Astana, Kazakhstan, April 24
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in the opening ceremony of construction of the "Astana EXPO-2017" exhibition complex.
"Today we launched the beginning of the construction of "EXPO-2017" facilities. This is the most important facility. All these years I have given start to many facilities in Astana, and the city is already beautiful. The 20th anniversary of our capital coincides with the opening of "EXPO-2017". This kind of facility has not been constructed yet. Actually, it will be the new center of Astana," the president said.
The majority of "EXPO" facilities will use "green" energy, i.e. wind power, solar energy, according to the head of state.
"Our small and medium businesses will provide a lot of job opportunities, and there is going to be a lot of effort. To accomplish this we have to raise our level and show high quality and skill in this regard. Today we begin this work, and I congratulate everyone on this, and on the occasion that we as always, will cope with this task and will present to the world a completely new quality, we will show the best of Astana and Kazakhstan," Nazarbayev said.
A lot of volunteers will be required to work at all sites. Besides the exhibition itself, it is necessary to show the multinational culture, history, and art of Kazakhstan, according to the Kazakh president.
As the press-service of JSC "Astana EXPO-2017" reported, the total area of the exhibition complex will be 174 acres, and the facilities constructed will cover over one million square meters.
The management of the national "Astana EXPO-2017" company presented the construction schedule of the exhibition complex to the Kazakh president. Major construction works are planned for the period from May 2014 to December 2016. The Master Plan was developed together with the German "Albert Spier" company and approved by the head of state.
A national pavilion, international, corporate and themed pavilions, shopping, entertainment and service facilities will be located in the exhibition zone of the complex. The non-exhibition zone will consist of a conference center, a press center, an indoor city, houses and hotels.
Prime Minister Karim Massimov, head of the Presidential Administration Nurlan Nigmatulin, Minister of Environment and Water Resources Nurlan Kapparov, mayor of Astana city Imangali Tasmagambetov, and CEO of "Astana EXPO-2017" JSC Talgat Yermegiyayev also attended the ceremony.
Translated by S.I.
Edited by C.N.
