Brazil is again ready for its annual Vitória Stone Fair, specialized in ornamental stone, whose 23rd edition starts tomorrow, February 6, and goes through Friday, February 9, in the southeastern Brazilian state of EspÀrito Santo.
According to the executive director at Milanez & Milaneze, Cecília Milanez, one of the organizers of the event, Vitória Stone Fair is an instrument for generation of closer ties between different markets.
In total, there are 450 exhibitors, being 47 international. Among those participating there are companies from the United States, Czech Republic, Egypt, Italy, China, Argentina and Peru. This year the event has a record number of exhibitors.
The fair, which covers an area of 25,000 square meters, should receive 30,000 visitors. According to information disclosed by the company, half of the foreign buyers are from the United States.
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 totaled US$ 679.9 million last year, representing shipment of 1.46 million tons, 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 totaled US$ 1 billion last year, representing growth of 32.3% when compared to 2005. Shipments total led 2.5 million tons in 2006, 20% more than in the previous year.
For the second time 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 subsidized part of the cost. This year, satisfied with the results of the previous event, the businessmen decided to return on their own accord.
Cecília Milanez says that the participation of the Egyptian businessmen is very relevant, as it contributes even further to the internationalization of the fair. The stones to be exhibited by them are different from the Brazilian stones and attract the attention of buyers.
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 meters of stone a month and already export to over 40 countries; Haddad Group, which produces 87,000 square meters a month and exports to Arab, European, Asian and American countries, and Kiro Marble, with a production of 50,000 square meters of marbles and granites.
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 Center – Carapina Pavilion
Address: Rodovia do Contorno – BR 101 Norte, Vitória (ES)
Admittance: 50 reais (US$ 24)
Admittance restricted to businessmen and guests
Anba – www.anba.com.br