Pakistan eyes over $1 billion worth of marble export in next few years as government vies to inaugurate the much awaited ‘Marble City’ by January 2012. Sindh Government has finally provided 300 acre land for the project which is aimed to have almost 200 value added industries of marble. To run the important project under public and private ventures the provincial government has also formed a new company ‘Sindh Stone Development Company (SSDC)’ which has the responsibility to develop the much neglected marble sector of province, said Mohammad Younus Dagha, Secretary Sindh Coal and Energy department.
Referring to the first meeting of the new company which was held on Saturday, he said work on the delayed project was started soon after forming the company which includes members from both public and private sectors. The already approved project was facing delays since 2006. The master plan of the project, he said, would be completed within next one month while the whole project would be completed within two years.
Zubair Motiwala, Chairman Sindh Board of Investment, was elected as chairman of SSDC, he informed. Younus Dhaga, Zameer Ahmed Secretary Commerce Sindh, Shahid Gulzar Sheikh Secretary Mines and Minerals Sindh were elected directors on part of the provincial government while Sanaullah khan former chairman All Pakistan Marble Mining Processing Industry and Exporters Association, Amin Haswani and Haroon Rashid were representing private sectors. Secretary Investment, Mohammad Younus Dagha said Government of Sindh has allocated 300 acres on the northern by-pass with availability of fresh canal water from Hub Dam. Dagha said that our prime objective is to facilitate the existing middle class entrepreneurs by providing them with technical assistance and one stop facilitation to enhance export oriented productivity of this sector and to avoid wastage of raw material. He further said the project shall have tremendous investment and growth potential for entrepreneurs being based on high end technology, innovation and services. The concept is based on cutting edge technology, common facility, training institute and most technologically advanced industrial park for Marble and Granite sector in Karachi.
SSDC intends to engage consultant firm for master planning and infrastructure development. Sindh Land Management Development Company has offered to share their expertise in topographical survey and master planning of the zone. They have been requested to submit a proposal for fast track implementation of the project.
Talking to Profit, Sanaullah Khan said the project is very important for enhancing production and supply of marble and granite made ups. The association, he said was demanding early completion of the project since it was proposed in 2004.
Welcoming the fresh move on the part of provincial government, he said that the location soon after completing infrastructural development should be handed over to marble companies as they need early shifting of their units which are mostly located in the city. It is worth mentioning here that there are small and medium-scale units of marble processing scattered along Manghopir Road (Qasba Colony), Pak Colony, SITE area and environs. These units that largely cater to local construction industry complain about the poor law and order situation and power outages.
Thank God something very good has come out from a very bad Govt.
SHAHID HUSSEIN QABOOLPURIA,
LAHORE, PAKISTAN
Well! most of the core workers would come from main city of karachi so there are two major.
1-Public Transport
2-Securety
Secondly the most imp reason for Shifting of heavy industry from main city is lack of waste handling capability.
As I have talked to some business men related to Marble industry, they say that for even minor faults of their machinery they have to come again to the main city for repairs which accounts for major production loss and fattigue.
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