Pema Gyamtsho


Pema Gyamtsho is a Bhutanese politician who has been the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Bhutan and the Second Party President of Druk Phuensum Tshogpa since 2013. He is the First Minister of Agriculture and Forest in the Democratic Government of Bhutan.

Career

He had already found employment when he was 18-year-old. In 1990 he took M.Agr.Sc from New Zealand, and in 1996 he took Ph.D. from ETH Zurich. He was a member of the Planning Commission, Sustainable Development Secretariat, Centre for Bhutan Studies, Forestry Development Corporation Board and Founding Co-Chairman of Bhutan Water Partnership. Later he was promoted to the Deputy Secretary of Policy Planning Division, Ministry of Agriculture. He has also worked with ICIMOD based in Kathmandu, Nepal as a specialist in watershed. Ultimately he became the Deputy Resident Coordinator of Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation.
In 2007 he became a member of DPT, and his name was registered in the constituency of Bumthang District for the General Election. In March 2008 he won a clear victory in his constituency, and in April same year he was appointed the First Minister of Agriculture and Forest in the Democratic Government of Bhutan. In 2013 he ran for reelection in the General Election. While DPT was beaten by People's Democratic Party in this election, he was elected the Member for the second term.
In July 2013 Jigme Thinley who had been the former Prime Minister and the Party President of DPT submitted the resignation for the Member of National Assembly before beginning its Legislative Session. So on 24 July same year Pema Gyamtsho was appointed the Opposition Leader in NA for the Second Legislative Session. On 3 December same year he was also elected as the new DPT's Party President.

Honours