ISTANBUL, TURKEY -- More than 450 domestic and international companies will participate at Natural Stone 2005, which is working successfully to integrate the Turkish natural stone sector with other world markets. The show is to be held from September 1 to 4, 2005 at the CNR EXPO in Istanbul.

This year, approximately 25,000 attendees, including over 5,000 international professionals from 80 countries, are expected to visit Natural Stone 2005, the 2nd International Marble, Natural Stone Products and Technologies Exhibition. The show, which is organized by CNR International Trade Fairs Inc., with the support of IMMIB-Istanbul Mineral Exporters' Association, is to occupy approximately 430,000 square feet at the CNR EXPO.

Turkish Republic Undersecretariat of The Prime Ministry for Foreign Trade will organize buyers from countries such as Germany, Czech Republic, England, the U.S., Russia, India, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Hong Kong, Canada, Spain, The Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Kazahstan and Kyrgyzstan.

The leading Turkish companies of the sector which are participating at the show include Tekmar Marble, Travertine Bros, Alfa Marble, Simtafl Marble, Temmer Marble, Granitafl Granite, Reiso€lu Marble, Öntafl Marble Federal Marble, Özer Group, Alacakaya Marble, Verona Granit, Toprak Marble, Anadolu Marble, Canel Marble, Sermak Machinery, Akal Machinery, Esmafl Machinery, Mermak Machinery, Volvo and Enka Machinery.

One of the main goals of Natural Stone 2005 is to make the public more aware of the industry in hopes to increase the use of marble and natural stone.