PASDEC launches marble mosaic and inlay gender training sessions

Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) in collaboration with United Nation Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is launching a series of marble mosaic and inlays gender training session to promote the women skill development and entrepreneurship culture in the country.

This was stated by Mr. Ihsanullah Khan, CEO PASDEC, in the inauguration ceremony of the proposed gender training.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that the training sessions will be commenced in Islamabad during August2011 for three months. PASDEC intends to train more than 60 artisans to develop the entrepreneurial culture in Pakistan. This culture will create the sense of self employment and elevate the poverty in the remote areas of the country.

He highlighted the marble mosaic and inlay work and said that mosaic is the art of decoration with small pieces of stone, colored glass or other material. Marble mosaic work is renowned not only for its design and aesthetic beauty but also because each product is made by intricate handwork.

He also said that under the special initiative, PASDEC is promoting the enterprise household models to support women enterprising activities for generating employment in rural labour market and produce value-added products of marble mosaic which is used in construction, furniture and interior decoration equally.

CEO PASDEC, Mr. Ihsanullah Khan added that PASDEC is mandated to develop the Marble and Granite sector on modern lines for transforming it into dimensional stone industry.  PASDEC has introduced the mechanized quarrying practices through state of the art machinery in Pakistan.

He pointed out that in 2007 the total Marble exports were 23 million US$, in 2011 only the Marble Handicrafts, Inlay and Mosaic exports are 24 million US$. Moreover he added that the objective of this training is to strengthen the cluster by providing skilled worked force for production of high quality value added product of Mosaic, Handicraft & Inlay so that enterprises and individuals of this cluster are more prepared to catch all opportunities.

The Additional Secretary Ministry of Production Mr. Ameer Tariq Zaman expressed his views that Ministry will stretch its full arms to help PASDEC to create to strengthen the cluster by providing skilled worked force for production of high quality value added product of Mosaic, Handicraft and Inlay so that enterprises and individuals of this cluster are more prepared to catch all opportunities.

The Chairman APMIA Mr. Hidayat Ullah Khan while speaking in the ceremony said that such trainings are aimed at capturing the value that the sector is lacking due to unavailability of a comprehensive processing facility and the skilled work force. It will demonstrate top quality stone mosaic making techniques and practices. The key objective is to increase exports from Pakistan and development of human capital in the country by imparting training to young females and males.

Mr. Shahid-ur- Rehman, Chairman Standing Committee for Mine and Minerals, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) appraised the efforts of PASDEC for sector development and marble mosaic training. He said that marble mosaic women skill development programme will multitude benefits for establishment of marble mosaic cottage industry at local community level. These training will bestow the investment and business opportunities in marble and granite sector to stakeholders.