Iran Strengthens Stone Industry
VERONA, Italy – Iran’s a major player in the international stone market and plans to ramp up its production capabilities, according to an Iranian official visiting the Marmomacc stone trade event.
Click photo to enlarge“Iran is a stable and reliable player in the Middle East and a strong economy in the region,” said Jafar Sargheini, deputy minister of economy, trade and mining activities. “The government has arranged significant benefits for companies making investments in terms of tax and profits concessions, as well as employment, through a policy of maximum cooperation and excellent advantages for investors, even as regards energy costs.”
Already among the top five stone producing countries worldwide, Iran plans to invest $200 million in technology to modernize 5,000 processing centers in the country, more than 500 active quarries and 87,000 employees in the quarrying and processing industry.
“We are very interested in developing, through Veronafiere-Marmomacc, synergies and cooperation in the natural-stone field, just as we consider Italian technology in the sector as the best in the world,” Sargheini added.
Sargheini led an Iranian trade delegation to this year’s Marmomacc.
Event producers Veronafiere envision stronger ties with Iran in encouraging trade in several industrial sectors.
“We are working to define cooperation with the Iranian Government as soon as possible in natural stone, construction and agricultural sectors,” said Giovanni Mantovani, Veronafiere CEO/director general. “As regards to Marmomacc, we envisage that the Stone Academy will become active in Iran and that Verona next year will welcome an even more numerous trade and exhibitor delegation under the aegis of the Government.
“Iran has 300 million inhabitants and is enjoying significant expansion. Italy has maintained important dialogue with Iran in every historical period and today this means we are seen as a qualified and reliable partner.”
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