On a visit to ES, Minister of Mines and Energy announces investment forecast to stimulate Brazilian stone exports

This Wednesday, May 19, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque, took a closer look at the sector of ornamental stones in the state of Espírito Santo, the largest producer and exporter of stones in Brazil. During the trip, made at the invitation of federal deputy Evair Vieira de Melo (PP-ES), he announced the forecast that an agreement will be signed, in the order of R$ 30 million, to stimulate Brazilian exports in the segment on the international market. The president of Centrorochas, Frederico Robison, accompanied the entire agenda, which included visits to companies in the municipalities of Castelo and Cachoeiro de Itapemirim.

“Apex-Brasil is finalizing a project to encourage, to increase, exports from the ornamental stone sector, not only diversifying, but also adding value to the products that leave Espírito Santo. I think this is very important, it shows that the sector is recognized, valued and has a great capacity to generate jobs, income and wealth for the country”, said Bento Albuquerque.

During the visit, the Minister got to know CS3 Revestimentos, a company that has a significant presence in the ornamental stone market in Brazil and in 27 countries. He also got to know Bramagran, an ornamental stone company with more than 30 years in the market, and MG2, which is expanding its industrial park to serve the domestic and foreign markets.

In addition, he visited Itaoca Pedra, in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, where the processes for extracting materials were presented. He also visited Mineração Capixaba, a pioneer in marble extraction in the southern region of the state. Magban also received a visit from the Minister and his entourage, where improvement processes for the main materials worked on were presented.

Businessmen from the sector highlighted the importance of the Minister’s visit, a cause for satisfaction, given that this gesture demonstrates the Federal Government’s recognition of the strength and importance of the sector, noting that this is the first time that a Minister of Mines and Energy has visited companies in the sector of ornamental stones.

Brazilian exports of ornamental stones showed, in the first quarter of this year, a growth of 28.5% in revenue compared to the same period of 2020. Exports from Espírito Santo also grew by approximately 28%. The data were released this week by Centrorochas and Sindirochas, entities representing the sector.

Photo credit: Bruno Spada/MME; Wallace Hull; Fabiano Oliveira; Karina Porto Firme