Colombia and Chile Close in on Free Trade Agreement

Government officials from Chile and Colombia expect to close in on a free trade agreement at meetings this week in Barranquilla and sign it at the end of November when Colombian President Alvaro Uribe visits Chile. The agenda this week includes rules of origin, dispute resolution mechanisms and rules for awarding public contacts. The two countries started talks two weeks ago and the deal is expected to go through quickly as trade in most products between them is already open under earlier deals. Chile exports copper, fruit, wine, medicines to Colombia and has invested almost $1.6 billion in the Andean nation since 1990.