Economic and Trade Affairs

This staff branch was incorporated into the Foreign Ministry in 2003, when the then Finance Ministry departments responsible for international economic relations were transferred to the Foreign Ministry. It is staffed by graduates from the Public Administration Schools two-year programme for Economic and Trade Relations Personnel. Staff in this sector serve in the Central Service Directorates responsible for economic relations, as well as in the Economic and Trade Affairs Offices of Embassies and Consulates, which they head.

Their careers run as follows: Economic and Trade Affairs Attaché, Economic and Trade Affairs Third, Second and First Secretary, Second and First Economic and Trade Affairs Counsellor, Second and First Economic and Trade Affairs Counsellor General.

Their duties are determined by the Foreign Ministry's responsibilities with regard to the promotion of our country's economic relations and the support of business activity.