Marble finishing, technology upgradation: Ministry forms four technical groups

The Ministry of Industries and Production in Pakistan has established four technical groups to examine marble finishing, technology upgrade, value addition, and export promotion. Their goal is to find practical solutions to industry-specific challenges and devise a roadmap to boost the sector's competitiveness in global markets. This development was announced by Haroon Akhtar Khan, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production, during a Steering Committee meeting on Thursday.

The committee reviewed the marble industry's issues and discussed ways to enhance value addition, improve finishing standards, modernize production methods, and increase exports. Attendees included Rana Ihsan Afzal, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industry; Ahsan Ali Mangi, Secretary Industries and Production; PASDEC's CEO; and various ministry representatives.

The government has set up the Steering Committee to tackle the marble and natural stone sector's long-standing issues, unlock its export potential, and modernize the industry according to international standards. Pakistan's marble sector has huge potential for industrial growth, job creation, and foreign currency earnings, provided it shifts from traditional extraction methods towards modern processing, better finishing, and higher value-added products.

The government's commitment to working closely with the private sector to tackle operational issues, improve the industry's business environment, and promote sustainable growth was reiterated. Private sector representatives shared several structural constraints affecting the industry's performance, including outdated extraction techniques, limited access to modern technology, logistical challenges, insufficient value addition, and inadequate access to international markets.

They stressed the need to adopt modern extraction methods, improve processing techniques, and highlight marble's durability and long-term utility in construction and architectural applications.

The participants emphasized the importance of upgrading finishing standards, product quality, and processing capabilities to make Pakistani marble more competitive internationally. They called for better logistics, market development, and export facilitation to enable local producers to access new buyers and broaden their international presence.

They also highlighted the commercial potential of marble handicrafts and handcrafted designs, noting that value-added products with intricate craftsmanship could earn greater market recognition and create more opportunities for artisans and businesses.

The participants concluded by expressing confidence that improved technology, reduced waste, higher value addition, better finishing standards, and stronger export links could transform Pakistan's marble and natural stone industry into a more competitive and productive sector.