U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is urging Congress to swiftly ratify the free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Columbia.

Speaking at a meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee, Bernanke said that endorsing the FTAs with the three nations will help the U.S. economy recover, noting that free trade is an important source of demand for U.S. products.

Bernanke also urged progress in the World Trade Organization's Doha Round, which has been in a protracted stalemate since starting in 2001.