India to formalise participation in Kazakhstan's EXPO-2017 this week

Kazakhstan's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rapil Zhoshybayev, will arrive in New Delhi this week to sign the agreement for India's participation in next year's EXPO-2017 with India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Chairman

Mr. Zhoshybayev is the Commissioner of the international specialized exhibition.

The signing ceremony will be held at ITPO office on February 12 at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a press conference.

During his visit, Mr. Zhoshybayev will also hold bilateral meetings with the heads of state bodies responsible for India's participation in EXPO-2017 as also with representatives of companies specializing in the production of alternative and renewable energy.

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On November 22, 2012, Astana was chosen by the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) as the venue to host Expo 2017, which will focus on the theme "Future Energy".

The theme is aimed to concentrate on both the future of energy, but also on innovative, but practical energy solutions, and their global impact.

Expo 2017 will be the first time that a major international exhibition of this kind is coming to a country from the former Soviet Union.

More than 100 countries, including India and 10 international organizations are expected to participate.

Around 2-3 million people are expected to visit the international pavilions from June to September 2017.

At least 25 hectares has been set aside for the pavilions of Expo 2017.

The site has a convenient access to Astana's city center, the international airport and the railway station.

The Expo Site is also linked with a network of Kazakhstan's inter-city roads to ensure a quick access from all the country.

Construction of the pavilions began in April 2014.The lead design contract was awarded to Chicago-based Adrian Smith plus Gordon Gill Architecture.