Swat unrest gives rise to Balochistan marble export

KARACHI - The flow of marble exports is likely to be diverted towards Balochistan as the other major areas of
marble production (Swat region) are under duress.
It is noteworthy that some 80 types of marble are available in Balochistan and being near to Karachi port it has
an edge over NWFP, while the government can earn some 200 to 300 million dollars per year if some incentives
are given to marble sector in Balochistan.
It is pertinent to mention that Onex is only produced in Balochistan, while the growth of 59.57% was recorded in
marble sector in 2008-09 in Balochistan.
'Due to global recession Europe is going to be major market for our Marble products, on the other hand China is
currently the biggest market of our marble products, said Sardar Shaukat, Chairman Balochistan Economic
Forum.
The need is simply incentives; subsidy on electricity should be given as this sector is highly dependent of it, relief
in duties and taxes is required though the current taxes are not unjustified, financial relief to be given to the
individual mill owners, he added.
Besides, the mining sector should be equally treated, while mill owners and industrialists should be given relief.
The provincial budget is likely to be announced on June 20 and nothing is expected, yet it would be much help to
the sector if the provincial government makes a committee and takes the federal government on board for the
assistance in the proper exploitation of the sector, he added.
The other measures the provincial government should take are to have a better mining policy, to update mining
rules, to lease land free of cost, and relief in exports of the stones. However, no mining is being done by the
provincial government currently.
The stones being produced in Balochistan are of fine quality and not lower in quality than stones of Italy, besides
this Balochistan has huge reserves of minerals.
The marble sectors export of the country stood at $25.8 million during July-March 2009 as compared to $16.55
million in same period last year, registering an increase of around $9.25 million. Moreover, during March 2008
marble exports stood at $2.1 million while in March 2009, they were $3.15 million due to fine quality and growing
demand aboard, the statistics told.
On the other hand, he termed the federal budget 2009-10 a plausible one for Balochistan as importance was
given to the agriculture sector and 35 dames would be built in Balochistan.
He further said that increase in BSDP is good for us, while the roads will also be completed in this period to link
Gwadar to Punjab and Afghanistan.
There are few reservations on the budget as well and one of them is like we were expecting incentives for
Gwadar which were not announced that might thin out the progressive work at the port, he added.