Pakistan has the potential to earn billions of dollars from marble exports. It has the world’s fifth-largest marble reserves, with an estimated 160 million tons of marble available. The marble is of high quality and is known for its unique colors and patterns.
Currently, Pakistan’s marble exports are worth around $37 million per year. However, this is a small fraction of the country’s potential. There are a number of factors that are holding back the growth of the marble export industry, including:
- The marble industry in Pakistan is largely underdeveloped. There is a need for investment in infrastructure, such as roads, ports, and power plants. There is also a need for investment in technology and training.
- The quality of marble products exported from Pakistan is often inconsistent. This is due to a lack of quality control standards and enforcement.
- Pakistani marble products are not well-known in international markets. There is a need for more effective branding and marketing campaigns.
According to Moazzam Ghurki, chairman of the Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), Pakistan, the sixth-largest producer of marble and granite in the world, has an enormous opportunity to enhance its economy by substantially increasing marble product exports. However, Ghurki emphasized that a number of obstacles must be overcome to completely realize this potential.
Ghurki emphasized the need to modernize several aspects of the marble industry in order to increase exports in this sector. The use of antiquated and inefficient marble extraction techniques is a significant obstacle for the industry.
In addition, the sector’s development potential is hindered by expensive electricity, obsolete mining techniques, and inadequate infrastructure, including roadways and structures. Ghurki emphasized the significance of government and private sector collaboration in a comprehensive marble industry revitalization.
Another PCJCCI representative, Fang Yulong, proposed a strategy to accelerate the modernization of marble extraction processes. He suggested that the government should permit companies to import machinery tax-free in order to increase the efficiency of marble quarrying. Yulong observed that traditional extraction techniques result in substantial waste, whereas modern apparatus can increase yield and export revenue.
Yulong also identified additional critical problems afflicting the industry, including exorbitant utility costs, deficient financial support, safety concerns, and inadequate transportation infrastructure.
If the government and the private sector can address the challenges facing the marble industry, Pakistan has the potential to earn billions of dollars from marble exports. Here are some specific steps that can be taken to increase marble exports from Pakistan:
- The government should invest in roads, ports, and power plants to make it easier and cheaper to export marble products.
- The government should develop and enforce quality control standards for marble products.
- The government and the private sector should work together to develop a strong brand for Pakistani marble products and to market them to international buyers.
- The government should encourage marble exporters to diversify into higher-value products, such as finished marble products and marble tiles.
Despite these challenges, there is a growing demand for Pakistani marble in international markets. China, Bangladesh, and India are the largest importers of Pakistani marble. There is also growing demand from countries in the Middle East and Africa.
Unlocking the maximum potential of Pakistan’s marble industry not only promises substantial economic growth, but also aligns with the nation’s vision of becoming a prominent exporter of high-quality marble products on the global market. Pakistan’s marble industry can pave the way for a prosperous future by addressing the industry’s challenges and nurturing partnerships between the government and private sector.
