Rustam Minnikhanov visits new EXPO-2017 exhibition complex in Astana

On October 3, during his working visit to Astana, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov visited the Expo 2017 exhibition complex, where an international specialized show of the same name is due to start next summer. 

The Expo 2017 international exhibition dedicated to Energy of the Future will take place in in the capital of Kazakhstan between 10 June and 10 September 2017. According to organisers, 103 countries and 17 international organisations have confirmed their participation.

The venue of the large event will be the new exhibition complex Expo 2017, where the main construction works are in their final stage. Looking around the complex, Minnikhanov was told that, besides international, theme and corporate pavilions, the facility will house shopping centres, conference halls, a press centre, a hotel and residential buildings. The Expo 2017’s total space is 174 hectares.

After visiting the complex, Minnikhanov had a meeting with Board Chairman of Expo 2017 National Company of Astana Akhmetzhan Esimov and Commissar of Expo 2017 Specialised International Exhibition Raliley Zhoshybaev.

Akhmetzhan Esimov told Minnikhanov that the construction of international pavilions was scheduled to be completed in October. Afterwards, they will be given over to the exhibitors for installation.

Minnikhanov stressed that Tatarstan and Kazakhstan have built strong friendly relations. "Earlier today we had visited sited of the Expo 2017. The complex is very large and meaningful. Of course, I knew that Astana is seriously preparing for the for the upcoming World Exhibition, and I saw it in person today,” he said. “The most state-of-the-art technologies are used here. I am sure that the Expo 2017 exhibition in Astana will become one of the best.”

Minnikhanov noted the complex under construction is of great interest for Tatarstan and reminded that in 2019 Kazan will host the World Skills Competition.

“Hosting this event requires building a new exhibition centre. We have already begun erecting the Kazan Expo, and exchanging experience in this area would be helpful,” he said.