The marble industry was caught in the webs of the global economic crisis unprepared, according to the chief of the marble association in Ä°scehisar, a town of Afyonkarahisar province in the Aegean region of Turkey.



Marble is a luxury product, said Ä°brahim AlimoÄŸlu, chairman of the marble association. In times of economic crisis, people avoid consuming luxurious items first, he added. That is exactly why the industry suffered significantly during the crisis, AlimoÄŸlu said.



"The marble industry has been hit the hardest by the crisis. The United States was our largest market. The crisis was born in the U.S. and expanded to Europe," he said. Turkey's construction industry came to a halt, he said. That certainly has not helped either, he added.



"We were caught off guard," said AlimoÄŸlu. Although the industry is trying to improve its status, it does not expect much from the 2010, according to AlimoÄŸlu.



Seeking new markets



The United States constitutes the largest market for Afyonkarahisar's marble industry, said AlimoÄŸlu, adding that the sector is seeking new markets following the turmoil. "The United States marble market is done, and the European market is still very stagnant. We are seeking new international markets."



Noting that the marble business lacks unity in Turkey, he said that Turkey's salvation would be through mining. Establishment of a mining ministry is inevitable, according to AlimoÄŸlu.



Marbles are among Turkey's own resources, said AlimoÄŸlu. Unfortunately, some $100 billion of Turkey's proudly uttered export figure of $110 billion is imported, he said. "I do not see a bright future for our industry. But, I believe that Turkey's salvation would come through mining. The government should look after its own resources by founding a ministry for mining."



The government is trying to prevent block marble sales, he also said. "If we do not sell blocks to the world, our neighboring countries will fill the gap. The government should support us so that we can enter the world markets with processed materials."