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MARBLE, TRADITION AND TECHNOLOGY
Rome - (Adnkronos Multimedia) - Despite the economic difficulties affecting many countries, above all in Europe, this is a sector in full growth, able to maintain and even develop its presence on international markets. The Italian builders of machines and equipment for working stone (www.assomarmomacchine.com) are in fact undisputed world leaders. The sector accounts for a turnover of around €1.2 bn, over 60% of which is realised abroad, and a network of over 200 companies, providing almost 12,000 jobs, dedicated to the production of stonecutters, surfacers and polishers, cranes for lifting blocks and equipment for stone extraction from quarries, tools and finishing machinery.
A complete sector, which has developed in Italy over the course of the centuries, from ancient Rome, passing through the Renaissance, and up to the present day, able to offer almost any type of equipment and machinery of the utmost quality. Moreover, the use of stone and marble has ancient roots in Italy and it is therefore no surprise that alongside the quarrying industry, related industries have sprung up, especially in those regions of Italy where there is the largest number of quarries: Tuscany, Emilia Romagna and Veneto.
But it is above all on foreign markets that the companies in the sector have managed to build a solid reputation, also facing new and complex local realities, such as those in developing countries like Iran, India and China, without however neglecting traditional markets, such as the United States and Spain. In the first half of 2004, exports were worth 430.2 million euros, up 35% on the same period in 2003. Professionals in the sector consider the figures of the first half of 2004 encouraging, especially taking into account the international economic slump and the performance of the machine tools sector in Italy. This demonstrates that Italian innovation and technology in the sector have known how to adapt and keep international competitors at bay. An important role has been played by the trade associations, which work abroad through promotional activities and above all, activities dedicated to professional training on the most promising foreign markets.
The largest buyer for Italian machinery and equipment is Iran, followed by the United States, which up until 2003 was the main foreign market. Among the top 10 buyers, Turkey has made the most important steps forward, passing from 21st place in 2003 to its present position in third place. Also significant is the confirmation of Spain's importance, also in 2004 among the leading destinations of Italian exports in the sector, and a significant result has been also obtained in China, which has once more started buying high-quality Italian stone technology, with imports up by 60%. The other countries in the top 10 are the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, Algeria and Russia, where the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade has for some time been working on important initiatives aimed at developing the presence of Italian businesses. Positive developments have also been seen in other countries, from Morocco, Uzbekistan, Australia and Japan, to Chile, Slovenia and Libya, which has become particularly receptive now that the international embargo is about to be lifted.
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