KARACHI: Mineral sector holds unanimous importance in the country’s economic progress therefore upcoming government should continue mineral sector initiatives, as taken by former governor of Balochistan, Owais Ghani.
Senior member and former chairman of All Pakistan Marble Mining, Processing, Industry and Exporters Association (APMMPIEA), Sanaullah Khan stated this on Monday
He said due to the efforts Owais Ghani, President Pervez Musharraf announced an amount of Rs 300 million for the upgradation of marble mines in Balochistan during his inauguration ceremony of Marble City at Gadani on May 22, 2006.
Sanaullah said in order to improve the mining practices and quality of production of marble, onyx and granite in Balochistan; government has to upgrade the potential marble mines in the province.
He informed that this could be done through provision of appropriate mining technology to the mine owners to develop their mines and initiate producing square blocks.
Former APMMPIEA said as per decision taken, about 20 potential mines would be upgraded in the four major marble, granite and onyx clusters by Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) by providing the appropriate mining machinery and equipments.
Khan said PASDEC would also establish 3 model quarries and rock mining training institute in Balochistan on the most potential sites. He said SMEDA Balochistan assisted PASDEC in collection of applications, samples and test fees from 28 mine owners.
Due to Balochistan government, an international investment conference was held on May 8, 2004 at Quetta through facilitation of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and provincial government departments.
He said total participants surpassed 200 mark, as many as more than 60 participants from 18 countries attended conference through their Consul Generals, commercial attaches, business and trade related officials and private companies.
Sanaullah Khan said the governor and chief minister Baluchistan jointly announced establishment of Marble City at Gadani in May 2004. The notification for making Gwadar a ‘Free Economic Zone’ was also announced at the event by the governor. SMEDA facilitated Lasbela Industrial Estate Development Estate (LIEDA) in the preparation of the proposal for the establishment of Marble City Gadani, district Lasbela. Besides value addition activities, this project was envisaged generate enormous employment opportunities for the local inhabitants.
He said LIEDA is responsible for the allotment of plots and development of infrastructure in the Gadani industrial estate where in the first phase 100 acres land was allocated for allotment to marble and granite processors.
He said plots of different sizes were being allotted on first come first serve basis to those prospective investors who were willing to invest in projects related to marble and granite processing, warehouses, handicraft development centers and other related businesses.
Khan stated that total numbers of allotted industrial plots are 120, processing units in operation are 18, processing units near completion are 8 and processing units under construction are 70.
Besides number of industries ready to start construction are 7 and Marble City is envisioned to have components including processing units, warehouses, handicrafts and mosaic Development Units, Common Facility and Training Centers (CFTC).
He said sample tests are completed and national and international experts to select the potential mines carried out survey of the marble mines.
He said Says gems cutting and polishing center at SBK Women University was established at Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University in November 2005 to give technical training to the women of Balochistan.
Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University Quetta in collaboration with SMEDA Balochistan worked for the establishment of Gems cutting and polishing center at the University in Quetta.
In order to initiate the process, SMEDA was assigned the task to prepare document for the same by former governor Balochistan.
The governor Balochistan approved proposal for the establishment of this skill development facility at the Women University and advised to plan the project into two phases. At the initial stage, gems cutting, polishing and carving centre will be established and in the second phase handicraft facility will be created. razi syed
Comments by Aziz Baloch:
Pakistan turned blind eyes from such projects for decades and is suddenly showering many projects in Balochistan once again. Nawab Khair Baksh Marri critically examined such exploiter intention by saying “...Even as a partner, he wants the lion’s share. The exploiter wants to have his way and throw the leftovers to the genuine owners.” Baloch nation don’t get much benefit since they have no say and they are excluded from negotiation as well. Such an announcement does not fool an awaken and conscious Baloch nation anymore.
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