Marble industry exports showing upward trend

RAWALPINDI, December 30 (Online): The Exports in the marble industry of Pakistan have shown upward trends as it has reached to US $ 18 million in the dimensional stone and its products 12 percent growth, Pakistan is exporting its marble products to Middle East, USA, China, Italy, UK, and Germany.
These were the unanimous views of the participants of the training program on Export marketing of Marble products held here on Thursday.

The one day training program was jointly organized by Small and Medium Enterprise Authority (SMEDA) and Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and All Pakistan Marble Industry Association.

Addressing the training workshop, President RCCI Jalil Ahmed Malik said that marble industry of Pakistan has a potential to increase the exports and contributes in the economic stability of the country.

He said under the present scenario the industrialist should concentrate on enhancing production. "We must explore new markets, remain competitive price-wise and also in term of quality. We have to be innovative and excel in, modern marketing methods", he added.

He said the SMEDA and RCCI have a long list of training programs and seminars on particularly export marketing.

Other speakers also told the participants that Pakistan had 160.2 million tons of the estimated marble reserves in two provinces, 158 million tons in NWFP and 2.2 million-tons in Balochistan.

The operational mines of granite are eleven including 6 in Mansehra area of the NWFP while one each in Swabi, Dir, Malakand, Nagarpur and Chagi. There are 2000 to 3000 processing unites in Pakistan, they added.

The participants of the seminar stressed on the need of resolution of the problems marble sector is facing. They said that the short-term leases are hindering the production and the lack of proper policy framework for dispute settlement between land and owner and leas holder is also causing various problems.

	Marble MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS This standard includes general information on the characteristics and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems associated with the material. INTRODUCTION Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite (CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed, is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds react differently with marble and produce various by-products, which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration. Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red, yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition. TYPICAL USES Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage to which marble is susceptible.