America’s biggest natural stone exhibition Coverings-Showcasing Tile + Stone was held in 14-17 April 2015 in Orlando city. In the exhibition where 1,125 companies from different countries such as Turkey, Brazil, Italy, Spain and China attended, the natural stone products and paving materials were exhibited. With the organization of İstanbul Mineral Exporters’ Association (IMIB), Turkey attended the exhibition with 61 companies 38 of which are national companies and 23 are within the context of UR-GE project. Together with the individual participations, the total of Turkish companies in the exhibition was 81.
USA is in the first rank in our processed natural stone export
The Turkish natural stone sector maintains its consistent uptrend in export in the recent years and targets to increase its strength in USA which is one of the world’s biggest markets. America is the second country after China to which the sector exports the most and it is the first country in natural stone export. The natural stone sector increased its export to America the last year by 8.5 percent and realized a 319 million dollars export. The natural stone exporters valued the Coverings because they believe that exhibitions are one of the most important factors to introduce the sector and increase the export. Surface coating materials such as marble, granite, travertine tiles, plates and bordures, decorative products such as mosaics, machines and equipment were displayed in the exhibition.
IMIB Chairman Kahyaoğlu:
“We trust in our strength and products”
IMIB Chairman Ali Kahyaoğlu emphasized that America is a critically important country for the Turkish natural stone sector and stated the following regarding the exhibition:
“The countries that tend to increase their exports to the United States which is one of the world’s biggest natural stone importers had a great competition in the exhibition that was held the 26th time this year. We, as the Istanbul Mine Exporters Association, arranged some activities regarding the exhibition in order to contribute in introduction of the Turkish natural stones and increase our export to America. We attended this exhibition for the 14th time this year in a national level and believe that the Turkish natural stones will be ahead of the game with its deep rooted history, color and pattern varieties. Investment should be made in design in order to get stronger in USA where investment to mainly processed natural stone is made. We, as an association, will go on emphasizing the importance of design for the sector just as we have emphasized it until now.”
