By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Syed Murtaza Mahmood, Federal Minister for Industries and Production said that the government would go all out to provide all possible support to the marble sector so that it could grow better and play a more effective role in the economic development of the country.
He emphasised the need to increase exports of marble to at least USD 370 million, claiming that the sector’s current exports of USD 37 million were far below its true potential. He underlined that in order to boost trade and exports, the marble industry needs put more effort into properly promoting its goods.
He made this statement while serving as the keynote speaker at an awareness seminar on the growth of the marble and granite industries, which was put on by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry in association with Pakistan Stones Development Company.
Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Works, Khazar Farhadov, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mohammed Karmoune, Dean of the African Corps and Ambassador of Morocco, Ambassador of Indonesia Adam M. Tugio, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Deputy Head of Mission of Kazakhstanakashan, and representatives of the Turkish and UAE embassies were also present.
According to Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Federal Minister for Housing & Works, Pakistan primarily exports raw marble. He emphasised that the marble industry should concentrate on value addition and product branding to increase exports. In order to compete in the global market, he claimed that brand promotion was crucial.
Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that Pakistan has huge potential to promote the exports of marble and granite products, but the government was not providing any support to this sector.
He said that more than 200,000 marble businesses operated in the nation and that the government ought to support the introduction of cutting-edge equipment & technology in this industry in order to manufacture products with added value and boost exports. In order to lower transportation costs and boost exports, he suggested that the government set up a railway cargo service from mines to ports.
Ms. Shamama Tul Amber Arbab, Chairperson, Pakistan Stone Development Company said that holding an awareness seminar on marble & granite sector was a new beginning and a series of such seminars would be conducted with the stakeholders to promote this sector.
She said that the government should help in introducing the latest cutting & finishing machinery in the marble sector to improve exports of this sector. She said that the government should also set up an apex body for the development of the marble sector in coordination with provinces.
Mohamed Karmoune, Dean of African Corps and Ambassador of Morocco highlighted the potential of marble exports to the African market.
Brig. (Retd) Babar Miraj Shami, Chief Executive Officer, Pakistan Stone Development Company highlighted the initiatives of his company for the development and growth of marble & granite sector in the country.
