Turkish Natural Stone Exporters Return Successfully from China
Xiamen Journey Proves Fruitful
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Turkish Natural Stone Exporters Return Successfully from China
Xiamen Journey Proves Fruitful
YEREL GÜNDEM / İZMİR
The 24th Xiamen Stone Fair, the world's largest gathering for the natural stone sector, was held in the city of Xiamen, China, from March 16th to 19th, 2024.
More than 120 foreign buyers from over 120 countries and regions flocked to Xiamen to establish business connections.
Turkey, represented by 87 companies, took the lead in international participation at the Xiamen Stone Fair, organized by the Aegean Mineral Exporters' Association under Turkey's National Participation Organization.
Mr. Ibrahim Alimoğlu, President of the Aegean Mineral Exporters' Association, stated, "This year, we had a successful participation with 87 companies at the Xiamen Stone Fair, held in China, our largest export market. As in previous Xiamen Fairs, Turkey was the country with the highest number of participants, with 87 companies. Over 2,000 participants from around the world, including Italy, Brazil, Egypt, Portugal, Iran, Pakistan, Greece, India, and Vietnam, gathered at the fair. During the 4-day event, the fair attracted 151,845 visitors. The promotion of our EU-funded project, the VR Goggle-based Occupational Health and Safety Training Simulation, was also conducted in Chinese."
Mr. Ibrahim Altınpınar, Vice President of the Aegean Mineral Exporters' Association, added, "The fair saw great interest from buyers, designers, association delegations, and consumers from India, Russia, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, the United States, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, and other foreign countries. In 2022, our natural stone exports to China reached $419 million, and in 2023, it reached $432 million. As the Turkish natural stone sector, we aim to achieve $1 billion in exports to China in the long term. With the Xiamen Fair, we have taken another step closer to this goal."
The opening of the Turkish Pavilion at the Xiamen Stone Fair, the world's largest meeting point for the natural stone sector, was conducted by Turkey's Ambassador to Beijing, Mr. Ismail Hakkı Musa, Consul General of Guanco, Mr. Kaan Başkurt, Trade Attaché of Guanco, Ms. Şerife Yıldırım Demirel, and Mr. Ibrahim Altınpınar, Vice President of the Aegean Mineral Exporters' Association.
At the 24th Xiamen Stone Fair held in Xiamen, China, from March 16th to 19th, 2024, 56 companies participated under the National Participation Organization of the Aegean Mineral Exporters' Association, while 31 Turkish companies participated individually.
Turkey's natural stone exports reached $274 million in the January-February period of 2024, showing a 2% increase compared to the same period in the previous year, when it was $269 million. The United States reclaimed the top spot in natural stone exports with $64 million, while exports to the People's Republic of China increased by 5% to $51.5 million. Saudi Arabia ranked third in natural stone exports with exports totaling $19.5 million. These were followed by Iraq with exports of $17.5 billion, France with $14.6 million, Israel with $11.5 million, the United Arab Emirates with $10.5 million, Australia with $10 million, India with $9 million, and Germany with $6 million. The number of countries to which Turkey exported natural stone reached 144.
The Western Mediterranean Exporters' Associations also participated in the Xiamen Stone Fair with an information stand.
