Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – A group of seven Egyptian companies in the marble and granite sectors are back in Brazil to exhibit at Vitória Stone Fair, the 23rd edition of the Brazilian Fair of Ornamental Stone, to begin tomorrow (06) and end on Friday (09), in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. Most of the Arab companies participated in the event last year.
According to the executive director at Milanez & Milaneze, Cecília Milanez, one of the organizers of the event, the participation of the Egyptian businessmen is very relevant, as it contributes even further to the internationalisation of the fair. The stones to be exhibited by them are different from the Brazilian stones and attract the attention of buyers.
This will be the second time that the fair is going to count on an Egyptian pavilion, where each company will have its own stand. According to information on the fair website, in the last edition of the fair, the business group had the support of the Egyptian Export Promotion Agency, which subsidised part of the cost. This year, satisfied with the results of the previous event, the businessmen decided to return on their own accord.
Many of the Egyptian companies that are going to be at the fair are great exporters, like Sinai International Marble and Granite, which have a capacity for extraction of 4,000 cubic metres of stone a month and already export to over 40 countries; Haddad Group, which produces 87,000 square metres a month and exports to Arab, European, Asian and American countries, and Kiro Marble, with a production of 50,000 square metres of marbles and granites.
Apart from these, other Egyptian companies participating are First T.D. Co. Marble & Granite, Crystal Group for Marble and Quarries, El Alfy for Marble and Granite and Marmonil Marble and Granite.
According to Cecília, Vitória Stone Fair is an instrument for generation of closer ties between different markets. In total, there are 450 exhibitors, being 47 international. Apart from Egypt, companies from the Czech Republic, United States, Italy, China, Argentina and Peru will also participate. This year the event has a record number of exhibitors.
The fair, which covers an area of 25,000 square metres, should receive 30,000 visitors. According to information disclosed by the company, half of the foreign buyers are from the United States.
Production hub
The state of Espírito Santo, where the fair is going to take place, is the greatest Brazilian producer, processor and exporter of ornamental stone. Located in the southeastern region of the country, sector exports totalled US$ 679.9 million last year, representing shipment of 1.46 million tonnes, according to figures disclosed by the Espírito Santo Ornamental Stone Union (Sindirochas-ES). The state answers to 65.1% of revenues and 56.6% of the total produced in Brazil.
Foreign sales of Brazilian ornamental stone totalled US$ 1 billion last year, representing growth of 32.3% when compared to 2005. Shipments totalled 2.5 million tonnes in 2006, 20% more than in the previous year.
Service
The 23rd Brazilian Fair of Ornamental Stone – Vitória Stone Fair
Date: February 06 to 09
Time: from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm
Site: Floriano Varejão Exhibition Centre – 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
