Mobile handset imports up 58% in Q1 2012
According to the figures of the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS), the expenses of mobile handsets are on the rise as Rs14.25 billion were spent on the imports of various brands. The mobile handsets imports were recorded at Rs 8.9 billion in Jul-Sept 2010.
As per estimates, the handset sales have increased to 0.125 million handsets on a monthly basis having a price range between Rs1,000 to Rs55,000.
According to dealers, the mobile handset market is changing its dynamics constantly in the past three months with the number of global and local branded phones increasing their shares tremendously.
They were of the view that Nokia Dual SIMs phones have gained tremendous popularity among the customers due to aggressive marketing. Samsung, Qmobile and Club mobile also recorded handsome sales in local markets.
The demands of the branded sets were continuously increasing after the government had earlier announced to block all Chinese sets with double and no IMEI number, they said.
The dealers are cautious to purchase unbranded mobile handsets on the fear that they would incur losses and action of authorities. However, Chinese handsets are not fully eliminated from local markets.
The imports and sales of handsets have been surging significantly in the past couple of years on high domestic demands in various parts of the country despite the fact that high inflation and flash floods have added to the miseries of the masses at large.
Pakistan is considered to be a developing country where 24% of the population is living below the poverty line in accordance with government numbers and think tanks estimates.
However, expenditure on mobile phones is increasing despite all the factors that portray a vulnerable situation of the country.
A version of this post originally appeared on ProPakistani
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We should do local production of electronic goods like the Indians and not depend on imports....
Not a good omen for the external accounts and a good indicator of the amount of excess demand in the economy and a currency that is APPRECIATING in inflation-adjusted terms.
One might say, this is a small item. But everything counts towards a swelling of the deficit since it is not being matched by exports and other compensating inflows.