Chile is an excellent example of how well-structured commercial and trade agreements have a positive economic impact on a country.
For example, in 2008, commercial trade totaled USD127 billion, of which USD70 billion corresponded to exportation. More than 90% of this trade was the result of international agreements.
In contrast, in 2000, before Chile had entered into agreements with the EU and the US, exports totaled on USD18 billion.
The network of trade agreements has also contributed to market diversification, whereby the export base expands as Chile effectively competes with other countries in marketing their goods and services abroad.
Benefits also improve credit conditions. Chile has the lowest country risk in Latin America. Part of the management of this risk is a result of the association of the Chilean economy with others in the developed world.
Commercial agreement timeline
Bolivia, Economic Complementary Agreement
Venezuela, Economic Complementary Agreement
Colombia, Economic Complementary Agreement (in 2006, it was extended to create a free trade agreement)
Ecuador, Economic Complementary Agreement
Mercosur, Economic Complementary Agreement (in 2008, a Services Chapter was included)
Canada, Free Trade Agreement
Peru, Economic Complementary Agreement (a subsequent free trade agreement was negotiated as of March 1, 2009)
Mexico, Free Trade Agreement
Central American free trade agreement with Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua
European Union, Economic Association Agreement
United States, Free Trade Agreement
P-4 (i.e., Chile, New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei), Economical Association Agreement
Korea, Free Trade Agreement
EFTA (i.e., Island, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), Free Trade Agreement
China, Free Trade Agreement (the chapter on investments is still being negotiated)
India, Partial Reach Agreement
Japan, Economical Association Agreement
Panama, Free Trade Agreement
Cuba, Economical Complementary Agreement
Australia, Free Trade Agreement
Commercial agreements in process
Guatemala (FTA Bilateral Protocol), signed in 1999, in process of ratification by Congress
Malaysia, Free Trade Agreement, negotiations started on June 2007
Vietnam, Free Trade Agreement, initiating negotiations
Turkey, Free Trade Agreement, negotiations started in 2008
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