Prof. Luis Carranza Ugarte, (*Lima, 1966 - ), was the Minister of Economy and Finance of Peru in the administration of Peruvian president Alan García, from July 2006 - July 2008. During his first tenure, he championed several structural economic reforms that proved extremely successful. Peru achieved their highest continued average growth rates in recent history (8% average), the FTA with the USA was signed, technology and productivity gains in the country were the highest ever in recorded Peruvian history (40% yearly increments in capital investment), and poverty dropped dramatically (from 52% to 34% of total population). He was re-appointed on January 2009, with the looming global financial crisis. Before being appointed Minister, Carranza was BBVA chief economist for Latin American and emerging markets.