Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s chances of securing the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) brightened yesterday as South Korea withdrew its candidate, Yoo Myung-hee, from the race.
Washington Trade Daily quoted sources as saying that South Korea had notified the United States (U.S.) government of its decision and would make the decision public in the days ahead.
The implication of this decision by South Korea is that Okonjo-Iweala now stands a better chance of being announced as Director-G of the World trade body.
Washington refused to accept the recommendation of the selection panel headed by General Council Chair, Ambassador David Walker that Okonjo-Iweala is the most likely candidate of the two to attract consensus.
This is because she had the largest support of members of the panel at the final round and clearly enjoyed broad support from members from all levels and geographic regions and had done so throughout the process,” it stated.
