Ornare showroom in Dubai set to showcase Brazilian natural stones

A meeting with the brand’s Middle East executive strengthens Centrorochas’ logistics hub initiative and opens doors for collaboration.

On October 3, the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) met with Carina Fontes, partner of Ornare Dubai, to explore cooperation opportunities aimed at expanding the presence of Brazilian natural stones in the United Arab Emirates. The meeting took place at Ornare’s Dubai showroom and included members of its local team. Centrorochas was represented by Vice President Fábio Cruz.

Internationally recognized as one of Brazil’s most prestigious high-end furniture brands, Ornare brought valuable insights into the Arab architecture and design market. The brand emphasized the clear segmentation between residential projects, focused on exclusivity and material provenance; and commercial projects, which remain largely price- and standard-driven.

The demand exists, but there is a lack of infrastructure

Despite growing interest in Brazilian stones, Carina and her team reported challenges in sourcing local suppliers offering both variety and competitive pricing. The proposal for a Brazilian logistics hub in the UAE was described as “fantastic,” with praise for Centrorochas’ consistent efforts in institutional promotion within the region.

The recently announced direct shipping route between the Port of Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi by MSC was also highlighted as a strategic advancement, expected to alleviate logistical bottlenecks and reinforce Brazil’s position in the Gulf market.

During the meeting, Carina offered Ornare’s showroom as a venue for workshops targeting architects and designers in the region, focusing on training professionals in specifying and using Brazilian natural stones in premium projects. This initiative aims to generate value both for Ornare, by attracting leading professionals to its space, and for the natural stone sector, by establishing a direct channel to key audiences.

Another topic discussed was the multilayered sales model, reflecting the complex decision-making process in the Emirates involving final consumers, architects, consultants, contractors, and developers. This complexity underscores the importance of integrated promotional strategies, as outlined in the sector’s internationalization plan.