PRESS RELEASE

VISIT OF TRADE DELEGATION TO NUREMBERG AND CARRARA

IUnder the ongoing National Programme for Development of Indian Stone Industry of UNIDO, visit of stone industry related trade delegation comprising seven members from Rajasthan, one each from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and CEO, CDOS headed by Shri Narpat Singh Rajvi, Hon'ble Industries Minister, Government of Rajasthan to Stone+tec Nuremberg fair in Germany and Carraramarmotec fair in Carrara, Italy is underway.

The visit to these internationally reputed exhibitions is being organized to expose the trade members to latest technological advancements in dimensional stone sector through organizing meetings with leading technology providers and visit to plants and quarries wherein such technology is being used so as to provide first hand information. In addition to above high-level meetings with international agencies in stone sector are also proposed in the areas of mutual cooperation and linkages with CDOS.

The opportunity of visit is also being used to publicize the Global Stone Technology Forum being organized in Jaipur during 15-16 December 2005 and to invite participants and to start publicity for India Stonemart 2007 scheduled during 1-4 February 2007.

Stone+tec 2005 exhibition at Nuremberg, Germany is one of the largest and most reputed exhibitions in stone sector, which attracts over 1200 exhibitors and many visitors from world over. The exhibition, which was held recently during May 25-28, 2005, was attended by the delegation.

To commemorate the visit of Indian delegation headed by Hon'ble Industries Minister, an official welcome was organized by the Nuremberg Messe- the organizers of the exhibition on 26th May 2005 followed by visit of the exhibition and meetings with leading technology suppliers.

The delegation had a fruitful meeting cum conference with member companies of VDMA (German Machinery Manufacturers Association) to discuss various technical issues so as to bridge the technological gap between Indian companies and their foreign counterparts. VDMA has assured to provide all possible support to Indian companies in their endeavour of adopting suitable technology for quarrying and processing of stones. One to one business meetings were also organized with other leading players in the sector.

In the second leg of the visit, the delegation will be attending the Carraramarmotec 2005 fair being organized at Carrara, Italy during June 1-4, 2005. Carrara is internationally known centre of the stone industry. The delegation members will be meeting other prominent technology suppliers at Carrara and would also visit nearby quarries and processing plants. A high level meeting with IMM Carrara who are organizers of the fair as well as international agency of repute in stone sector is also scheduled on issues of mutual cooperation between CDOS and IMM Carrara in view of existing MOU between IMM Carrara and CDOS Jaipur. In fact representatives from IMM Carrara have attended all three previous Stonemart Exhibitions held at Jaipur on 2000, 2003 and 2005.