Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has formally invited Samsung to transform Pakistan into a regional manufacturing, refurbishment, and export hub for mobile phones, assuring the global technology leader of full government facilitation for exports, value addition, and industrial investment. The invitation was extended during a high-level meeting with a delegation led by the Country Head of Samsung Pakistan at the Ministry of Commerce, with senior officials also in attendance.
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The minister encouraged Samsung to look beyond Pakistan’s domestic market and export locally manufactured smartphones to emerging markets, particularly Africa and other regions, stating that Pakistan should leverage its growing manufacturing base to become an integral part of global supply chains rather than serving only local demand. He also welcomed Samsung’s proposal to establish certified mobile phone refurbishment facilities in the country, noting that a regulated refurbishment ecosystem would strengthen local industry, create new export opportunities, generate employment, and promote technical expertise.
The Samsung delegation briefed the minister on the progress of Pakistan’s mobile phone manufacturing sector and highlighted recent changes in the taxation structure, noting that the narrowing tariff differential between Semi Knocked Down (SKD) and Completely Built Unit (CBU) mobile phones has significantly reduced the competitiveness of locally manufactured devices. They requested the government to maintain a reasonable tariff differential to encourage continued investment and local manufacturing. The delegation also raised concerns over commercial imports of used mobile phones, proposing instead a phased transition to certified refurbished devices produced through authorized manufacturer facilities.
In response, the minister acknowledged the taxation concerns, confirming they would be examined within the broader fiscal framework, while emphasizing that any incentives should be linked with investment, localization, exports, and value addition. Jam Kamal directed industry stakeholders to submit detailed proposals on certified refurbishment, export potential, and investment commitments to support the formulation of the revised Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy, reaffirming the government’s commitment to industrial development and expressing confidence that stronger collaboration with Samsung would boost investment, employment, and exports.
