Middle East, be they Mediterranean such as Lebanon and Syria or on the Persian Gulf, are an excellent market opportunity for the Italian stone industry, even in times of crisis such as today.

Despite the global economic situation, the Lebanese economy is showing signs of recovery and many very significant property projects ?to a large extent of considerable prestige - already launched or planned in these countries. And to gain an idea, for example, simply take a glance at the images of the Cedar Island?project - the artificial island that Noor International Holding, a colossus capable of generating total annual revenues of 145 billion euros, intends to build south of Beirut. Noor International also launched a few weeks ago its plans to create a property projects development company ensuring high quality standards in Lebanon and the Middle East region.

And Lebanon is precisely the historic and preferential gateway to these markets: The country boasts an advanced stone industry equipped with modern technologies and exports 40-50% of annual production to Gulf countries.

Italian products are held in extremely high regard: Italy in 2008 and despite the local crisis arising from internal political tensions, improved its exports by about 4% compared to the previous year, up from 12.11 to 12.57 million dollars. The most popular marbles were varieties of Carrara White yet the market today more than ever also appreciates coloured marbles.

The Lebanese customs regime envisages that rough stone blocks, machines and equipment for the stone industry are exempt from duties. A figure that is naturally reflected in the composition of Italian exports: Lebanon in 2008 imported rough marble blocks worth 19.6 million dollars (40% of which from Italy, worth 7.9 million dollars) and rough granite blocks worth 1.2 million dollars (where Italy has a 26% share).

Italian exports were also significant as regards unpolished marble tiles, with a 24% share worth 2.5 million dollars in 2008.

Imports of marble in slabs on the other hand is affected by the duties imposed on these products: the customs regime, in fact, is diversified: polished slabs pay duty of 25%, while unpolished slabs only pay duty of 5%. Consequently, exports especially concern unpolished slabs.

In this economic background, the Doha political agreement in May last year encouraged a recovery in the Lebanese economy, with growth, in accordance with IMF data of 8%. The country is conducting a massive reconstruction plan in the wake of damage caused by the war with Israel in 2006. The ICE office in Beirut has set up a very useful observatory following up the reconstruction initiatives in Lebanon and to provide Italian companies with necessary basic support in the assessment of possible participation in tenders and supplies of assets and services.

An idea of the dimensions of the reconstruction programme come from some facts and figures provided by the Lebanese government: the direct damage of the conflict came to about 2.8 billion dollars and indirect damage to more than 5 billions. 97 bridges, 175 telephone exchanges and 612 schools were destroyed or damaged: more than 30 thousand residential buildings have to be rebuilt or re-structured. A significant part of reconstruction work is taking place thanks to international aid financing projects in various civil and industrial sectors. The ICE Office in Beirut once again in this case provides a complete and up to date picture of the all programmes and the list of international tenders.

The Italian stone industry therefore has excellent reasons for identifying Lebanon and the Middle East as a whole ?neighbouring Syria itself would merit a separate discussion - as an extremely interesting area to establish its presence and open new commercial outlets.