"This is not easy. But WTO must do it so that all of its developing member countries would enjoy the same benefit and mutual opportunities in the global trade," Mari said in Beijing.
Beijing (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu said the World Trade Organization (WTO) must give attention to developing countries.

"This is not easy. But WTO must do it so that all of its developing member countries would enjoy the same benefit and mutual opportunities in the global trade," Mari, who is tipped to be one of the WTO director general candidates, said during a meeting with a number of Chinese officials here on Tuesday night.

During her one-day visit to Beijing, the minister met with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Trade Minister Chen Deming and other Chinese top officials.

They discussed matters of increasing relations, particularly economic ties, between Indonesia and China. The discussion also touched on her nomination as the next WTO director general, succeeding Pascal Lamy.

Mari said member countries had their respective challenges in facing the global trade, but nations must have the same opportunities, including developed and developing countries.

She said that WTO must be able to carry out its role maximally in an effort to make the global trade transparent and fair.

"This matter must be given stronger attention where developed and developing countries could enjoy transparent and fair treatment in the global market," she said.

As one of the WTO director general candidates to replace Pascal Lamy who is resigning in August 2013, Mari is contesting with others from Ghana, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Kenya, Jordan, South Korea and Brazil.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013