The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication unveils an ambitious goal to generate $500 million in revenue from smartphone exports within the next three years.
Official documents reveal the Pakistani government’s proactive efforts to enhance the competitiveness of local manufacturers in the global smartphone export arena. Plans include incentivizing the local mobile industry with a 3% research and development allowance, slated to increase to 8% in the near future.
Pakistan currently ranks as the 7th largest cellular market globally, with approximately 189 million mobile users, constituting 78% of the population. In 2023, the country domestically produced 21.28 million phones while importing 1.58 million units.
Despite significant domestic production capacity, Pakistan’s smartphone exports remain modest, totaling about 250,000 phones valued at approximately $150 million. However, with 33 handset manufacturers and the capability to satisfy the entire local demand of 25 million phones annually, the export market presents significant growth potential.
Local mobile phone manufacturing has already created around 40,000 jobs, contributing to economic growth and employment opportunities. The government also plans to introduce policies for the indigenization of components like chargers, batteries, and packaging, aiming to bolster local manufacturing and enhance the value chain.
These initiatives position Pakistan to strengthen its foothold in the global smartphone market, fostering economic development and prosperity in the country.
