Ministry of Economic Affairs (Bhutan)

The Ministry of Trade & Industry, which was subsequently renamed as Ministry of Economic Affairs was established in 1967. Initially, known as the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industry, it was established as a full-fledged Ministry in 1968 under the reign of the third Druk Gyalpo His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and renamed as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Forests. Presently beside the inclusion of the Power & Mining Sector it has been officially designated as the Ministry of Economic Affairs from October 17th 2007. The Ministry of Economic Affairs comprises of four technical Departments namely, the Departments of Trade, Industry, Energy and Geology and Mines besides the four service Divisions namely the Policy and Planning, Administration and Finance, Human Resource and Intellectual Property. The Ministry also has an Internal Audit Unit and six Regional Offices in Thimphu, Phuntsholing, Gelephu, Trongsa, Mongar and Samdrup Jongkhar. The total manpower in the Ministry, as of 31st August 2009, are five hundred and nineteen. Last Update 31st August, 2009.