Lamy To Head WTO

Former European Union commissioner Pascal Lamy of France has won the head position at the World Trade Organization (WTO) now that his opponent, Carlos Perez del Castillo withdrew his candidacy. "I have already requested to withdraw my candidacy," said Castillo. "I have tried to reach Mr. Lamy to congratulate him. We have a difficult task ahead, and right now above all it important to concentrate on finishing this round." Castillo is Uruguay's senior trade negotiator and is the former chairman of the WTO's governing council. A special selection panel advised Castillo to drop out of the race because Lamy was much more heavily supported from WTO members. A formal decision on who won the position will not be released until May 26, but the European Commission has confirmed that Lamy got the job. The Washington Post Lamy was the European Union's trade chief until last year, while Perez del Castillo is Uruguay's former ambassador to the WTO and a former chairman of the trade body's ruling general council. It looks like Lamy will take the place of Supachai Panitchpakdi of Thailand, who steps down at the end of August. Lamy was the EU's trade chief until last year. Castillo is Uruguay's former ambassador to the WTO. Chris is a staff writer for latest ebusiness news