Russia intends to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Chile, a Chilean official said on Tuesday.

According to information reaching here , Chilean Agriculture Minister Marigen Hornkohl told Chilean media that she is in Russia to talk about issues related to the liberalization of bilateral commerce.

According to official figures, Chile and Russia have a trade volume of about US$430 million a year, mainly based on fruits. Both sides intend to expand trade to meats and other products.

On Monday, the Chilean government and the Russian National Service of Agriculture launched in Moscow a business platform designed to help ease trade in agriculture and food between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2009)