Rodrigo Valdés
Rodrigo Osvaldo Valdés Pulido[lower-alpha 1] (born 26 November 1966) is a Chilean economist and politician who served as minister of finance from May 11, 2015 to August 31, 2017 under president Michelle Bachelet.[1]
Rodrigo Valdés | |
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![]() Valdés in 2016 | |
Minister of Finance | |
In office 11 May 2015 – 31 August 2017 | |
President | Michelle Bachelet |
Preceded by | Alberto Arenas |
Succeeded by | Felipe Larraín Bascuñán |
Personal details | |
Born | Santiago, Chile | 26 November 1966
Political party | Party for Democracy |
Other political affiliations | New Majority |
Alma mater | University of Chile Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Education
Valdés has an MBA and degree in economics from the Universidad de Chile as well as a doctorate in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).[2]
Career
Before becoming Minister of Finance, Valdés served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee of state-run bank Banco del Estado de Chile. He also worked as chief economist for the Andean Region and Argentina at Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual (2012-2014); as Deputy Director of the European Department, Deputy Director of the Western Hemisphere Department and mission chief for the United States at the International Monetary Fund (2009-2012); and as chief economist for Latin America at Barclays Capital (2008-2009), among other jobs.[3]
Valdés was appointed to the Bachelet government during a political crisis triggered by corruption scandals that, at the time, had seen the President’s popularity ratings sink to record lows. Early in his term as, he embarked on a reform agenda that he saw himself forced to water down shortly after because of an economic slowdown.[4] He also led the government’s efforts to reform the pension system.[5] Along with his deputy Alejandro Micco and economy minister Luis Carlos Cespedes, Valdés resigned shortly ahead of the 2017 elections; he was replaced by Nicolás Eyzaguirre.[6]
In 2018, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde appointed Valdés to the External Advisory Group on Surveillance, a group mandated to review the Fund's operational priorities through 2025.[7]
Notes
- This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Valdés and the second or maternal family name is Pulido.
References
- "Chilean president appoints new cabinet". bbc.com/news. BBC. May 11, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
- Rosalba O'Brien and Anthony Esposito (May 11, 2015), Chile's finance minister out in sweeping Cabinet reshuffle Reuters.
- Robert Kozak and Ryan Dube (May 11, 2015), Chile President Names New Cabinet Ministers Wall Street Journal.
- Benedict Mander (October 5, 2015), Chile dilutes economy reform package Financial Times.
- Benedict Mander (August 31, 2017), Chile’s finance, economy ministers resign Financial Times.
- Benedict Mander (August 31, 2017), Chile’s finance, economy ministers resign Financial Times.
- IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde Names External Advisory Groups for the 2020 Comprehensive Surveillance Review International Monetary Fund (IMF), press release of October 30, 2018.
External links
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Alberto Arenas |
Minister of Finance 2015–2018 |
Succeeded by Felipe Larraín Bascuñán |