Experts in the marble and granite industry have said that adoption of modern machinery and latest extraction technology are the means to increase export of these minerals to $300 million to $400 million in the next three years.
They expressed these views at a seminar/workshop on 'Italian Marble and Granite Machinery and Technology in Pakistan' at a local hotel on Monday.
The seminar was held under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy. The Italian Trade Commission, in association with the Association of Producers of Marble, Granite and Ornamental Stones Machinery and Equipment and International Marble Institute for Stone Culture.
In his address Shaukat Popalzai, President of Balochistan Business Forum, said that the adoption of the latest technology in the marble and granite sector would save wastage and enhance quality of both extracted and finished marble and granite products.
He said that there is more than 30 wastage and about 70 percent stones are exported in uncut condition.
Popalzai said that the sector needed complete overhauling and reorganisation, beginning from education and training of the workers to making them aware of the cost of wastage.
He said that the Italian technology and machinery should be cost-effective in making it acceptable in the Pakistani market.
He said that there is about 50 million tons marble and granite in Pakistan and at the same time its demand the world over is growing at the rate of 22 percent per annum.
This is an ideal situation for Pakistan to benefit from these reserves, he added.
The Italian Consul General, Dr Bruno Pasquino, talked about enhancing mutual business and trade co-operation between Pakistan and Italy and said that his government was sincere in enhancing co-operation in trade, investment and transfer of technology.
He said that the Italian government was keen in investing know-how and technology in Pakistan stone industry for the mutual benefit.
He said that Italy was the 5th largest economy of the world with more than $1.2 trillion GDP.
It is a leading manufacturer of stone extraction and processing machinery on the global level, he added.
Dr Pasquino said that Italy was considering rescheduling its $85 million loan against Pakistan and to provide support to small and medium enterprises.
The Italian Trade Commissioner, Emillio De Matteis, said that marble is the seventh largest mineral after coal, rock salt, limestone, china clay, gypsum and silica.
In his opinion the primitive extraction of stones does not permit extraction of standard blocks. There is need to improve the centuries-old method of extraction and conform to the standard technique. It will improve the quality of the stone taken out and fetch better price in the international market.
A properly extracted block is the key to control wastage.
The trade commissioner said that poor transportation also impedes transportation of heavy load, thus restricting the products to smaller sizes.
He said that there should be overall improvement in the mining sector for which Italy is willing to extend its facilities.
Marble and granite expert Paolo Marone talked about techniques of extraction and production of quality goods. He said that cutting of marble and granite was the key to success.
Participants of the seminar said that there should be on-job training programmes for workers of the marble and granite industry.