Marble sector asked to raise exports 10 times

Minister stresses need for better marketing, promotion of marble products

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmood has underlined that exports of Pakistan’s marble sector should be enhanced 10 times as current export shipments of $37 million are much lower than the actual potential that must increase to at least $370 million.

He made the statement on Thursday while speaking at an awareness seminar for development of the marble and granite sector, organised by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with the Pakistan Stones Development Company.

He emphasised that the government would make all-out efforts to provide best possible support for the marble sector so that it could grow better and play a more effective role in economic development of the country.

He asked the sector to focus on better marketing and promotion of its products to ramp up trade and exports.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Ministry of Housing and Works Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shallwani said that Pakistan was mostly exporting raw marble and there was a need that the sector should focus on value addition and branding of its products to improve exports.

He stressed that the promotion of brands was important to compete in the international arena.

ICCI President Muhammad Shakeel Munir stated that Pakistan had huge potential to increase exports of marble and granite products, however, the government was not providing any support.

“Over 200,000 marble units are working in the country and the government should facilitate the sector by introducing modern technology and machinery for value addition to the products,” he said.

Munir urged the government to start providing railway cargo service from mines to ports, which would reduce transportation cost and help improve export volumes.

Pakistan Stone Development Company Chairperson Shamama Tul Amber Arbab sought the government’s help for the installation of modern cutting and finishing machinery in the marble processing units.

A large number of ICCI members and foreign envoys including Khazar Farhadov, Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Mohamed Karmoune, Dean of African Corps and Ambassador of Morocco, Indonesian Ambasssador Adam M Tugio, Kyrgyzstan ambassador, Kazakhstan’s deputy head of mission and officials of Turkish and UAE embassies were present at the seminar.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2022.

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