Marmo+mac Stone fair, Verona-Italy 24-27 September 2024

Why Italy:

Italy, country of south-central Europe, occupying a peninsula that juts deep into the Mediterranean Sea. Italy comprises some of the most varied and scenic landscapes on Earth and is often described as a country shaped like a boot. At its broad top stand the Alps, which are among the world’s most rugged mountains. Italy’s highest points are along Monte Rosa, which peaks in Switzerland, and along Mont Blanc, which peaks in France. The western Alps overlook a landscape of Alpine lakes and glacier-carved valleys that stretch down to the Po River and the Piedmont. Tuscany, to the south of the cisalpine region, is perhaps the country’s best-known region. From the central Alps, running down the length of the country, radiates the tall Apennine Range, which widens near Rome to cover nearly the entire width of the Italian peninsula. South of Rome the Apennines narrow and are flanked by two wide coastal plains, one facing the Tyrrhenian Sea and the other the Adriatic Sea.

Italy’s economic freedom score is 65.4, making its economy the 57th freest in the 2022 Index. Italy is ranked 33rd among 45 countries in the Europe region, and its overall score is below the regional average but above the world average. The Italian economy slowed from 2017 through 2019, contracted in 2020, and resumed growth in 2021. A five-year trend of generally improving economic freedom has continued. Led by notable jumps in scores for rule of law (property rights, judicial effectiveness, and government integrity), Italy has posted an overall 2.9-point gain in economic freedom since 2017 and has climbed into the top half of the “Moderately Free” category. Monetary freedom, trade freedom, and investment freedom are strong, but the economy remains heavily burdened by government spending.

Italy has always shown a wonderful and rich variety of marbles and stones that inspired artisans, sculptors and architects throughout history. These materials have been stimulating different original projecting and productive cultures, shaping both local identities and global awareness: a doubtless example of this is the never-ending international success of the travertine or of the Carrara marble, seen as symbols of Italy itself.

About Fair:

“Marmomac is now the landmark meeting platform for international natural stone system professionals, where Italy plays a leading role.