The most recent trade mission for the “Region of
Sicily Stone Project” occurred in Chicago,
IL, from October 21 to 24, 2008.
This overall project is aimed at finding new ways of presenting elements of the
Sicilian economic/production industry into international markets. As part of
this event, Sicilian delegates met with local institutions, managers and owners
of private companies, as well as architects and interior designers who had
expressed an interest in the project.
“In Sicily, the stone industry, along with agricultural food products, are the
sectors that are most extensively involved with exports,” stated
representatives of the mission. “The marble industry encompasses a vast range
of production types, from very rough cut pieces to the most prestigious
finished marble for decoration and restoration. Various industry products are
on the market: Rough material (marble and granite), processed material/cut
stone (tiles, mosaics, cubes), simple processed pieces (small blocks, paving
stones, curbstones), and slate.”
The following 20 companies from Sicily participated in the event: Consorzio
Perlato Sicilia, Iovino Marmi, Santoro Marmi, Consorzio Ceramiche Desuir,
Calandra Marmi sas, Nuovo Art S.p.A., CIMA srl, Pellegrino Francesco and Group
Pellegrino Import-Export srl, Alfa Graniti, Italia Lithos srl, Gieffevi,
Treemme dei F.lli Micelli, Sicilianan Industria Lavorazioni Marmi, Lavorazione
Industriale Marmi e Affini-Lima, Santangelo Marmi, Settipani, Avola Luciano di
Avola Giuseppe, Oddo Marmi srl and Oro Marmi.
“The companies’ part of the consortium is the extraction, working and the
commercialization of the marble,” stated the organizers. “These companies vary
in their types of produced marble, from lava stone to ivory, and their uses,
such as tiles, furniture, slabs, blocks and bathroom fittings. These companies
are among the largest in Sicily,
and export their products worldwide.”
Prior to last month’s event, the first institutional mission took place in Chicago from July 22 to
25, 2008. The overall goal of the “Country Partnership Project” is to focus the
promotional programs of the Region of Sicily on economic sectors that are
strategic for the Regional Administration.
“REGION OF SICILY STONE PROJECT†IS HELD IN CHICAGO . . .