Nursultan Nazarbayev got acquainted with the maquette of the future exhibition complex, including international and thematic pavilions, as well as entertainment and supporting facilities.
In addition, the President was presented with a detailed project of the exhibition’s central facility, the National Pavilion of Kazakhstan.
Following the inspection, Nursultan Nazarbayev held a meeting, which addressed the issues related to the construction process. The President noted the importance of adhering to the construction schedule, stressing the need to complete the work in September 2016 to ensure that the facilities are tested, commissioned, and decorated on time.
The Head of State underscored that one of the main priorities for the government and the companies involved is to define post-exhibition utilization of the newly built objects.
“The facilities should not stand idle, as it happened in some host countries. Accommodation facilities for guests, a hotel and a congress center will be used for their intended purposes. At the same time, many other areas, including pavilions of foreign countries, will be empty after the exhibition. We need to decide what will be the ultimate objective of the complex as early as possible. International events, along with military and agricultural exhibitions might be held there in the future. We should spark the interest of the world’s major companies so that they would use our facilities for work. In addition, international banks and mass media are willing to have their offices here. In general, all buildings should be commissioned in autumn 2017,” he said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that another goal of Kazakhstan while holding EXPO-2017 is to demonstrate to the world community the achievements and abilities of the country.
“Kazakhstan is known worldwide as a major energy state, the largest uranium producer, wheat exporter and a country that possesses vast natural resources. Now we need to show a new country looking into the future. Even the concept of the National Pavilion demonstrates that Kazakhstan is not complacent and is always striving to move ahead,” he said.
The President also pointed out that the project will further strengthen the prestige of Astana.
“The exhibition will show a completely different side of our capital. To date, many important objects have already been built in Astana. However, EXPO is a project of an entirely different quality with the use of technologies that fully meet the needs of the 21st century. It will provide a unique opportunity for residents and visitors of Astana to touch the future, get acquainted with scientific achievements and admire the beauty of the newly constructed facilities,” he said.
In conclusion, Nursultan Nazarbayev charged the participants of the meeting to complete specific tasks related to further implementation of the project.
During the meeting, Chairman of the Board of “National Company “Astana EXPO-2017” JSC Talgat Yermegiyayev noted that under the instruction of President Nursultan Nazarbayev business community of the country is actively engaged in the preparation of the international exhibition. It is expected that the local content in EXPO will be no less than 60 percent.
Among the participants of the meeting were heads of construction companies “Sembol Insaat”, “BI Group”, “ABK Kurylys-1”, “Mabetex Group”, “SK Basis”, “ADC Company” and “Mega Management”.
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EXPO-town with the total area of 174 hectares will embrace 38 facilities. Eight building contractors and more than 3,500 workers are currently engaged in the project.
The exhibition area will consist of the National Pavilion of Kazakhstan, international, corporate and thematic pavilions, along with entertainment and supporting facilities. Another part of the complex will have a conference hall, a press center, an indoor city, as well as residential units and hotels.
EXPO facilities will be powered by renewable energy sources, including wind and solar power, as well as other alternative energy sources.
