More than 120 companies and associations active in fields involving natural stone and machinery for quarries and building sites from Italy, Egypt, China, India, Turkey, Russia and Poland are meeting in Cairo, Egypt.

The four-day inaugural MS Marmomacc Samoter Africa and Middle East, the new Veronafiere will run till December 14.

It is aimed at promoting contacts between the exhibitors and a qualified audience of designers, construction companies, distributors and hire companies from the African continent, nearby Gulf countries and Europe.

Egypt enjoys a very favourable geographical location as the main node linking southern Mediterranean and Middle East countries; its marble and granite industry ranks fifth in the world and the Government has launched a series of major infrastructural development projects worth $7 billion, alongside $12 billion envisaged for doubling the Suez Canal, largely funded by neighbouring Gulf countries.

Giovanni Mantovani, chief executive officer and director general of Veronafiere and a member of the Italian-Egyptian Business Council, said: ”Egypt is one of the most important trading partners for Italy in the Mediterranean area: Italy ranks first in Europe and third worldwide.

“This initiative helps us continue strengthening our involvement on the most promising foreign markets and, all the more, open a window in North Africa for further partnerships in strategic areas for us such as agriculture, agricultural engineering and food."

The event will also feature workshops, cultural and training events - such as the course for architects titled ‘Designing with Natural Stone Egypt 2014’ organised by Marmomacc Stone Academy.

It also includes a seminar titled ‘Italian Technologies for Restoration and Conservation for the Cultural Heritage’ that aims to promote Italian experience in this field, as well as a conference exploring opportunities in Tanzania for the construction sector. - TradeArabia News Service