The Economic Commission for Latin America (CEPAL) said on Monday it was planning a series of seminars on improving investment and trade links with China, alongside the chambers of commerce from Brazil, Peru and Chile.

Osvaldo Rosales, CEPAL's head of international business, told Xinhua that the first meeting, called "Strategic Analysis of the China-Latin America Relationship" would be in Santiago, capital of Chile, on Nov. 9.

Rosales said new opportunities had opened up following the 2004 visit of Chinese president Hu Jintao to Argentina, Brazil and Chile, and that the meetings would examine both the opportunities and the factors holding back CEPAL members from full participation in commerce with China.

According to CEPAL statistics, China is the second largest export market for Brazil, Peru and Chile.

But in a recent report, CEPAL noted that there were few proposals by South American firms to invest in China, and said that it was time to start an international debate on the topic.

Source: Xinhua