Baku, Azerbaijan, March 17
By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:
Kazakh national company Astana EXPO-2017 will reduce costs by nearly 10 percent due to the global economic crisis, chairman of the Board of the company Talgat Yermegiyayev told Trend.
"Kazakh president instructed all state bodies and national companies to optimize their budget expenditures, as it is one of the key elements of the anti-crisis measures," Yermegiyayev said.
"These measures are taken by the government of Kazakhstan in connection with the strong integration of our economy into the global one. Accordingly, the operating costs of the company Astana EXPO-2017 will be reduced by 10 billion tenge (185.35 tenge = $1), which is by almost 10 percent."
At the same time, there is no question of suspension of the construction of the exhibition complex in principle, because it is an image project for Kazakhstan, he said.
The chairman of the company board said over 100 countries and at least 10 international organizations are expected to take part in EXPO-2017.
Currently, the promotion of EXPO-2017 abroad actively continues. Official invitations have been sent to 139 countries and 12 international organizations.
During the negotiations, 17 countries (Azerbaijan, Angola, Armenia, Belarus, Germany Georgia, India, Kyrgyzstan, Monaco, Russia, Senegal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Israel and Turkey) and three international organizations (UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and UNIDO) confirmed their participation in the exhibition in Astana.
Yermegiyayev said that this year up to 80 confirmations are to be received from countries for participation in the EXPO.
He also said visits are planned to the countries in Europe, America and Asia.
The international exposition, EXPO, will be for the first time held in Kazakhstan between June 10 and Sept. 10, 2017 in Astana.
"Future Energy" was chosen as the theme of the exposition.
The national company Astana EXPO 2017 was created in 2013. Its main objectives include the preparation and holding of the EXPO 2017, and operation and use of the exposition's facilities after its completion.
Edited by CN
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