Bolivia, Brazil, Chile reach Atlantic-Pacific highway deal

The MercoPress has the story on South America's transcontinental highway:

The massive project is expected to be finished in 2009, according to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and will benefit the three nations by speeding up trade between them and with the rest of the world.

Local businessmen said the future 4,700-kilometer (2,900-mile) highway will especially benefit Brazilian exporters to Asia and Asian companies seeking greater access to Brazil's 180 million consumers.

For landlocked Bolivia, the transcontinental highway will carry 70% of its exports, said Bolivia's Highway Administration President Patricia Ballivian....