DAVOS: Argentina’s self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist” leader, Javier Milei, will address the global elite in Davos on Wednesday, as the quirky libertarian strives to rebuild trust in his country’s economy on his first foreign trip as president.
Milei will be in the spotlight at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort after starting a series of radical changes in inflation-hit Argentina following his unexpected election victory last month.
On Tuesday, the 53-year-old Argentine leader provided a small preview of his address while flying to Europe on a commercial plane, which he used to project an austere image.
Milei, who has been compared to former US President Donald Trump, said he would tell Davos that “freedom is the key to prosperity”.
His views on some matters may differ from those defended at the WEF. He disputes, for example, that humans cause climate change.
However, the ultra-liberal economist said he had received over 60 requests for face-to-face meetings at Davos.
“I can’t physically respond to such demand,” Milei explained.
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However, he has scheduled a meeting with International Monetary Fund Director Kristalina Georgieva.
Argentina owes the IMF $44 billion, which has welcomed Milei’s decision to lift price limits on certain items imposed by the previous government.
His meeting’s goal is to “continue to make it very clear our conviction to change course”.
Georgieva stated at a Bloomberg event in Davos on Tuesday that the Argentine government is making progress by pushing “very aggressively” to solve the country’s “shortcomings”.
