Interview with Asghar Khan Utmankhel (APMIA)
Interview with Asghar Khan Utmankhel Senior vice Chairman, APMIA (All Pakistan Marble Industries Association) GS MMIDA ( Marble Mines & Industries Development Association) KP Provance.
The stone market in Pakistan?
Presently there are more than 3000 Units (Block cutting Industry) running all over Pakistan & 7 Marble Cities (Marble Industrial estates) are in pipeline, which are the earning source of over 100 thousands direct Families with 3% annul Sector growth. Following are three main pillars of Marble & Granite Industry: Marble & Granite Deposits 2) Electricity 3) Labour
In a broad since we have the above requirement naturally for example we have billions tons of Deposits, source of Hydal electricity & world cheapest labour. According to various sources the world total stone exports is over $ 48 billion while from Pakistan its only $ 130 million annual. Our Government is trying to help but due to War of terrorisms & finance problem it couldn’t achieve the goals set by 10 years old policy at that time government. PASDEC (Pakistan stone development company) were build to facilitate, If the required facilities like Roads, Water, & electricity are provided at Quarries & new cutting technics were used in Processing then we are 100 % sure that it is easy to earn $ 1 billion annually from the current Installed Capacity & the same will increase as the sector grows up. In short we are confident that’s this sector is the future of Pakistan.
Following is Pakistan export graph 2003 to 2013 figures
As I’m telling you that here are Presently more than 3000 Units (Block Processing Units) running all over Pakistan which are the earning source of over 100 thousands direct Families with 2% annul growth. So majority of these units production sales in local market of Pakistan.
Pakistan is also Heaven for imported stones specially Granite from all over the world. China & India are the top exporters to Pakistan Regarding Granite. Local market demands is growing with the passage of time.
The main stones of Pakistan
MMIDA (Marble Mines & Industries Development Association) is a Provincial KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Base Association of Stones mining & processing entrepreneurs since 2012. KP is a mineral rich province of Pakistan famous for Black Granite, & white marble. The majority Marble & Granite mines & processing Units are located here in KP Province of Pakistan. Country 75% Marble & granite business is here.
The MMIDA has been actively working to address the role of mining, marbles, minerals, and natural resources in Pakistan for sustainable development of these sectors as well as economic revitalization through industrial growth. MMIDA provides assistance in arranging meetings and workshops related to mining and mineral industries, as well as to the business community located in different parts of the country. The MMIDA team is also part of the Working Group, which has been given the task to highlight the mines & mineral resources in KP-FATA and to try to explore investment possibilities and business potential for industrial & economic growth. (Website of MMIDA)