Two Mega Project of Marble Handicraft Training Center and Marble Mining & Processing Unit will be launched at Chitral to uplift women folk of Chitral. Tehsil Nazim Sartaj Ahmad Khan.
CHITRAL: To boost and improve life standard of Chitral people especially women folk two-mega project will be launched here at Chitral Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan disclosed while briefing local journalists at his office. He said that the first mega project of Marble Handicraft Training center will be open at Chitral to promote mosaic and handicraft sector of Chitral for enhancing life standard of women and providing opportunities of earning livelihood to live with a honorable way. The marble handicraft-training center would be maintained by a management board for the institute comprising over representatives of Small & Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) and All Pakistan Marble Industries Association (APMIA). He said that this project will be complete within 12 months funded by PSDP/ADP if not included in current five year plan. Total cost of the project will take 6.49 million rupees. Main objectives of the project are to support local community in sustainable livelihood by creating economic activity especially by women folk of Chitral. To develop cluster for marble handicraft manufacturing, including developing backward and forward linkages for SMEs in the marble handicrafts manufacturing and marketing as well as to encourage local people in initiating enterprises thus creating employment opportunities he added.
NWFP produce 87% marble, 1% Granite 12% slate as overall 82% product of the country. 158 million tons of marble reserves are available at our province. A study was conducted by NGO who indicated that 414 million tons of marketable granite reserves are available here in Northern areas. 148 processing unit work in our province. He said latest machineries would be purchased for this purpose. This center will contribute in economics growth of the region; it will be self-sustaining after a year of its operation he added. Training will be provided to 500 people in five years at least 30 enterprises will be established here during this period. He said that employment of 2000 people is expected direct with the project while more chances available for other labors. 12 staff would be engaged in the center.
An other mega project of Marble Mining & Processing unit would be opened here with total cost of 275 million this is a joint venture of local and foreign investors Sartaj added. The project will be complete in 2 years as machinery would be borne by foreign investor where as mine will be taken by local investors on equality basis of 40% of total investment. He said that main objectives of this project are the same as previous project with addition to minimize the ratio of wastage of marble in mining and processing, convince the industry to adopt scientific mining techniques uses of mining machinery and make the machinery available on market price. As well as to develop an international level model project of marble mining & processing Sartaj proclaimed. He said that benefits of the project are to increase the level of recovery of dimensional stone blocks from current 27% to more than 50% will also lead the greater sale of raw product in the international market resulting to increase profitability for local miners as well as processors. Other main benefits of the project is increasing productivity at mines will reduce costs and thus make the products competitive in the market. And finally better quality raw material will add value to the marble products leading towards higher foreign exchange earning by making the marble and granite products exportable. Meanwhile an other five-year development program on trade & economic cooperation between Pakistan and China is also under process and the case has been forwarded to concern quarter Sartaj said. On completion of these mega projects it will carry green revolution in the region by enhancing and boosting life standard of Chitral people.
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