Page "Economy of Chile" Paragraph 21

According to the CIA World Factbook, Chile's " sound economic policies ," maintained consistently since the 1980s, " have contributed to steady economic growth in Chile and have more than halved poverty rates.

" The 1973-90 military government sold many state-owned companies, and the three democratic governments since 1990 have implemented export promotion policies and continued privatization, though at a slower pace.

The government's role in the economy is mostly limited to regulation, although the state continues to operate copper giant CODELCO and a few other enterprises ( there is one state-run bank ).

Chile is strongly committed to free trade and has welcomed large amounts of foreign investment.

Chile has signed free trade agreements ( FTAs ) with a whole network of countries, including an FTA with the United States that was signed in 2003 and implemented in January 2004.