São Paulo – Middle East Stone, the international dimension stone expo running from this Tuesday (4) to Thursday (6) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates features a Brazilian pavilion with 19 companies. The stand is organized by the Brazilian Dimension Stone Industry Association (Abirochas), in partnership with the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
This is the second time a Brazilian pavilion is featured in the show. Last year, 13 companies were involved. “The companies are realizing that the show is growing more and more professional. The visitors are potential buyers, and the Brazilians who are making sales are beginning to realize that in order to do business with Arabs, they need that one-on-one connection, which they (the Arabs) place great value on,” said Arab Chamber International Business executive Rafael Solimeo, who’s at the event.
Participating Brazilian companies include Magban, Imetame, Polita, Santo Antonio, Pettrus, CS3, Thor, Nova Aurora, Gramarcal, Margramar, Granos, MGA, Gramazini, Guimarães, JVS and Granipex, all of which deal in marble and granite. “This is a very promising market for Brazil. We are really happy and expectations are good. We hope that next year we can bring in more companies than this year,” Abirochas assistant Marcelo Leoni said.
Imetame Pedras Naturais director Adriano Duarte said the company is at the show for the second time. It has been working on the Middle East market for about six years now. According to him, becoming an Arab Chamber member was a crucial step towards securing a foothold and boosting sales in the market, through work done in tandem and by joining events of the likes of Middle East Stone.
“The good reputation of the Arab Chamber is opening doors to us here in the region. These days we have consistent clients, we join major projects here in the Middle East, and we know that keeping in touch is important in dealing with Arabs. We are confident that by coming to this fair, we will see positive results, and we envision growth in the near future,” said Duarte.
The trade show
Exhibitor number has doubled for the 4th Middle East Stone. The yearly show features over 400 global stone, marble and ceramic suppliers this year. The show spans a 16,000 sqm area and features national pavilions for countries including Brazil, Italy, Turkey, Iran, Portugal and China. Organizers said the UAE has established itself as the leading stone import-export hub in the Middle East and Africa.
Quick facts
Middle East Stone – International Stone and Marble Show
September 4-6, 10 am to 6 pm
Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
https://www.middleeaststone.com/
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
