PCSIR, marble sector form technical working group
To modernise the local marble and granite (dimension stone) sector, the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) and the All Pakistan Marble Manufacturers Association have constituted a technical working group.
The working group will develop a joint framework focusing on environmentally compliant value addition, phased upgradation, technology transfer, workforce training, strengthening the role of research and development, enhancing collaboration between industry and institutions, and promoting exports. The decision was taken at an important consultative meeting chaired by PCSIR Director General Dr Sarwat Ismail.
Representing the industry at the meeting, Chairman of the All Pakistan Marble Industries Association, Muhammad Bilal Khan Mohmand, said Pakistan possesses vast reserves of marble, granite, onyx and other related products. However, he noted that the continued use of traditional blasting methods, instead of modern technology-based blasting and processing machinery, has created serious challenges in the production of globally competitive blocks. As a result, Pakistan's share in the global marble trade has remained limited to barely 1%.
During the consultative meeting, participants appreciated the role of PCSIR's Dimension Stone Centre and stressed the need to further enhance its effectiveness. Industry representatives identified key challenges and priorities, including the need for applied research aligned with market requirements, access to modern machinery and strengthened technology transfer. They emphasised establishing linkages with the marble sectors of Brazil, Italy, Turkey, China and Iran to gradually increase Pakistan's share in the global trade of marble, granite and onyx.
Other participants underscored the importance of adapting international practices at the local level, developing practical training programmes in line with export requirements, establishing international-standard testing and certification facilities, and promoting the environmentally friendly and efficient utilisation of marble slurry and waste.
The meeting agreed that structured and regular engagement between PCSIR and the industry would not only enhance the effectiveness of research projects but also support better prioritisation and more efficient utilisation of government resources. Participants termed institutional and industrial coordination essential for the sustainable development of the dimension stone sector.