Greek marble exports to the United Arab Emirates was increased in 2017, reaching 17,274,133 euros in value, with a share of 8.1% of total exports, raised by 12% or 1,961,223 euros in comparison with the previous year, according to a document by the Dubai Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Greek embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The document concerns the Greek participation at the MIDDLE EAST STONE 2018 International Exhibition.The international exhibition was held at World Trade Center Dubai from September 4 to September 6.
Greece was amongst the world’s top ten marble exporters in 2017. The value of marble imports from Greece to the UAE in 2016 was $13.6 million according to data revealed by the UAE Ministry of Economy.
The Thassos marble from Greece is widely used as flooring in the Grand Mosque and around the Holy Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This is because of its unique property that reflects the sun’s rays and heat during the day and keeps the surface cool. It is not surprising that marble exporters from Greece have been looking to the region to boost trade.
Stonenews.eu, after collecting and studying data from the International Trade Centre and the National Statistical Institutes, is presenting UAE’s finished marble and granite products imports course in 2017 as well as Greece’s marble exports to UAE.
More specifically, United Arab Emirates traditionally import mainly finished marble products and less finished granite. In 2017, the total value of finished marble imports, mainly under 680221 and 680291 HS Codes was 240,840,000 dollars while the total value of finished granite under 680223 and 680293 HS Codes was 63,617,000 dollars.
The graph below shows the share of the main countries exporting products under 680291 HS Code to UAE in 2017. It is worth mentioning that the total value of UAE’s imports of products under 680291 HS Code in 2017 was 67,906,000 dollars.
Moreover, the graph below shows the share of the main countries exporting products under 680221 HS Code to UAE in 2017. It is worth mentioning that the total value of UAE’s imports of products under 680221 HS Code in 2017 was 172,934,000 dollars.
On Greece’s side now, exports of finished marble products under 680221 HS Code to UAE have shown an upward trend during the last 10 years, opposite exports marble products under 680291 HS Code that have ups and downs over the years.
As for raw, unprocessed marble, the amount imported by UAE is really small, compared to the finished marble products imports, with 9,075,000 dollars worth. Italy is the leading exporting country in raw marble blocks, followed by Spain and China.
The article was edited by Stonenews.eu with data from ITC and Athens News Agency
