The European Parliament has approved the free-trade agreement between the EU and Colombia.

The completion of the deal gives Colombia improved access to a market of 503 million consumers and is expected to boost exports of goods and services as well as to attract investment into the South American country.

Colombian export promotion body Proexport Colombia forecasts that more than 818 Colombian products will benefit from the agreement and that some of the best opportunities exist in exotic fresh produce, fresh flowers and exotic tropical foliage.