International efforts to develop cooperation for Marble İzmir – International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair, hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ, are continuing. As part of these efforts, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay met with local government and industry representatives at the Marmomac Fair in Verona, Italy.
The meeting held as part of Marmomac was attended by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, Verona Mayor Damiano Tommasi, the Italian Association of Marble and Machinery Manufacturers, CONFINDUSTRIA MARMOMACCHINE, represented by Honorary President Flavio Marabelli and President Gianluca Pellegrino, İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu, President of the Turkish Natural Stone and Machinery Manufacturers Association (TÜMMER) Hanifi Şimşek, President of the Aegean Mineral Exporters’ Association İbrahim Alimoğlu, VeronaFiere President Federico Bricolo and General Manager Giovanni Sacripante. The meeting focused on strengthening ties between the two cities of İzmir and Verona and opportunities for international cooperation in the natural stone industry.
As part of their fair meetings, Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu also met with representatives of natural stone companies from different regions of Türkiye. Discussions with the presidents of TÜMMER, the Istanbul Mineral Exporters’ Association, the Aegean Mineral Exporters’ Association, the Western Mediterranean Exporters’ Association and the Denizli Exporters’ Association, as well as representatives of public institutions, covered developments in the industry and international markets. Promotional activities and efforts to develop exhibitor and visitor participation for the 32nd Marble İzmir Fair, to be held in 2027, were also carried out at the joint TÜMMER–Marble İzmir stand at Marmomac.
Mayor Tugay said the meetings in Italy were valuable in evaluating experience and potential cooperation that could contribute to the development of Marble İzmir. “Natural stone is one of Türkiye’s most valuable and strong industries. Marble İzmir is also one of the important international meeting points in this field. We are here to meet with our companies participating in the fair, convey our best wishes for their success and help pave the way for new partnerships for our Marble İzmir fair,” he said, adding that they had held meetings with Verona Mayor Damiano Tommasi and industry representatives as part of these efforts.
TÜMMER President Hanifi Şimşek thanked İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and the İZFAŞ management for their support during the meetings at Marmomac. Şimşek said they attended the fair together with ministry officials, public institutions, associations from different regions of Türkiye and industry representatives, and thanked all institutions for their support. He added that they aim to hold a stronger gathering at Marble İzmir in 2027 and invited industry representatives to the 32nd Marble İzmir, which will be held in İzmir from 13 to 16 April 2027.
