(May 17, 2017) Two days in the sign of Made in Italy marble, scheduled in Lebanon today and tomorrow. Exploring new business opportunities for Italian marble and granites in Lebanon and the Middle East sector is in fact the goal of the "We Speak Stone" commercial mission of Marmomac, the world's most important exhibition in the Verona Fair on Natural stone, which on May 17 and 18 makes a stop in Beirut. Made in Italy stone is highly appreciated in the large residential, commercial and tourist projects of the Cedar Land: in 2016 exports of processed products and rough blocks to Lebanon reached 13.1 million euro, a 1.9% growth over 2015 (Marmomac Source on Istat basis). "The We Speak Stone-Beirut initiative - explains Elena Amadini, Veronafiere's commercial vice president - continues the scouting activity with which Marmomac accompanies the Italian companies of the sub-fund both in mature markets such as the United States, focusing on New York in 2016, than on emerging. Specifically, in addition to growing internal demand, Lebanon is a strategic hub for much of the Middle East and will be a key juncture in the future reconstruction of Syria, as is the case today for Iraq". Nine of the stone companies in the Italian delegation: Antolini, Bellamoli, Bauce Bruno, Domos, La Lessinia Graniti, Marmi Scala, Marmi Santa Caterina, Santa Margherita and Marini Marmi. For two days they will be engaged to meet the most important local architectural, engineering and contractor firms, leading marble importers in the region, selected by Marmomac in collaboration with Platform Architecture and Design, also scheduled an institutional moment planned with the Embassy of the United States, Italy and the Italtrade Office in Beirut. (PO / RED)

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The Middle East, a historic crossroads of international trade, absorbs over 55% of the export of processed and semi-finished Italian marbles and granites to the Asian continent. According to the Marmomac Observatory, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Israel totaled 186.5 million euros in 2016. Despite a 17% drop in international tensions, in 2016 exports to Qatar accounted for 28.5 million euros, up 15.4% on the previous year. Interest in Italian stone is also reflected in the number of buyers visiting the Marmomac of Verona, which in 2016 saw the participation of 2,600 Middle Eastern countries, of which 270 from Lebanon. The 52nd edition of the show is scheduled in Veronafiere from September 27 to 30, 2017.