Udaipur, August 7, 2025 – A high-level symposium on the progress and policy dialogue for India Stonemart 2026 was organized at Hotel Labh Garh Palace, Udaipur, under the joint aegis of the Departments of Industries, Forest & Environment, and Mines. The symposium served as a bridge between the government and the industry, enabling direct policy-making discussions, addressing challenges faced by the stone sector, and finding practical solutions. The program began with the traditional lamp lighting and Vande Mataram, followed by keynote addresses focusing on India Stonemart 2026, MSME policies, and environmental aspects.
India Stonemart’s Journey: Towards Global Recognition Through Policy, Integrity, and Leadership
Shri Naresh Pareek, National Secretary of Laghu Udyog Bharati,
highlighted that “The country’s progress depends on three key
elements – policy, integrity, and leadership.” He praised the
leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister
Shri Bhajanlal Sharma for steering the government in a positive
direction.
He informed that under Laghu Udyog Bharati, around 2,200 members
are connected with the stone industry. Therefore, with the aim of
making India Stonemart a strong global platform and giving
international recognition to natural stone, an MoU was signed with
RIICO and CDOS on June 14, 2024.
He also acknowledged Shri Prakash Gupta’s vision, stating that
under his leadership, India Stonemart has evolved into an
effective policy dialogue platform — not only for addressing
industry issues but also for playing a crucial role in policy
formulation. Pareek noted that Mewar’s deep cultural ties with the
stone industry make it natural for the region’s entrepreneurs to
participate extensively in India Stonemart 2026.
Laghu Udyog Bharati’s Crucial Role in Global Promotion
Shri Natwarlal Ajmera, Convener of India Stonemart 2026 and Vice
President of Laghu Udyog Bharati, shared that their delegation
visited Marmomac Stone Fair in Italy. For the first time in the
state’s history, State Minister Shri K.K. Vishnoi personally
visited every stall at Marmomac, inviting international buyers to
India Stonemart.
He informed that India Stonemart has been promoted in countries
including the USA, UK, Russia, China, and Italy, with confirmed
participation from China, Iran, Spain, South Korea, and Ethiopia.
Ajmera also mentioned meeting Union Minister of Commerce Shri
Piyush Goyal to invite him to Stonemart and discuss the Buyer
Program. Shri Goyal assured full support under the Buyer Scheme.
Ajmera highlighted that the Joint Working Group formed on July 9
in Jaipur, with four representatives from Laghu Udyog Bharati, is
a major achievement.
To make India Stonemart globally recognized, a world-class
website, social media campaigns, and the participation of
Swaminarayan temples have been ensured. Around 1,200 Swaminarayan
temples worldwide are made from Rajasthan stone — a matter of
pride for the state.
MSME’s Power Emphasized by Laghu Udyog Bharati President
Shri Ghanshyam Ojha, National President of Laghu Udyog Bharati,
said that their 31-year-old organization represents the voice of
MSMEs to the government. He stated that MSMEs contribute 35% of
India’s GDP and 48% of exports.
Due to the Rajasthan government’s progressive policies, 80% of
RIICO land is now being directly allotted to serious investors.
Ojha emphasized that every problem has a solution — all that is
needed is positive dialogue and policy commitment.
Industry Minister Shares Government Achievements
State Industry Minister Shri K.K. Vishnoi praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, stating that earlier, only ₹15 out of ₹100 allocated reached the beneficiaries, whereas now the entire amount reaches them.
He noted that in the first budget, ₹4.37 lakh crore was announced, and in the second budget, ₹5.40 lakh crore — with 96% of first-budget schemes implemented and 65% of the second budget already in progress. He also mentioned successfully preventing GST on the stone industry from increasing to 28% and keeping it at 18%, with ongoing efforts to further reduce it to 12%.
During the symposium, 22 stalls for India Stonemart were booked from Udaipur itself — a notable achievement.
Udaipur to Get a Skill Development Centre
MLA Shri Tarachand Jain announced that a Skill Development Centre would soon be established in Udaipur to meet industry needs, assuring swift action for land allocation.
This symposium has initiated a strong tradition of dialogue between government, industry, and society — involving active participation from policy-making to implementation. India Stonemart 2026 is not merely a trade event but an influential campaign to place Rajasthan’s stone industry prominently on the global stage.
