The domestic mobile phone manufacturing industry consisting of over 20 manufacturers of mobile phones in Pakistan providing direct employment to over 15,000 workers is waiting for the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy to be finalized.
Chinese phone manufacturers are currently looking for opportunities to create an overseas base to produce their products especially after the COVID19 experience. India and Bangladesh are actively pursuing Chinese investment while Pakistan lags behind due to long delay in formulation of a long-term policy to manufacture handsets for domestic and export markets.
Pakistan is the seventh largest market for mobile phones with annual sales of 34 million in 2019. The inexpensive labour available in Pakistan can provide a huge competitive edge to the manufacturers once the policy is finalized.
