Florida businesses see bright future with free trade under pacts involving Panama and Colombia. Latin gateway concept

Florida businesses are celebrating the approval of the free-trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, hoping they boost both the state's exports and its image as the gateway to Latin American business opportunities.

The agreements approved last week will eliminate tariffs on US products, help protect intellectual property and improve access for American investors in those countries.

Experts say they could boost US exports by $13 billion and the Obama administration says it will add at least 70,000 new jobs for Americans. Working out the final details with the other countries could still take several months.


Original source: Associated Press