Canada signs free-trade agreement with Panama

Although small trade by comparison with the U.S., Panama has signed the deal with Canada.

PANAMA CITY — Prime Minister Stephen Harper will sign a free-trade agreement with Panama on Tuesday morning, giving Canadian business greater access to the small but fast-growing Central American economy.

Once the deal is ratified, Panama will immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 90 per cent of its current imports from Canada. The remaining tariffs will fall within a decade.

Canada has a relatively modest trade relationship with Panama, whose economy grew by 9.2 per cent last year. In 2008, Canadian exports to Panama totaled $127.9 million.

Read the rest on Reuters