Pakistan

Going down: Telecom sector sees decrease in imports

Import of mobile handsets increased to $467.1 million from $465.3 million at the end of the previous fiscal year.

APP January 09, 2014 Less than a minute read

ISLAMABAD: The import of telecom equipment and telephone/cellular handsets during 2012-13, declined to $918.4 million as compared to $954.1 million the previous year. Import of mobile handsets increased to $467.1 million from $465.3 million at the end of the previous fiscal year. According to a data provided by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) yesterday, the recent rise in the demand for smartphones in the country has substantially increased the overall import bill of handsets. Earlier this year, the government imposed duty of Rs1,000 per handset on import of smartphones which has not helped in reducing the demand for these handsets. However, it has encouraged smuggling and substandard Chinese handsets as an alternative in the market. With the aim of curtailing the burden on import bill, it is essential to encourage private sector and multinationals for local manufacturing of cellular handsets and other telecom equipment.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2014.

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