ASTANA – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev during a Jan. 21 meeting with Astana EXPO 2017 National Company Board Chairman Talgat Yermegiyayev directed that the construction of EXPO 2017 facilities be used to develop local entrepreneurship.
“Construction of large EXPO 2017 complexes should be used for development of small and medium-sized businesses. Primarily, Kazakhstan construction companies that match the level of quality should be involved,” the President said. “Kazakhstan construction materials should also be used. This will give the opportunity for domestic businesses to work. There should be quality control and relevant professionals.”
Nazarbayev also said it is important for large companies to develop training programmes.
“We need to look at their experience and develop a similar programme, select young people, train them and get them ready to work in the preparation and conduct of EXPO 2017. We need to attract professionals and companies from all regions of Kazakhstan. I will stress again, all efforts must then be used for the benefit of our people and the capital,” the President said.
Yermegiyayev reported during the meeting that construction of EXPO 2017 facilities and receipt of the official flag of the International Exhibitions Bureau are scheduled for 2014.
“In December 2013, we completed all registration procedures. To date, the work has been carried out according to the schedule, no failures or under-runs. The construction of EXPO facilities is scheduled to start for April of this year,” he said.
The President also noted the possibility of establishing an Energy Institute in conjunction with the Nazarbayev University.
“This research institution will study new energy sources. We need to gather the experience of foreign countries and create an opportunity for its analysis in laboratories,” the President said.
