Those Who Add Value to Stone" Came Together

"Those Who Add Value to Stone" Came Together

The launch event for the 6th International Stone Congress, which will be held simultaneously with the 27th Marble İzmir International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair, took place at the Historical Gas Factory. Leading figures in the industry came together for the first time in a long time at this launch event.

Marble İzmir Fair, which introduces Türkiye’s natural stone wealth to the global market, gains additional value with the biennial International Stone Congress. The 6th International Stone Congress, to be held from March 23-26, 2021, in parallel with the 27th Marble İzmir International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair taking place from March 24-27, will bring together scientists and industry representatives under the theme “Stone Adds Value – Those Who Add Value to Stone.”

As part of the congress preparations, a promotional meeting hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality was attended by Aydın Dinçer, Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly Mining Sector Board and the Istanbul Mineral Exporters’ Association (IMIB); Mevlüt Kaya, Chairman of the Aegean Mineral Exporters’ Association; Alim Murathan, Chairman of the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Geological Engineers; Dr. İlker Kahraman, Chairman of the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Architects; and the General Manager of İZFAŞ. They discussed the current state of the industry and its relationship with the congress, answering questions from the attendees. Following the speeches, a protocol agreement was signed with industry leaders.

The meeting was opened by the Chairman of the Congress Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Faruk Çalapkulu, a veteran in the sector. Congress Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ersin Koralay shared insights into the journey of natural stone, its applications in various industries, its export potential, and design-related activities, highlighting the perspectives of the congress that combine past experiences with innovative approaches. The meeting was also attended by İbrahim Alimoğlu, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Marble, Natural Stone, and Machinery Manufacturers’ Association; Cumhur İşbırakmaz, Secretary General of the Aegean Exporters’ Associations; Haldun Barışcan, Executive Board Member of İZFAŞ, along with members of the organizing, executive, industry advisory, scientific, and technical committees of the congress.

"We Will Promote Turkish Natural Stone from İzmir"

Expressing the joy of reuniting the sector after the postponed fair period, the General Manager of İZFAŞ stated, “İZFAŞ, a supporting force of Türkiye’s economy, serves İzmir’s development model through its city coalition with stakeholders. Together with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, İZFAŞ management, and all sector representatives, we are working hand in hand to promote İzmir on the global stage and strengthen local development. İZFAŞ is a common ground for the entire sector. As you know, our Marble İzmir Fair was postponed this year due to the general directive issued by the Ministry of Trade in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we continued our preparations throughout this period. With the 6th International Stone Congress, which has brought us together here today, we will assess the global brand value of natural stone with those who add value to it, and we will promote Turkish natural stone from İzmir.”

Dinçer: "Being a Self-Sufficient Country in Terms of Energy and Production Capability is Crucial"

Emphasizing the strategic importance of the industry in terms of raw materials and energy, Aydın Dinçer, Chairman of the Istanbul Mineral Exporters’ Association, stated, “After a long and challenging period, we are together again. The COVID-19 global crisis has once again demonstrated how crucial it is to be a self-sufficient country in terms of raw materials, energy sources, and production capabilities. Mining wealth, the ability to extract and process it, and its role in production and export are essential pillars to focus on. When we examine Türkiye’s reality in this regard, we see a promising picture. Türkiye is a very rich country in terms of minerals and natural stones used as raw materials and energy sources. The Turkish mining sector contributes $40 billion to the Turkish economy, with exports reaching $4.3 billion in 2019. In the first seven months of 2020, we exported $2.22 billion worth of minerals. The sector managed to limit COVID-19-related losses to 11.34%. With the easing of quarantine measures worldwide, we have observed a monthly increase in exports. Throughout this challenging period, IMIB has worked to increase interest and demand for Turkish natural stone. We believe that the 6th International Stone Congress, scheduled for 2021, will provide significant contributions to the Turkish natural stone sector, and we fully support it. I hope today’s promotional meeting yields positive outcomes for our industry.”

"Production Against All Odds, Export Against All Odds"

Mevlüt Kaya, Chairman of the Aegean Mineral Exporters’ Association, highlighted the importance of in-person meetings, saying, “Although we have met online during the pandemic, this process has taught us the value of face-to-face discussions. Our efforts to add value to Turkish natural stone continued during the pandemic with the motto ‘Production Against All Odds, Export Against All Odds,’ and they will continue. The International Stone Congress and Marble İzmir International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair hold even greater significance as they will be the first post-pandemic events for the natural stone industry. There is a discrepancy between Türkiye’s vast natural stone reserves and the share it holds in exports. Our goal is to increase our natural stone exports from the current $2 billion level to $7 billion. I wholeheartedly believe that we will achieve this goal through the synergy created by collaborations like these.”

"Resources Are Not Unlimited"

Alim Murathan, Chairman of the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Geological Engineers, stated that the city will develop further with the congress and fair, adding, “Our country’s marble and natural stone reserves are significant but not unlimited. It is crucial to operate these reserves with minimal loss, in the most economical manner, using technology, design, and scientific applications while considering environmental and ecosystem values. The main purpose of this congress, first held by the Chamber of Geological Engineers in 2008 and since 2017 jointly organized every two years with the Chamber of Architects, is to track and discuss scientific and technological developments in the stone sector with collective intelligence and to add value to Türkiye’s stone economy. Türkiye is an important player in the global stone production and trade, and we believe this congress will be worthy of İzmir, a city that has strengthened its position through the Marble İzmir Fair.”

"Those Who Add Different Values to the Same Goal Can Build the Future"

Dr. İlker Kahraman, Chairman of the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Architects, emphasized the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, saying, “In the 21st century, the diversification of knowledge and expertise necessitates collaboration across different disciplines. Today, success comes from co-producing and being different parts of a whole. Only those who add different values to the same goal can build the future. As the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Architects, our goal is to be part of the effort to add value through design-focused thinking and action. We are fully confident that we will achieve this goal together with the institutions contributing to the realization of the congress and the fair.”

Çalapkulu: "Victory Belongs to the Believers"

Prof. Dr. Faruk Çalapkulu, Chairman of the Congress Executive Committee, announced that B2B meetings with nine buyer delegations organized by the exporters' associations, along with VR virtual reality, 3D technical, and architectural presentations, are planned within the congress activities. He stated, “Sustainability remains a fundamental challenge in Türkiye. We have developed a working model to ensure the continuation of this congress series, which has been ongoing for 12 years. Today, Türkiye hosts its largest specialized fair, which was initiated in 1989 within the scope of the İzmir International Fair. Our wish is for economic activities to resume as soon as possible in health and peace. Victory belongs to the believers.”

Theme: "Stone Adds Value – Those Who Add Value to Stone"

The 6th International Stone Congress, themed “Stone Adds Value – Those Who Add Value to Stone,” will focus on the stones that add value to structures, the different disciplines that add value to stone, and their interactions. The event is organized in partnership with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, various professional chambers, and industry associations and is supported by TÜMMER and DENİB.