India Stonemart starts with emphasis on marble, sandstone as emerging investment sectors

India Stonemart-2026, a four-day international stone industry event, started here on Thursday (February 5, 2026) with an emphasis on natural resources such as marble and sandstone as the emerging sectors for investment. Rajasthan’s stones were highlighted for their distinct global identity and use in iconic buildings.

Inaugurating the Stonemart, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said the State government was committed to strengthening the stone industry, while the State had 85 types of minerals and each district had its own unique stone identity. “Stone is both our heritage and our future,” Mr. Sharma said.

Describing Stonemart as a platform representing craftsmanship and industrial strength, Mr. Sharma said the Rajasthan stone had been used in iconic buildings such as Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, and the Supreme Court in New Delhi. One of the biggest strengths of the State’s stone is that once constructed properly, it requires minimal maintenance.

Mr. Sharma referred to the vision of one district-one product and one district-one stone, while asking the industry stakeholders to adopt modern technology and take the Rajasthan stone to global markets. He said fair wages, safety and skill enhancement were important aspects of the stone industry.

The Chief Minister invited global stone traders, including the Non-Resident Rajasthanis, to invest in the State’s stone sector, while affirming that measures such as single window clearance, improved logistics, strengthened infrastructure and simplified procedures had made it easier for entrepreneurs to establish their businesses.

Mr. Sharma criticised the previous Congress government for the absence of a clear industrial policy and said it had led to industrial migration and loss of employment opportunities. He also conferred lifetime achievement awards on the owners of two stone units for their outstanding contribution to the stone industry.

Industries Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Education Minister Madan Dilawar, representatives for Iran and Turkey, entrepreneurs, architects and officials of the Centre for Development of Stones and the Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation were present on the occasion.

Sixty-six international companies from Iran, Italy, Turkey and China are participating in the 13th edition of Stonemart. Business-to-business meetings, industry dialogues, export and investment discussions, and networking sessions will be held during the four days of the event.

Artisans and craftsmen from various districts of the State showcased their traditional art, handicrafts, and construction techniques at Shilpgram, established at the venue by the State government’s Rural Non-Farm Development Agency.