Natural Stone 2004, the International Marble, Natural Stone Products and Tech-nologies Exhibition, will be organized by CNR International Trade Fairs Inc. at CNR Expo in Istanbul/Turkey from September 2 to 5, 2004. The exhibition is supported by IMMIB-Istanbul Mineral Exporters' Association, the Istanbul Marble Dealer Association, the Chamber of Istanbul Marble and Granite Processors and KOSGEB. It is also supported by the Center for Develop-ment of Stones-India, Stone Technology Center-India and Roshan Rooz Advertising-Iran (Member of Stone Association of Iran).

The organizers of Natural Stone 2004 expect 250 participant firms to participate at the exhibition for the first year. They also report that the goal within three years is to host 750 participants across a net exhibition area of 430,000 square feet. This year, the exhibition will be located in three halls, with nearly 190,000 square feet of net surface area.

Exhibitors will display marble, granite, travertine and other stones as well as machinery, abrasives, tools and setting materials. Attendees will come from the stone trade and will also include architects, designers, contractors and engineers, as well as the trade press.

Being the largest fair and exhibition center in Eurasia, CNR Expo is a superb facility for international fairs and exhibitions. It features eight inter-connected exhibition halls, conference facilities, a fully automated parking lot, business centers, fashionable cafes and restaurants with various tastes.

Turkey's growing stone sector will be meeting in Istanbul, where stone consumption is quite intensive. Additionally, it is home to the majority of Turkey's architects. To promote Natural Stone 2004 to an international audience, full-page advertisements were published in the leading magazines of India, Italy, U.S., China, Poland, Iran, Spain, Greece, France, England, Germany, Portugal and other major countries, and news bulletins were released accordingly. Additionally, Natural Stone 2004 participated in the Coverings 2004 Exhibition that was held in Orlando, FL, in March of 2004. Organizers also mailed 10,000 introduction brochures, providing a range of information on the exhinbition.

Turkish stone industry

Organizers point out that Turkey has one of the world's largest natural stone reserves, with a range of colors and textures. At present, approximately 250 types of marbles are extracted and over 100 different varieties are exported. In the last 15 years, the growth rate in terms of investment, production and exports of the Turkish Natural Stone Industry, which has a rich diversity of colors and patterns, has grown tremendously. The goal for annual stone exports is $1 billion.

During the period until 2005, average annual growth in stone production has been projected at 13%, and export growth rate is expected to be 18%.

For more information please contact:

Ms. Efsun SARInternational Sales Coordinator

CNR International Trade Fairs Inc.

CNR Expo 34149 Yesilkoy Istanbul Turkey

Phone: +90 212 663 08 81 ext:2621

Fax: +90 212 663 09 73/74

E-mail: efsun.sar@cnr.net

Internet: www.naturalstoneturkey.com