The cross point of the Euro-Asian continent's diagonals is situated, approximately, in the Semipalatinsk oblast, in the Degelen mountains, only 300 km from Akmola. According analysts' evaluations, significant investment will be attracted to this promising region. Kazakhstan is determined not to lose this opportunity. President Nazarbayev considers that the geographical location of the new capital, coinciding with the Pacific Ocean Europe communications crossroads, will enable it to become a major transit point. At present, Akmola also serves as a transport hub in the very center of the Republic.
All roads leading from Siberia to Central Asia, from China to Europe meet here.
Akmola airport is now under reconstruction, following the September 1997 completion of a new 3 km runway, capable of accepting all modern aircraft. Presidential and governmental offices were re-located on the official date of the capital's transfer. To accommodate them, a seven-storey building, previously belonging to the former regional administration, was renovated. In the middle of January, after the recess, the Parliament is to resume work in the new capital. All the main ministries and departments have already set to work.