Pakistan, Italy sign MOI for cooperation in stone development sector

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Italy Monday signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) for cooperation in development of marble and granite sector of Pakistan.

The MOI was reached between Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC), Ministry of Industries & Production and Confindustria Marmomacchine, Marble Association of Italy, said a press release here.

Under the MOI, the Italian association would provide technical expertise and support for transfer of know-how, technical and scientific education for operators, besides services like international communication and marketing.

These objectives would be achieved through a Technical – Scientific and International Trade Centre to be established in Pakistan for which the Italian Marble Association and PASDEC will contribute an equal amount of 400,000 Euros each.

The Centre would be equipped with latest machinery for human resource and skill development in the field of Marble and Granite at the Marble City, Risalpur.

The MOI has already been approved by the Federal Cabinet in its meeting held on January 3, 2018.

The project is expected to be completed within a period of two years and it would also serve as an export promotion centre for the stones being extracted in Pakistan.

The MOI was signed by the Chief Executive Officer PASDEC Zahid Maqsood Sheikh and Flavio Marabelli Honorary President of Confindustria Marmomacchine, Italy.

PASDEC CEO Zahid Maqsood said more MOIs would be signed with other stone producing countries going to further upgrade mining and processing methodology in the country.

He informed that a technical group from Italy would soon be visiting Pakistan to evaluate and set time lines for execution of the project.