Interrupted growth in the 3rd year of the block fair!

Two thousand marble blocks, weighted at 50 thousand tons, were exhibited in Bursa International Block Marble Fair this year. Almost all the exhibited blocks, valued at 15 million dollars, were sold in 4 days.

Bursa Block Fair was visited by 20 thousand visitors from 41 countries such as India, China, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Egypt. The business connections made by the businesspersons, who came to participate in the block fair within the scope of “Purchase Delegations” organized by the Ministry of Economy, satisfied the participants of the fair.

Mohammad Halajian, the organizer of StoneExpo Fair in Mahallat city of Iran, during his meeting with the members of the board of MADSIAD, Erol Efendioğlu and vice president Erol Yüce, demanded 1000 m2 space for Iran companies that plan to participate in the block fair.

Bursa International Block Marble Fair was held at Tüyap Bursa fair complex for the third time by the partnership of Bursa Chamber of Trade and Industry, TÜYAP Bursa Fair Organization Company and Mineral Marble Producers and Industrialists Association. Nearly 50 thousand tons of marble blocks were sold at the end of 4 days. Participants, who were highly satisfied with the efficiency of the fair, have planned their participations for the next year. Nearly 2 thousand marble in the worth of 15 million dollars were exhibited in the fair, which was visited by domestic and foreign purchasers from more than 40 countries. Bursa, as a city of production and export in Turkey is on the way to be a leading attraction center in the field of fair organization. Bursa International Block Marble Fair, which started in accordance with the demands of the sector three years ago, has attracted great attention this year. BTSO Chairman of the executive board İbrahim Burkay claimed that Bursa International Block Marble Fair succeeded in such a short period like 3 years. Burkay said: “Products should meet the right purchasers in order Turkish economy to grow. Bursa block fair highly contributes the Turkish export volume. We brought 800 foreign purchasers from 40 countries to Bursa in scope of our Trade Safari Project in the fair.”

“Minerals are our wealth

İbrahim Burkay said that the marble and mineral sectors are the most significant riches of Turkey. Production and exportation of these resources without damaging the environment contributes to the development of Turkish economy. Today, the value of our natural stone export is 2 billion dollars. The export goal of the sector for 2018 is 2,5 billion dollars. We aim to export 7 billion dollars worth of natural stone in 2023. Our sector will definitely reach its goals thanks to the synergy between sectoral companies.”

A FEW WORDS ON THE NEW FAIR COMPLEX

President Burkay said: “We aim to bring in a new generation fair complex to Bursa. The sectoral fairs we started in Bursa keep on developing thanks to the precious supports of our sectors. In accordance with the demands of our business world, we want to establish a new fair complex, which we believe will contribute to our city that adds power to the production and export of Turkey.” 

“Our country has big Goals”

Former minister of Internal Affairs and Bursa Deputy Efkan Ala said: “The efforts of Bursa business life have an important role in Turkey to reach its development goals. Bursa is the leader of Turkish economy.  It has higher economic volume than many BM countries with 25 billion dollars trade volume.
Thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and production experience of Bursa business society, both our city and our country will succeed. I wish Bursa block fair will continue accelerating the business volume of our sector each year.”

“Bursa is shining in marble production”

The Governor of Bursa, said: “Turkey holds rich mineral resources. We do not have petrol or natural gas resources but chrome, copper, coal, lignite and marble reserves. Turkey is one of the leading countries in marble production. Bursa especially is a very assertive in marble sector. Together with the industry investments to be made in the mineral sector, Bursa will be a marble production, design and sales center. I would like to thank to BTSO, MADSIAD and TÜYAP for their great effords in starting this fair in our city.”

50 % Growth

TÜYAP Bursa Fair Organization General Manager İlhan Ersözlü said: “Block marbles from 25 different cities of Turkey were exhibited in Bursa block fair. 50 thousand tons weight nearly 2 thousand block marbles with ton prices changing between 200 to 4 thousand dollars were exhibited at the fair. The amount of block marble exhibited in the fair increased by 50 % when compared to last year. There will be visitors from China and India who will make b2b business meetings with Turkish sectoral representatives in the fair. You will see international block producer companies that exhibit their blocks along with Turkish producers in Bursa block fair. I believe in three years time, every cm of this fair will be filled with the products of exhibitors.”

