Felipe Larrain Bascunan

Felipe Larrain Bascunan

Architect of Economic Resilience & Leading Authority on Latin American Macroeconomics

Core Intelligence Domain: Macroeconomics & Emerging Markets
Location: Santiago, Chile | Languages: English, Spanish
Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

Felipe Larraín Bascuñán is a globally recognised economist, academic, and architect of robust fiscal policy, having twice served as the Minister of Finance for the Republic of Chile. Blending profound theoretical expertise with rigorous practical implementation, Dr. Larraín has navigated one of Latin America’s most dynamic economies through periods of acute crisis and unprecedented growth. His proprietary frameworks for structural economic reform, sustainable development, and fiscal discipline have established him as a premier voice on macroeconomic stability in emerging markets.

Unparalleled Leadership in Fiscal Policy

During his distinguished tenure as Chile’s Minister of Finance (2010–2014 and 2018–2019), Dr. Larraín successfully orchestrated the nation’s economic reconstruction following the devastating 2010 earthquake. Under his stewardship, Chile achieved remarkable economic growth, generated over a million jobs, and garnered international acclaim for its fiscal responsibility. His strategic foresight and unwavering commitment to structural reforms earned him the title of ‘Finance Minister of the Year’ for the Americas by several prestigious international financial publications. He fundamentally transformed Chile’s financial landscape, institutionalising policies that shielded the domestic economy from external commodity shocks.

Academic Excellence and Global Authorship

Holding a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University, Dr. Larraín has cultivated a formidable academic legacy. He is a tenured Professor of Economics at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) and has held esteemed visiting professorships at his alma mater, Harvard. He is perhaps most widely recognised in academia as the co-author of the seminal textbook Macroeconomics in the Global Economy, written alongside renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs. The publication remains a cornerstone text utilised by university economics programmes worldwide, underscoring his profound grasp of global macroeconomic interconnectivity.

Strategic Advisory and Sustainable Development

Beyond his national governmental roles, Dr. Larraín’s influence extends deeply into global strategic advisory. He serves on the United Nations Leadership Council of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), advocating for the integration of green finance and sustainable practices into core economic policy. He is a highly sought-after strategic advisor to multinational corporations, multilateral financial institutions, and sovereign governments seeking to optimise their economic frameworks, attract foreign direct investment, and navigate complex geopolitical and financial landscapes.

Primary Speaking Themes

• Navigating Global Macroeconomic Volatility: Strategic insights into inflation, interest rates, and global supply chain shifts.
• The Future of Emerging Markets: Identifying investment opportunities and mitigating risks in Latin America and beyond.
• Fiscal Discipline and Structural Reform: Lessons from Chile’s economic resilience and recovery strategies.
• Sustainable Development and Green Finance: Integrating environmental objectives into national and corporate financial planning.
• The Intersection of Politics and Economic Growth: How governance, policy-making, and political stability drive foreign investment.

Key Takeaways

• Proven Crisis Manager: Successfully steered a major Latin American economy through severe natural disasters and global financial headwinds.
• Renowned Academic Authority: Harvard-educated scholar and co-author of foundational macroeconomic texts used globally.
• Champion of Sustainability: Active UN SDSN leadership council member advocating for environmentally responsible economic growth.
• Strategic Foresight: Offers institutional investors and C-suite leaders proprietary insights into emerging market dynamics and risk management.