ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: Federal Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives Jahangir Khan Tareen has said that Pakistani marble is of excellent quality and its products can compete with any other products in the world market.

Pakistani entrepreneurs working in the marble and granite sector are doing very well and government is very keen to help them so as to tap full potential in the marble and granite sector, he added.

According to a press release issued here on Saturday the minister was talking to the Pakistani exhibitors during his visit to the Pakistani pavilion at Verona Marble fair on the last day of his visit to Italy.

Mr. Tareen led a Pakistani delegation for participation in Verona Marble fair held in Italy from 5-8 October. The delegation included experts of the newly-formed Pakistan Stone Development Company) (Pasdec), representatives of the Sindh Mines and Mineral Institute, Export Promotion Bureau and some private companies.

The minister, talking to the exporters at Pakistani stalls, said,” We have a long way to go to fully develop our marble and granite sector. We need to employ new technology and scientific methods to compete with the rest of the world,” he said adding that it is for these reasons that Pasdec has been formed.

Under Pasdec the government plans to set up quarries where modern methods of mining will be used. It also plans to impart training to the people working in the marble and granite industry, the minister said.

He further said that the Pakistani participation in the fair would prove very useful for Pakistani marble industry.

“His meetings with the Italian officials have afforded an excellent opportunity to learn from the Italian experience, which will help us in developing our marble and granite sector up to its fullest potential,” said the minister adding that he was satisfied with the quality of items displayed by Pakistani companies at the Italian fair.