Mobile phone makers demand consistency in govt policies.

ISLAMABAD -- The mobile phone manufacturers have slammed the government for not abiding by their words and policies, which was essential to invite global giant like Apple to establish their unit in the country.

Addressing a mobile device manufacturing summit here on Tuesday, the office bearers of Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturing Association (PMPMA) claimed that even iPhone was ready to come to Pakistan but was reluctant due to inconsistent government policies.

Organised by the Engineering Development Board (EDB) the speakers said lack of policy directives and the tug of war between various government departments and ministries were the main hurdle to growth in the mobile manufacturing in Pakistan.

However, the keynote speaker Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Syed Murtaza Mehmood stressed the need for localisation of parts of mobile phone, cheap labour productivity and setting export targets.

He said everybody was responsible for the current state of affairs at the economic front, but added that long-term policies can help overcome this situation.

Around 31 mobile devices manufacturing companies displayed their technology and products including Xiaomi, Realmi, Infinix, Tecno, Itel, Alcatel, G-Five, Oppo, Vivo, Premier Code, etc.

The speakers said up to $2.6 billion had been invested in the local mobile manufacturing industry in the country.

Vice Chairman Mobile Manufacturing Association Muzzaffar Piracha said that the mobile phone exports from China were around $140 billion, 'And the Chinese want to establish some of their units in Pakistan but only if the government provides enabling environment to mobile manufacturers. The...