India Wednesday welcomed the selection of Brazilian diplomat Roberto Azevedo as the new director-general of the World Trade Organisation.
"India welcomes the selection of Roberto Azevedo as the new director-general of the WTO. He brings with him rich experience of trade negotiations and a sound understanding of the complex issues related to international trade," Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said in a statement.
"It is significant that this apex trade body is being headed by an able nominee from the developing world. He is assuming office at a crucial juncture as there is considerable expectations from the December Bali Ministerial Conference," he said.
The WTO, 159 nation group, selected Azevedo as its chief at a meeting held in Geneva Wednesday.
The 55-year old Azevedo, who has been Brazil's ambassador to the WTO for the past five years, will take charge as chief of the multilateral trade body from Sep 1, 2013.
