Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – Egyptian companies closed agreements on the first day of Vitória Stone Fair, the Brazilian Fair of Ornamental Stone, which began yesterday (06) in the capital of the southeastern Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. One example is Iso Marble, which received orders from six companies from Brazil, the United States and other South American countries. "The first day of the fair was very positive," stated the sales manager at the company, Sherif Nassar.
According to him, the material ordered will be used in the construction of great projects. "We are still going to sit and discuss the price and the quantity," stated Nassar. The marbles sold by the company come from Alexandria and have as their main characteristic light and yellowish colours. The price per square metre varies from US$ 18 to US$ 26.
Iso Marble is part of Al-Amana Group, established in 1974, and is considered one of the greatest groups in the sector in Egypt. The company is specialized in the exploration of stones, in the production of blocks and in custom cuts for specific projects. The company can produce up to 750,000 square metres of marble blocks per year.
In total, eight Egyptian companies participated in the fair in a joint stand. This is the second time that the group participates in the fair. Last year the companies came with the support of the government of the Arab country and the positive result made them return on their own accord.
According to the foreign trade analyst at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Zein El Abedin Said Mohamed Hanafy, who is at the fair to provide support to businessmen, each company received around 40 visitors interested in Egyptian marble. "They were all very satisfied with the results of the first day," he said.
Apart from Iso Marble, the Egyptian companies participating are: Sinai International Marble and Granite, Haddad Group, Kiro Marble, First T.D. Co. Marble & Granite, Crystal Group for Marble and Quarries, El Alfy for Marble and Granite, and Marmonil Marble and Granite.
Opening of the event
The opening ceremony of Vitória Stone Fair included the presence of various authorities, like the governor of the state of Espírito Santo, Paulo Hartung, the mayor of the city of Vitória, João Coser, the mayor of the city of Serra, where the event is taking place, Audifax Charles Pimental Barcelos, and the president of the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), Paulo Okamotto.
The 23rd International Marble and Granite Fair counts on the participation of 450 exhibitors, being 47 international, from countries like the Czech Republic, the United States, Italy, China, Argentina and Peru. The fair organization also hopes to receive buyers from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt. Up to the last day of the event, on Friday (09), over 30,000 visitors are expected.
The fair, considered the main event in the ornamental stone sector in Latin America and the third largest in the world, has been the stage for the release of new products, machinery, equipment, tools and other inputs used by marble and granite industries over the last ten years.
Service
23rd Brazilian Fair of Ornamental Stone – Vitória Stone Fair
Date: February 06th to 09th
Time: from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm
Site: Parque de Exposições Floriano Varejão – Carapina Pavilion
Address: Rodovia do Contorno – BR 101 Norte, Vitória (ES)
Admittance: R$ 50,00 (US$ 24,00)
Admittance restricted to businessmen and guests
*Translated by Mark Ament
