Saudi Arabia selects royal court head as WTO candidate

Saudi Arabia selects royal court head as WTO candidate
Countries are putting forward their candidates for WTO head.
2 min read
08 July, 2020
Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri is chief of the Saudi royal court and a former economy minister [AFP]
Saudi Arabia has nominated a royal court advisor as its candidate for head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Riyadh said on Wednesday.

Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri is chief of the Saudi royal court and a former economy minister, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

During his time as minister of economy and planning, he was said to have been in favour of slowing the government's process of privatisation.

He was moved to the royal court position in March but kept a ministerial rank and now could be moved on again to the WTO.

"The following communication, nominating Mr Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri for the position of director-general, has been received from the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 8 July 2020," the WTO said.

The WTO's current Director General Roberto Azevêdo steps down on 31 August to make way for a new chief.

Saudi Arabia recently suffered a major setback at the WTO when it ruled the kingdom's beoutQ broadcaster had broken copyright rules.

Read more: WTO condemns Saudi Arabia for pirate broadcaster beoutQ, in blow to Riyadh's Newcastle United bid

Qatar complained to the WTO about beoutQ's illegal broadcast of beIN Sport's exclusive coverage of major sporting events in the region, with the trade bloc ruling in Doha's favour.

Seven candidates have put their names forward for the post of WTO chief, including pro-Brexit former UK minister Liam Fox.

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