In Paris, the delegation of the National Company “Astana EXPO-2017”, headed by Akhmetzhan Yesimov, the Board Chairman, participated in the 160^th General Assembly of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE).

In his speech, the head of the National Company presented the preparations for the Exhibition, as well as the company’s plans for the coming period.

To date, the participation in EXPO-2017 has been confirmed by 106 countries and 17 international organizations. 103 countries have appointed their Section Commissioners and 89 countries have signed agreements. 67 National Days have already been reserved. The work is underway on implementation of the Program of assistance to developing countries. Technical sessions have been conducted for the Silk Road countries, Egypt, international organizations, Latin American countries, Caribbean community, African countries and Pacific countries. Discussion have been held about pavilion designs, participation concepts and various organizational issues. The unified services center has been created, where all the guests and participants of the Exhibition can receive all the needed services in a fast and convenient way from the public authorities of our country. The unified services center will start its work in a week, – from 1 December 2016.

The construction works, according to the Board Chairman of the National Company, are proceeding on schedule. 90% of the work has been completed.

“The first 5 countries have already received their pavilions. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I would like to call for an early active start of installation works. The pavilions are at your full disposal. The construction of the EXPO village has also been finished and we are ready to receive guests. To date, 360 apartments have been reserved and we expect more reservations” – said Akhmetzhan Yessimov.    

Also, the head of the National Company spoke in detail about the contents of the Exhibition, the Kazakhstan Pavilion and the Area of Best Practices. We remind you that an international contest was declared, under which 133 applications from 25 countries were received. The International Selection Committee selected 24 best projects.

“There is no doubt that this pavilion will incite a great interest among by both the professional participants and ordinary visitors of the Exhibition”, - said the head of the National Company.

At the end the presentation, the BIE leaders and members positively appreciated the preparations for EXPO-2017.

“Our priority is to hold a beautiful and interesting Exhibition with interesting pavilions, to ensure a wide promotion of Kazakhstan and its great citizens, as well as other citizens from around the world coming to Astana. They will see three discoveries - Kazakhstan, which is a fantastic country, and Astana is a miracle in the middle of a desert, and EXPO-2017, which I am sure will be a successful and wonderful event!” said Vicente Loscertales, the BIE Secretary General.

In addition, during the BIE Assembly, it was announced that from 1 January 2017 a visa-free regime will be provided to the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as well as Malaysia, Monaco, UAE, Singapore, Lithuania, Malta, Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus. This became known during the presentation made by Akhmetzhan Yessimov, the Board Chairman of JSC “NC “Astana EXPO-2017”.