Bolat said at the opening of the 31st Marble Izmir – International Natural Stones and Technologies Fair in Fuar Izmir that Türkiye is among the countries with the richest natural stone reserves due to its geological structure.
Bolat explained that it is important to extract natural resources and bring them into the economy in an environmentally and socially responsible manner under the direction and control of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources: “In 2025, the exports of our mining sector reached 6 billion 400 million dollars and last year received a share of 2.34 percent of our total commodity exports of 273.3 billion dollars. In the natural stone sector, we have exports of 2.1 billion dollars. We are who has become that.” The third largest country exporting the most natural stone after China and Italy.” he said.
Stating that the world's largest natural stone fairs are held in China, Italy and Türkiye, Minister Bolat stated that Türkiye and Italy are cooperating in this field.
Bolat explained that Türkiye accounts for 11.6 percent of the world's natural stone exports:
“Many years ago we complained a little and said: 'We have marble and granite, but they always come in blocks. Whoever buys it, processes it and sells it with an increase in value of 5 to 1, 6 to 7 to 1. They generate the main income. However, we have reached a volume of 65 percent in the export of processed natural stone, marble and granite. Hopefully we can increase this value to 80, 90 percent. This requires technology and machines. Thank God ours The country developed, its technology improved, and we produce cutting machines and processing machines largely in Turkey and do not need imports.”
Stating that Marble Izmir, as an iconic trade fair, brings together natural stone customers, sellers and producers from all over the world, Bolat said that this year almost 1,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries took part in the fair and 70,000 visitors are expected.
Stating that they provided 34.6 million lira in grants to fair participants last year and that they intend to increase it even further this year, Bolat said that they elevated Marble Izmir to the prestigious fair category.
“We are experiencing very important days”
Minister Bolat emphasized that there have been serious shocks in the political, diplomatic and economic spheres around the world and that a significant part of the hot conflicts took place in the region where Türkiye is located, saying:
“We are living through very important days that bring an energy supply crisis and an energy price crisis greater than the sum of the 1973 oil crisis, the 1979 oil crisis and Russia's declaration of war on Ukraine in 2022. Many countries have had problems with oil, natural gas, LNG, LPG, fertilizers and petrochemicals and are suffering from supply problems. But thank God our government, our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, our Ministry of Land and Forestry did what was necessary.” “We have not experienced a supply crisis.” With the Ecel mobile system, we are committed to ensuring that our citizens and our production are not affected by the crazy increases and fluctuations in energy prices on global markets.”
Bolat pointed out that these shocks have begun to trigger an inflationary effect around the world, explaining that global trade this year could easily lag behind last year's growth rate. Bolat noted that they expect the increase to be faster when the war that began with the US and Israeli attacks on Iran ends, adding: “But the growth rate of the global economy may be slightly lower than last year.” he said.
Minister Bolat added that Türkiye has continued to grow for 22 quarters despite global challenges.
After the speeches, Bolat and the protocol members opened the fair by cutting the ribbon and touring the stands.
The trade fair, which brings together the natural stone industry's stakeholders from the areas of production, design, technology and trade, ends on April 17th.
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