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11:06 GMT
GENEVA, July 9 (KUNA) -- The World Trade Organization (WTO) said the number of candidates for the director general position was eight until the deadline on Wednesday, among them are Egyptian and Saudi.
The candidates are three women and five men and will compete for the position in front of 164 member countries. The new director general, who will succeed current director Roberto Azevedo, will commence his/her duties early September, it said.
Among the candidates is Egypt's former WTO negotiator and international trade conflicts expert Abdulhameed Mamdooh, while Saudi's candidate is Royal Diwan Advisor and former minister of economy and planning Mohammad Al-Towaijri.
Meanwhile, Mexico's candidate is former deputy director general Jesus Kuri, Moldova's candidate is former foreign minister Theodore Ulianovschi, the UK's candidate is former commerce minister Liam Fox, South Korea's candidate is commerce minister Yoo Myung-he, Kenya's candidate is WTO ambassador Amina Mohamed and Nigeria's candidate is former minister of finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Last May, Azevedo announced he will resign early due to family situation, as his current term was set to continue until mid 2021.
WTO is an intergovernmental organization aiming to regulate international trade and was established in 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, signed by 123 countries in April 1994. (End)
Ta.ag