Astana, Kazakhstan, March 14
By Daniar Mukhtarov - Trend:
The EXPO-2017 exhibition in Kazakhstan will become a platform for representing the country, secretary general of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), Vicente Loscertales said at a briefing in Astana on March 14.
"We do not want the EXPO to be seen as something negative on which huge amounts of money are spent. We do not want investments to be made which will last for only three months. We support the possibility of any investment affecting the future," he said.
Loscertales stressed that this event is being criticized mostly because people don't know what such exhibitions can offer them and the fact that these exhibitions are a great opportunity to present the country to the world.
"We are creating a city in Astana, which will be an example of sustainable development, and therefore these investments should be seen as long-term ones. Everything to be done for EXPO will positively affect the quality of the lives of citizens," he said.
He said he hopes there will be an explanatory work in Kazakhstan jointly with the media about the importance of the EXPO-2017, to form a positive attitude towards this event.
"EXPO will show the country's national character. EXPO without a strong cultural element will not be successful for us," Loscertales said.
He also stressed that EXPO will be a great opportunity for upgrading infrastructure in Kazakhstan.
"The sustainable development issues will be raised. This is a package of various works, opportunities that should not be missed by investors. EXPO is a good opportunity for investors. I believe there will be a large amount of direct investments to Astana, many participating countries, and they will pay their expenditures. As for example the last exhibition in Shanghai, the investments amounted to over $2 billion. EXPO will promote economic development," he said.
BIE secretary general went on to say that other countries will be able to accept the invitation only after an official recognition of the exhibition in Kazakhstan.
"The official registration will be held on June 11 and I am sure that the exhibition will be recognized. I am sure that immediately after this the government will send out invitations," Loscertales said.
Translated by E.A.
Edited by C.N.