Markazi Province flaunts mining clout at Iran Stone Expo 2025
The 17th Iran Stone Expo 2025 opened on Tuesday in Mahallat, central Iranian province of Markazi, aiming to showcase the country’s “capabilities in the stone industry, strengthen business ties, and expand Iran’s presence in global markets,” according to organizers.
The four-day event brings together 570 companies and mining enterprises from 27 provinces, displaying the entire value and supply chain of Iran’s stone industry across 120,000 square meters of exhibition space, said Mohammad Hallajian, the exhibition’s executive director, ISNA reported.
One of the exhibition’s highlights is the presentation of around 40,000 tons of raw stone, underscoring what officials described as Iran’s vast mineral potential and unique capacity in stone extraction and processing.
Foreign trade delegations in attendance
The industry official said that trade delegations from Armenia, Turkey, India, China, Portugal, and Russia have participated at this year’s exhibition.
Organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), and commercial attachés, the event hosts international business representatives who serve as Iran’s trade envoys to target markets, Hallajian said.
“In addition, special meetings with ambassadors and commercial attachés from South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition to explore new opportunities for business cooperation.”
According to the executive director, these meetings, organized jointly with the provincial Chamber of Commerce, aim to facilitate knowledge exchange, technological collaboration, and new trade partnerships.
He said Iran ranks first globally in the diversity of building stones, yet accounts for less than half a percent of the world’s trade in the sector due to limited international presence. The official said the exhibition has been designed to address this gap and enhance Iran’s participation in global markets by creating favorable conditions to attract foreign traders and investors.
The Mahallat exhibition, Hallajian added, offers Iranian producers a platform to learn about the latest global trends, improve product quality, and enhance their competitiveness in international markets.
Also, addressing the inauguration ceremony, Mahallat Governor Hassan Khazaipour said the event provides “an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of Iran’s stone industry, enhance commercial cooperation, and expand the country’s foothold in international markets.”
The governor also described Mahallat in Markazi Province as a shining chapter in the history of Iran’s stone industry, saying, “With 150 active quarries and more than 300 processing plants equipped with advanced technology, the county is one of the largest centers for the production and processing of decorative and building stones in Iran and the Middle East.”
Thanks to the high quality and diverse designs of its products, the region has long held a distinguished position in international markets. Stones produced in Mahallat — from travertine and marble to granite and other ornamental varieties — are used in construction and architectural projects around the world for their exceptional quality and striking appearance.
Khazaeipour noted that the ongoing event is expected to attract foreign investors and buyers, boost Iran’s stone exports, and strengthen the industry’s position in global trade.