The Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) to transform a cutting-edge stone industry of Pakistan has called for adopting Chinese mining techniques for marble and granite extraction.
This was suggested by PCJCCI President SM Naveed accompanied by Wang Zihai, Chairman PCJCCI China affairs. He pointed out that establishing marble industry park in collaboration with China under CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) that will not only transform the export quantum but also make effective use of valuable marble of Pakistan.
SM Naveed was of the view that industrial park will improve the competitive edge of the industry. It will bring innovative and cost-effective cutting, blasting and finishing technology in Pakistan. He added that Pakistan is rich in deposits of ornamental stones. Balochistan had rich confirmed deposits of marble and granite in Khuzdar, Loralai, Lasbela and Chaghi districts. Malakand, Mardan, Hazara, Peshawar, and Kohat were the high-potential areas in KP, where quarrying and mining were in progress.
Government has to pay attention to factors like lack of quality production, the inconsistent supply of raw material and scarcity of modern technology. To fill the missing chains in marble industry of Pakistan he said that strengthening Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) is needed.
He said that wastage of this valuable resource can be avoided by using latest wire-cutting technique and equipment, thus bright prospects of setting up joint ventures in the Marble Sector existed in Pakistan.
He said that share of Pakistan was below one percent as compared to global market for marble and granite that was estimated at around $ 62 billion. This is a serious concern for policymakers and urged government to address marble industry issues on priority.
Wang pledged that he would discuss the proposal for transferring marble extraction technology to Pakistan from China for betterment of both countries.
Both Wang and S.M. Naveed discussed multiple proposals for promoting model quarries or mining projects in line with the best international practices and latest technology. They advised that government should set up a Model Marble Cities all over Pakistan. The Marble city will incorporate the Training and Research Centers with advanced processing technology, engineering units, and warehousing facility through PASDEC.