“Bursa is highly suitable for fair Business”

MADSİAD President Erol Efendioğlu said: “In Bursa International Block Marble Fair, there are 215 participant companies while there were only 148 exhibitors in its first year. The number of total blocks exhibited in the first year of the fair was 540. This year there are nearly 2 thousand blocks in the fair space. As far I know Bursa Block Fair is the fastest growing sectoral fair among all. This fair has been really rewarding for our city. Bursa is a perfect fair for fair organizations. Turkish mineral and natural stone sector vitalizes our country’s employment, export and production potentials. I am thankful to BTSO President İbrahim Burkay, the member of the Chair and TÜYAP Bursa Fair Organization Company for their valuable efforts in the establishment of this fair.” After the opening speeches, the protocol members opened the 3^rd Bursa International Block Marble Fair and visited the participant companies in order to debrief about block marbles.

Bursa contributes to Turkey’s block marble export

Almost 15 million dollar valued 2 thousand block marble were sold in the third Bursa International Block Marble Fair. 21 thousand business professionals visited the fair from more than 40 countries in 4 days. Bursa International Block Marble Fair, which started upon demands of the sector 3 years ago has supported the sectoral export as well as the foreign trade of the mineral sector and the economy of the city starting with Bursa.

 

15 Million Dollars Worth of Sales

BTSO President İbrahim Burkay further added: “The third International Bursa Block Marble Fair has vitalized the sector. The fair was visited by purchase delegates from more than 40 countries such as China, India, Spain, Germany and Egypt. Our country has 40 % of the world’s natural stone reserves. On the other side, Bursa is one of the leading block marble producers in the Turkey. In accordance to the demands of our sector, we have been organizing a successful fair in the last 3 years. There were 15 million dollars valued nearly 2 thousand block marbles in the fair, which hosted purchase delegates from leading countries. All the exhibited blocks in the fair were sold before the fair ended.”

A fair that contributes to natural stone export

Burkay: “The sector aims 2 billion dollars export revenue at the end of the year. Foreign trade volume of block marble grows every year. Fair organizations have great importance in reaching the targets. Business people coming to Bursa from all over the world sees marbles on display in more than 500 colors and designs and also has the opportunity to investigate the production facilities. I believe that the collaborations that have emerged here will continue to grow stronger. I wish that the fair, which has achieved record growth in a short time like 3 years, is good for our industry and our city. I would liike to thank all the companies participating in the fair.

20.898 visitors from 40 countries

TÜYAP Bursa Fair Organization Company general manager İlhan Ersözlü said: “In the fair, 215 companies exhibited their block marbles in 7 halls each are in the size of 60 thousand m2. Nearly 2 thousand blocks in worth at 15 million dollars were sold in 4 days. There were participants even from Morocco. The Fair has made a great contribution to the export of natural stone and marble. Achieving 50% growth in the number of block marble exhibited according to the past year, the fair was visited by purchase delegations from more than 40 countries including China and India and 20,898 professionals from 43 cities in Turkey. Despite being in its third year, Bursa Block Fair is the only sectoral fair held in the country which has a great impact on the block marble export in our country. The organization has strengthened its position in the sector with its business volume achieved in 4 days.”

Spaces are already booked for the next year

Ersözlü said: “Participating companies consisting of the leading block producers in Turkey, quarries and business machines were satisfied with the fair. The fair, which will bring the sector together for the fourth time between 24th and 27th October 2018, next year. Sector representatives have already made pre-bookings. I would like to thank to BTSO, which added value to Bursa in fair trade organization, to MADSIAD for its support and to participant companies.”

“Majority of the blocks were sold during freight”

MADSİAD President Erol Efendioğlu said: “Bursa ınternational Block Marble Fair will continue growing every year. Many blocks were already sold before the fair had started. This year we have realized a fair far beyond the expectations of our industry. The sale of almost all of the block marbles showed us once more how accurate the fair was. This fair will further develop in the coming years and will lead our country to reach export targets. I do not think there has been such a fast growing exhibition in the world. As MADSİAD, we would like to thank BTSO and TÜYAP Bursa Fair Organization Company.”

Middle Eastern Purchase Delegates Satisfied the Participants

The Purchasing Delegations from the Middle Eastern and north African countries, that were brought to Bursa Block Fair in the sponsorship of the Ministry of Economy satisfied the participant companies. The delegations brought from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt made participants happy with purchases they made. The exhibitors which participated here for the Indian and Chinese visitors showed great interest to these purchase delegations.

Turkish Stone World and Stonetech Magazines were distributed effectively

As in every sectoral fair, we have effectively distributed Turkish Stone World Magazine and our new magazine Stonetech in the fair. We distributed our magazines in special bags in Bursa Block Fair as we do in the other sectoral fairs in the world, at our desk in the foyer. In the meantime, the participants stated that a magazine like our new magazine Stonetech was a necessity and that it is important for us to share information about technological developments abroad through this ne magazine.

Text and Photos: Ersin BOZKURT