Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan, chaired a high-level meeting with the All Pakistan Marble Industry Association and the Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) in Islamabad today.
During the meeting, participants discussed bottlenecks in marble exports, challenges in value addition, and potential measures for incentives and facilitation in the marble sector.
Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan announced that the marble sector will be declared an industry, emphasizing that it can play a vital role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy. He stated that a National Marble Policy will soon be introduced to address existing challenges and promote sustainable industrial growth.
“The marble of Pakistan is of world-class quality, and there is a need to increase its exports through value addition and better branding,” said Mr. Khan. “The government is working closely with industrial stakeholders to bring policy-level reforms that will enhance competitiveness and productivity in the sector.”
He further noted that stabilizing the marble sector will create new employment opportunities and that the government will extend all possible support and facilitation to investors and exporters in this domain.
The SAPM highlighted that training in modern skills and provision of technical assistance will make the marble industry more efficient and competitive globally. He encouraged PASDEC and the private sector to promote the use of modern technology and innovation in marble processing.
Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan also directed PASDEC and the Marble Association to prepare proposals for collaboration with Italy, particularly in technology transfer, capacity building, and export enhancement.
