Ottón Solís Fallas

Ottón Solís, is an economist by training, with BA and license degrees from the University of Costa Rica and a Diploma in Economic Development and a MA in economics, both from the University of Manchester (UK). He advanced on his doctoral degree in monetary economics, also at Manchester, but moved to Costa Rica before finishing it in order to take up the post of Minister of Planning and Economic Policy. He has combined the exercise of his profession, as consultant and as lecturer in macroeconomics and development economics, with politics. He has had teaching and research stints in UK, USA, Spain and Costa Rican universities. Besides his ministerial position he was elected to Congress for two non consecutive terms, founded a political party and became its presidential candidate. In 2006 was short by less than 1% of the votes to winning the elections. He has supported a critical role for the state in the economy and in human development, however, contrary to most academics and politicians with progressive views, he has strongly advocated for the elimination of waste and privileges and for drastic improvements on public sector performance. Up until 2021 he worked as director before the board of the Central American Bank of Economic Integration, representing Costa Rica. There que fought against the dramatic surge in current expenditure and what he considered an excessive and corrupt remuneration and privileges for directors. He left this post and continued as special advisor to the President of Costa Rica. This is the second year he teaches at IE University.

Professional Experience

• Researcher, Central Bank, Costa Rica, 1975

• CEO, Development Regional Authority, Valley of the General, Costa Rica, 1975 - 1976

• Researcher: Planning and Economic Policy Ministry, Costa Rica, 1979 - 1980

• Consultant (1988-94, 1998-2000, 2011, 2012), ECLA, UNDP, Swedish International Development Agency, Organization of American States, University for Peace (Costa Rica), Parliament of the Americas, etc.

Political Experience (Costa Rica)

• Minister of Planning and Economic Policy, 1986 - 1988

• Board Member of the Central Bank, 1986 - 1988

• Board Member of the Investment and Export Promotion Institute, 1986 - 1988

• Member of the National Commission on Public Sector Reform, 1992

• Congress Member, 1994 – 1998

- Chairman Economic Committee, 1994 – 1995

- Chairman Electricity and Telecommunications Reform Committee, 1996 - 1998

- Chairman Public Sector Reform Committee, 1997 - 1998

• Co-Founder and President Citizens Action Party, 2000

• Presidential candidate 2002, 2006 and 2010 elections

• Congress Member, 2014 – 2018

- Chairman Finance Committee, 2014 – 2015

- Chairman Appointments Committee, 2014 – 2015

- Chairman several Constitutional Reform Committees

• Special Advisor President of Costa Rica, 2018 - 2022

Other

• President Inter-American Economic and Social Council, Organization of American States, 1987 - 1988

• Member Special Committee for the Conservation of the La Amistad Park Community Trust Fund , Costa Rica, 1999 - 2008

• Member Team of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, United Nations, 2001 - 2005

• Member Committee of Experts on Public Administration, United Nations, 2002 - 2006

• Member of the Board representing Costa Rica, Central American Bank of Economic Integration CABEI, 2018 - 2021

- Chairman Audit Committee, 2018 - 2019

Academic Experience

• Lecturer Assistant and Lecturer, University of Costa Rica (1973 – 1975; 1979 – 1980; 1990 – 1993; 1999 – 2000; 2003; 2012 - 2013)

• Lecturer, National University (CR), 1976     

• Tutor, University of Manchester (UK), 1983 - 1986

• Lecturer Assistant, University of Reading, (UK), 1984 - 1986

• Lecturer, United Nations University for Peace (CR), 1992 - 1993

• Lecturer University of Florida USA (Center for Latin American Studies, Spring Semester, 2007 - 2008

• Lecturer University of Notre Dame USA (Kellogg Institute for International Studies), Spring Semester 2010 - 2011

• Lecturer University of Georgia USA, Costa Rica Campus, July 2013

• Lecturer University of Florida USA, Law School, January 2013

• Member University Board, Open University of Costa Rica, 1990 - 1993

• Researcher, Sustainable Development Research Centre, University of Costa Rica, 2000

• Academic Referee, The Manchester School UK, 1985

• Reader one License Degree Thesis (University of Costa Rica 2013) and one MA thesis (University of Manchester UK 1985)

• Adjunct Professor, IE University Spain, Second Semester 2021 - 2022

Academic Background

• Ph.D. studies (Incomplete), University of Manchester, UK, 1980 - 1985

• Master in Economics, University of Manchester, UK, 1978

• Diploma in Economic Development, University of Manchester, UK, 1977

• License in Economics , University of Costa Rica, 1976

• Bachelor in Economics, University of Costa Rica, 1971 - 1974