WTO Entry Fires Sino-Chile Business TiesTaking its cue from China's impending entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) Chile is pushing economic co-operation between the two nations to a new stage.Visiting Chilean Vice-Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz said at a press meeting on Monday that China's WTO entry will surely stimulate increased investment by Chilean enterprises in China. Chile is the first South American nation to officially bolster its WTO talks with China. It is currently China's second largest trade partner in South America. Chilean fruit, including grapes and kiwi fruit, can now enter the Chinese market under a plant quarantine agreement. Chile and China are now discussing the possibility of expanding Chinese imports of more Chilean fruit, according to Munoz. In addition, a model farm has been jointly established in North China's Tianjin to try the production of Chilean fruit in China. Apart from agricultural co-operation, the vice-foreign minister also expressed Chile's enthusiasm to participate in the development of China's vast western regions. He gave as an example a Chilean company specializing in copper mining which is now exploring the possibility of co-operation in China's western region. Political ties between China and Chile are solid, but there should be more effort made to develop economic co-operation, said Munoz. Munoz, who is in China for a four-day visit, brings with him a delegation made up of representatives from major Chilean enterprises, in the hope that the trip will help boost investment in both countries. [Source: chinadaily.com.cn] |
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