. (create)