São Paulo – The Vitoria Stone Fair, marble and granite trade show, will have exhibitors from the Arab world as well as a Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce stand. The fair is currently in it’s 37th edition, and is taking place on February 18 to 21, in the Brazilian Southeastern state of Espirito Santo. “This is one of the most important sectors in the construction industry, with great trade potential for the Arab countries,” stated the general-director of the Arab Chamber, Michel Alaby.
Participating at the event are Egyptian company Eco Egypt and S&T, from Oman. The first is a leading company in the sector and great exporter of the famous Egyptian marble and granite, according to information from the Vitoria Stone Fair organization. The company is responsible for the full industrialization process of the products, from extraction to polishing and processing. The latter, S&T, works with interior design in the Middle East specialized in the high-end market, according to information from the company’s website.
The Arab-Brazilian Chamber will have a stand at the fair with professionals offering support and assistance for exhibiting and visiting Arab businessmen, as well as entity associates who will participate at the Vitoria Stone Fair either exhibiting their products or buying. During the week, Arab Chamber representatives will visit local companies already in business with, or interested in the Arab market.
Brazil exports marble and granite to the Arab countries, but sales are not very impressive. According to information from the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, raised by the Arab Chamber, the segment’s exports to the region last year reached US$ 9.8 million, representing an increase by 9.51% in relation to 2012.
This expansion, however, was lower than the general Brazilian ornamental rocks exports increase, which reached 22.75%. The sector’s total revenues with foreign sales added up to US$ 1.3 billion.
Like Brazil, some Arab countries produce marble and granite, as is the case of Egypt. Ornamental rocks sales from the Arabs to the Brazilian market reached US$ 1.1 million last year, almost double that of 2012, which was at US$ 560,000. The greatest suppliers in the region are in fact the countries which have sent representatives to the Vitoria Stone Fair, Oman and Egypt.
The fair
The Middle East and Africa, regions of the world where the Arab countries are, are well represented among the visitors of the Vitoria Stone Fair. According to statistics released by the organization, the exhibit received 24,000 people from 56 countries last year. Among the foreigners, 4% came from the Middle East and 2% from Africa and Oceania. The greatest participation was held by North America, with 38%, followed by Europe, with 25%, South America, with 20%, and Asia, with 11%. There are also many exhibiting companies from abroad, mostly from Turkey and India.
Service:
37th International Marble and Granite Trade Fair – Vitoria Stone Fair
Dates: February 18 to 21 2014, 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Venue: Parque de Exposições Floriano Varejão – Rodovia do Contorno – BR 101 Norte – Carapina – Serra – ES – Brazil
Website: www.vitoriastonefair.com.br
Phone No.: +55 (27) 3434-0600
Email: info@vitoriastonefair.com.br
*Translated by Silvia Lindsey
