Saudi official says Kingdom to continue supporting WTO efforts

Saudi Arabia will continue supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO) at all levels, in light of its strong belief in the role of free trade and the need for all partners to join hands in the coming period, said Muhammad Al Tuwaijri, advisor at the Royal Court.

Al Tuwaijri, the Kingdom’s nominee to the post of WTO director-general, said he will skillfully apply his experience to support the organization which faces several challenges related to the development of a global trade system, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to the data compiled by Argaam, Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee are through to the final round of selection to become the next WTO director-general.

Five candidates, including Saudi Arabia’s Al-Tuwaijri, competed in the second phase that started from Sept. 24 through Oct. 6.

A woman will lead the Geneva-based organization for the first time since its establishment in 1995, with the new director-general expected to be chosen by early November.