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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The Council of Ministers decided earlier this week to nominate Dr. Ahmad Dhoqan al-Hindawi as Jordan's candidate for the position of Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ammon News learned.

The nomination presents Hindawi as the first Arab Muslim nominee to the position in the history of the international organization.

Hindawi is a renowned Jordanian economist, and is a former Minister of Industry and Trade, and headed various public and private economic and financial institutions.

The position of WTO Director General is currently held by French national Pascal Lamy, who was appointed in 2005 and reappointed again by WTO members in April 2009 for a second four-year term.

The term of office of Lamy ends on 1 August 2013. In line with WTO procedures, WTO members may officially nominate candidates for the post for a four year term.

The position entails supervising the administrative functions of the World Trade Organization, with a secretariat of about 700 staff.

The position is expected to see tough competition between candidates of member states. So far, three countries presented candidates, including New Zealand's former Minister of Trade, Brazil's WTO representatives, and Ghana's former Minister of Trade, who enjoys the support of the 37-state African Union.

The final list of candidates is expected to be announced early in January, and voting for the position in March 2013. The final results are expected to be announced in May.

Chair of the WTO General Council Elin Johansen had issued a communication in November announcing the launch of the process for the appointment to the position to being on December 1 and end December 31, 2012.