Mari Pangestu Candidate for WTO Director General

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu is among the nine strong candidates for WTO director general for the 2013-2017 term, WTO Information and External Relations Director Keith Rockwell said.

"The nine candidates are surely the best and the strongest. Unfortunately, the seat is only one. Whoever is elected will become my boss," he said here on Thursday.

Mari who was formerly trade minister has been nominated for the WTO director general to replace Pascal Lamy of France who will step down in August 2013.

Keith, along with Director General of International Trade Cooperation at the Trade Ministry Imam Pambagyo held a meeting with editors-in-chief in the runup to the 9th WTO ministerial conference due to take place in Bali in December 2013.

According to him, the process of selecting the best candidates for the WTO director general is still underway in Geneva by involving representatives from its 159 member states. (DWA/IGT)