Kazakhstan, Astana, Jan. 15 / Trend D. Mukhtarov /
A national company specially set up to hold EXPO-2017 will be established in Kazakhstan, Kazakh Minister of Economic Development and Trade Erbolat Dosaev said a government meeting today.
"Today, we also adopt the draft decree on establishing a national company 'Astana EXPO-2017'," he said. "Its activity in 2013 will focus on the formation of the authorised directives, as well as elaboration of preparatory processes. Today we are adopting a draft decree."
He said the ministry will soon set up a national consultancy office with Astana's mayor and the directorate for the city's facility preparation and construction. The EXPO 2017 support fund will continue its work to offer support under the Nurly Astana corporate fund. The national company's main task will be the implementation of a substantial part of the registration dossier, the design and construction of the infrastructure and facilities in EXPO-2017.
"The EXPO 2017 Support Fund will continue to cooperate with member states of the International Exhibition Bureau within the implementation of obligations on the signed memorandums and render assistance in scientific research in the field of renewable energy resources," he said. "Currently, the Foreign Ministry agreed the amount required for replenishing the Expo 2017 Support Fund to the amount of five million euros for these activities. A request was made to indicate the point of allocating this amount from the Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna in favour of the shareholder."
He also said the national consultancy office will be engaged in ensuring the participation of a Kazakh delegation in the meetings of the executive committee and the General Assembly of the International Exhibition Bureau.
It will cover the development and promotion of the project dossier and the development of conceptual activities created by the national company taking into account the international experience. He also stressed that the management under Astana's city mayor's office must deal with the issues of preparing and developing the city's infrastructure for effectively holding the exhibition.
"Together with Astana's city mayor's office we will submit a proposal on the final approval of a land plot for holding exhibitions and other events to the president," Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov said summing up the meeting. "More than 90 per cent of the activities for organising and holding EXPO -2017 are scheduled for 2013."