USAID is supporting the Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) to help improve the marble mining industry to make Pakistani marble a more valuable commodity around the world.

With USAID assistance, PASDEC is implementing a new plan to develop up to six "marble cities," which bring together all aspects of the industry around areas rich in the resource.

USAID is helping PASDEC to access international marble markets, train marble workers, improve processing methods, thereby increasing employment, enhancing revenues to Pakistan's private sector businesses, and improving the lives of its citizens.

BEFORE: Quarrying marble using the age-old and inelegant blasting technique. Waste is significant, and large blocks of marble are rarely obtained.

AFTER: Quarrying marble using the sawing process. Using this advanced method of extraction, waste is minimal, and larger, more valuable blocks of marble are obtained.