Shafi'i: Country stone exports are falling
President of Iranian Stone Association: Imported stones are a serious threat to our country and if any industry is removed, that industry will be destroyed now for the 40th year that people pay for mismanagement which is very expensive.
Abolghasem Shafi'i at the opening ceremony of the 10th International Iranian Stone Exhibition, referring to the industry background, said: "Our emblem is in Persepolis and has been around for thousands of years.
He added: About ten years ago when the number of Iranian mines was about eight hundred mines and our factories were about three thousand, our export to the mining sector was one hundred and twenty million dollars, while a company in Spain alone had one type. The stone exported three hundred and sixty million euros, which is a sign of our weakness.
The head of the Iranian Association of Stones stated: All of Iran exported six hundred and six hundred and six million dollars in the field of cut stone and made one hundred and forty-seven million dollars in the raw stone sector with six thousand six hundred stone units.
"Our score in the export sector is below zero and we have to challenge the country why the Hepco company, which can have a country with 1,800 mines and the best equipment, should not give a car in the city, but Hitachi and Other foreign winners are clearly visible.
He continued: Airlines and the like were set up before the revolution to strengthen all the mines in the country, but today we are buying foreign equipment so we are on this path of prosperity.
"The countries that used to buy stone from us today alone sell $ 300 million a year in stone, while we are not making the best use of our funds," said the president of the Iranian Stone Association.
Shafiei pointed out that the same areas where mines, factories, and equipment are abundant would be bankrupt if the import of the stone was released.
He added: "Imported stones are a serious threat to our country and if the toll of any industry is eliminated, that industry will be destroyed for the 40th year now that people are paying for mismanagement, which is a very heavy cost."
The head of the Iranian Stone Association stated: The average price of our export stone is $ 18, while the average Italian stone price is more than $ 50, reflecting the lack of government and government support in the export sector.
Shafiei said: "We are not on the rise at all, but we are falling and we are constantly moving downwards and the statistics that are announced are not correct."
He continued: The Iranian Stone Association is taking positive steps in four areas of education, mining, factory renewal and export, hoping that the results will be clarified as soon as possible.
* Tasnim
