Kazakhstan's First Deputy Foreign Minister and Commissioner of the International Specialized Exhibition EXPO-2017, Rapil Zhoshybayev, will undertake a three-day visit of India from August 17 to August 19.
During his visit, Mr. Zhoshybayev is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the heads of state bodies responsible for India's participation in Expo-2017, and with companies specialising in the production of alternative and renewable energy in Bangalore, widely regarded as India's Silicon Valley.
The outcomes of these meetings will confirm India's official participation in EXPO-2017.
The Indian and Kazakh delegations are also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between JSC "NC" Astana EXPO-2017 "and the Association of Tour Operators of India during the First Deputy Foreign Minister's visit.
Before his expected arrival in India, Mr. Zhoshybayev described India as a colorful and diverse country, whose economy has increasingly integrated with the global economy.
"India's huge and growing market, developing infrastructure, sophisticated financial sector, flexible regulatory environment, benefits, steady state and a good economic outlook makes it more attractive for investment. Today, Kazakhstan and India traditionally have a great relationship based on an exchange of shared experiences. India's invaluable experience in large-scale projects and its developing economy will be an effective tool to strengthen this bilateral relationship further," he said.
Providing details about the Expo-2017, Mr. Zhoshybayev described it as a national project with a great opportunity for Kazakhstan and its citizens to explore new sources of energy and understand current developments in 'green' technologies.
He said, "Kazakhstan has set ambitious goals for holding this international exhibition at the highest level. It is a big responsibility to reach the goal and justify the hopes of other countries. The President of Kazakhstan (Nursultan Nazarbayev) has set up some challenging objectives. We need to turn EXPO-2017 into the transit centre of the Third Industrial Revolution, which includes the rise of an alternative economy and the creation of new, high-tech materials, sources of renewable power and a skilled workforce. The promotion of Expo-2017 is gaining significant feedback in the world."
He revealed that the construction on the exhibition grounds will follow the principles of a green economy, using smart-power supply networks and buildings with renewable power sources.
"This unique and highly advanced building project will spur on the technological development of the country. Astana will not only get a new district with modern buildings and infrastructure, but also new premises for implementing innovative ideas after the exhibition. The most important is that new technologies and innovations will become a part of the life of the country. We guarantee to provide appropriate accommodation and working conditions for the participants of the exhibition. We will take all necessary measures to provide visa support, issuing visas for the representatives of the participating countries and ensuring the guarantees relating to customs and local taxation," he added.
"I will visit a great number of countries whose representatives are expected to participate in the exhibition. In this sense, 2015 is a crucial year for negotiating and signing participation agreements. We are holding meetings to discuss technical and other issues. In regards to the entry regime, we have piloted a visa-free regime for 19 countries: Australia, Hungary, Italy, Monaco, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Malaysia, United Arabian Emirates, Singapore, Great Britain, Norway, the Netherlands, the USA, Finland, Germany, France, Switzerland and Japan. The residents of these countries will be able to enter Kazakhstan without a visa for up to 15 days until December of 2017," Mr. Zhoshybayev said.
He also said that during the implementation of this project, Kazakhstan would identify existing disadvantages and administrative barriers; evaluate the level of preparation of the tourism industry to inflow of visitors, the ability providing of necessary and available services to people.
He said that after the conclusion of Expo-2017, the exhibition area with its unique and innovative buildings will become a financial centre that will operate on the principles of English law on the example of Dubai International Financial Centre.
He said he would like to invite Indian companies to take an active part in the preparation and holding of Expo-2017.
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