PESHAWAR, Aug 8: Colourful vases, ashtrays, tables and floor designs made from marble were appreciated by people at an exhibition held here on Wednesday. The exhibition was held after a three-month programme held to teach marble mosaic art to about 25 women under the Pakistan Stone Development Company initiative by the All Pakistan Women’s Association, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, the Small Industries Development Board and non-government organisation Aahan.

One of the organisers of the event, Shahid Khan, said Pakistan was also known for its intricate handmade mosaic work and it should be used for the economic development of people, especially rural women, to ensure equal gender participation.

The programme was designed to impart training of international quality to women interested in becoming entrepreneurs and almost all of those trained would be hired to teach other women, said Peshawar Apwa Director Sitara Imran.

“Since we have abundance of minerals in our province and mosaic marble art is unique and appealing, it can help us begin a profitable business,” said Shahmim Malik, who had completed her training.

Ruksana Rajput, another entrepreneur of marble mosaic, said there was demand of marble mosaic artefacts in the international market. It was not an expensive art as marble was available easily in the NWFP, she said.

Tarawa , an artisan, said she hoped she would teach the art to other women also, so that they could earn their livelihood.