Agência Brasil

Brasília - China removed import duties on granite. This opens new perspectives for Brazil, one of the biggest exporters of this type of rock, which is used to give finishing touches to building construction. The elimination of Chinese tariffs on the mineral, which is classified as special processed stone, includes finished and semi-finished slabs, as well as products ready for final consumption.

The exemption will benefit Brazilian export firms, in consequence of the Chinese market's great demand for the product. The measure can also make the installation of processing companies in Brazil more attractive, as well as the modernization and expansion of companies that are already in operation in this sector.

According to the president of the Brazilian Association of the Ornamental Stone Industry (Abirochas), Sérgio Azeredo, when one takes into account the likely continuation of growth in the construction sector in China, it is possible to foresee that, in a period of four to five years, Brazil will become the second largest rock exporter, trailing only the United States.

Translation: David Silberstein