The first international conference on the Afgan stone sector held from March 24C26, 2009 in Kabul, highlighted great opportunities and big scope for Italian-Afgan co-operation in a sector that, in the opinion of Kabul and of the international community members present, could make a determinant contribution to Afganistan's economic development.

The conference was organised by the Afganistan Marble and Granite Association with contribution from the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry and the support of Confindustria Marmomacchine, the Italian association of makers and user of stone working machinery. Among dignitaries attending the conference on behalf of the government were Vice-President Zia Masaud, Mining Minister Adul and Finance Minister Zakhilwai. President Karzai also sent his personal thanks to participants for their contributions of ideas and proposals for updating the sector. International community and heads of Afgan business associations also participated in the conference in a big way.



The event got big coverage in the major Afgan media.