Pakistan’s telecom industry is experiencing an evolution in its paradigm and, as a result, the country is poised to becoming an exporter of handsets instead of an importer in the present.
Mobile phones are shipped abroad started last year and are aiding the economy through the earnings of foreign exchange, job generation, and technological transfer.
The growth of exports from cellphones has been increasing with the help of expansion and increased assembly plant in the country.
“In the second quarter of 2022, we’ll figure among the most reputable mobile phone exporters across all over the globe,” remarked Adviser to the Prime Minister of Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood in an interview with The Express Tribune.
After the creation of assembly factories for mobile phones in Pakistan as well as the export of fully built unit (CBUs) that are digital gadgets has decreased by 10.3 million, he claimed.
According to data provided from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Pakistan imported 28.02 million handsets in the first quarter of 2019 all by itself. The country now produces approximately 25 million handsets due to the increasing local assembly capabilities, including several world-renowned brands.
To remind you, Pakistan approved the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy in April of 2019 and manufactured 11 million smartphones in that same time. The policy was approved after a year-long consultation process with industrialists who were interested.
“Today the number of mobile phones manufactured locally has nearly doubled in comparison to the number in the year 2019,” Dawood said. “Nearly 30 businesses have been registered to carry out manufacturing and assembly of mobile phones in Pakistan and some well-known names are included.”
Of them, some could be removed by rivals, while the others would emerge as powerful players, which will benefit the country, as per the advisor.
These firms would not just provide a boost to the substituting mobile phones with imports but they would also pump a significant investments into the sector and create employment opportunities for local workers He said.
A Chinese smartphone maker has earned a impressive profits in Pakistan’s market since its debut just two years back. It set up an assembly line using the investment amounting to $16 million in the last year.
As of now, the facility has generated around 800,000 jobs. This includes engineers, technicians and other workers.
Since the company started assembling phones in Pakistan The cost of its phones fell by 40%, and the benefits was passed on to consumers.
The amount of smartphones are increasing across the nation as 4G users reach the 100 million milestone.
A significant number of young people are quickly adopting mobile technology, by buying the latest mobile phones, primarily in urban regions.
In addition the government is planning to introduce 5G technology later this year, which means that more investments in the area are in the works.
Mobile phone makers plan to invest in research and development to tap into the expanding market locally by technology advancement and innovation in their products and operations.
Realme The Country Chief of Sales as well as Country Manager to Pakistan Harvey He stated that his company constructed an assembly line in Lahore.
“Pakistan is very important to us since it is among the most important countries within the South Asian region,” he added. “We want to be in the top three brands of smartphones in Pakistan.”
The mobile market in Pakistan is growing and expanding at a rapid growth rate, with sales reaching records every quarter during the epidemic.
“The conditions are quite favorable to smartphone manufacturing in Pakistan and this allows businesses to provide a broad range of goods,” said the official. “Local manufacturing lines are getting operational too.”
