The governments of five Central American countries and Chile signed on October 18 in Guatemala an a free trade agreement (FTA) between both parties.

　 The document was signed by the presidents of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica for Central America, and Chile, according to a report reaching here from Guatemala City.

　 The agreement's signing made an FTA among the five nations of Central America proceed the inauguration of the 20th Central American Summit that will conclude Tuesday.

　 The FTA is called a "framework agreement" as each Central American country will negotiate on a later date tax relief lists.

　 The FTA between the five Central American countries and Chile will come into force at a later date.

　 The governments of these five Central American nations and Chile signed previously two memoranda, one on education and cultural material, and another on political understanding.

　 The FTA between the isthmus' five countries and Chile for eliminating taxes, will create a market of 47 million consumers. (Xinhua)