The Hindu Business Line : Singapore co bags Stone India Expo order

PICO International Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, a Singapore-based multi-national exhibition company, has been awarded the contract to specially fabricate the stalls at the upcoming Stone India 2004, the international show for stone mining, processing, machinery & services, to be held from January 31 to February 3, in Hyderabad.

The services of the Singapore company, which handles world class international trade fairs across Dubai, Shanghai, Germany and Singapore, have been contracted to give a world class ambience to the event, according to its organisers.

The managing committee members of the Stone Association of India told newspersons today that a special buyer-seller meet has been planned to facilitate entrepreneurs discuss business opportunities with several visitors/foreign buyers who are expected to attend the show.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, is expected to inaugurate the show at HITEX, on January 31. Interestingly, Andhra Pradesh has more than fifteen 100 per cent export oriented units and more than a thousand small scale industries in the processing sector itself. The industry is growing and provides direct employment to more than 100,000 people in the State and indirect jobs to several lakhs, they said.

Several ceramic manufacturers are also expected to take part in the show, following the decision by the committee to agree to the request of the former. The committee, in collaboration with the State Mines Department, would launch an aggressive campaign in all the district headquarters.

Andhra Pradesh has given popular natural stones like Absolute Black from Khammam and Warangal; Tan Brown from Karimnagar, Sapphire Blue from Warangal, the Vizag blue, black pearl, steel grey etc, the Black Galaxy from Prakasam etc. About 95 exhibitors from different parts of the country and world have confirmed participation in the show.