PASDEC exploring new global market for marble, granite export

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) is exploring new global market for the export of marble and natural stone, Chief Executive Officer of the company, Ihsanullah Khan said.

"Besides modern quarrying development, PASDEC is striving hard to explore new global market so that the marble, granite and natural stone export quantum can be enhanced," Khan said on the occasion of 7th Build Asia 2011 exhibition at Expo Karachi.

According to a statement issued here by the company, he said that PASDEC has been facilitating its Joint Venture partners and industry stakeholders to participate in the domestic and international trade fairs and exhibitions of marble and natural stone products for exploring the export markets.

He said that the results of participating in such events are very encouraging adding that foreign investors have been offered to invest in country's marble and granite sector which has huge potential.

Khan was of the view that nature has blessed Pakistan with enormous marble and granite reserves adding PASDEC was endeavouring to develop the country's marble and granite sector on modern lines with the help of cutting edge machinery, equipments and technical expertise.

He said that PASDEC has established over 16 model projects of marble and granite development across the country, while others are in planning stage.

He said that the company has a vision to transform the orthodox stone sector into a globally competitive and socially responsible dimensional stone industry.

PASDEC has introduced the mechanized quarrying practices in the country with state of art machinery and modern techniques of extraction and as a result the quarry wastage has decreased from 70 to 45 percent, he added.

Delegates from China, Germany, Iran, Italy, Oman and UAE attended the exhibition in Karachi and expressed their keen interest in marble, Onyx and granite products.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011