Enthusiastic response to India Stonemart

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, FEB. 5. India Stonemart 2000 has drawn enthusiastic response from the major players in the dimensional stone sector, resulting in as many as 26 MOUs between Indian and foreign companies in the first four days of the exposition at the Export Promotion Industrial Park(EPIP) in Sitapura near here.

The MOUs, worth $15 millions were the outcome of over 220 buyer- seller meetings. The exhibitors also firmed up orders worth Rs.15 crores at the mart. The officials at the Centre for Development of Stones(CDOS), the chief organiser of the event, said over 25,000 persons, who included those from 35 countries, visited the exhibition in the first three days.

The senior officials of the CDOS and the co-organizer, CII, besides those from the sponsoring organisations, UNIDO and the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation(RIICO), who met the mediapersons on the penultimate day of the Stonemart said that there were `all round euphoria' over the event.

Addressing a joint press conference with UNIDO representatives from Greece and Austria, Mr.Arvind Mayaram, Secretary, Industries, Rajasthan, said the consultations at the Stonemart during these days once again brought to focus the need for South- South cooperation in the processing and marketing of dimensional stones. The changing global scenario, especially in the context of WTO agreements, required facilities to link up the world even with players in remote areas like Makrana in Rajasthan, he stated.

The officials quoted the MOU entered into between India and Tanzania at the current fair as an example of possible linkages between the developing nations. Mr.Charles C.Diallo Shaba of the Tanzania Chamber of Mines said that under the MOU, the experts from the CDOS would assist that country in mineral exploration. CDOS also would help Tanzania to set up a similar centre in that country and provide training to the local people.

The arrangement would include helping Tanzania to access its stone resources, identify business partners for Indian companies, provide training in value addition activities, informed Mr.D.C.Samant, chairman, CDOS.

Mr.Alexnadrros Roussopoulos, head of the Investment Promotion Service, UNIDO, Athens, expressed his satisfaction over the fair and suggested proper follow up action in the case of LOIs and MOUs. ``For the first time so many have come from Greece for transactions in marble and other stones. There is a very high potential for trade between the two nations'', he pointed out.

However, the representative of the Greek Chamber of Mines, Mr.Papadopoulous, felt that those in the dimensional stone business in the north India should learn from their counterparts in the South, in terms of awareness and professionalism. Citing the case of Makrana white marble, he said that the international prices for the same quality were four times lower than in India.

Dimensional stones from Rajasthan could be marketed in China and in South Africa as well but the quality and prices were to be brought to competitive levels globally, Mr.Papadopoulous noted.

According to Mr.K.P.Lal, chief executive officer, CDOS, the MOUs signed included joint development of monuments in Greece, purchase of Indian marble, joint ventures in cutting and polishing of white marble and assistance in marketing Indian marble in European market. There are also joint ventures offered in marble quarrying in Rajasthan, promotion of Rajasthan granite in Greek and European market and promotion of import of Greek white marble to this country.

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