The country’s marble sector, which has achieved record exports of over $60.620 million during the last financial year with almost 72.3 per cent growth, has demanded at least 10 per cent rebate on exports of value added marble.
To help the local manufactures and encourage the value addition of the highly valued export item, the marble exporters also demanded that “a quota system should also be implemented for raw material exports or such exports should only be allowed to exporters who also export ‘value added’ products”.
Officials of All Pakistan Marble Mining Processing Industry & Exporters Association (APMMPIEA) told Pakistan Today that, “This mechanism could also be implemented by restricting exporters to export ‘raw material’ that contribute 30 per cent of their total export figures. This would help local manufacturers with the availability of good raw material for value addition.”
Talking about a list of demands, which the association has already forwarded to the concerned authorities, Chairman APMMPIEA Sanaullah Khan, said that despite huge potential of expanding exports and large quantity of reserves in the country, the government has not taken issues related to this sector seriously. Like the textile sector, marble could also generate substantial revenue for the country as Marble and Granite Sector of the country has shown immense potential to grow at a very fast pace. According to Statistics there are stone deposits of around 1 billion tonnes and probable deposits of over 10 billion tonnes. Though there are approximately 1,500 mines producing stones for around 4,500 small to large units across the country, none of these mines are operating on modern methods and manufacturing facilities. Thus they are unable to produce products that meet international standards. This is further points out to a lack of policy frame work. Elaborating on their fresh demands, he said that, besides the 10 per cent rebate and quota issues, the association has also suggested the government to arrange a warehouse in Dubai, as the Gulf Region has great demand for Pakistani marble while Dubai could play its role as hub station.
He further said that “Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) should instigate financial institutions or concerned ministry to give priority to marble sector by offering ‘soft term financing facilities’. This would help stake holders utilize offerings for short term production expansion or raw material purchases.” All commercial counselors of embassy of Pakistan located everywhere should provide updates to TDAP about marble and granite imports of their respective countries. Coupled with that, they should discuss strategies of Marketing for the promotion of Pakistan stone industry using different channels. Sanaullah said that the prevailing volatile law and order situation along with the worsening power crisis should be reason enough to instigate the government to consider issues pertaining to this sector. He explained that the relocation of existing marble industries and establishment of the already approved marble city are also one of the urgent needs of the sector. It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan has achieved record high exports of marble with an increase of 72.34 per cent during June to July 2010-2011. The country achieved exports of $60.620 million in comparison to $35.178 million during the corresponding period of fiscal year 2010 with an increase of $25.442 million.
