VISITORS SWARMED TO NATURAL STONE

The NATURAL STONE 4th International Marble, Natural Stone Products & Technologies Fair brought the authorities of a sector which targets $2.5 billion in exports by 2010 together at CNR EXPO. 22,673 visitors passed through the turnstiles at this fair which had 537 exhibitors. 290 various products from various regions throughout Turkey were exhibited at Natural stone, which encompassed 80,000 m2.

Turkey, a country which dazzles with natural beauty, attracts much attention for the fact that it holds 33% of the world's natural stone reserves. Turkish natural stone representatives established constructive communications with foreign markets at the Natural stone Fair, held between 06-09 September 2007. In bringing Turkish and foreign sector authorities together, this fair set the stage for a number of middle- and long-term agreements.

State Minister Kursad Tüzmen and the Minister of Energy & Natural Resources, Hilmi Güler were both on hand at the fair and obtained information from company authorities. In stating that exports of marble and other minerals are expected to reach $5 billion by 2010, Minister Güler, "Exports targets for natural stone and marble are forecasted to reach $2.5 billion by 2010. This target will be reached. Marble is rocketing down the train tracks." Minister Tüzmen also mentioned the importance that the marble and natural stone sector will play in achieving an Export volume of $200 billion within the next couple of years.

NATURAL stone was organized in conjunction with the Union of ?stanbul Mineral Exporters (IMIB), Association of Istanbul Marble Merchants (IMD), Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade (DTM) and the Associazione Italiana Marmomacchine). 537 firms from seven regions in Turkey participated in this fair. 2166 professional visitors from abroad had the opportunity to check out the latest offerings of 70 firms from countries such as China, India, Italy, Egypt, Lebanon, Austria, Germany, Morocco, Tunisia, the UAE, Iran, the Ukraine and Russia participated in this fair.

OTTOMAN SULTANS' SEAL EXHIBIT

Sculptor Ahmet Oksum, who took six months to skillfully craft the portraits of 36 Ottoman sultans for last year's event, exhibited the seals of Ottoman sultans which he carved out of marble for the 4th NATURAL stone Fair. State Minister Tuzmen, who opened the exhibit, was presented with a seal etched in marble with his name in old-fashioned monogram style. This exhibit captivated visitors throughout the four-day long fair.

BE A PART OF THE SUCCESS

Natural stone will be traveling around the world in 2008: Its effective promotion will be carried out in India, England, Russia, Spain, Greece, China, Iran, U.S.A., U.A.E., and Brazil. Natural stone Exhibition will invite thousands of professionals to Istanbul, the source of marble. The success of Natural stone will bring 600 domestic and international companies with 27.500 professional visitors in with an 80.000 sqm (8 Halls) exhibition area in November 2008.