Astana Mayor holds meeting with BIE Secretary General
During the roundtable A. Dzhaksybekov told Loscertales about preparation works for holding Expo-2014, the press service of the city administration informed. Astana Mayor noted that the work is carried out in several directions including security, comfortable stay of guests of the exhibition, organization of volunteer activities, cultural events, medical care and so on. Mr. Dzhaksybekov also explained that the action plan provides for the construction of roads, the 1st stage of BRT, two bus stations on the east and west entrances to the city, 10 car parking areas, a railway station and reconstruction of a terminal of the international airport. According to the Mayor, Akimat of Astana city is implementing a project of constructing a solar power plant of 50 MW by attracting private investment. The power plant is scheduled to be put into operation in the first quarter of 2016. During the meeting, V. Loscertales proposed to carry out an event called "The week of Astana" in the framework of the upcoming Expo 2015 in Milan. He noted that this event will enable exhibitors and visitors to experience the unique Astana, as one of the fastest growing cities in the world. The meeting noted that the projected number of visitors of Expo-2017 is 2 million people, 85% of which will be residents of Astana and other regions of Kazakhstan. Thus, the Head of State announced that the infrastructure of the city would be significantly strengthened, including the construction of 4,000 apartments, new 3, 4 and 5-star hotels, a Congress Hall, an "indoor city" as well as a complex of entertainment outlets. In turn, the BIE Secretary General V. Loscertales gave a positive assessment of the work. Recall that Kazakhstan joined the BIE in 1997.