Lebanon-S. America trade agreement to be signed

BEIRUT: A trade agreement between Lebanon and Mercosur, also known as the common market of South America, is to be signed next month in Argentina, Ambassador Ricardo Larriera said Monday. He said the agreement would give Lebanon access to big markets with strong client bases. The ambassador announced that the agreement would be signed on Dec. 17 by Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and representatives from Mercosur. Mercosur is a South American trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. Its associate countries are Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Its purpose is to promote free trade and the fluid movement of goods, people and currency.