The first edition of MS
The debut Veronafiere event for the natural stone, quarry and site machinery sectors held in the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Centre 11-14 December 2014 attracted 3,000 specialist operators, as well as official delegations from 16 countries from all over the African continent, the Middle East and Europe. Buyers took part in a series of B2B meetings with more than 120 exhibitors from Egypt, Italy, China, India, Turkey, Russia and Poland, as well as a programme of training and updating events, such as the course for architects organised by the Marmomacc Stone Academy, and the annual general meeting of the AUA, the African Union of Architects.
Egypt is a natural gateway for all markets in Africa and the Near-Middle East. With US$12 billion of investments planned for work to double the Suez Canal, there are excellent opportunities for companies in the building sector capable of internationalizing their business.
Giovanni Mantovani, CEO & director general of Veronafiere, said: “This first edition of the event achieved all our objectives and we have already scheduled the next show 2-5 November 2015, together with Projex Africa, a new exhibition dedicated to building, innovative materials and sustainable construction."
A member of the Italian-Egyptian Business Council, Mantovani met Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, Egyptian Minister for Industry and Trade, following the four-day show.
"Our relationships with Egypt institutions are very good," said Mantovani after the confidential meeting. "This, combined with the success of the first edition of MS Marmomacc Samoter Africa and Middle East and our international trade player experience, means we can look optimistically towards strengthening our future in the area by examining other partnerships in strategic areas for us such as agriculture, agricultural machinery and food."
