Rodrigo Osvaldo Valdés Pulido[a] (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 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 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 | 26 November 1966 Santiago, Chile |
| Political party | Party for Democracy |
| Other political affiliations | New Majority |
| Alma mater | University of Chile Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Education
editValdés 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
editBefore 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
edit- ^ In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Valdés and the second or maternal family name is Pulido.
References
edit- ^ "Chilean president appoints new cabinet". BBC 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.