Federation of Indian Granite and Stone Industry (FIGSI) has announced the next edition of the mega event STONA 2018 - The 13th International Granite and Stone Fair at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bangalore. STONA is conducted every two years and the last STONA 2016 was a grand success with more than 18,000 sq m area (both indoor and outdoor).

 

All India Granites and Stone Association was established in 1983 with an objective to serve  the natural stone  industry of India.  Since 33 years  the Association is tirelessly  serving the country. of became a Federation of Indian Granite and Stone industry (FIGSI) & works as bridge between the Industry and the various State and Central Government departments.

 

During 1987, few visionaries felt the need of having an International exhibition to give exposure to our natural stones.  At that time only Dimensional Blocks were exported.  Till date the federation has conducted 12 International fairs and all the fairs are well appreciated by the International stone community. Now STONA is 4th largest Stone Fair in the world. Today, we have achieved the world's best technology in processing of the raw material and at present we are exporting 80% of the finished goods after "Value Addition". This has happened because of STONA which has created the awareness among the family members of the stone industry. 

 

When STONA was launched for the first time in 1987 our export was Rs.50 crores. Today, with the completion of 12th STONA International Granites & Stone Fair in 2016 our exports have crossed to Rs. 14,000  crores and overall business is to the tune  of Rs. 30,000 crores.  Investment in the stone sector is about Rs. 50,000 crores and employment both in quarrying and processing sector is about 2.5 million.

 

Still there is a huge potential yet to be explored in the Natural Stone Industry.  We can still increase our exports by many folds provided Government of India comes out with a liberalized friendly policy. 

 

In STONA 2018, one big hall ( hall 4 ) has been added in BIEC, Bangalore which is built with state of art technology . This will provide more exhibiting area in the ground level to meet the requirement of Stone Industry.

 

With opening up of the Marble Industry, with free import, this time it is expected more and more overseas exhibitors shall exhibit their products. This time Country pavilion from  China, Turkey, Italy and Iran are also expected. This will be the  right place for the Industry members to participate in large number to exhibit their stone products. The Fair will also have large area for outdoor exhibits to display machinery and  stone blocks.

Another special feature of STONA fair is Shilp Gram, wherein the federation provides stalls and other facilities to the rural artisans to exhibit their skill before the national and international visitors.  The exhibits and display in the Shilp Gram in the earlier fairs has been well appreciated.

 

STONA 2018 launching programme is planned at Jaipur during India Stone Mart 2017. The booking of stalls will commence from April 2017.

 

All the members of the federation and the participants appreciate the good work done by the old team during STONA 2016. They include R. Sekar, President, FIGSI; Ishwinder Singh, Chairman, STONA 2016, N.K. Aswathrama, General Secretary and Manoj Kumar Singh, Vice Chairman, STONA 2016. The same team is organizing STONA 2018 and significant results are expected from them.