TEHRAN -- The Eighth International Exhibition of Mining Machinery and Equipment, Minerals, Stoneware and Decorative Stones will be held here from April 16-19, IRNA reported.

Announcing this, an official in charge of the exhibition, Nasser Farshchi, said that the event, which is organized by the Ministry of Industries and Mines, aims to put on display national production and export potentials of decorative stones and minerals on one hand and seek new markets for these products on the other.

According to the report released by the media department of the fair, latest achievements in the field of mining machinery and equipment and facilities used for processing decorative stones and minerals are to be displayed at the event.

"Some 100 Iranian and 51 foreign companies from 18 states including Spain, Italy, France, Austria, Britain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Turkey and UAE have so far announced their readiness to take part in the exhibition," Farshchi added.

Declaring that Iran stands second in the production of decorative stones worldwide, he said that the Eighth Mines Fair and constant support for the industry can contribute to the promotion of the export in the field.

"On the sidelines of the exhibition, a conference will be held to discuss the role of innovation and development of diamond tools in the exploitation of stone mines," he concluded.