President of MADSİAD, Efendioğlu: “There is not a sharp fall but a mild recession”

The latest developments in marble sector were discussed during the consultation meeting of Turkish Marble Natural Stone and Machinery Manufacturers Association (TÜMMER), which was held in Bursa, in collaboration with Mineral and Marble Manufacturer and Industrialists Association (MADSİAD)

Erol Efendioğlu, the President of MADSİAD, who delivered a speech at the meeting held at Bursa Hilton Hotel said: “The year 2018 started at the stationary state compared to 2017 due to the global stagflation. This stability is a global problem. It’s not just a problem of Turkey. However, there is not a sharp falling but a mild recession. The third and fourth quarters will be much better and different.”

“Stability in China adversely affected the block marble sector”

Efendioğlu, referring to the stagnation in the Chinese construction industry said: “The stagnation in China adversely reflected on Turkey. The golden periods of block marble exports were experienced in 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2013, our natural stone exports approached 2 billion 300 million dollars. Our sales to China were very high. In 2018, the stagnation especially in China affected the block marble sector negatively. The demand for marble stairs has been narrowed down as well. In addition, India has become one of our most important markets in block marble trade. Block marble exports to India make exporters gain high profit rates.”

“Bursa has been organizing a successful marble fair for 3 years”

Efendioğlu emphasized that there was a very serious participation in the Bursa Block Marble Fair organized for the fourth time this year. He said: “Our Bursa Block Marble Fair has grown 400 percent in the last three years. Although, there are participation demands from Iran and Egypt, we are not able to meet the demands of foreign countries. Our priority is to have strong national participation.”

Raif Türk, the President of the Executive Board of TÜMMER, claimed that although the natural stone export income is predicted to be 2 and a half billion dollars for 2018, due to some negative global developments, there is a slight slowdown.