Islamabad: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has extended an invitation to Samsung to transform Pakistan into a regional hub for manufacturing, refurbishing, and exporting mobile phones. This initiative aims to boost exports, value addition, and industrial investment, with the government pledging to facilitate the company’s efforts.
According to Press Information Department, the invitation was made during a meeting with a delegation led by Samsung Pakistan’s Country Head at the Ministry of Commerce. Senior officials from the Ministry were also present. During the discussions, Jam Kamal Khan encouraged the company to expand beyond Pakistan’s domestic market and consider exporting locally manufactured smartphones to emerging markets such as Africa. He emphasized that Pakistan should capitalize on its growing manufacturing base to join global supply chains.
The Minister expressed support for Samsung’s proposal to establish certified mobile phone refurbishment facilities in Pakistan. He noted that a regulated refurbishment ecosystem could strengthen local industry and create export opportunities for professionally refurbished devices, while also generating employment and promoting technical expertise.
Furthermore, the Samsung delegation updated the Minister on the progress of Pakistan’s mobile phone manufacturing sector and pointed out the company’s investment in local assembly. They highlighted issues such as changes in the taxation structure and the narrowing tariff differential between Semi Knocked Down (SKD) and Completely Built Unit (CBU) mobile phones, which has affected the competitiveness of locally manufactured phones. The delegation requested the government to maintain a reasonable tariff differential to encourage continued local manufacturing.
The delegation also raised concerns about the commercial import of used mobile phones, arguing that it undermines domestic manufacturing despite Pakistan’s adequate production capacity. They proposed replacing commercial imports of used phones with certified refurbishment phones, which would allow original equipment manufacturers to establish authorized refurbishment facilities in Pakistan, providing consumers with quality-assured devices backed by warranties.
In response, Jam Kamal Khan acknowledged the industry’s concerns and emphasized that future policy should prioritize genuine manufacturing, higher local value addition, technology transfer, and export growth. He highlighted that Pakistan’s mobile phone industry has made significant progress and should focus on encouraging investment rather than relying on imported used products.
The Minister instructed the industry to submit detailed proposals on certified refurbishment, export potential, investment commitments, and international best practices to support the revised Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy. He stressed that decisions regarding commercial imports of used mobile phones should be evidence-based and phased, supported by certified locally refurbished alternatives to protect consumer interests.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to industrial development, Jam Kamal Khan expressed confidence that stronger collaboration with leading manufacturers like Samsung would lead to increased investment, employment generation, and exports.