The country will cross $60 million export of all kind of marble products till December 2009 on back of construction boom in Middle East and increase in Indian demand, All Pakistan Marble Mining Processing Industry and Exporters Association (APMMPIEA) said Saturday.

The country witnessed around 60 percent increase in export during July-May 2009, which stood at $31.7 million as compared with same period during 2007-08, which stood at $19.8 million.

"Export to Dubai and other Middle East countries including Saudi Arab has increased as compared with export to USA and European nations during Jan-May 2009," founder member and former chairman, APMMPIEA, Sanaullah Khan talking to Daily Times said.

He said Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo also appreciated the efforts of stakeholders and Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) for enhancing export.

While talking to sector's stakeholders after inauguration of PASDEC's quarrying up-gradation projects in Mastung (Balochistan), the Minister said Marble City would be established with the help of Balochistan government.

He said the minister also announced establishment of five agro-industrial parks in Balochistan, which would be tax-free. "Local will be given preference for the establishment of industries while initiative will be taken to encourage foreign investment in Balochistan especially for the development of stone sector". He said, "USA is eyeing on Swat district, Bajaur agencies and NWFP where we have million tonnes of deposit of marble and chromite."

This is black colour stone and contains around 55 percent steel properties and used in steel making and steel material for tank making, he added. Khan said China is the largest importer of chromite, "It is exported to China at Rs 42 per kg but due to disturbance in the tribal areas our export is hit hard" he claimed. He said presently export orders of marble products including tiles and slabs to Middle East, USA, China, Italy, Hong Kong and South Korea are in the pipeline.

He said, "Demand from India alone is around more than one million dollar every month as India posses granite but not marble".