During the meeting Akhmetzhan Yessimov updated Nursultan Nazarbayev on the status of preparations for the upcoming international exhibition.
Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed EXPO 2017 has a full schedule in the coming months. In particular, he emphasised the need to finalise the list of exhibitors and determine the informative content of Kazakhstan’s pavilion and similar facilities of the other countries. The President also reiterated the need to ensure the city’s proper infrastructure for the event and its guests, as well as prepare a cultural programme and encourage volunteers.
Akhmetzhan Yessimov, on his part, indicated 70 countries have already confirmed their participation, while 35 other nations are considering involvement. The number is expected to reach 100 countries as planned in a registration dossier. In addition, large multinational companies are showing a high level of interest in the exposition.
The chairman also noted an additional 53 billion tenge will be saved in terms of expenditures, which including previous cuts, totals to 131 billion tenge. By reducing a number of top managers and optimising the staff by 12 percent, only six of 15 top managerial positions have been left.
Regarding EXPO 2017’s information campaign, Akhmetzhan Yessimov noted the exhibition staff had the opportunity to promote the event at the recent World Economic Forum 2016 in Davos.
The President’s initiative to establish an International Centre for the Development of Green Technologies and Investment Projects under the UN auspices using the EXPO 2017 infrastructure is becoming popular among other states.
Regarding construction, building materials have been supplied by more than 230 Kazakh companies at a cost of 77 billion tenge. Despite the current tough economic environment, he noted EXPO 2017 is one of the projects that has created new jobs while preserving existing ones. Development is being conducted in accordance with the planned schedule and will be completed this year, followed by the filling pavilions with content.
At the end of the meeting the President charged the National Company’s Chairman with a number of specific tasks.
