After one year and two months as head of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Álex Contreras will be replaced by José Arista. The economist was Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation during the Government of Pedro Pablo Kuzcynski in 2018 and had a brief stint in the MEF during the mandate of Manuel Merino in 2020.
He has extensive experience in public management and assumes said ministerial portfolio in the midst of a series of challenges to return to the path of growth, after four similar negative periods, as well as facing the impacts of the occurrence of the El Niño phenomenon. Next, he knows the profile of the new Minister of Economy and Finance.
Who is José Arista, new Minister of Economy and Finance?
José Arista Arbildo was born on August 18, 1959 in Huambo, Amazonas. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in 1982, he decided to continue his studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a master’s degree in Economics.
His career in the public sphere began in 1990, when he assumed the position of national director of Public Budget in the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Since then, Arista has played various important roles in public administration, including his participation in the creation of institutions such as the National Superintendency of Tax Administration (Sunat) and the Tax Administration Service (SAT).
In addition, he was an advisor to the Management Support Fund of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as general director of the Public Budget. After that, he held the position of Vice Minister of Finance during the mandate of the former APRA Government Minister, Luis Carranza.
Arista also ventured into regional politics when he was elected regional president of Amazonas for the period 2011-2014. In 2015, the Ministry of Education appointed him as executive project director for the preparation and development of the 2019 Pan American Games, a position for which he was harshly criticized.
On January 9, 2018, he was sworn in as Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation of the Government of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and was part of the so-called “Reconciliation Cabinet” chaired by Mercedes Aráoz. His last and short foray into public office was when he held the position of Minister of Economy and Finance during the mandate of Manuel Merino, after the vacancy of former president Martín Vizcarra. Arista resigned from the MEF on November 15 after the deaths of Inti and Bryan Sotelo.
Finally, he has represented Peru internationally as director of the Banco de la Nación, alternate governor of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and director of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF).
What did Álex Contreras say after leaving the MEF?
The former Minister of Economy and Finance Álex Contreras published on his mention of the measures he promoted in economic matters.
“The year 2023 was particularly challenging, but it was worth the effort. The economy was able to emerge from the recession and has entered into an expansion process that is essential to maintain and accelerate. Likewise, the medium-term agenda must continue: the push to infrastructure with a regional focus, the promotion of the naval industry, the development agenda of the Amazon, the consolidation of Peru as the port hub must be considered a national priority,” he indicated.
At the same time, Contreras considered that it is “fundamental and necessary to reorient the country’s agenda towards a political reform that allows generating an environment of greater stability.”
What were the other changes of ministers?
- Ministry of Environment: Juan Carlos Castro
- Ministry of Energy and Mines: Rómulo Mucho
- Ministry of Defense: Walter Astudillo.
Source: Larepublica
Alia is a professional author and journalist, working at 247 news agency. She writes on various topics from economy news to general interest pieces, providing readers with relevant and informative content. With years of experience, she brings a unique perspective and in-depth analysis to her work.
