Mobile phone exports likely to cross $1b

Dawood says ‘Made in Pakistan’ philosophy is only way forward

ISLAMABAD:

Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood has voiced hope that mobile phone exports will surpass the target of $1 billion owing to incentives given by the government during current fiscal year 2021-22.

Talking to members of the Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association, he said that the only way forward was the “Made in Pakistan” philosophy.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce on Friday, the aim of the meeting was to discuss export opportunities available to the local manufacturers and assemblers of mobile phones.

The adviser highlighted the incentives offered by the government to the mobile phone industry stakeholders through the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy 2020.

It was also highlighted that additional incentives had been extended to the mobile phone industry to promote localisation in a bid to generate much-needed growth in job opportunities.

He underlined the importance accorded by the government to the “Made in Pakistan”-led economic growth.

“In order to achieve this, the tariff structure has been rationalised by creating a tariff differential between completely built up (CBU) units and completely knocked down (CKD) and semi-knocked down (SKD) kits,” he said.

The adviser also talked about the incentives given to the exporters through the Export Facilitation Scheme 2021. He stressed the need for scaling up the production capacity so that exportable surplus could be generated.

“Mobile companies should share their investment plans so that procedural hindrances could be addressed immediately,” he said.

On the occasion, the participants of the meeting acknowledged the incentives extended by the government to the local mobile phone manufacturers and assemblers.

They were of the view that if the current trend continued, the export target set by the government could be achieved.

However, they emphasised the need for sustainability of policies and tax rebate for exporters, citing that they should be treated on a par with those in regional countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2021.

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