Paulson: Free trade can help Peru's poor |
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Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:21
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LIMA, Peru (AP) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Wednesday that a free trade agreement with Peru could help distribute the benefits of Peru's strong economic growth among the country's poor.Speaking with reporters after meeting with President Alan Garcia, he said: 'We both believe that the free trade agreement ... will make it possible for more small businesses and more people to benefit from trade.'Paulson arrived in Peru Tuesday night after attending a meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank in Guatemala. He met with small business leaders and business school students before departing for Washington at noon.Peru and U.S. trade negotiators reached an agreement for a free trade pact in April of last year and it was ratified by Peru's Congress in June. But its approval has been held up in the Democrat-controlled U.S. Congress, where some lawmakers worry that pending trade deals with Peru and other countries could jeopardize American jobs.The Bush administration has reiterated its support for the free trade pact and has urged Congress to approve it.Peru is hoping it will finally be approved in the coming weeks.Paulson said he was envious of Peru's economic growth rate, which hit 9 percent in January.He said that he told Garcia 'that I smile whenever I look at his economic figures. I told him that I am very pleased to see some of his programs which are making it easier for small businesses to start up.'Paulson said Garcia told him that many programs are oriented toward distributing the benefits of the growth among the poor.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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peru |
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Thu, 17 May 2007 17:07:30 GMT (
rat ) |
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-the poor people need to have food and the right clothing. Many people are sufering and are very hungry. so please help the poor people. |
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peru |
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Thu, 17 May 2007 17:04:43 GMT (
rat ) |
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we need to help peru and there poor people.
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U.S. trade rep meets with Peru leader 