PASDEC signs MoU with Balochistan for uplift of marble, granite mining

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Balochistan for the overall development of marble and granite mining and processing sector of the province.

On behalf of PASDEC, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Zahid Maqsood Sheikh signed the MoU while Secretary Industries and Commerce Aziz Ahmed Tarar signed the MoU on behalf of the government of Balochistan.

The MoU entails collaboration for the development of marble and granite sector of Balochistan through improvement in existing industry practices in the province.

Under the agreement, PASDEC shall assist Balochistan in developing marble cities, training and development programs and machinery pool at district Khuzdar to facilitate in upgradation in mining techniques, provision of state of the art mining equipment and skill development to arrest the deficit in tech sector.

Processing Unit at Marble City Gaddani has also been included for reactivation in the said MoU. On the occasion, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, who was also present at the signing ceremony, said that the province was blessed with rich resources of dimensional stone however improper processing facilities and orthodox quarrying practices result in to 60 to 70 % wastage of the natural resources.

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He further said that setting up state of the art processing facilities and providing for latest equipment for mining to the private sector, in collaboration with PASDEC, would greatly benefit the province.

CEO PASDEC Sheikh said that signing of the memorandum would enable the two governmental bodies to deepen their cooperation and deliver projects for overall development of the sector.

He further said the process of development would also go as far as Chaghi not only to provide for employment opportunities to the natives but also set new standards of extraction and quarrying in the entire province. Additional Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production Islamabad also graced the occasion.