Apolonio Ruiz Ligero

Apolonio RUIZ-LIGERO
Vice-Governor Delegate
Born in 1944 - Spanish citizen

After studying economics in Madrid University, Mr A. Ruiz-Ligero entered the Spanish Administration where he worked for thirty years and played a role of highest responsibility during more than twenty years in various functions.

He was Secretary of State at the Spanish Government on two occasions, Secretary of State of Commerce from 1988 to 1991 and Secretary of State for External Trade from 1993 to 1996. During both periods, he was also Chairman of the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade and Chaiman of the Aid Development Fund Commission.

He participated in all the Bretton Woods Organizations (World Bank, International Monetary Fund and specialized agencies) as Deputy Spanish Governor.

He was Governor for Spain in the African Development Fund and Deputy Governor in the Interamerican Development Bank, the African Developement Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

He participated as Minister of trade in the General Affairs Council of the European Union.

He participated in the negociations between the European Union and the ACP countries, signed in Mauritius Island in 1995.

In addition, he was General Director of Exports, General Director of Commercial Policy, Deputy Chairman of the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade, and for three years Vice-Chairman of Iberia Airlines.

From 1985 to 1996, he has played a relevant role on the development of Spanish commercial and cooperation policy in different fields.

He taught International Economics at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid and was professor for the Master's programme in international trade.

From 1996 to 2001, he was General Director of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in Paris.

Mr Apolonio Ruiz-Ligero was elected Vice-Governor on 19 June 2001 and reelected on 15 September 2005.

See the organisation chart