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Interview with

Ambassador

Hilda Al

Hinai

Secretary-general of the Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CASCI)

She is a familiar face in the international trade out of steam, that people are not trading as
arena in Geneva. A career diplomat specialized much as earlier, that trade barriers are on the
in trade and international relations; Ms Hilda rise. How do you see the situation?
Al Hinai represented her home county Oman A lot of people see challenges as opportunities
in this field for more than twenty years. She is to look further and not only to close in on
not only a highly skilled trade negotiator but themselves. Unfortunately, yes, we are facing
also a friendly and gracious person who gave what they call decoupling, for globalization is
up some of her precious time to talk to us. facing a lot of challenges now. Multilateralism
is facing challenges. But I was at a summit a
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself? few months ago in one of the Arab countries,
My name is Hilda Al Hinai. I’m originally from and I liked what one of the ministers said:
Oman. I worked as a diplomat for the Mission while people are turning to protectionism, we
of Oman to the WTO for more than 20 years are liberalizing. When you hear something like
here in Geneva. I was in charge of WTO that, then you realize that, where some people
negotiations for the accession of Oman, and I see risk, others see challenge, an opportunity
also chaired the negotiations for the accession to open up to the world, to say to everyone: if
of Seychelles to the WTO. Over the years, I they refuse you, we want you.
worked as a trade negotiator in the WTO. I also
was in charge of WIPO, UNCTAD, and ITC. We live in a very cosmopolitan world
Before coming to Geneva, I was in the Ministry where people learn and benefit from others
of Commerce and Industry for eight years. culturally, scientifically, technologically. So,
when you close in on yourself, you not only
You have just been appointed as the Secretary damage others, who will not get what you
General of the Arab Swiss Chamber of have, but you also do not learn from others.
Commerce and Industry . What is so exciting We interact, and from interactions we grow.
about commerce? So, when you close in, you don’t grow.
In short, people; projects; achievements; good
results and not to forget the challenges as Could you tell us a little bit about the Arab-
well. Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry?
We have never heard about it before.
For the last couple of years, we have had the The Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and
impression that multilateralism is running Industry was established in 1974, so, it has been

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