All Pakistan Marble Industry Association has rejected the new Strategic Trade Policy Framework as it failed to provide solutions to the problems of marble industry, which has suffered badly because of unrest in the frontier province.



The executive body of the marble association met here on Tuesday under the chair of Furrukh Majeed, president of the association. The meeting reviewed the announcement made in the trade policy.



The meeting concluded that the provincial government of NWFP has banned the blasting for mining purposes, which has stopped the supply of raw material. Moreover all the marble cutting and polishing units in NWFP are closed due to ongoing military operation in the area.



Furrukh Majeed told that the marble industry has to import raw material from Lesbeela, Lora Lai, Karachi, Mainwali and Kalabagh, which has doubled the freight charges.



In a press briefing, Furrukh informed that despite the difficulties and hurdles the marble export has grown by 40 percent during previous fiscal year. According to him, during 2007-08 the country made marble exports of $25 million which have grown to $40 million in 2008-09. He said that United States, Italy, Middle East, China, Malaysia and Russia were potential markets for marble export.



Majeed said that the association has submitted its recommendations for consideration in trade policy and not a single proposal was accepted. He said they proposed ministry of commerce to facilitate marble sector in holding marble exhibition in potential markets to introduce the precious verities of marble. The association had also asked government to give marble industry participation in trade delegation to world market. Furrukh said that the exhibitions and exchange visits help a lot in attracting international buyers.



Abdul Sami, Ex Chairman of Marble Association, pointed out that due to growing unrest in the country international reluctant to visit Pakistan to place orders therefore the exhibitions and trade delegations are essential to capture export orders. Main Sami criticized the role of Trade Development Authority and said that instead of facilitating exporters the authority has banned holding of industrial fair and exhibitions, which also gave negative signals to potential buyers.



The Marble Association has also demanded industry status for the mining sector. President Marble Association said the investors couldn't invest in mining sector with modern drilling and blasting technologies because the sector doesn't have status of industry and Banks not provide loaning facility. Moreover the mining rules were also not provide equal investment opportunities in mining of marble as it reserves for local people of specific area.



Abdul Muneeb, Chairman of the Association said that the country doesn't have modern trucks for transportation of heavy weights like marble and normal trucks are being used for transportation of marble raw material which added into the cost of business. They asked government to allow duty free import of heavy weight modern trucks and excel to facilitate marble and other industry.