Ithraa, Oman’s inward investment and export development agency, will lead five Omani firms, among the best in the stone and marble segment, to Marmomacc, a leading global premier trade fair for the stone and marble industry, in Verona, Italy.
 
The event which is expected to receive exhibitors from over 145 countries will take place from September 26 to 29, at Veronafiera.

Nasima Al Balushi, Ithraa’s director general for export development and acting director general for investment promotion, said: “With over 1,600 exhibitors drawn from 56 countries, Marmomacc is a major trade show on Ithraa’s annual event calendar, it offers Omani businesses great international exposure and unrivalled opportunities to meet with building trade representatives.”

Oman has large deposits of gypsum, limestone, marble, laterite, chromite and kaolin, and the mining and mineral sector has seen growth over the past few years, said a statement from Ithraa.

A key market for Oman’s stone and marble sector will be emerging Asia which many expect to enjoy substantial growth over the next decade, including China, India, Indonesia and the Philippines, it said.

“Urbanisation and population growth are underpinning this demand,” remarked Al Balushi.

Government spending on infrastructure is also rising. In addition to local construction, the One Belt One Road initiative, Saudi Vision 2030 and $1 trillion US infrastructure are likely to be key drivers supporting demand for Oman’s world-class building materials, it said.

Local companies exhibiting at Marmomacc include: Hamood Al Rashidi & Brothers Trading Company, Gulf Stone Company, Al Shanfari Marble Company, Al Nasr Trading & Contracting Company and Al Ajmi Marble.

Ithraa has organised a national pavilion at Marmomacc for several years – a presence that has proven to deliver solid returns for participating Omani companies.

Al Balushi said: “Omani stone and marble companies attend the Verona show because they want to display their products and meet international buyers, architects and distributors.”

“They know exactly what they want to achieve, greater brand recognition, widen their network of industry contacts and secure new contracts. It is a busy and exciting event,” she added. – TradeArabia News Service