Contacts with investors in Belarus: what is the English for 8?
- 14.08.2009, 10:26
Belarusian enterprises cannot work with investors, as their workers do not know English.
At recent consultations with heads of Belarusian foreign policy agencies Alyaksandr Lukashenka complained that secretaries in reception offices still slam down phone receivers when hearing foreign speech.
“How are we going to win in foreign markets? Are we going to wait till they start talking our language? It’s a fact that we need cadres’ rotation in the country,” the Belarusian leader summed up.
A correspondent of “BelGazeta” called offices of directors at a number of Belarusian enterprises, asked one question: “I’d like to talk to someone about your investment portfolio and discuss some plans about creating a joint-venture with your enterprise”.
“Vorsha’s machine tool works” republican unitary enterprise
- (Speaks Russian) Could you say it in Russian? No… I simply do not understand anything. Could you send it by fax? (In English) Fax! By fax! Yes? (In Russian) Well, wait, I have forgotten English. 216886. It is (In English) one-two-one… (one-two-three-four-five…) six! (seven…) (In Russian) Well, wait a minute… (Calls another phone). Ira, I have a mental block. What is the English for 8? Hey, say it to me quicker, a person is calling. Eig-ch? Or not eig-ch? After seven! Once again: (in English) after seven, (in Russian) and then “six”.
“Brest stockings plant” joint stock company
- One moment (Shouts for somebody). No…
- I’II call back later
- No.
- - I’d like to talk to someone…
- No.
“Brest carpets” joint stock company
-… (Receiver was hanged up).
“Vitsebsk carpets” joint stock company
-… (Receiver was hanged up).
“Pinskdrev” closed joint-stock society
(Speaks English)
- Let’s proceed this way: you will send us your proposals, I will translate them and submit them to our director. Are you familiar with our specialization? We are open to foreign investment, but we like first get proposals from your side. I am the director of the export and import department, my name is Victor Filippsky. Write, please, e-mail: exportline@pinskdrev.by
“Kristall” republican unitary enterprise (Minsk)
- Sorry, I don’t speak English.
“Kommunarka” joint stock company (Minsk)
- One moment. Price, da? Repeat. Repeat after me, for me. (In Russian) Repeat after me, (in English) repeat. My plant “Kommunarka”… (In Russian) in English… Call, please, later.