Pakistan’s Stone Stronger?

KARACHI, Pakistan – Stone quarrying is on the rise in Pakistan, growing at 20 percent annually for the last three years, according to the Daily Times of Lahore.
Sanullah Khan, chairman of the All Pakistan Marble Industries Association (APMIA) said the industry contributed 0.5 percent to Pakistan’s total GDP with an estimated value addition of 16 billion Pakistan rupees ($268.7 million).
“The marble and granite are among the major minerals extracted in Pakistan after coal, rock salt, limestone and China clay,” he said in a statement. “However, comprehensive geological survey to unearth the huge deposits of very large marble and granite reserves in the country has not been initiated yet.”
Pakistan’s marble industry is expected to attract one billion rupees ($16.8 million) in investment, as approximately 100 manufacturers and exporters plan to set up new production units in Manghopir industrial estate.
Khan asked Pakistan’s government to consider suggestions of a World Bank team, which prepared a comprehensive study on Pakistan marble industry and marble quarries in Sindh and Balochistan provinces.
“The World Bank is taking interest to improve the infrastructure and provide possible help to the sector in order to improve quality of products and develop the industrial sector on modern lines,” Khan said.