The association represented the natural stone sector at the China-Brazil Business Seminar, which brought together authorities and over 700 entrepreneurs from both countries in Beijing.
In an environment marked by new agreements and high expectations, the natural stone sector was present at the China-Brazil Business Seminar held on May 12 in Beijing, during the official visit of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the Asian country. Centrorochas was represented by Thiago Fukuda, manager of the “It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone” program, who attended the event on behalf of the association’s president, Tales Machado.
During the seminar, the Brazilian government announced approximately USD 5.3 billion in new Chinese investments in Brazil, making the event a milestone in strengthening trade relations between the two countries. Jorge Viana, president of ApexBrasil, emphasized the strategic role of the event and revealed that the agency had mapped 400 business opportunities between Brazil and China.
Centrorochas’ participation reinforces the Brazilian natural stone sector’s commitment to expanding its international presence and strengthening relations with strategic markets such as China. China is the second-largest destination for Brazilian natural stones. In 2024, the Asian country played a strategic role, accounting for USD 218.5 million in sector exports – representing 12.3% of Brazil’s total exports and a remarkable 25% increase compared to the previous year. Due to its importance, the Chinese market is considered a priority in the actions of It’s Natural, the sectoral project executed by Centrorochas in partnership with ApexBrasil.
In March of this year, the strength of the sector was also highlighted at the Xiamen Stone Fair, the largest natural stone event in the East, where Brazil debuted as the Guest Country of Honor in the edition celebrating the fair’s 25th anniversary. The participation brought together 20 Brazilian companies, supported by It’s Natural, which projected USD 32.9 million in new business over the next 12 months – more than double the expectation recorded in the previous edition.
This was the 15th international business meeting promoted by ApexBrasil since the beginning of the current administration, reaffirming the focus of Brazil’s foreign policy on trade promotion and investment attraction.
According to Centrorochas president, Tales Machado, the recognition at the fair and participation in strategic agendas such as the seminar in Beijing reflect the solid partnership between Brazil and China and the continuous efforts to position the natural stone sector as a key player on the global stage.
