Swat, A seminar on “Coordination Between Government, Industry, and Academia for Export Development of Marble and Granite” was held today at the Swat Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event was jointly organized by the Swat Chamber and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and was attended by around 50 stakeholders, including marble industry representatives, mine owners, and officials from various departments of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The session aimed to foster meaningful dialogue between stakeholders to enhance the export potential of the region’s marble and granite sector, which remains one of the key industries in Malakand Division.
The seminar featured key presentations from TDAP, the KP Department of Mines and Minerals, and the Bank of Khyber (BoK). TDAP officials briefed the participants about international market trends, export opportunities, and value-added marble and granite products that have demand across global markets.
The Deputy Director of the Department of Mines and Minerals, Government of KP, presented a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing the marble sector. He emphasized the need for improved mining techniques, greater investment in mechanized quarrying, and capacity building to enhance quality and production efficiency.
The Regional Head of SME Finance from the Bank of Khyber provided detailed information on various loan schemes available under the State Bank of Pakistan and BoK, particularly focusing on options for machinery acquisition and energy solutions.
Industry representatives and mine owners actively participated in the discussion, highlighting several pressing issues, including outdated mining technology, persistent electricity shortages, high logistics costs due to axle load limitations, and the absence of infrastructure for value addition.
Participants urged TDAP to allocate funds from the Export Development Fund (EDF) to facilitate the procurement of advanced mining equipment and promote solar energy solutions for the marble industry, which would significantly enhance productivity and reduce operational costs.
The seminar concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and follow up on actionable items for the sustainable development and global competitiveness of the marble and granite sector in the region.
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