UK series 英国系列 9 | Overview of the UK Economy 英国经济概况
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The UK was the first country to undergo the industrial revolution, and this made the UK a dominant power in the world during the 19th century. During this time the UK was a world leader in producing key materials associated with the industrial revolution. Some of the products that drove the economy of the UK during this time were coal, steel, textiles, steam engines, ships, etc. After world war 2, the country’s manufacturing industry started to decline, however, it still produced more in absolute terms than previously.
英国是第一个经历工业革命的国家，这使得英国在19世纪成为世界上的主导大国。在此期间，英国在生产与工业革命相关的关键产品方面处于世界领先地位。这段时间推动英国经济发展的产品有煤炭、钢铁、纺织、蒸汽机、船舶等。二战后，英国的工业开始衰退，但它的绝对产量仍高于以往。
The country’s economy depends on foreign trade. The government supports free and unrestricted trade. Due to its dependence on trade, Britain has almost no restrictions on foreign trade and investment. Of the country’s 500 largest companies, 60 are American. Its main trading partner is the European Union and about 58% of Britain's exports go to EU countries. The UK’s main partners in the EU are Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The UK's largest single market is the US, which accounts for 13% of its exports. The United States also provides 14% of British imports. As a consolidated group, the EU provides 53% of UK imports. Germany accounts for 13%, France for 9%, the Netherlands for 7%, and Italy for 5%.
英国的经济依赖于对外贸易而且政府支持自由和不受限制的贸易。由于对贸易的依赖，英国几乎没有设对外贸易和投资的限制。在英国最大的500家公司中有60家是美国公司。它的主要贸易伙伴是欧盟，英国约58%的出口产品销往欧盟国家。其在欧盟的主要合作伙伴是德国、法国和荷兰。英国最大的单一市场是美国，占英国出口的13%。美国也提供英国14%的进口。作为一个联合团体，欧盟大约提供英国53%的进口而其中德国占13%，法国占9%，荷兰占7%，意大利占5%。
The strength of the Pound Sterling and the state of the economy make the UK an attractive place for foreign investors. About 30% of all foreign investment into the EU is directed at the UK. The UK has also invested heavily in other countries. In 1998, the United Kingdom had invested $120 billion abroad. The US is the largest single investor in the UK, accounting for 44% of all UK foreign investment. In 1997, US investment in the UK reached US $138.8 billion. The total investment of the United States in the United Kingdom exceeds the total investment of the United States in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands. Overall, foreign investment accounts for 5% of the UK GDP.
英国凭借英镑的坚挺和经济状况吸引外国投资者。在所有进入欧盟的外资中，约有30%是针对英国的。英国也在其他国家进行了大量投资，1998年，英国在国外投资了1200亿美元。美国是英国最大的单一投资者，它占在英国全部外资的44%。1997年，美国对英国的投资达到了1388亿美元。美国在英国的总投资超过了美国在德国、法国、意大利和荷兰的总投资。总体而言，外国投资占英国GDP的5%。
For decades, the United Kingdom has had a trade deficit because it imports more goods and services than it exports. In 1998, the trade deficit reached US $35 billion, accounting for 1.5% of GDP. However, due to the Kingdom's appeal to foreign investors, the new investment capital continues to allow the UK to fund this deficit, as the new investment capital exceeds the loss through the trade deficit.
几十年来，英国一直存在贸易逆差，因为它进口的商品和服务多于出口。1998年贸易逆差达到了350亿美元，占国内生产总值的1.5%。不过，由于英国对外国投资者的吸引力，新的投资资本继续允许英国弥补这一赤字，因为新的投资资本超过了贸易赤字带来的损失。
Foreign companies account for 40% of UK exports and play an important role in manufacturing. About 20% of manufacturing companies are foreign-funded enterprises, and 16% of employment opportunities in this industry are related to foreign-funded enterprises. In 1998, there were 25,800 foreign companies in the UK. Major international companies in the UK include DuPont, Ciba and Coca Cola.
外企占英国出口的40%，在制造业中发挥着重要作用。约20%的制造业企业是外资企业，该行业16%的就业机会与外资企业有关。在1998年，英国有了25800家外企。英国的主要国际公司包括杜邦、汽巴和可口可乐。
Business District in London
在伦敦的一个商务区
In order to attract foreign enterprises and foreign investment, the British government has adopted various programs. For example, the Council allows local and regional governments to establish business districts. In these areas, companies are exempt from property taxes and reimbursed for the cost of building a new factory or place of business. These incentives can be extended to 10 years. In addition, there are projects that encourage businesses to enter depressed urban areas, known as "aid areas." In 1998, the total value of these projects was $315 million. There are seven free trade areas in the UK, these areas allow goods to be stored for shipment without customs or import duties.
为了吸引外企和外资，英国政府采取了各种方案。例如，理事会允许地方和地区政府建立商业区。在这些地区，公司免征财产税，并偿还建造新工厂或营业场所的费用。这些激励措施可以延长到10年。此外，还有一些项目鼓励企业进入被称为“援助区”的贫困城市地区，1998年，这些项目的总价值为3.15亿美元。英国共有7个自由贸易区，这些地区允许货物在不征收关税或进口税的情况下储存以备装运。
Top Products 主要产品
The top products by category in the UK are: Mineral fuels and oil, nuclear reactors and parts, cars, pharmaceuticals, electrical appliances, precious metals, organic chemicals, optical and surgical instruments, aircraft, plastics, iron and steel, beverages, spirits and vinegar, chemical products, etc.
在英国按类别的主要产品有：矿物燃料和石油、核反应堆和部件、汽车、药品、电器、贵金属、有机化学品、光学和外科仪器、飞机、塑料、钢铁、饮料、烈酒和醋、化工产品等。
Car Industry 汽车工业
Most of the car firms in the UK are owned by foreign companies, these include car production plants such as BMW Mini (Oxford), Nissan (Sunderland), Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Lotus, Morgan, and Vauxhall.
英国的大多数汽车公司都是由外国公司拥有的，这些公司包括宝马迷你（牛津）、日产（桑德兰）、阿斯顿马丁（Aston Martin）、劳斯莱斯（Rolls Royce）、宾利（Bentley）、莲花（Lotus）、摩根（Morgan）和沃克斯豪尔（Vauxhall）等汽车生产厂。
Service sector 服务业
As manufacturing is declining in the UK, the service sector has become more prominent. The main services are Financial services such as insurance and banking, TV Shows, Video Games, Education, etc.
随着英国制造业的衰退，服务业变得更加突出。主要服务有金融服务比如保险和银行、电视节目、电子游戏、教育等。
Conclusion 结论
The UK’s involvement in the first and second world wars weakened its position in the global economy, but still, its position remains higher and with great influence around the world. The economy of the United Kingdom at present is a highly developed and market-oriented. The service sector contributes around eighty percent of the GDP, with financial services industry-dominating, in fact, London is the second-largest financial center in the world. As of 2019 IMF estimates, the UK was the sixth-largest economy in the world measured by nominal gross domestic product (GDP).
英国卷入第一次和第二次世界大战削弱了其在全球经济中的地位，但其地位仍然较高，在世界各地具有很大的影响力。英国目前的经济高度发达，以市场为导向。服务业占国内生产总值的80%左右，金融服务业占主导地位，事实上，伦敦是世界第二大金融中心。据国际货币基金组织（IMF）估计，截至2019年，以名义国内生产总值（GDP）衡量，英国经济排名世界第六大。
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