El Salvador's Economy Minister Yolanda de Gavidia said on Friday that the nation was pleased with the country's free trade agreement with the United States, according to reports reaching here from the country.

The accord has already boosted sales to the U.S. by 15 percent, but the large scale effects will be seen over the long term, she said.

The agreement will not only benefit companies, boosting production and employment, but will also present some challenges, she said.

The small and medium-sized companies face the greatest challenge, de Gavidia said, because they will have to boost their competitivity. U.S. companies are also trying to boost their sales to El Salvador under the deal, she said.

El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua have brought the free trade agreement into force, but another three nations which have signed the deal -- Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic -- have not yet ratified the deal in their respective Congresses.

Source: Xinhua