Astana - a city that will build the World Fair EXPO-2017!

As a result of the secret ballot on the 152-th General Assembly of the International Exhibition Bureau, the capital of Kazakhstan - Astana was chosen as the venue for the World Fair EXPO-2017.

This will be the first International exhibition to be held in CIS and Central Asia. It will be held approximately 3 months in summer of 2017. Astana awaits at least 5 million visitors.

An international competition for the design of EXPO village, which will be approved by the International Exhibition Bureau in October this year, has been announced already. Currently a land plot with the area of 124 hectares was allotted for its construction,which will start at the beginning of next year.

Holding of the EXPO-2017 will be an additional incentive for economic and infrastructure development of the capital. By 2017, Astana will have architectural shapes that would be framed with such emblematic objects as, Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Library and the Foundation of the first President, the National Museum, the National University of Defence, Domed city, multifunctional complex Abu Dhabi Plaza; Hilton, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons hotels; Palace of Martial Arts for 5 thousand seats and the Ice Palace for 10 thousand seats, a new railway station.

About 8.5 million square meter of housing will be introduced under investment projects. In addition, it is planned to build 1.3 million square meters of housing under the program "Affordable housing - 2020".

High activity in the development of certain areas in the field of innovation, particularly in the energy, energy conservation, construction, water supply and housing and utilities infrastructure is expected in view of holding EXPO-2017.