Oman’s leading stone and marble producers showcased their major products and solutions at Marmomacc International Trade Fair for Stone, Design & Technology held recently in Verona, Italy.

The sultanate has significant deposits of gypsum, limestone, marble, laterite, chromite and kaolin, and the mining and mineral sector has experienced robust growth over the past few years.

Many industry experts see the sector continue to remain strong particularly given the government’s economic diversification plans as well as the demand for Omani stone and marble in the emerging markets of Asia and Africa.  

Nine Omani firms, led by Ithraa, the country's inward investment export development agency, joined stone and marble industry exhibitors from over 150 countries for the four-day Italian international trade show.

On the show, Nasima Al Balushi, Ithraa’s director general for export development, said: "Marmomacc is the leading global event for the natural stone industry and represents the entire supply chain, from raw material to semi-finished and finished products, from processing machinery and technologies to applications of stone in architecture and design."

"It’s a high-profile trade event that always delivers strong commercial returns for participating Omani firms and this year was no exception," she stated.

Marmomacc exhibitor Mohammad Musheer of Services & Trade Marble and Mining said: "We have participated in Verona before and it has helped us build international awareness of our products and brand. It’s also given us the opportunity to connect with key trade representatives."

In emerging market economies today, the population of cities grows by 65 million people a year - the equivalent of seven cities the size of Chicago.

It is estimated that over the next 15 years, 440 emerging market cities will generate nearly 50 per cent of global GDP (gross domestic product) growth and 40 per cent of global consumption growth.

“It’s this rapid growth in emerging markets that interests many Omani stone and marble producers. And Marmomacc gave local firms the opportunity to network with the international building trade and capitalise on the stone and marble required to fuel the urban growth we’re witnessing in emerging markets, particularly in Asia and Africa,” remarked Al Balushi.

On its debut show, Habibur Rahman Farooqi, the assistant general manager, Al Tamman Trading Establishment, said: "We were very impressed by the number of visitors to the pavilion, and the interest shown by customers from Mexico, Korea, China, Libya, Italy, Ukraine and Russia."

The other Omani firms which took part in the Italian expo include Hamood Al Rashidi & Bros Trading Company; Gulf Stone; Services & Trade Marble and Mining; Al Shanfari Marble Company; Al Nasr Trading & Contracting; and Al Ajmi Marble.-TradeArabia News Service