Marble, Granite sectors offers vast scope for investment, says Minister
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives Jahangir Khan Tareen said on Wednesday that Marble and Granite Sector has great potential for development and investment and introduction of modern technology in this sector can earn huge amount of foreign exchange for the country.
“FATA, NWFP and Balochistan are rich in marble and granite reservoirs and there is need to make more investment in these areas,” minister said in a meeting with the Strategy Working Group on Marble and Granite sector.
Minister said that the investment in these areas would provide skills and employment opportunities to the local people that would go a long way in alleviating poverty in these areas.
“Training institutes will be set up in FATA, NWFP and Balochistan to exploit marble and granite resources of the region,” minister added.
The strategy-working group pointed out that due to lack of modern technology, 85 percent of the raw material was wasted and the wastage could be reduced to 57 percent by 2010 with the use of modern technology.
The minister was further informed that with the patronage of government the exports from this sector could increase up to US $ 511 million by 2010 and US $ 2.44 billion by 2015 from a meager US $ 23 million in 2004.