Pakistan has invited Samsung to turn the country into a regional centre for manufacturing, refurbishing and exporting mobile phones.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan made the offer on Wednesday, July 22. He met a Samsung Pakistan delegation at the Ministry of Commerce. The company’s country head led the delegation, while senior ministry officials also attended.
Read More: Relief Ahead? Pakistan Reviews Heavy Mobile Taxes That Raise Prices
The government promised full support for investments that could raise exports, local value addition and industrial production. Officials said Pakistan wants major manufacturers to use the country as a production base, not only as a consumer market.
Push for Pakistan-Made Smartphone Exports
Kamal urged Samsung to export Pakistan-manufactured smartphones to emerging markets, particularly Africa and other regions. “Pakistan should leverage its growing manufacturing base to become part of global supply chains rather than serving only local demand,” he said.
Pakistan’s local handset industry has expanded rapidly. Manufacturers assembled 7.36 million phones in the first quarter of 2026, up 2 per cent year-on-year. Local production met about 86 per cent of national demand. Samsung assembled around 520,000 units, making it one of the country’s major handset producers.
Read More: Faysal Bank Introduces Pakistan’s First Cardless ATM Withdrawal via Mobile
Kamal said future policy should support genuine manufacturing, technology transfer, higher localisation and export growth. He added that incentives should remain linked with investment, exports and value addition.
Refurbishment Plan and Tax Concerns
The minister welcomed Samsung’s proposal to establish certified mobile phone refurbishment facilities in Pakistan. “A regulated refurbishment ecosystem would not only strengthen local industry but could also create export opportunities for professionally refurbished devices while generating employment and promoting technical expertise,” he said.
Samsung proposed replacing commercial imports of used phones with certified refurbished devices. Under the plan, original equipment manufacturers would establish authorised facilities in Pakistan. Consumers could then buy quality-checked devices backed by warranties.
The delegation said commercial imports of used phones weaken domestic manufacturing despite Pakistan’s available production capacity. Kamal said any policy change should follow evidence, proceed in phases and protect consumers through sufficient locally refurbished alternatives.
Samsung also raised concerns about the mobile phone tax structure. It said the shrinking tariff gap between Semi Knocked Down and Completely Built Units had hurt local manufacturers’ competitiveness.
Read More: Your Phone May Be Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat. Here’s Why
The company asked the government to keep a reasonable tariff gap and encourage continued investment. Earlier rules charged 18 per cent sales tax on phones valued up to $500 across CBU, CKD/SKD and locally manufactured categories. Above $500, CBU imports faced 25 per cent, while CKD/SKD and locally produced phones remained at 18 per cent.
Kamal said the government would examine the tax concerns within the broader fiscal framework. He directed the industry to submit proposals on refurbishment, exports, investment commitments and international practices. The proposals will support work on the revised Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy.
