HERMINIO BLANCO MENDOZA PRESENTS HIS CANDIDACY FOR THE POST OF WTO DIRECTOR GENERAL


This weekend, Herminio Blanco Mendoza, Mexico’s candidate for the post of Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and Ambassador Maria de Lourdes Aranda, Special Envoy of the Mexican government, visited Saudi Arabia to present Saudi authorities with Dr. Blanco’s candidacy and ask for their support.

Dr. Blanco and Ambassador Aranda met with the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, and the Deputy Foreign Minister, Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz; the Secretary for Economic and Cultural Affairs, Ambassador Youssuf Al Sadoun, was also present.

At both meetings, Dr. Blanco discussed the challenges currently faced by the WTO and his candidacy, in particular, the reasons why he believes the WTO should be guided by a candidate from a developing country in order to give the organization new impetus.

He also discussed his experience as Mexico’s Trade Secretary and the negotiator of various trade agreements, including the North American and European free trade agreements. He also mentioned his extensive experience in the private sector. The Saudis were very interested in his proposals and applauded Mexico's leadership on issues of international trade and the strength of his candidacy. Dr. Blanco’s visit concluded with a series of interviews with the media.