Экономика Великобритании и диалектика её развития

Much of inorganic production consists of relatively simple bulk chemicals, such as sulphuric acid, serving as basic materials for industry.

Expansion in the plastics sector recently has been mainly in thermoplastics. ICI manufactured the world’s first biodegradable thermoplastic, Biopol, used as a slow release agent for drugs and herbicides, and for making non-polluting bottles and films. I

CI is the word’s largest paint producer.

The pharmaceutical industry’s trade surplus of $1,280 million in 1991 was the second largest of all manufacturing sectors. Employing over 87,000 people directly, pharmaceuticals supports employment for a quarter of a million others in related activities. Britain is the world’s fourth largest exporter of medicines, with British firms making three of the world’s ten best-selling medicines, including Glaxo’s ulcer treatment Zantac and ICI’s beta-blocker Tenormin. Retrovir is an approved treatment for HIV infection developed by Britain’s Wellcome Foundation.

Britain is active in biotechnology research and has made major advances in the development of drugs such as human insulin and genetically-engineered vaccines.

Mechanical Engineering and Metal Goods

Major products include plant and machinery for industries such as chemicals, power and water, as well as fabricated steelwork for bridges, buildings and industrial installations. Britain is among the Western word’s biggest producers of tractors. Almost all the output of machine tools is purchased by domestic industries. Most sales of textile machinery are to export markets. Overseas orders for mining machinery and tunnelling equipment are also substantial.

Electrical, Electronic and Instrument Engineering

An extensive range of computer hardware systems and associated equipment and software is produced in Britain. Amstrad is Britain’s best-selling personal computer firm. Several leading overseas manufacturers – such as ICL, IBM, Unisys and Compaq – have manufacturing plants in Britain.

British firms and research bodies have been active in developing new semiconductor materials like gallium arsenide, which can help computers work much faster.

British Telecom (BT) is the main customer for communications network equipment. Supported by a technically advanced cable industry, it has led in the development of optical fibre communications systems.

Firms such as GEG and Oxford Instruments make sophisticated electronic medical equipment, for example, ultrasound scanners.

Motor Vehicles

The present recession has hit the motor vehicles industry particularly hard. Car output is dominated by Rover (which is British), Ford, Vauxhall, Pegeot Talbot and Nissan. Two other Japanese manufacturers have also established themselves in Britain – Honda and Toyota. The motor components industry, consisting of over 2,000 firms, is an important employer.

Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering

The largest sector is devoted to the building and conversion of warships for the Royal Navy and overseas government. British yards also build merchant vessels, including gas carriers and offshore support and research vessels. Marine equipment – for example, ships’ engines and navigation systems – is an important sector too.

More than 20 years of oil and gas exploitation in the North Sea have generated a major offshore industry manufacturing platforms, drilling rigs, jack-up rigs and offshore loading systems.

Aerospace

With about 300 companies employing around 150,000 people, Britain’s aerospace industry is the third largest in the world. Over 70 per cent of production is exported. Since the ending of the “Cold War” production is focusing more on civil products; at present spending on civil and defence products is about equal.

As Britain’s leading manufacturing exporter, British Aerospace (BAe) produces both civil and military aircraft, satellites, space systems, guided weapons and components. Civil aircraft include the RJ regional jetliner series (formerly the 146) and the best-selling 125 middle-sized business jet. The company has a 20 per cent share in Airbus Industrie, which manufactures a family of airlines.

BAe’s military production includes the vertical/short take-off Harrier and the Hawk fast jet trainer. It is also a partner in producing the Tornado combat aircraft.

Shorts of Belfast manufactures wings for the Fokker 100 jetliner and is involved in producing the 50-seat Canadair jet airlines. Westland is a partner in developing the multi-role three-engine EH 101 helicopter.

One of the three major aero-engine manufacturers in the Western world, Rolls-Royce manufactures engines for civil aircraft as well as for military aircraft and helicopters. The latest variant of its RB211 turbofan, the Trent, is presently the world’s most powerful turbofan in development. Rolls-Royce is a partner in the International Aero Engine consortium, which makes the V2500 low-pollution aero-engine, now in service on the Airbus A320.

British aviation equipment companies have made significant technological advances. They supply navigation and landing systems, engine and flight controls, power systems, flight deck control and information systems, including head-up displays, of which GEC Avionics is the world’s biggest manufacturer. British firms have also been active in developing flight simulators and “fly-bywire” technology, in which the aircraft’s control surfaces are manipulated electronically.

British companies like BAe, Marconi and GEC are engaged in producing satellites and equipment for the European Space Agency and others.

Other manufacturing

Other major industries include and furniture, paper, printing and publishing, rubber tyres and tubes toys, sports equipment and jewellery.

Service Industries

Services account for 65 per cent of Britain’s gross domestic product and 71 per cent of employment. Services have generally experienced the fastest growth in recent decades. However, with the onset of recession, output dropped by 1.7 per cent in 1991, and spending on services declined by 2 per cent in real terms.

Financial Services

Britain is a major financial centre, housing some of the world’s leading banking, insurance, securities, shipping, commodities, futures and other financial services and markets. The markets for financial and related services have grown and diversified greatly over the past decade. The heart of the industry is the collection of markets and institutions in and around the “Square Mile” in the City of London. This area has:

-the greatest concentration of banks in the world - responsible for about 20 per cent of total international bank lending;

-the world’s biggest insurance industry – with about 20 per cent of the international market;

-one of the world’s largest stock exchanges;

-the largest foreign exchange market in the world, with an average daily turnover of about $200,000 million;

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