The Ministry of Economy (Minec) has started negotiations to complete a business framework for the country’s main products, including medicines, coffee and pesticides, many of which have been traditionally exported to Mercosur.

According to Salvadoran Economy Minister, María Luisa Hayem, this is the first time her country negotiates a treaty of this type individually with a region or customs union.

The Argentine ambassador to El Salvador, Sergio Luis Iaciuk, and spokesmen from Mercosur, which includes Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, participated in the talks. “With this agreement, El Salvador aims to become a commercial source linking Central America and Mercosur, a bloc that represents the fifth largest economy in the world,” said Hayem.

She indicated that the four South American countries have a market boasting more than 200 million potential consumers, who can become consumers of our products as well.

El Salvador already exports several products to the South American region, including medicines, coffee, pesticides, cotton t-shirts and plastics.

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