News

The Puglia Region supports the field on national and international markets at Marmomacc
More than 1200 companies can now rely on the activities of the “Puglia Stone Production District”

For the fourth consecutive year, the Puglia Region (Economic Development, Employment and Innovation Policy Area) is taking part at Marmomacc within the scope of the internationalisation promotion programme of local production systems for 2009.
This is further confirmation of the efforts by the Puglia Region to sustain the industrial stone field, where a decision by regional government last December saw the creation of the “Puglia Stone Production District" Foundation. The district not only currently involves 201 companies but also sees the participation of associations, trade unions, universities and research centres.
The activities that the District has begun to implement – including a research centre and a database of materials quarried and worked in Puglia - will contribute to the development of a very important industrial sector for the economy of the region. The stone industry comprises 1227 companies, 251 engaged in quarrying activity and 976 on the other hand specialising in cutting; modelling and finishing stones and marbles.
The three main production centres are: Foggia, focusing on Apricena and Poggio Imperiale where Apricena Stone in all its varieties is worked; Bari, developed around Trani and involving the towns of Bisceglie and Minervino Murge; and, lastly, Salentino, which includes the towns of Cursi, Maglie and Melpignano.
Puglia is the second Italian region, after Tuscany, in terms of quarry output, with more than 1.5 million tonnes. In line with national dynamics in the sector, the stone field in Puglia is especially export-oriented. A vocation that could be valorised by upgrading the port system and expanding international maritime connections.
During 2008, the stone industry in Puglia exported unhewn materials in total worth around 11 million euro, with a drop of about 13% compared to the previous year in the wake of the negative market and economic situation. On the other hand, imports of unhewn materials grew by 21% worth about 10.5 million euro. The balance of trade between imports and exports of unhewn materials, is still slightly positive, going against the trends in national dynamics and the rest of southern Italy.
Exports of processed materials in 2008 also saw a drop of 9%, posting a result of more than 18 million euro. Lastly, the result in the dimension stone field, lastly, posted a balance of trade in the black by more than 16.6 million euro.


Verona, 25 / 9 / 2009