Natural Stone Exports Reach $1.864 Billion

Mining Sector Closes 2019 with USD 4.3 Billion in Exports

Aydın Dinçer, Chairman of the Istanbul Minerals Exporters Association (İMİB), announced that the mining sector closed 2019 with USD 4.3 billion in exports. Noting that the sector, which produces raw materials for all other sectors and contributes to the creation of nearly USD 40 billion in value, will receive a new mining law in 2020, Dinçer stated that they expect the law, which is being prepared by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, to bring dynamism to the sector. Dinçer added that with the new mining law, facilities currently operating at half capacity will be able to transition to full-capacity production. Export figures for the mining sector in 2019, which produces raw materials for all other sectors and contributes to the creation of nearly USD 40 billion in value, have been announced. In a statement made by İMİB Chairman Aydın Dinçer, it was noted that the sector closed 2019 with USD 4.3 billion in exports, and that natural stone's share in this figure was USD 1.864 billion. Stating that 80 of the 90 types of minerals produced in the world are found in Turkey, and that there are 150 different varieties of natural stone besides these, Dinçer disclosed the diversity of marble varieties available to the country as 650. Dinçer noted that they are working to ensure that such significant wealth is utilized in a way that will contribute more to the country's economy, and stated that Turkish minerals are used in 197 countries, with their subsequent objective being to deepen market presence.

Mineral Imports Stand at USD 25 Billion

Dinçer also recalled that Turkey pays approximately USD 25 billion annually for imported coal, iron ore, gold, copper, lead, zinc and many other minerals and metals, noting that this situation needs to change. Referring to the new mining law prepared by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2020, Dinçer said, "If everything goes as planned, the sector will proceed with its new law in the first quarter of 2020. We are requesting that the law be based on a warning-priority principle rather than a penalty-priority one, and that license revocations be made more difficult. We believe that simplifying permit processes will also revitalize the sector." Dinçer added that once the law is enacted, many facilities currently operating at half capacity will be able to transition to full-capacity production.

2020 to Feature National Pavilion Participation in US and Italy Trade Shows

Dinçer stated that they organize trade delegation missions to a different country each month to help the sector achieve its targets. Emphasizing that they organized trade delegation missions to 20 different countries throughout 2019 to promote Turkish minerals and natural stone, Dinçer underlined that they will continue these delegations in 2020. Dinçer noted that they will participate in "Coverings The Global Tile and Stone Experience," the region's largest trade fair held in the United States in 2020, and that they are preparing for this event with great care, as America represents their target and leading market for processed natural stone. Furthermore, Dinçer stated that İMİB will provide representation through national pavilion participation at the "Marmomac Stone, Design and Technology" fair to be held in Verona, Italy.