India welcomes appointment of Brazilian Roberto Azevedo as new WTO chief

NEW DELHI: India today welcomed the appointment of the new WTO Chief Roberto Azevedo from Brazil and said he is assuming office at a crucial juncture ahead of the forthcoming ministerial meet in December at Bali.

"India welcomes the selection of Azevedo as the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He brings with him rich experience of trade negotiations and a sound understanding of the complex issues related to international trade," Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said in a statement.

He said that it is significant that WTO is being headed by an able nominee from the developing world.

"He is assuming office at a crucial juncture as there is considerable expectations from the December Bali Ministerial Conference," he said.

The 9th WTO Ministerial Conference is scheduled to take place between December 3-6 in Bali, Indonesia. The Conference is the highest decision-making body of the 158-member strong WTO. It meets every two years.

Brazilian trade diplomat Azevedo is taking over from Pascal Lamy as head of the WTO.

A total of nine candidates have put up their names for the post.