Baku,Azerbaijan-On October 19, 2009, Professor Ricardo Hausmann from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, delivered a speech at ADA.

“The visit was organized within the ‘Guest Speaker’ Series program of ADA, which regularly features local and international experts”, Fariz Ismailzade, the director of the Advanced Foreign Service Program (AFSP) said.

Professor Hausmann’s lecture was on “Patterns of Diversification; How Countries Develop Export Products: Options and Potential for Azerbaijan.”

Why professor Hausmann and why this topic - Fariz Ismailzade said that because oil-rich Azerbaijan pays significant attention to economic diversification.

Professor Hausmann, comparing Asian countries, which demonstrate steady growth dynamics, with oil-rich countries of South America, talked about the practical steps taken  by various governments to diversify their economies.

According to Hausmann, business zones, financing tools and state agenices are vital for establishing export-oriented economy. Professor Hausmann, Director of the Center for International Development at Harvard University, brought samples of such business zones in Uruguay, Kongo and Algeria.

The lecture was followed by a “Q&A” session.