Centrorochas files a project for the evolution of the stone sector

A new step towards the composition of the representation of the national stone sector was taken last Thursday, February 11, when the Brazilian Center for Ornamental Stones Exporters (Centrorochas) filed a proposal for a new sectoral project with the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency and Investments (APEX-Brasil).

As an entity, our objective with the registered plan is to strengthen and increase the presence of Brazilian stones in the international market. The dissatisfaction of the business community with the stagnation in the volume of exports, which for 12 years has practically not changed its numbers, led us to develop an innovative proposal and, in an unprecedented way, developed with the broad participation of companies in the segment.

The Brazilian stone sector holds the largest agreement with the national agency and, at the end of 2019, began work to review the support process for the segment and elected Centrorochas as the national representative. Since last year, the entity has strengthened the business mobilization process for the construction of this new project for the sector, which had the active participation of businessmen and supporters adhering to the segment’s aspirations for a new national representation, among them, sector leaders in Rio de Janeiro and the employers’ unions of the largest exporting states in Brazil: Sindirochas-ES (Union of Ornamental Stone, Lime and Limestone Industries of the State of Espírito Santo), Sinrochas-MG (Intermunicipal Union of Marble, Granite and Stone Processing Industries) Ornamentals in the State of Minas Gerais) and Simagran-CE (Union of Marble and Granite Industries of the State of Ceará).

Last Thursday, the 11th, we released a statement informing about the ‘It’s Natural: Brazilian Natural Stone’ protocol with Apex-Brasil. The text reinforces that working together was and will continue to be our great differential, combined with transparency throughout the execution of the project. From now on, the national agency will make a careful analysis of the proposal to issue its opinion. And we will continue to work together, with clarity and smoothness, as was done during the entire execution of the proposal. Together we are stronger and we will spread all our pride and confidence in the potential of the stone sector both in Brazil and in all countries around the world.

Fabio Cruz, vice president of the Brazilian Center for Ornamental Stones Exporters (Centrorochas)