Pakistan telecom imports hit a record $1.6 billion in 2024

 Year 2024 is marked by a rise in telecom imports by Pakistan. Pakistan import export data shows some intriguing figures in terms of the country's mobile phone imports. Over the period of July 2023 - March 2024, Pakistan's telecom imports surged by 115% with an estimated value of $1.6 billion. Pakistan is the world's 7th biggest market for cellular mobile phones with over 180 million active users. 

These figures were $745 million in FY 2022. Mobile phones were the most imported items by Pakistan. There was a record 180% hike in mobile imports of Pakistan worth $1.2 billion. As per the latest Pakistan import data, mobile phones imports were $146 billion in May 2024. During the first five months of 2024, Pakistan imported around $810 million worth of mobile phones. 

In January, Pakistan's mobile phone imports recorded the highest value of $180 million. China has shown immense dominance in Pakistan's telecom sector as it was responsible for 90% of Pakistan's overall mobile phone imports this year. China export data shows around $745 million worth of mobile phones items were exported to Pakistan this year. 

These numbers might further increase as Pakistan and China share a free trade agreement. Vietnam and the United States were other prominent markets for Pakistan's mobile phone imports. From China, the leading mobile phones exporting brands were Infinix Mobility, Tecno Mobile, Sky Royal, Vivo Mobile and Xiaomi accounted for maximum number of exports to China in this year. 

The surge in Pakistan's mobile phones is driven by the exemption of import restrictions along with rupee appreciation. This creates a better environment for Pakistani mobile companies to market more imports.  Transsion Tecno Electronics, Exert Tech, and Coastal Jade Technology were the leading mobile phones import companies from Pakistan.

In terms of mobile phones and accessories exports, Pakistan is eyeing 5 million exports in the next 5 years. In 2023, Pakistan manufactured over 23 million mobile phones. Pakistan manufactured almost every mobile brand except Apple. Although, Pakistan’s mobile phone export numbers are quite minimal. As per Pakistan export data, the mobile phones exports of Pakistan were 83 thousand dollars only.

The United Arab Emirates and the United States were the only countries where Pakistan’s mobile phones exports found place. Earlier Pakistan relied mostly on importing mobile phones, parts and accessories. This increased mobile phones' cost and made it inaccessible to the public. But now the entire landscape is changed through local manufacturing. Chinese manufacturing companies are working together with Pakistani companies to give a major boost to the country’s local manufacturing.

Telecommunication sector has created almost 40,000 jobs so far. The government is more keen on promoting local mobile phone manufacturers. Pakistani companies can make the most of this opportunity by trusting the global trade intelligence.

They can make better business decisions like sourcing mobile parts, cut production cost, plan competitive pricing, finding economical suppliers and verified active international buyers through global import export data provider. A data driven marketing approach is the most reliable way to mitigate financial risk and get potential customers.