Pakistan Invests Rs 79bn on Mobile Handsets Import in FY 2015-16

Pakistan invested almost Rs 79 billion in the fiscal year 2015-16 (FY16) on imported mobile phones. Though the World Bank ruminates Pakistan a lower middle-income country. But Pakistanis sustained to spend excessively on mobile phones last year as well.

Pakistan Invests Rs 79bn on Mobile Handsets Import in FY 2015-16

Also Read: Mobile Phone Imports Increase by 4.23% During 2015-16

Mobile phones worth Rs 78.57 billion were imported during FY16, presenting an upsurge of 4.23% as compared to FY15. The country, with over 133 million mobile phone subscribers’ base, imported Rs 73.22 billion in same period of FY15.

According to the recent statistics of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), whole telecom imports witnessed a drop of 0.88% during the year under review as compared to same period last year.

Industry authorities believed that expenditure of $1 billion on imported handsets is a load on foreign assets. It is also increasing the trade discrepancy, adding that exponential progress in the telecom industry is also troubling total imports.

Now the government is in view of offering enticements to top mobile handset and telecom equipment companies. Government is also considering to manufacture handsets and other equipment in Pakistan. It has been perceived that out of all the imports 20% of the imports are of smartphones in the country. It is directly related with the takeoff of 3G and 4G data amenities.

While talking to Daily Times, Q Mobile Director Zeeshan Yousuf said,

“Q mobile remained the top importer of the country last year as well, contributing more than 70% in total imports.”

Nokia is the second prevalent importer and Voice mobile persisted on the third place. Whereas Samsung and Huawei subsidize most to the imports of mobile phones in Pakistan.

It is worth mentioning that besides the legal mobile imports, thousands of mobiles were trafficked in the country using various gray channels. Mostly mobile phones that were used and repaired were being imported in Pakistan.

For Detailed Report Please Visit: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics