Mobile phone imports in Pakistan crossed $500 million in just 8 months

As more and more smartphone brands are entering Pakistani market, the imports of the mobile handsets manufactured by these companies are also surging in Pakistan. Mobile phone imports in Pakistan have cited a significant growth of 14.51% in the first eight months (July-February) of 2017-18, with a total sum from imports of $526.036 million as compared to the same period last year which was reaching $459.380 million.

Since the launch of 3G/4G services in Pakistan, the number of mobile phone manufacturers is rising, hence the mobile imports of these companies are also surging in the country. The number of 3G/4G users in the country which crossed 49 million in January has reached 51 million mark in latest indicators of PTA.

Getting into the comparative analysis of the previous figures, mobile phone imports in February 2018 reached $69.779 million increasing by 16.24 percent as compared to $60.029 million in February 2017, according to the data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Furthermore, distinct telecom imports in the country witnessed a growth of over 13.76% during July-February 2017-2018, compared to the same period last year. Similarly, telecom apparatus import also witnessed a growth of over 12.94% in July-February 2017-18 and stood at $477.519 million as compared to $422.795 million during the same period last year.

According to PBS, the total telecom imports were recorded at $1.003 billion during the period as compared to $882.175 million in July-February 2016-17. Telecom imports were recorded at $127.388 million in February 2018 and registered 25.61% growth, as compared to $101.415 million during February 2017.

Increase in mobile phone imports shows the interest of Pakistanis of adopting cutting-edge technologies, but these smartphone companies should establish their manufacturing plants in this emerging market, so the govt could also benefit from this. Pakistan is open for business for many foreign companies, however, most of them avoid establishing their assembling plants in Pakistan.