Imidro's support for the export of decorative stones
Member of the Board of Directors and Deputy Chairman of Imidro: Imidro facilitates the production and export of products of this type of mine in line with the plan to activate small mines. Some of the booths in Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan are to be considered for providing quality products of the stone industry.
According to the International Stone Exhibition of Iran, according to experts, at present, Iranian decorative stone products are exported only to neighboring countries, while given the facilities we have abroad, there is the ability to further boost the export of this sector.
According to statistics, our country has the ability to export $ 1 billion worth of decorative stones annually, but the export statistics in this area are only about three hundred and fifty million dollars.
Recently, Khodadad Gharibpour, in a meeting to review and remove the obstacles to the export of decorative stones among the representatives of the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, said that Imidro is going to play a facilitating and supportive role in the export of Iranian decorative stones. The organization has consulted with institutions such as the Central Bank and the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade to remove barriers to production and exports. In this meeting, it was suggested that a consortium of the private sector in Isfahan province will be established soon to produce and develop the export of decorative stones in the country, in order to reduce the performance of the islands in this field.
It is worth mentioning that Isfahan is known as one of the top provinces in the field of mines and decorative stone processing factories in the country. Due to the fact that this province is responsible for the production of 30% of the country's decorative stones, this province has been selected by Imidro as a pilot for the development and prosperity of production and export of this industry. Isfahan will be a good place for the private sector export consortium to operate, given its track record and position in stone production.
Abbas Naeemi, a member of the board of directors and deputy director of Imidro, spoke about this.
What should be done to optimize the country's decorative stone industry?
In order to optimize, different measures are possible in different parts of the industry chain. In the exploration section, we can mention the use of systematic methods of drilling the core before reopening the chest. In the extraction section, you can use new equipment, machinery and methods such as crane system, havage and use of underground methods that increase the amount and quality of the produced coupe. In the processing sector, the use of modern equipment and technology can increase the quality and more plaque of the stone. Let's not forget that in all sectors, the training of skilled manpower, including the training of technicians needed in mines and processing plants, can optimize production.
What are Imidro's facilities for the private sector to participate in the production and development of the decorative stone export market?
In various stages, including exploration, extraction and processing, Imidro has provided facilities to the private sector through the Mining Investment Insurance Fund. In order to facilitate the export of decorative stones, the organization is also providing the conditions for the cooperation of foreign companies under the Imidro subsidiary and the consortium of activists in this sector; Therefore, this organization has a facilitative and supportive role for the private sector in the development of the decorative stone industry.
What is the purpose of forming the Isfahan Stone Consortium and what steps has Imidro taken for it?
In order to speed up the implementation of production and export programs, a consortium of decorative stones is to be established in Isfahan province. Isfahan is one of the top provinces in the field of mining and processing of decorative stones in the country. In this regard, Imidro intends to facilitate the export of decorative stones for the field of decorative stones with the cooperation of foreign companies under its auspices; Therefore, as a pilot, meetings have been held with the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, and the initial steps and model for implementing this issue have been determined. The process of signing a memorandum of understanding and then concluding a contract between the Isfahan Stone Consortium with foreign companies affiliated with Imidro is being pursued, and we are trying to enter the operational phase as soon as possible.
What can be done to activate inactive mines in the decorative stone sector?
Various measures can be taken in this regard. Some of these measures include facilitation of regulations such as deferment of government rights, calculation of government salaries based on the actual amount of extraction of decorative stone mines, and reduction of export duties on decorative stones to increase the competitiveness of this sector in exporting products to competing countries.
This issue is being pursued in the form of a plan to revive and activate small-scale mines. According to statistics, there are now more than nine hundred inactive mines in the field of decorative stones that need to be rehabilitated and activated. Imidro facilitates the production and export of products of this type of mine in line with the plan to activate small mines. Some of the pavilions of Naghsh Jahan Square in Isfahan are to be considered for presenting quality products of stone industry. Also, providing branding and introducing more and more decorative stone products in foreign countries is another ongoing activity for marketing, export and thus activation. Mines are decorative stones.
