Marble, granite, Kotah stone, sandstone and slate are the known dimensional and decorative stones that are found in abundant quantities in the state.

In fact, Rajasthan is the largest producer of marble and 40 of the estimated granite reserves in the country are found in the state.

However, Rajasthan's potential as a stone-producing state has not been tapped. In the wake of economic reforms, some steps have been taken to boost stone exports but still a lot remains to be done.

The CDOS has been set up at a cost of Rs 20 crore. Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Ltd (RIICO) has made available land worth Rs 6 crore for the project at Sitapura industrial area in the pink city. Thestate government has given a grant of Rs 2 crore and efforts are on to rope in some assistance from Italy, according to the centre director GS Sandhu. He said CDOS would go a long way in boosting the production of dimensional stones in Rajasthan.

The state deputy chief minister HS Bhabhra, who is the brain behind the centre, has signed a MoU with Carrara Fair Authority (IMM) for establishing CDOS. An international trade fair would also be held in the pink city next year. Rajasthan is the largest producer of sandstone in India with the Jodhpur stone being used extensively in building works. The stone has been used build Karachi harbour and the palace of Sultan of Oman. Slate is also found in varied shades in the state. Its colour changes even due to weather.

Kotah stone also occurs in varying colours from light brown to blue and grey. The stone has a comprehensive strength, twice that of marble. It also has a better abrasive value and good resistance to delamination.

Rajasthan's share in the country'sexports of marble and granite and other stones was put at a mere 8.33 per cent during 1995-96 but now it has risen.