FEDERATION OF INDIAN GRANITE & STONE INDUSTRY ORGANISES 15th EDITION OF STONA 2023.

 The 15th edition of Bi annual STONA 2023,the third largest International Stone Fair began yesterday in Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) yesterday.A flagship initiative of the Federation of Indian Granite & Stone Industry (FIGSI) will go on till 18th February,2023.STONA has come a long way since its first edition in 1987,having grown by leaps & bounds over the last four decades,enabling exports to cross Rs.15,000 crores by year 2022.The investment in the stone industry likewise has witnessed a steep climb in the country during this period crossing Rs.50,000 crores and employing over 2 million. The 15th edition of STONA 2023 is expected to generate business over Rs.1000 crores in natural stones.

STONA is a bi annual event in the stone industry that provides a platform for manufacturers,exporters suppliers and service providers to showcase their products,services and technology. " STONA is great oppurtunity for the stone industry to network and collaborate,as well as to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and trends in the industry" says Mr.Ishwinder Singh,President, FIGSI. Whether you are a manufacturer,exporter,supplier or service provider,STONA is an excellent oppurtunity to promote business,make new contacts and stay up to date with the latest developments in the industry added Mr.Manoj Kumar Singh, Chairman,STONA & Vice President FIGSI.

STONA 2023 was inaugurated by Mr.Halappa Achar,Minister of Mines & Geology,Govt. of Karnataka. India is home to the second largest deposit of natural stones in the world,with 15% of the world's natural stone reserves,equivalent to 46.23 billion cubic metres.The country is also one of the top 5 granite producing countries along with China & Brazil.

Mr. S.Krishna Prasad, General Secretary, FIGSI said," Currently there is huge accumulation of Quarry waste which is a major threat to environment.This waste needs to be constructively utilised as a value added product as well as meet social issues such as prevention of coastal erosion,use of aggregates and M-sand as replacement for natural river sand ,usage in road construction,to name a few. In short, the waste needs to be viewed as an asset and used in accordance as done in countries like China."

With the right policy support in place that is conducive for growth of the natural stone industry,the annual growth going forward can be expected to reach 10-15% ,aided by an increase in exports to the tune of 15 to 20%. Creating conducive atmosphere will also push up investments to  Rupees One  lakh crores from the current Rs.50,000 crores thus providing  employment to an additional 15 lakh skilled and semi skilled workers in both rural & semi urban areas.