Pakistan eyes smartphone export hub with Samsung partnership

July 22, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan has been invited to serve as a regional manufacturing, refurbishment and export hub for mobile phones, with the federal government assuring facilitation for exports, value addition and industrial investment as part of efforts to expand the country's role in global supply chains.

The invitation was extended by Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan during a meeting with a delegation led by the Country Head of Samsung Pakistan at the Ministry of Commerce, attended by senior ministry officials, according to the press release.

The Minister encouraged the company to look beyond Pakistan's domestic market and export Pakistan-manufactured smartphones to emerging markets, particularly Africa and other regions, saying the country should leverage its growing manufacturing base to become part of global supply chains rather than serving only local demand.

He also appreciated the proposal for establishing certified mobile phone refurbishment facilities in Pakistan, stating that a regulated refurbishment ecosystem would strengthen local industry, create export opportunities for professionally refurbished devices, generate employment and promote technical expertise.

The Samsung delegation briefed the Minister on progress in Pakistan's mobile phone manufacturing sector and the company's investment in local assembly.

It highlighted changes in the taxation structure and the narrowing tariff differential between Semi Knocked Down (SKD) and Completely Built Unit (CBU) categories, which it said had significantly reduced the competitiveness of locally manufactured phones.

The delegation requested that the government maintain a reasonable tariff differential to encourage continued investment and local manufacturing.

It also raised concerns over the commercial import of used mobile phones, saying this undermines domestic manufacturing despite Pakistan having sufficient production capacity.

The delegation proposed replacing such imports with certified refurbishment phones, under which original equipment manufacturers would set up authorized refurbishment facilities in the country, allowing consumers to buy quality-assured devices backed by warranties.

Responding to the proposals, Jam Kamal Khan said the mobile phone industry had made significant progress in recent years, and future policy should focus on genuine manufacturing, higher local value addition, technology transfer and export growth.

He noted the country now has sufficient manufacturing capacity and said industrial policies should encourage investment rather than dependence on imported used products.

On taxation concerns, the Minister said these would be examined within the broader fiscal framework, adding that any incentives should be linked to investment, localization, exports and value addition.

He directed the industry to submit detailed proposals on certified refurbishment, export potential, investment commitments and international best practices to support the formulation of the revised Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy.

He added that any decision on commercial imports of used mobile phones should be evidence-based, phased and supported by the availability of certified locally refurbished alternatives to safeguard consumer interests.

Reaffirming the government's commitment to industrial development, the Minister said Pakistan offers significant opportunities for global technology companies and expressed confidence that stronger collaboration with leading manufacturers such as Samsung would contribute to investment, employment generation and increased exports.

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