The Pakistan Mobile Manufacturing Association (PMPMA) has criticized the government for not inviting global giants like Apple to establish their units in the country.
The Association claims that even iPhone was ready to come to Pakistan but was hesitant due to inconsistent government policies. The speakers at the mobile device manufacturing summit organized by the Engineering Development Board (EDB) said that the lack of policy directives and the tug of war between various government departments and ministries were the main hurdles to growth in mobile manufacturing in Pakistan. They have urged Pakistan to pass laws to put in place a long-term policy that allows IT firms to thrive regardless of the change at the helm.
The Vice Chairman of the Asia and Pacific ICT Alliances (APICTA) also pointed out that a major concern for investors is the change in government that poses challenges to investors. He stressed the importance of consistency of policies and called for adopting a law that would ensure consistent policies for companies investing and establishing their presence in Pakistan. He cited regional nations like India and Vietnam as examples of countries that have consistent policies in place.
The government was urged to position Pakistan as a safe country to do business and to take measures to stimulate investment in start-ups and IT. This can include supporting funds and start-up organizations and encouraging overseas companies and professionals to set up offices in the country.
The keynote speaker, the Federal Minister for Industries and Production, also emphasized the need for localization of parts of mobile phones, cheap labor productivity, and setting export targets. He acknowledged that everyone is responsible for the current state of affairs on the economic front but believes that long-term policies can help overcome this situation.
Around 31 mobile device manufacturing companies displayed their technology and products at the summit, including Xiaomi, Realms, Infinix, Tecno, Itel, Alcatel, G-Five, Oppo, Vivo, and Premier Code. The speakers said up to $2.6 billion had been invested in the local mobile manufacturing industry in the country.
In summary, the Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturing Association (PMPMA) has criticized the government for not inviting global giants like Apple to establish their units in the country due to inconsistent government policies. The Association urged the government to put in place long-term#