MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile: Trade Agreements Increased Commerce

Free trade agreements with the United States, Mexico and Canada boosted Chile's commerce and exports to North American markets last year, the Chilean government announced Saturday.

Trade grew nearly 37 percent last year between Chile and the United States, which signed a trade deal two years ago, according a statement from the economic relations office of the Foreign Ministry. Chilean exports to the U.S. were up 35 percent in 2005 over the previous year, and imports jumped 39 percent.

Exports to Mexico _ which inked a free trade deal with Chile in 1999 and last year became the second-largest market for exports from this South American nation _ rose 21 percent in 2005, while imports rose 23 percent on overall trade of US$2.3 billion (euro1.9 billion).

Exports to Canada, which signed an agreement with Chile in 1997, grew 37 percent in 2005, while imports were up 17 percent over the previous year.

Chile also has free trade agreements with the European Union, Central American nations, South Korea and China, and is negotiating with other nations including Japan.