U.S., Chile agencies help Latin American countries

U.S., Chile agencies help Latin American countries    The U.S. Agency for International Development and Chilean International Development Agency (AgCI) continued talks this week to implement the recently signed memorandum of understanding to advance trilateral cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
   “For USAID to work closely with AgCI is a no-brainer,” said Mark Lopes, USAID's deputy assistant administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, in a statement. “Chilean officials bring top-notch expertise and have been doing work in a trilateral way longer than we have.”
   USAID and AgCI have partnered to strengthen the government of Paraguay’s capacity in customs administration, export promotion and support to farmers. In the coming months, the agencies will also begin joint agricultural development programs in El Salvador and Guatemala.
   Lopes is in Santiago this week for the Third Session of the Chile-U.S. Executive Trilateral Cooperation Committee.